The Leader

Roar

Sierra Mar Vineyard Viognier 2016

SLH without too much explanation is a premier site for Pinot Noir and Chard. But like Napa/Sonoma and Santa Barbara the similar theme is we're finding more grape varietals to diversify ourselves because of how great our weather is and generally our love of many options. Roar is a local leader of quality wines, if you're looking for an SLH example of the good stuff.. here you go.

Went on a cool personal tour of some vineyards at the winery and tried some wine after. This is a newer vineyard for them, high elevation grown Viognier (10 years). Keep in mind this is a foggy climate versus most other Viognier climates. Rich peaches outweigh the honeydew melon fruit for an ideal balance of fruit I'd prefer. I think an edge to this wine is some minerality I usually find clouded from old world veen. Also out here we're in our 2nd or 3rd year in a row of very cold summers and cold spring/fall. It's really what I imagine Seattle to be because most days I just get overcast with my beach view😂 I look forward to a very warm SLH year; this will wake up the locals.
— 8 years ago

Mike, Ron and 5 others liked this

Round Pond Estate

Kith & Kin Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Nice rich value cab. But instead of rating the wine. Here's to Ron our friend and spiritual leader. Get well buddy. Heal easy and fast. @Ron R @David A Lentine @TheSkip @Martin G Rivard @Mike Rowe @Shay Aldriedge x@Paul T @Kimberly Anderson and @sorry whoever I left out. — 9 years ago

Shay, Frank and 17 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Sad to hear that @Ron R . get better fast my friend. Wine heals all... 🍷
Kimberly Anderson

Kimberly Anderson

@Jody Scharf agreed! Cheers to a speedy recovery @Ron R 🍷
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Kimberly Anderson thanks a bunch! As Jody indicated, I'm very much with you guys. I'm all out of Tylenol, but there are products and other metabolic pathways that can be explored to manage pain.
😃

Clos Fouret

Fernand Ginestet 1er cru St Emilion Red Bordeaux Blend 1947

A touch tired, but still showing well. Plenty of pleasure and interest. Thanks @Josh Leader — 10 years ago

Alan and David liked this

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Yellow Label Brut Champagne Blend

Lovely bottle of champagne! Sent to me by Michelle, the previous APAC leader of the region, for surviving my first 3 months on the job - it's pretty good! — 10 years ago

Matthiasson

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Know this name and know it well! Matthiasson is the leader for me in next generation of Cabernet production in the Napa Valley. Old school IS the new school! #matthiasson #oakisnotawineflavor #napa — 10 years ago

Anthony and Nestor liked this

Schloss Gobelsburg

Gobelsburger Cistercien Rosé Blend 2014

Early leader for best rosé of the vintage so far. — 11 years ago

Chris liked this

Bodega El Esteco

Don David Reserve Malbec 2012

I was in a spicy mood and boy did this wine deliver! I am sitting with kindred spirits, burning memories like the embers of a die cast horse shoe in my flower-soul. It makes me feel like a leader of warmth. — 11 years ago

Jason liked this

Lungarotti

Torgiano Vino Santo White Blend 2009

Wine Academy Italia
9.0

Terrific example of Vin Santo from Umbria's original export leader. On the sweet side of this category, but very well made. — 11 years ago

Lundmark, Clare and 1 other liked this

Domaine Léon Barral

Faugères Carignan Blend 2011

A great mid work day try! Thanks to my fearless leader! Biodynamic champion! Ripe fruit — 11 years ago

Mike Dombrow
with Mike
Jeff and Nate liked this

Laurent-Perrier

Brut Champagne Blend

Leader of the three pack — 12 years ago

Nick liked this

Domaine Jamet

Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2000

Austin Ferrari
9.5

The ring leader — 8 years ago

Levi, Larry and 3 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014

Founders Dan Kosta, Michael Browne and Chris Costello's dedication to quality and commitment has propelled the brand to industry leader, producing some of the most sought-after new world Pinot Noirs. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits and floral spice. On the palate cherry and sweet raspberry with toasty notes and cinnamon spice. This wine spent time on French oak (44% new). Full-bodied, elegant textured tannins on a lingering finish. Has room to improve. Tasting Samples. — 9 years ago

M. Chapoutier

Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon Villages Red Rhone Blend 2013

Young first wine I've had from this cult leader. — 10 years ago

David, Ron and 1 other liked this

Lucy Margaux Vineyards

Wildman Domaine Lucci Pinot Noir 2015

Domaine Lucci Wildman Pinot Noir 2015: We're not sure what's behind the "Wildman" name. We've heard it makes reference to Tim Wildman, MW extraordinaire and leader of the fabulous James Busby wineland tours. Or it could easily refer to Anton himself - not a stretch given this is the man who's been known to wear hot pants to official Aussie tasting events. Or may it refers to the general wildness of the wine - whole bunch, nothing-done-to-it pinot noir that manages to be juicy and earthy, structured and gluggable, a touch funky but not at all dirty. If you've had the Noir de Florette, this one is the deeper, darker, very slightly more grown up version. It's awesome. And a great peek into all that's new and different... and wild... from the land down under.
— 10 years ago

David, Ira and 3 others liked this

Cardinale

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007

As our fearless leader of the afternoon said, "this smells expensive". Yes, much like a super fancy swanky mocha latte does. — 10 years ago

Adam, Riccardo and 7 others liked this
Christanna Honer

Christanna Honer Influencer Badge

Just Napa Valley

Peyrassol

Côtes de Provence Cinsault Rosé 2014

Leader in the clubhouse for rose of the season — 10 years ago

Jorge Ordoñez & Co.

