1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins that needed 45 minutes, long fruit finish. The 15% ABV, slight burn, but ok. Nice! — 5 years ago
Great Malbec, old vines pie franco — 6 years ago
Last ‘15, aged well! In the autumn of 1989, Jess Jackson acquired the Zellerbach winery and renamed it in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson. From higher elevation vineyards, golden straw with stone fruit aromas & floral tones. On the palate apple and pear flavors, buttery with layered spice, goid acidity balance supporting the French oak aging. Medium finish ending with citrus mineral chatacteristics. Very nice, drinking well now. — 6 years ago
In a restaurant last night and saw this on the wine list. In 1989, Jess Jackson acquired the Zellerbach winery and renamed it in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson. Aromas of red/black fruits with citrus notes and gentle spice. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors, vanilla spice with currant tones. Fine soft tannins, great balance on lingering finish ending with oak and cacao. Great value, good now and will cellar well. Opened up nicely in about 45 minutes. — 7 years ago
Delicious. Complex but smooth. Medium tannin. — 4 years ago
Baked and stewed fruits, crunchy acidity, earthy and robust. Like a bordeaux style merlot. Really enjoyed it. — 4 years ago
Great full bodied red — 5 years ago
2005 Marc & Alex Bachelet formed their domaine with aid of their Uncle Monnot & father, first release of the domaine’s Puligny wines garnered immediate recognition, locally & internationally, a rare feat in the wine world. Sourced from 11 acre vineyard, with an average age of 50 years. Aged for 12 months in French oak, has aromatic red fruit with earthy notes. On the palate cherry and strawberry with currant notes, fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice! — 5 years ago
Happy Father’s Day! Wonderful pull by my father in law.
I’m a big fan of this winery as you don’t see them around very much. Such high quality with impeccable wine making. Slow ox for 1-2hrs. 95 merlot/5 CabFranc. Espresso and dark cocoa dusted black cherry, ripe blackberry and currant aromatics...intoxicating. So soft, yet ripe fruit, on the palate. Cherry swisher sweets, baked mixed berry figs, and still tart red and black fruit. Can’t believe how tart and ripe the fruit is even at 13yrs. Outstanding. — 6 years ago
The 2020 Semillón Old Vines From Patagonia comes from Alle and Ingeniero Huergo and was fermented and aged in foudres for eight months. Golden in the glass. The nose is seductively clear: a drop of honey, beeswax, and dry damson mingle with sweet spice notes from the aging process. In the mouth it’s dry but broad, with a slow flow and firm acidity hiding behind a velvety texture that constricts toward the end, getting ever more light on its feet. The extremely languorous finish is the flavor of beeswax once the honey has been removed. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, June 2021) — 4 years ago
Domaine de Mondot belonged to Father de Seze, who had the present-day chateau built in 1745. Very much taken by the estate, Raymond Troplong purchased it in 1850 and constituted the vineyard as we know it today. Dark Ruby with black fruit aromas and floral aromas. On the palate cherry and ripe blackberry with oak, coffee and earthy notes. Fine tannins with, long finish ending with fresh fruit, mineral and an earthy character. — 5 years ago
Great 2015 Malbec old vines pie franco — 6 years ago
This remains to be one of my favourite Malbec producers from Mendoza. The colour is Magneta, almost black. The wine is composed of lush, perfectly ripe plums, cherries, cassis, black currant and blueberries. There are hints of dark chocolate. Velvety tannins elegantly dance around the cheeks until gracefully fleeting away to the back of the palate. — 6 years ago
Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him. Aromas of crisp stone fruits with citrus notes, complex. On the palate apple and citrus flavors, lively with honey and spice. Well balanced, lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Nice! Put this in the cellar for a few years. — 6 years ago
Light and juicy. Balaton notes w some funk. Green pepper on the finish. Block island porch pounder. Medium bodied. — 7 years ago
Andrew Schirmer
A gorgeous bottling. Massive florals, zippy acid, minerals. So very pretty. The son has transcended the father. Beautiful work. — 4 years ago