Francisco de Assis Melo Lima

8.9

Francisco Melo Lima — 7 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.2

This wine from 1890's vines in the San Joaquin River Delta Sand was really great. Have another bottle so it went to bottom of the rack. Dark berry with very smooth long finish — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; liqueur style blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, baked strawberries, sweet spice, vanilla, wood shavings, dark, rich, moist soil, crushed, dry rocks, violets and fragrant, fresh, dark florals. The palate is medium bodied and the tannins are nicely resolved and round. The fruits are also liqueur is style. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, baked strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Sweet, soft leather, lead pencil, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, soft spice-box, understated herbal notes, rich, moist, dark soil, crushed rocks, a touch of bramble, crumbled volcanic minerals, nice, soft, round acidity and a long, lush, fresh, elegant fruit finish that is 75% fruit and 25% earth. The 06 has plenty of life ahead of it...at least 10 years. I'm pretty sure this bottle was around $35 at Costco upon release. Photos of, the view from their tasting terrace, the legend/Napa maverick Joseph Phelps, terrace seating and interior shot of the remodeled estate. Producer notes...the winery was founded in 1973 by Napa wine pioneer, Joseph Phelps. Like a number of other vintners in the valley, Joseph came to wine from another industry. In the 1960’s he ran one of the largest construction companies based in the USA, Hensel Phelps Construction One of his projects was to work on building the BART system in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Joseph's transition into the winery business started with a banker informing him of several potential winery projects in Napa and Sonoma. One of the projects was to build Souverain Winery in Napa (now Rutherford Hill Winery). After that project Joseph became interested in purchasing his own property in the valley. He acquired 600+ acres. His first vintage of Insignia was 1974. Joseph Phelps began planting grapes – varieties such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. They ultimately discovered these grapes were not suited to the particular climate of this part of the valley and they changed over to other varietals...namely Bordeaux based red varieties.The first vintage of Joseph Phelps was made at Heitz Cellars. Sadly, Bill passed away in April 2015 at 87...may he rest in peace with a glass that never empties. All and all a good life I'd say. Today his son Bill Phelps is President of winery. Not that long after Joseph's passing, Joseph Phelps opened their remolded hospitality center (photos above) located in what was the original winery building. It's sad that Joseph did not live to see it's full completion and opening. The last 1/4 of glass or less from the bottom of the bottle which; is called "The Truth" was so rich, concentrated & beautiful, I was tempted to push the rating to 9.3/9.4.
— 8 years ago

Michelle Haney Sanders

9.5

Oh my feaking god I've died and gone to heaven! — 9 years ago

Juha Videman

9.4

I have always thought, and once again confirmed, that this 92 Reserva is one of the best Douro reds from 90's. Still much alive, showing both secondary and tertiary aromas. The slightly reduced metallic nose disappeared with aeration. — 10 years ago

Suzanne Johnson

9.4

S&M is a Sangiovese &. Malbec blend. Smooootthhh. — 10 years ago

Roland Christian

10

The best. Old vine Zinfandel from Jesse's vineyard Contra Costa County. 1890's vines. No longer produced. Try to find some and enjoy!! — 11 years ago

Goisa Walus

9.9

Kupione w Lidlu łagodne — 11 years ago

Paul Weir

9.9

Stunning well structured full bodies red — 12 years ago

Chick Levine

8.9

Great w a fine Chinese Dinner at Royal Feast in S. San Francisco. — 7 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Lovely and breadth on the nose with a creamy, rich mousse. S lately steel with a very hard, sharp flinty finish. Surprisingly clipped. — 8 years ago

with Robert and Rick

Steve Anderson

9.3

#LiocoLunh at Barndiva. Love Santa Cruz Chards. This was crisp and good friendly. ABV in the 11's without being underripe. — 8 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

Really young. Love it. Pure red fruit, low alcohol, distinct Ridge oak profile. 1903 Torre family homesteads the middle portion of what is now Monte Bello. Planted and built a winery, abandoned in 1920 (prohibition) successive sales led to Ridge in 1959. Original merlot block planted in 68, this is a single block planted late 80's. longer it was open the better it got — 8 years ago