#2 Victoria Málaga Moscatel 2013

Incredible balance, very sweet with good acidity. Fruity, aromatics, complexity. First Spanish wine served at a Nobel Prize Dinner. Leader in the resurgence of Malaga as a pre-eminent winemaking region. — 11 years ago

Brandon liked this

d'Arenberg

The Laughing Magpie McLaren Vale Shiraz Viognier 2005

Vivid dark purple in color. The viognier adds fragrance and the perfume of flowers, nectarines, blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry, soft fruity tannin, velvety smooth with a medium finish, extremely easy drinking with food. d'Arenberg is hands down dollar vs. quality leader in Australian Shiraz.
— 11 years ago

Commanderie de la Bargemone

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Grenache Blend Rosé 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, the new leader in the "best rosé of 2014" competition. Wow. — 11 years ago

Corey liked this

Ballentine Vineyards

Pocai Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2008

This wine screams Cab Franc from the moment you open it and wave it under your nostrils. Opens hot and steamy like a jungle nightmare, then turns dreamy and ferny and fruity and balanced. It attacks you, entices you, then turns you, you join it, become its leader and well, you know the rest Colonel Kurtz. Heart of darkness good! Get the jungle fever! You won't regret it! Gooey, sticky, fruity, dank, woodsy, earthy, hearty, unctuous, rambunctious; this is what Rumplestilskin drinks when he isn't spinning his wheels. You should too! — 12 years ago

William Chris Vineyards

Mary Ruth Muscat Blend

William Cris showing why they are the leader in Texas wines. Excellent summer wine. — 9 years ago

Lindsay liked this

Julien Sunier

Fleurie Gamay 2015

From magnum. Feminine floral and red berries, silky and very fine palate. Sunier is a leader of the younger gang of Beaujolais makers. — 9 years ago

LM, Joe and 15 others liked this

Karina et Guillaume Lèfevre (Chateau Sulauze)

Pomponette Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé Blend 2015

The early leader for Rose of the Summer! Great balance between dry and sweet not too much of either - lovely! A bowl of nice cold summer peaches. — 9 years ago

Jessy liked this

Weingut Hexamer

Weissherbst Spätburgunder Rose 2015

We have a new leader in the clubhouse. — 10 years ago

Tyler and Michael liked this

Turkey Flat

Barossa Valley Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Red seems to be almost unique to Australia and has been made for a very long time (think the end of the 19th century!). Seppelts has been a leader with this style and back in the day there would be vigorous debates as to where the best Shiraz fruit would be used - Still or sparkling "Burgundy" as it was known back then. Turkey Flat has some of the oldest Shiraz vines on the planet and this wine was quite simply stunning! Blend No. 2 disgorged November 2005. Has the aroma and palate of mature Shiraz grapes with the bubbles providing vitality and freshness. Rich Sweet Deep and earthy. Unbeatable. Could drink it all night. I should add that this is THE Best match with Roast Turkey and a must on Christmas Day in our house. — 10 years ago

Jeff, "Odedi" and 1 other liked this

Domaine Clavel

Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2013

Both fruity and peppery. A surprisingly lovely wine straight from the bottle. Purchased from leader price, less than 10€. — 10 years ago

Laurel Talley

Laurel Talley

Actually less than 5€!

The Leader

Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Best of tasting! This is a really nice smooth cab, bigger than what you would expect from Oregon. Very impressive. Complex nose, nice tannins. It's all there. — 11 years ago

Masi

Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2007

Fairly closed nose, with mushroom, tea, and licorice and sweet cherries lurking within. Quite sweet on palate, but full and lush, texturally seductive, and finely made. Not a great buy for $100 though a leader of its kind. 2007 vintage. — 11 years ago

Devrim liked this

Lucien Albrecht

Brut Crémant d'Alsace Sparkling Blend

Сочный эльзасский бленд Пино Блан и Пино Аксеруа. В букете: яблоки, персик, медовыйцветочный аромат моринги, во вкусе командует цитрус.

Bright blend of Pino Blanc & Auxerrois from Alsace. Aroma contains hints of apples, peach, honey notes of moringa flowers. Citrus is a "leader" in the mouth.
— 11 years ago

Kalin Cellars

Cuvée CH Sonoma County Chardonnay 1990

Dan Fredman
9.5

Finally at its peak, this 1990 Kalin Chardonnay balances just the right amount of oxidation with its rich, still-ripe fruit and lush texture to make it a great accompaniment to seafood paella. Terry Leighton is one of the world's top Chardonnay producers and certainly the leader of the "we will sell no wine before it's time" movement. — 12 years ago

Mike and Nathan liked this