San Juan Cellars

Arnot-Roberts

Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

2021. Drove to Omaha to attend an Arnot-Roberts wine class and tasting, and got there early to enjoy some delicious oysters with a bottle of fantastic Chardonnay that wasn’t on the tasting list. Unfortunately, Nathan Roberts flights were delayed and the class was cancelled, but we’re going home with a bunch of tasty wines instead! — 6 months ago

Vanessa, Dave and 7 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Perfection, even in a bad glass. — 9 months ago

Paul, Rob and 2 others liked this

Bodegas San Alejandro

Las Rocas Calatayud Garnacha 2018

surprise in the bag we keep at the hotel…not bad, a bit peppery (if that’s a thing) — 3 years ago

Ted and Jeni liked this

Bodegas Juan Gil

Honoro Vera Jumilla (Organic) Monastrell

Very solid. Pairs with lamb / fatty dishes. Fruity and spicy. — 5 years ago

Bonny Doon Vineyard

A Proper Claret Santa Cruz County Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Peppery, acid, lighter on the fruit. This would pair really well with chili or a similar dish — 7 years ago

Sharon and Shawn liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Merlot 2010

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 10 years ago

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2014

Lyle Fass
9.2

It’s got that CA profile. Dusty earth and tooti frooti but also has some good spice. But yea, that CA profile. Elegant, sweet and balanced. Not big but small and pure. Nice. — 6 months ago

Jonathan, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Agricola San Felice

Il Grigio da San Felice Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2021

Light on the nose and medium body finish / very delicate flavor but rich notes of maybe vanilla, definitely black cherry, leather, hints of earthy tones. Delicious — 9 months ago

Bodegas Bernabeleva

Camino de Navaherreros San Martín de Valdeiglesias Garnacha

Bubbly amber apricot smooth cidery but not super tart — 7 years ago

Graffigna

Reserve Centenario San Juan Malbec 2014

Full body with a peppery after taste — 10 years ago

Cline Cellars

Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel 2012

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend

A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — 7 months ago

Castello di Ama

San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sangiovese Blend 2015

2015 vintage Chianti Gran Selezione.
80 % Sangiovese, 13 % Merlot and 7 % Malvasia Nera.
Deep dark ruby red.
Perfumed nose with black currants, violets, olives and cocoa.
Ripe black plums, leather, black tea with polished silky tannins.
A long, beautiful finish.
— 4 years ago

Bob, Alexandre and 1 other liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2013

Still young for my tastes but checking in on a go-to producer. Killer with King Crab Salad sandwiches 🥪

This bottle was a bit slow out the gate and needed some air to reveal the magic inside. This bottle was a pick up from Corti Bros when passing through Sacramento via Tahoe.
Finesse, and beautifully prolific white wine structure all the way throughout.

Santa Cruz Mts represent!
— 5 years ago

Sean liked this

Wente Vineyards

Morning Fog Livermore Valley Chardonnay 2016

This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago

jesus, Scorewine and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Juan Gil

Jumilla Monastrell 2012

Loads of red fruit--raspberry and cherry especially. Nice touch of oak giving it some nice vanilla and clove notes. Good body and medium finish. Kind of tobacco-like taste on the finish. — 10 years ago