San Osvaldo

Paolo Bea

San Valentino Sangiovese Blend 2016

Opened and decanted about an hour prior to service. The 2016 San Valentino is a blend of mostly Sangiovese mixed with some local varieties. It pours a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the palate, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of ripe cherry, blackberry, exotic spices, wild underbrush, old leather and rich woody notes, some VA and dried rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely and despite the concentration of flavors, surprisingly nimble and super versatile with the variety of fare on the table including sturgeon in a miso with noodles (it kinda blew my mind actually). Sublime. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 3 months ago

Douglas, Tom and 6 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Kathryn Kennedy

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Deep ruby color. Aromas blueberry, asphalt and RC Cola. Soft, gorgeous wine, full of blue fruits and delicate tannins- superb!! — 6 months ago

Paul, Ted and 9 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011

Very well make — 7 months ago

Joel, Dean and 4 others liked this

Wente Vineyards

Southern Hills Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavorful without being too bold. Soft. — 8 months ago

San Giusto a Rentennano

Percarlo Toscana Sangiovese 2006

Suave & polished — 9 months ago

Shay, Jeroen and 5 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend

Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 2 years ago

Milissa liked this

Murrieta's Well

The Spur Livermore Valley Red Blend 2015

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 3 years ago

Shay, Tom and 8 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

San Mateo County Pinot Noir 2010

Jeff D
9.2

Cali Pinot Noir for the 4th: @RhysVineyards San Mateo — 10 years ago

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020

Rubis presque violet. Dense et jeune. Un premier nez presque médicinal, cerise, poivron. Le bouquet est agréable. La bouche est puissante, on sent sa jeunesse. C'est long et sec. L'acidité est bien marqué. Les saveurs de cerises et de cèdre s'entremêlent pour ce vin en début de vie. — 4 months ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

21Club KEK/KPK SOMMELIER Philip Pratt — 4 months ago

Cavallotto

Vigna San Giuseppe Riserva Bricco Boschis Barolo Nebbiolo 2019

Really fantastic Barolo! Paired it with a vodka sauce pasta dish and it showed well with and without the food. Would definitely revisit. — 6 months ago

Alexandre, Ira and 2 others liked this

Campogiovanni (San Felice)

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2015

Cherry cola, cassis, strawberries, leather, tobacco, and soft spices. — 6 months ago

Joy Hammons
with Joy

Gaja

Sorì San Lorenzo Langhe Nebbiolo 2001

Gorgeous nose. Deep gamey fruit. Herbs and underbrush. Lovely grapey stuff — 8 months ago

Paul Woolls
with Paul
Juan, Iwan and 7 others liked this

Bodegas y Viñedos Maurodos

Viña San Román Toro Tempranillo 2009

Still intact. But it’s too ashy and bitter for me.

Better balance and more suppleness on day 2.
89->91
— 9 months ago

Tom, Bob and 3 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah 2009

Imagine a great Cote Rotie, Cornas, and a Cal Syrah step into a bar. The atmosphere is all French but the ‘Mercian makes it interesting and overblown with too much density. It was spectacular, but if it were a bit more reserved, and didn’t stain my Riedel, it would have been on another level. — 9 months ago

Shay, Paul and 11 others liked this
Paul Weil

Paul Weil Influencer Badge

You must not be too attached to your Riedels if you gave it a 95! “Hurts so good”? 😸

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Is it white burgundy, maybe, but no. — 3 years ago

Hallie NoeckerKristine HarrisBrendan Wright
with Hallie, Kristine and 1 other

Wente Vineyards

Morning Fog Livermore Valley Chardonnay 2014

Buttery Oaked wine. Delicious even with red meat and pasta. — 7 years ago

Lisa liked this

Turley

Duarte Vineyard Zinfandel 2012

Only open a week. Stable — 10 years ago

Bodegas San Alejandro

Las Rocas Calatayud Garnacha 2017

This is a great wine. It opens with strong berry character and some oak/vanilla. As it opens the jammy character shines through and you get a strong berry sweetness in flavor and aroma that drinks really easy for 14.5%. Stands up to the bit of age I put on it. Will drink again! — 4 months ago

Matthew HeyboerEthan HeyboerJody Wycech
with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2012

Good show. Only a hint of CA sunshine on the close. — 5 months ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Pinotman, Bob and 10 others liked this

Cline Cellars

Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel

Favorite wine! Sweet and fruity
15% alcohol!
— 7 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend

Privileged to sample the 2016 Monte Bello at the winery as part of their Library offerings. The bottle is $375 at the winery. Tight and tannic after 8 years (and half an hour of decanting) but promising much more. Josh at the winery concedes that it’s in a dumb phase but should reach its peak in 20-30 years. I could analyze and pick apart this one for hours. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Williams Selyem

Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020

Excellent Pinot to pair with our grilled salmon and salad. — 10 months ago

Castello di Ama

Gran Selezione San Lorenzo Chianti Classico 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.
— 2 years ago

Bob, Alexandre and 1 other liked this

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 — 6 years ago

Sharon and Shawn liked this

Graffigna

Reserve Centenario San Juan Malbec 2014

Full body with a peppery after taste — 8 years ago