Delectable Wine

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10

The 2016 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides has been nothing less than stunning on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. A wine of extraordinary purity and depth, the 2016 dazzles from the very first taste. The richness and power are simply breathtaking. Bacon fat, smoke, grilled herb and lavender are woven into a graceful, seamless core of inky blue/purplish fruit. Even with all of its intensity, the 2016 remains remarkably light on its feet. The Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend of fruit from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffin's Lair and Walker Vine Hill, done with 100% whole clusters and aged in a combination of concrete and neutral oak, with no SO2. I am not sure how the 2016 will age, but I am also not sure it will matter, as most bottles will be long gone before that is an issue. Quite simply, the Sonoma-Hillsides is a total pleasure bomb and a modern-day benchmark for Syrah in California. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2018) — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

This wine is still QUITE on the way up. Block 6 Vine Hill Ranch fruit. This one has just started to do a little bit of integrating. The nose is full throttle blackberry fruit, oak, licorice, iodine. The entry is energetic, youthful, slightly sweet blackberry cassis with a little bit of blueberry, milk chocolate, herb, and cherry blossom(?). The middle of this is thick, dark blackberry. The finish is dominated by black pepper and grilled meat finish. A little bit of heat here. Oak tannin that I imagine was probably much more stiff upon release. Starting to soften, but I imagine the better days of this wine are still ahead. Drink 2019-2029. — 7 years ago

Anthony Biagi

Winemaker Hourglass, Owner Patria

9.2

Funny @Cameron Hobel the 97 im drinking tonight nonbrett at all. Cedar box, chocolate fudge, dried cherries, black pepper and hints of camphor. Tannins are plush and finish a lil dried out. Over all a pleasure to drink. Tony Soter was a terroir God. Almost positive this wine has JJ Cohn, St Eden and Vine Hill Ranch. We need to chat more about Tony Soters place in the history of Napa — 9 years ago

Anthony Biagi

Winemaker Hourglass, Owner Patria

9.3

Cut my teeth here. Dan duckhorn was a terroir sniffing God. Would guess the cab I this bottling came from stout on hm, vine hill ranch, spottswoode, stelzner merlot jj Cohn. Guy new great vineyards he and T Soter new where the kind was at. — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Nice nose. Good aged merlot. — 11 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. First red up was the Two Brothers Pinot Noir which comes from four separate vineyards in Sonoma County; 41% from Steiner Ranch, 26% from Walker Vine Hill, 21% from Devoto and 12% from Perli. Namesake is for the two sons, Tripp and Cushing. Aged for 18 months in 17% new French oak. 1,630 cases produced.

Medium garnet red with some ruby in the core. A touch of greenery on the nose with some twigs and strawberries. A touch of tobacco and cedar too. Medium acidity (6.5/10) with a light plus to medium body. Layered palate with notes of cinnamon, violet, white pepper, plums and a touch of mushrooms. Medium plus finish with a little bit of iron coming through. Drink till 2021.

$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $55.00. — 7 years ago

with India

Billy L.

9.5

2012 Vintage PNP
Really easy drinking, great QPR from
Lisa Drinkward & Francoise Peschon>who makes Bruce Phillips VHR (Vine Hill Ranch) & was Araujo’s Winemaker for many years.
Excellent wine always!
Deep purple & blue fruits, fine integrated tannins, long finish, lots to enjoy here!
Cheers 🍇🍷👍 — 8 years ago

Michael Townley

9.5

Wine tasting night, blind tasting and this was #1, Vine Hill Ranch 2010 #2, Andrew Geoffrey Cab Franc 2009, Caymus 2012, Turnbull 2013 — 9 years ago

Roy Piper

9.6

2013 VHR. Not yet released. Spectacular graphite and black cherry aromas. This 100% Cabernet wine is both elegant and complex. Really good with a one hour decant, this will age over 15 years as well. Just great. — 9 years ago

Elizabeth Kurdziel

9.5

Last bottle of wine from our honeymoon! Very smooth and full bodied Cabernet. — 11 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.2

Tor’s entry Cabernet is a cuvée from their single vineyard sites (mainly Cimarossa mixed with To Kalon, Melanson, Herb Lamb, Tierra Roja and Vine Hill Ranch). The nose offers up leather, cinnamon and blueberry. Fruit-forward on the entry, cherry and blackberry flavors dominate with hints of spice on the finish. The wine is medium to medium/full-bodied - definitely lighter bodied than most Tor Wines I’ve enjoyed. Despite its youthfulness, it is drinking well - though I would suggest opening at least an hour before consuming. — 7 years ago

David L

9.7

15’To- Kalon Cabernet Franc- Vine Hill Ranch PV -To - Kalon Cabernet. Flipping Amazing!!! Must have in your cellar! — 7 years ago

Alexis Davis Iaconis

Hospitality Director Copain Wines

9.5

Powerful and elegant from Oakville. Long life ahead — 8 years ago

Chris LoRusso

9.3

Great acid, lemon & hazelnut. Light to medium bodied, not as buttery as I like. Prefer the Vine Hill, but Love Kistler Chard! — 9 years ago

Kevin O'Connor

9.8

Old vine goodness!!! — 11 years ago