Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2020 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is bright and wonderfully saline, with plenty of mineral and savory accents. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper, chalk and dried flowers open nicely with a bit of time. There's terrific energy and plenty of cut. Most of this fruit is sourced from the own-rooted vines first planted in 1971. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Wine geek Pinot. Own rooted, carbonic maceration, no sulphur, magnum. Personally I’d love to taste this with traditional fermentation. The fruity crunchiness almost gets in the way; yet that’s what it’s supposed to be. I’m asking for inauthenticity. For what this is, the expression is incredibly pure, nose to tail. — 5 years ago

Jan-Willem van der Hek

9.5

Super sensual and exciting Grenache. 140yrs old own rooted Grenache from sandy soils, from the Vine Vale Barossa Valley. Made like Rayas, so pure, clean, delicate but with a lovely old Vine Grenache punch! — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

2017 Bedrock Riesling from Cienega Valley AVA. Planted in 1963 and dry-farmed. Apparently it’s the second oldest riesling vineyard in California. “Own-rooted in decomposed granite and limestone lovingly tended by the magnificently mustached Pat Wirz,” according to Morgan Twain-Peterson MW. Loaded with flavor. Lime oil and granny smiths with a hint of honey, and lots of rocks. A steal at $25. — 7 years ago

Benjamin Hall Jr

9.0

I’m beginning to enjoy the other varietals (than Malbec) produces in these Argentine Andean souls at high altitudes more and more. This 70% Cab / 30% Syrah blend is a lovely example of a refined mix giving intense new world character with the subtleties of old world wine making. The terroir comes thru in notes of gravel and rosemary. The fruit is big but it mildly dissipates in a most pleasant way. Drank it with a cheesy vegetable casserole with mushrooms and herbed garlic tomato sauce base... a great pairing! — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Founder and Winemaker Dave Phinney’s deep respect for the vineyards is rooted in an early attempt to make a sophisticated wine from a difficult site. Golden yellow aromas of tropical and citrus fruit and melons.This wine was aged, 25% in new oak, 60% neutral & 15% stainless for 10 months. The palate shows fresh fruit flavors of melons, citrus, and pears, hints of cinnamon spice and toasty oak. Lingering finish, lively acidity, good balance ending with mineral tones, and was well balanced. — 9 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.3

A beauty. Deep ruby red. Tight as a drum at first, but patience is rewarded after about 2 hours after opening, when aromas of stewed plum, raisin, tobacco, and sandalwood begin to show. Farmed on own-rooted Monastrell vines, the wine is balanced and food-friendly; it paired well with a spicy dinner. Plush and full-bodied on the palate, with black currant, blackberry pie, tobacco, anise, and other flavors that carry over on a long finish. Excellent. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Grapes sourced from 2 vineyards, high altitude sandy souls in Vera d’Alba & Renesio Incisa cru in Canale. Originally called "Nebbiolo bianco" due to the shape of the bunch and the size of the berries similar to Nebbiolo. Pale lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of lemon, apple and herb character. Medium finish, lively acidity balance, ending with creamy citrus and mineral character. Nice value! — 4 years ago

Arecibo Message

9.1

Initially very candy-like! Then settled in to “whatever”. — 5 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Blend of Grenache (80%) and Mourvedre (20%) from 6 parcels in the Palastor, Bois Dauphin and Cabrières lieux-dits, located around the road to Orange in the cooler, northern part of the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC. From 60-80 years old vines Gradassi inherited from his grandfather rooted on sandy and clay soils, with few galets roulés (round river stones). Whole-bunch fermentation in cement vats. Aged for 10 months in older barriques. Intense, complex and fabulously aromatic, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, licorice and an edge of graphite/gunpowder. Big and powerful (14.5%) yet balanced. Earthy, leathery qualities and some chewy tannins. — 6 years ago

Manuel Buergi

9.3

(Magnum bottle)
What a hulking but at the same time incredibly graceful Barolo. Deep-rooted minerals, plums, dark chocolate, mocha and a bit of smoke, well integrated oak & smooth, sweet tannins. definitely showing the darker side of rocche in this fabolous piece of land in la morra. — 8 years ago

Tom Wood

9.0

12' Pinot from SOS on the shelves at $19. Either they need to fire their manager or they're insanely charitable. I drank this out of a coffee mug and didn't once have a complaint. — 9 years ago

Martinez

9.0

100% Pedro Ximenez from vineyards in Moriles Altos, one of the top areas within the Montilla-Moriles appellation. Vines are rooted in albariza (tosca hojaldrada) soils. Aged for an average of 3 years under flor in the solera system and bottled en rama (unfiltered). Intense nose with notes of toasted almonds and yeast. Sharp, very dry and saline on the palate. A very powerful and sapid, quite persistent wine. Umami 💣 — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, blossom and sweet spice, spending 20 months in new French oak, grapes grown mostly in alluvial sandy souls. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with notes of licorice, cacao and spice, savory. Full fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral character, slight alcohol presence. Tried about a year ago, aging well! — 5 years ago

great.lena

9.2

Soft, balanced, velvety, long aftertaste — 6 years ago

Jason Keefer

8.9

Good, very interesting concept with the own root stock and unobstructive, non crushing process. Have to let it breathe a bit to round out but once you do, pretty easy drinking! — 7 years ago

Stephen Osgood

9.1

From own rooted vines planted in 1955.... — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral; blackberries, blueberries dark cherries, black raspberries, caramel, mocha, vanilla, loamy soils, fresh, red florals and violets. The body is thick & full. Tannins are round and velvety. The fruit gorgeous and creamy in style. Dark currants; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, raspberries. Mocha, medium intensity baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla, milk chocolate, loamy dry souls, violets, fresh red florals, beautiful round acidity. the structure length, tension are well executed well a balance polished finish. Photos of; the entrance to the Winery with a press on east side, Layered soil structure of their Dr. Crane Vineyard and the immaculate barrel room. — 8 years ago

Fernando Limas

9.6

The Dark Souls of the wines. — 9 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.2

I love @Angela Osborne 's Grenache, but was a bit skeptical on this one. The story was intriguing, pre-prohibition own-rooted vines planted in sand..and growing in the shadow of Ontario Airport east of Los Angeles. Did I mention Cucamonga Valley? But I should have known that Angela wouldn't have picked it if it wasn't special. Greatly exceeded expectations. Color was lighter than some Rosès, but this was no lightweight. Fragrant nose, nice acidity, a bit of earth and stems, but strawberry and just a nice purity to it. Best at cellar temp. Easy quaffer and a joy to drink. — 10 years ago