Jason Valdez

9.5

Valdez - enough said... — 5 years ago

with Evgeniya

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Proof that, indeed, there is truth in wine.

While Heidi Barrett makes her only Chardonnay and Spring Mountain Cabernet for Fantesca, my understanding is she will not make Pinot Noir. That responsibility falls on Fantesca’s Associate Winemaker Tony Arcudi, who also makes wine under his eponymous label in addition to consulting for Kapcsandy.

Fantesca’s 2014 King Richard’s Reserve is sourced from a selection of prime vineyards in Russian River Valley including Bacigalupi, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli. Reminiscent of my experiences with Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. A rich, yet beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that juxtaposes lush raspberry and black cherry against a backdrop of herbs, flowers, and forest floor. The balance between opulence and restraint is where the beauty lies. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Another 4th Friday for the books! Insane pulls this month to follow up the most epic month (April) that we’ve ever had!

Would love to open this against a Rivers-Marie Pinot. A lot of black cherry concentrate and pepper. Finish is very acidic and young...the RM shows a tad more fruit and complexity on the mid-palate. — 7 years ago

with Mark and Weston

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

Hooray! Délectable was kind enough to identify it, even though it has yet to be released. This is Maxem from Sam Kaplan. I don't know how he sourced this, but the grapes are from the infamous UV (Ulises Valdez) vineyard in the Sonoma Coast area. Soils are a mix of dense clay and sand. Aubert makes their outstanding Pinot Noirs here, with the soil giving their voluptuous texture to the wine. Now, in the hands of Kaplan, he uses his signature velvet mouth feel, balance and finish and plays with the Pinot Noir grapes delicate nature, bright fruits and acidity to create a magnificent wine. This is his first release, and it is tastes like his 100th. Can't wait for it to come out! Maxem, meaning 'best of the best' in Latin, is the combined name of Sam and Nancy's children...Max and Emma. Truly a family labor of love. — 8 years ago

with Beth and Katherine

Sam Brenner

9.2

Broke this bad boy out for my fiancée's bosses and they loved it (and so did I). Big time nose. It's really well-structured, rounded out, smooth, gamey and meaty. We paired with chicken, but you can get away with more exotic kinds of meat. Awesome wine. — 10 years ago

Danielle Price

Owner Maison du Prix Wines, Cofounder Coup de Foudre, Former Executive Director of Wine Wynn Resorts

9.0

Green apple, melon & honeysuckle with floral notes on the nose. Apple tart with citrus oils & almonds. Touch of minerality with a silky finish. — 10 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.0

This wine was definitely structured, but I wonder if it was also a bit shut down too. This wine has a good Asian pear nose and a hint of peach. Very viscous opening. But a little muted throughout. Very satisfying by itself, but I imagine that any substantial fare would probably crush this one. I am hoping this wine might just be in a weird spot right now because I have had other wines from this producer and they've all outdone this one. — 6 years ago

Matt Trader

9.2

Excellent examples of wines PERFECT for pairing with food. They specialize in making a wine that is beautifully complex and layered, but when paired with dishes that focus in on 2 or 3 good ingredients, is an ingredient you realize, "Wow, I can't this with out it".

Elegant, supple, soft - meaty weight, thyme, raspberry reduction, red plum skin, clove. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Geez, one of the better Aubert pinots I’ve had. Wow. Rose petals, violets & birch wood on the nose. Gorgeous cherry tobacco on the palate and rhubarb and perfectly balanced acidity. Perfect finish showing candied black cherry. A tribute to Ulises Valdez...RIP to one of the premier farmers/vineyard managers in Sonoma. — 7 years ago

with Dan

David Rubinoff

8.9

Pizza night! #kettlepizza — 8 years ago

John Grady

9.0

Paired pumpkin clam chowder was great! Contrasted with the soup's sweetness and creaminess superbly — 8 years ago

Pete Contaldi

9.8

From a section of grower Ulises Valdez' home vineyard running along Stott Lane, Aubert produces my favorite domestic chardonnay. At the same time rich and hedonistic, the wine displays refreshing high acid and stony minerality. — 9 years ago

Tama Day

8.9

This is a 2012 100% Grenache. Fruit forward lighter than Zin. Michael likes. — 10 years ago

Evgeniya

9.4

@Jason Valdez — 6 years ago

Brit Schneiders

9.1

Peppery. Full bodied. Very good!! From Dad's "wine club" — 6 years ago

Nicky Catrambone

10

Silky smooth. Bold. One of the best wines I've ever had. — 7 years ago

Jason Gallo-Gaffner

9.6

14 is really phenomenal — 7 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.4

Was excited to try this and very happy to find that it met expectations. Ulysses Valdez is famous enough for his vineyards and the former Marcassin team makes the wine. So glad this wasn't in an overdone style, instead balanced and restrained but bursting with fruit. Can't wait to try more. — 8 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.0

Floral Nose and great fruit. A hidden gem. Don't spread the word or prices will go up for their whole lineup — 9 years ago

with David

Michael Meyer

9.5

Wow! Fleshy dark fruit, pepper, coffee. Tannins settle down after some air and the acid buoys up the brooding powerhouse. Perfect with flank steak fajitas. — 10 years ago