George Hesse

9.7

At Ken Wegner's Hunt 2016. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. — 8 years ago

with Tom

Shay A

9.0

Good port...yes! Figured it was maybe a mid 70's Grahams, but this was my first intro to Warre's. Definitely still hot with a ton of sediment...I'd give this another 3-5 years. — 9 years ago

with Weston

Tom Kobylarz

8.9

Meao Tawny NV (1999 stock)
From stocks that Francisco is experimenting with, these Tawny wines may or may not turn into a commercial bottling. From what I gather with discussing it with Luisa they are still tinkering with the blend and the style they want to represent as a Meao Tawny.
Caramel and roasted nuts jump from the glass and fan out over the thicker textured wine that adds oxidized notes of orange and ginger. If anything for me as good as this is it could use a little more freshness.
Tasted at Quinta do Vale Meao 10/16/2015.
#meao #topsecret #tawny — 10 years ago

Justin Ryan

8.9

Such good value vs the barolo. Delicious. — 10 years ago

with Jay and Lyndsey

Andy Wigginton

8.9

Nice big 50/50 Cab S/Syrah blend. Just the thing for a grilled tri-tip! — 11 years ago

Fabien Lainé

Blogger VinDeling.com

10

One of the best memories of my #PortugalDiary - Tasting with Sandra Tavares and Jorge Serôdio Borges Wine & Soul 5G Very Old Port (a Tawny Port) laid down by Jorge’ great-great-grandfather. It was he who started the family’s tradition of serving 100 year old Port on special occasions - 5G / 5Generations - sharing with the #winelover s culture, tradition, knowledge and passion for the Douro and Port Wine. This elixir was aging slowly for over 120 years at Quinta da Manoella - I love #Douro 😜👍😃 a mythic wine — 11 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.2

I'm sure I've rated the before, because I have a bunch of the 2009's at home in wine rack. Tasting again at the Bonney Doon tasting room in Nov 2017 it seems to be fading just a wee bit. Still lovely, but drink it soon! — 7 years ago

Matt

9.3

Love how this is showing. A lot of toasty and savory notes coming through like coffee, smoke, leather, and cocoa. All behind a layer of ripe and balanced wild black fruit, spice, meat, and purple flowers. Inherently California in its plushness but strikes a balance and perfume reminiscent of my favorite S. French producers. Awesome! — 8 years ago

Michael

9.2

Silky smooth lyrics come together with wind through the pine herbals. Big bowl of cherries aromatics and glowing ruby highlights in the glass. Integrated acidity and snapshots capture the action like a 90's skateboard magazine. Pairs well with road trips to the redwoods. — 8 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.3

Just delicious. Cherry with s bit of a candy quality. Don't get any tannin/ alcohol/ wood- beautifully balanced with a bit of restraint. What zin was before fruit explosions were the norm. — 8 years ago

Bryant Bickel

9.1

Great value here, not over the top on the extraction, it still has some brighter notes, solid c/s — 8 years ago

Lara H

9.0

Ginger, orange peel and a viscosity that shows its uniqueness. As much acid as a 1970's San Francisco studio apartment — 9 years ago

Terry Seal

9.0

Silky yet light mouthfeel, good acid and a bright salinity that made it s perfect match for dorado carpaccio. #portuguesewine is so underrated! Some great treasures that go well with food and are easy on the wallet. — 9 years ago

David Engel

10

I think many people have forgotten how great Gattinara is. Antoniolo produces such great wine. This 2007 Gattinera San Francisco is evidence of that. I'm happy to have some of their 2009's hidden away. Are you a fan of Barolo & Barbaresco? Grab another great Nebbiolo. You'll be glad you did. — 10 years ago

Wilfred Wong

Chief Storyteller, Wine.com

9.2

One of my TOP TEN WINE EXPERIENCES OF 2014. Simply love this wine! Medium straw, light yellow color; dried apple and mineral in the nose, understated and persistent and eerily deductive; medium bodied; dry, medium acidity, well balanced; tart apple flavors, some slate; medium finish. An amazing dry chenin blanc made in a style unheard of in American winemaking circles. (Best Served: 2014-2017) (Tasted: August 25, 2014, San Francisco, CA) [Sourcing: Vineyard planted in the early 1980's on very sandy soils in the Foxen Canyon district] [Winemaking: Tank fermented, transferred to neutral wood for the winter, racked back to tank for a few months prior to bottlng] [Eric Railsback-Winemaker] #whitewine #cheninblanc #santaynezvalley #centralcoast — 10 years ago

Christopher Parks

Sommelier Per Diem Restaurant

10

Be careful this stuff will turn you into William S. Burroughs! — 11 years ago

Scott Evans

Sommelier/Owner Pago & Finca

9.7

Savory herbs, delicate fruit, old world texture. Very stunning. Show age well, but would guess late 90's not 04. I am a lucky man right now. — 12 years ago