Michael H

9.3

48% each Cab and Merlot.... balanced, long silky finish, perfect acidity and dark fruits... would seek out — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I can’t pour enough praise on Dan and his talents. I don’t give many wines near perfect scores, but this merits one. The nose is a beautifully balanced mix of floral fruits, earth and spice. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, lilacs, violets and lavender. The balance is incredible...one of the most balanced wines I’ve had. The structure, tension and length are so close to perfect. It’s in the OMG realm. The tannins are nicely resolved but still have teeth. It’s gorgeously lush and rich. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, hues of blue fruits haunt the palate, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, black licorice, touch herbaceous, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, black & white pepper, dry crushed rocks, stones, lilacs, violets and lavender. The finish is heaven all the way around. To borrow Bordeaux terminology, this is First Growth Shiraz. If you don’t seek out Dan’s wines on the secondary market, you are missing something special. Not at all meant to be enjoyed young. This wine is in a very good spot and has another 10 years of life going forward. — 9 years ago

Steve Martinelli

9.2

Just a really delicious and easy drinking wine on a hot June day. Bright acidity, loads of citrus with a hint of wet stone. One of the few Napa SBs I really seek out. — 9 years ago

Scott M Davis

9.5

Yes it's light, yes it's Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. And yes I absolutely LOVE this wine for those reasons. I have come to like certain Rose's because they are versatile for food matching and sipping but this Pinot is absolutely great at both. Want to impress a group in summertime with an outstanding, stand alone sipping wine...you found it here. It is fantastic for matching with lighter food faire like barbecued veggies or squash , or for those who are not into matching Chardonnay with chicken or fish like salmon.
My confession: I rarely drank Rose because it was too darn light and often too sweet, so my only next step was Beaujolais, which often way too one dimensional, so that left me with a huge gap to move into traditional Burgundy or full bodied Pinot Noir that were way too overpowering for many meals. This is Exactly why Willamette Valley Pinot has such a superb spot in the spectrum of red wine body/texture. And Big Table Farm is hands down the best wine for value of an Oregon Pinot. Plus the owners are so down to earth real, pleasant, and love talking wine, food, farming, nutrition, etc. I don't mean to make this an ad for Big Table Farm, but they make many great Pinots and other varietals. For the money this particular Pinot is hard to beat and you truly owe it to yourself to seek it out if you are looking for a lighter style Pinot that is increasing quickly in popularity. This is one of my most valued favorites because I am not able or willing to spend $65 or more for a bottle that can disappear in less than an hour with a few friends. — 10 years ago

Ellen

9.2

Lovely wine. Would seek it out again — 11 years ago

LM Segal

9.4

'07 that's just coming into its window, but a long way to go. To-Kalon fruit with a left bank vibe. Pure and very precise, lots of pencil lead and tobacco leaf. Dark plummy fruit that hints Napa. Seek this one out (and thanks to Ilse @Benchmark for putting me on to this!) — 11 years ago

Gustavo Sotelo

9.1

One of my favorite Mencia producers in Ribeira Sacra. Also one if my fav indigenous varieties in Spain. Seek it out! — 11 years ago

Kenta Hayashi

9.3

Oh my, what a nose. Brimming minerality with noticeable oak presence. Would definitely seek this one out again. — 12 years ago

Clifton Jackson

9.6

Wonderful amazingly dark colored Pinot! Fabulous nose and rich fruit flavors! Seek out clone 23! — 13 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.1

First New Zealand Pinot Noir for us.. Good minerality and versatile wine. Will seek out again! — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.3

This was a surprise of the day. When I got in to drinking fine wine, I naturally passed over Silver Oak. No real reason, but I just wanted to seek out the smaller, more boutique producers. This was great today! Absolutely smooth. Cherry liqueur, teakwood, milk chocolate, and very little tannic bite. I’d drink up if you have ‘em. — 9 years ago

with Dan

Ariel Hammond

9.5

Wine escape NYC — 9 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.4

A truly remarkable wine from a truly remarkable producer. Seek this out. — 9 years ago

LM Segal

9.1

Bright pear and apple on a backbone of stainless steel and gravel. A reflection of the impressive Nathalie Fevre, with her husband Gilles presented an excellent flight! Seek these out. — 10 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.4

One of the homiest chinons I've had, this has violets and roasted bell pepper balanced by plenty of dark fruits, but was all so integrated and open. I will seek out more. — 11 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.3

This had plenty of fresh red fruit and some savory coffee flavors, too--more serious than you'd think, which isn't surprising since the grapes that go into the bottle are treated like grand cru fruit! I'll seek this out. (At a tasting at arlequin) — 11 years ago

Angela Frechette

9.6

I cannot get enough of Vixen. I actively seek this estate winery out in stores and in restaurants. Everything Sinclair does is truly amazing. — 11 years ago

Amy Lieberfarb

9.6

Great nose...unfiltered....crisp pears and lemon curd...what a lovely grape. Ribolla first mentioned in paperwork written by the Pope...I will seek out more of this Italian varietal after this taste. Lisa was terrific...love her Napa Chard as well. — 12 years ago

Chris Baggetta

Sommelier/Wine Director Quince Restaurant

9.4

Sneak peak at a wine that will be released this fall. There won't be much available, but seek it out. It is well worth it. — 13 years ago

Kirk F

9.0

Nice stony minerality here. Had only had their Pinots until now but I would seek this out again. — 8 years ago

LaShondra Berman

8.9

Delicious cherry and dark plums!! — 9 years ago

Tom Inners

9.4

Yum. Bought this bottle on 'Evacu-cation' during our escape from Calistoga wildfires to sunny Ojai. One of a few library wines scored from the Ojai Vineyard tasting room. Great example of California Chardonnay at its best. Shows restraint and reserve with invigorating acidity. Tasting great at this age. — 9 years ago

Antoinette

9.2

Very good on it's own or take a bottle of this Leonard Oakes Escape Rose and Leonard Oakes Frontrnac and dump into a pitcher. Tastes just like sangria. Very good! — 9 years ago

Michael D

9.1

Oh Canada...Oh my!!!!! Beautiful thick and rich...Merlot...Cab Sauv. .Cab Franc blend.velvety...smooth on the Palate...rich and dark...a light oakiness...lively but not overpowering tannins...will try to seek out for future gatherings — 10 years ago

Alina Yasnaya

10

My new favorite wine in the non-moscato category. Smooth, velvety, buttery, fruity, and just delicious! — 10 years ago

James Barlow

9.5

Stunning as always. A wine to seek out. — 11 years ago

Michael Herzog

9.5

Fantastic. PETROL for sure with peach, apricot, and pear. So nice with Thai food. Seek this one out. — 11 years ago

with Kuan

Rhonda Roth

9.1

Its is a welcome escape from a frivolous lawsuit... — 11 years ago

Laura Germano

9.0

I know is a cheapie wine from Fresh & Easy, but I love it! — 11 years ago

Erica Marie

9.4

Stellar Wine!!! And it's even better with my company!!! — 12 years ago