Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Belle Pente means "beautiful slope", 70 acre hillside vineyard on a historic 1840s farmstead 2 miles east of Carlton in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Beautiful nose with ripe berry & floral scents mingling in the glass. Fresh fruit flavors of raspberry & sweet cherry, hints of vanilla oak spice, great balance with vivid acidity. Smooth tannins, lingering finish ending with cedar tones & a nudge of spice. An enjoyable Pinot at great price. Has aging benefits, but why wait. 667 cases, grab all bottles you can find. — 8 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.2

The riviera comes to the east side. This bottle is not the best value, but it is very good rosé. It had plenty of strawberry fruit, great refreshment and cut the mergez sausage and tian de courgette that we ate. I am sure it would be a ten on a cigarette boat in the Mediterranean. — 9 years ago

with Jim

Gregory Knaps

9.2

2013. Hilltop vineyard planted in '99; 2,200 ft! And ten miles from ocean. Floral, herbal, extroverted fruit. Really good. — 10 years ago

Russ Bus

9.3

Gravelly rocky vyard with old scrub waist-high vines. Benito Dusi Ranch farmed by Benito since 1940s (older brother Dante owned vyard twice as big and half as old.... Turley/four vines/J.Dusi origins). Oldest vines in Paso. First winery to put "PasoRobles" on a wine label est 1969 (not officially AVA until ten years later in the 80s) so keep it as appellation for historical purposes even though it's a single vineyard. 3 miles south of 101. 25acres/92-years old planted in 1922. Head trained, 2.6t/a. Purple floral nose; Dark, brooding, black fruit, molasses, tar, and barrel spice on the palate. Robust well knit tannin. — 10 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Novelty Hill borrows from the ancient Latin phrase In Novale Novello, “in virgin ground I plant young vines,” for its name. I didn’t realize that there aren’t vines on the actual Novelty Hill in Washington (located about 5 miles east of Redmond). Oh well, so much for my Hill vs Hill face-off with Pritchard Hill’s Bryant Family. This 2014 Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon talks some serious smack, and even brings a serious punch, but that would have been Go-Karts vs Formula One. That said, this is one hell of a Go-Kart. In the low $20s, my first comparison is to Charles Smith’s Substance Cs, and this blows the doors off that wine, and more than justifies its slightly higher price-point. Jumps out of the glass with black cherry, cassis, mocha, licorice, and a heavily spiced cranberry potpourri, while still managing to weave in a savory undertone that emphasizes the noticeable balance. Washington offers extraordinary value across the board, but this is a value even by Washington standards. 92+ — 8 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

From a vineyard a few miles from their main property. Vines are less than ten years old. Not as acidic or minerally as regular bottling of their valpo. The aging gives this a richness that the valpo Classico doesn't have. Not better, just different — 9 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

From the Kick On Ranch vineyard in Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County (a proposed AVA between Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley). Apparently this vineyard is located ten miles east of the Pacific Ocean and constant winds have created a unique series of sand dunes in which these Riesling vines are planted. Brilliant pale yellow. Intensely mineral Riesling nose, with a hint of flowers, much like a Saar Riesling. Delicate and crunchy with impressive purity of fruit and high mouth-watering acidity. Long finish. Low alcohol 10,21%. In a blind tasting would have taken this for German. Impressive. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

10

Two blond 15 miles east of Yakima zillah 100% varietal at least in barrel December. A very pretty bouquet violets lavender blackberry blueberry fruit black earth very intense and complex array of aromas. Wow an explosive wine on the tongue with a long layered finish black spice and that floral nuance from the nose lasting through the finish. Finish 50+ killer — 12 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Panek Vineyard is situated in St. Helena on the east side of Highway 29 just north of Turley Winery, adjacent to Aida Vineyard, and about 3 miles up Highway 29 from where I’m situated this evening... making it all the more special... The 2010 from Rivers-Marie is straight fire, sporting a plum red velvet smoking jacket, and a potent perfume of spicy Mexican cocoa powder. Stunning. — 8 years ago

Dave Genevro

9.4

Dark straw yellow in color. Some salty surprise, and dare I say...a slightly nutty and oaky goodness with textured length for miles on the palate. Spiced pears and a beautiful acid level. At almost nine years old, an aged white blend at it's best. Ten months in neutral oak and stainless steel. 43% Marsanne, 33% Roussanne and 24% Viognier. — 9 years ago

Jed

9.0

France's first rosé appellation in 1815, this Rhone village's deep pink flows back to at least the 13th century. The darker color heralds deeper flavors and tannic structure. Dry and full-bodied with notes of cherry, white peach and almond leading into a river-rock minerality (Chateauneuf-du-Pape is less than ten miles away.) Well balanced, not overly acidic, and perfect with bouillabaisse, artichokes, or Carolina barbecue. — 9 years ago

Craig Thompson

9.4

This is a great advert for the varieties, Malbec, Petit Verdot & Merlot, and for screwcap. This wine is delicious. Sapid, fresh , clean so easy to drink but with weight and complexity to provide interest. Ten years old and as fresh as a daisy. A lovely wine and easily a gold medal. — 10 years ago