Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

With lunch, this amazing 08 Walter Hansel. Well deserving of a 93 on technical merits but, even a little higher on the pleasure scale.

On the nose, ruby older fruits of; blackberries, dry cranberries, dark cherries, stewed plums, blueberries hues, cooked rhubarb, pomegranate and black raspberries. Vanilla, cinnamon, clove, dark spice, steeped tea, limestone minerals, dry stems, underbrush, hints of black cherry licorice/cola, saddle-wood, touch herbaceous with bright withering red florals.

The drinking window is right around its peak. The body in medium, round and lush. Ruby older fruits of; blackberries, dry cranberries, dark cherries, stewed plums, poached strawberries, blueberries hues, cooked rhubarb, pomegranate and black raspberries. Vanilla, cinnamon, clove, dark spice, steeped tea, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dry stems, underbrush, hints of black cherry licorice/cola, saddle-wood, touch herbaceous with bright withering red florals. The acidity is round and like a rain shower. The finish is; beautiful, ripe, lush, elegant well balanced and polished.

Photos of, their amazing vistas and my wife blowing out her candle on their birthday gift from Nepenthe.

@Big Sur Nepenthe — 8 years ago

Jamelle Legaspi

9.1

Nice and crisp a bit of tar notes after a day. Always love whites from Alta Colina. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Fresh, ripe nose of; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum, mocha/milk chocolate, caramel, baking spices, sweet rich clay soils, very light presence of herbs and fresh red flowers with violets. The body is full, rich and nicely resolved with round M+ tannins. The fruits are big and ripe; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum with strawberries dancing in the background. Caramel, mocha/milk chocolate, chocolate pudding, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, hints of clove, sweet rich clay soils, darker spices, crumbled volcanic minerals, touch of dry herbs, suede/velvety leather, mouthwatering, fresh round acidity and a long, rich, elegant, smooth as silk, balanced finish that lasts over a minute. Photos of; the the tasting room/bar, the fresh vegetable honor stand in front of the winery, picnic area and the view onto the valley floor from their terrace. Producer notes and history...born near the Italian-Swiss border, Gaetano Regusci journeyed to the Napa Valley in 1891 working at a dairy along today's Silverado Trail. In 1932, Gaetano cashed in his entire life insurance policy and purchased a foreclosed property across the road, known today as Regusci Ranch. For the next 30 years, Gaetano lived off the land, farming; corn, hay, walnuts, plums and grapes. He ranched cattle, ran a dairy and opened a retail market. They survived prohibition and the great depression. Gaetano held onto the Ranch, passing along the historic Stags Leap District property to his son Angelo in the 1960s. Regusci long before making wine were excellent farmers...a nice resume for growing grapes. Through five generations, they were commited to agriculture. Gaetano Regusci purchased a 289-acre estate in the Stags Leap District; which included one of the preeminent wineries of its time, the Grigsby-Occidental Winery established in 1878. At that time, the wine industry was not what it is today. Aside, from growing and making homemade wine and selling grapes. When Gaetano's son Angelo took over the family Ranch in the 1960s, he began planting Bordeaux varieties on the estate. His decision would prove to be visionary within a few decades. As the wine industry flourished so did their vineyards. They planted a 160 acres of grapes that reside on the estate today. Angelo's (Angelo's Vineyard, is perhaps their best bottling) son Jim became a farmer as well, taking over Ranch duties in the 1990's. Having farmed for many of Napa Valley's most notable vineyards, Jim decided to establish Regusci in 1996. Their first crush amounted to 1,900 cases. Today, they produce 6,500 total cases spilt under several different wines designations. It's a fun place to visit and taste. Behind the tasting bar, they have a two foot piece of the cable that was used to make the Golden Gate Bridge. Ask them to see it. However, it's as heavy as a large dumbbell. When you make an appointment, see about reserving one of their picnic tables after the tasting. If you get a table purchase your lunch before you get to the winery as they do not sell prepared food. However, during the growing season, they have a honor system cart for the fruits and vegetables they still grow as shown in the photos. It's a must stop along the Silverado Trail...a beautiful setting with amazing vistas. — 9 years ago

Julia Indik

9.1

Cherries and pomegranates blend well with a slightly bitter finish. — 9 years ago

Carlos Lorenzo

9.3

A great white one from Rueda, Spain. Old sauvignon blanc vines not the typical variety from Rueda. Silky, fresh, tropical fruits, honey hints. Tonight we have paired it with barnacles, king prawn and sea snails. Probably one of the best variety wine from Spain. — 10 years ago

Vadim T

9.2

The good example of a fascinating California wine - strange name, strange story, strange flavor but really great quality. The medium to heavy body wine starts with a flowery nose, dry first impression, than hits you with amazing and long lasting tropical flavor reminiscent of orange and cream. Very good, very different. Vive la difference! — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy birthday to my wife Sofia! She wanted to go have a birthday lunch in Big Sur at Nepenthe. With these views, who wouldn’t want to go celebrate there? Great vistas, good food and an even better wine list. Krug by the glass and so much more! Good warm up for lunch.

It’s a combination of reductive and oxidized style on the nose. Bruised apple, bruised Bosc pear, well overripe pineapple, marmalade, touch of caramel, creamed cider, understated honey notes, chalkiness, seashells, some oysters, volcanic minerals w/ fruit blossoms & withering yellow lilies.

The palate shows more reductive style than oxidized. Less pronounced bruised apple, bruised Bosc pear, well overripe pineapple, white citrus, marmalade, touch caramel, creamed soda, apple cider, understated honey notes, chalkiness, seashells, some oysters, volcanic minerals with fruit blossoms & withering yellow lilies. The acidy is quite nice. Very good; structure, length & balance. The long, beautiful, rich, finish is just what you’d expect from Krug.

Photos of, the outdoor bar with that view, whew, Nepenthe pumpkin, with the cell tower signal so bad & no wi-fi, they need a antique phone booth and the outdoor lounge/waiting area, complete with a ping pong table.

@Nepenthe Big Sur — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Celebrating a 10 year anniversary only happens once. Tonight is all about trying to recreate as much of our wedding day as possible. I cooked two pasta dishes the restaurant in Cortona made for us family style. While good, there’s no substitution for truly well done Italian cooking from the old world. What the restaurant did for our reception was truly amazing and done with wonderful Italian hospitality. Those of you that know my wine habits, I’m the guy who brings Bordeaux to an Italian wedding reception and that’s what I did. After all, It was our/my wedding. I brought an 1986 Haut Bages Liberal magnum with me from the U.S.. So in remembrance of our wedding reception, we are enjoying another magnum on our 10th anniversary tonight. I was concerned about finding another magnum in good drinking condition. However, this bottle 10 years further removed is better than the one we enjoyed at our wedding. In magnum and larger formats, I think it has another 5-10 years left of good drinking ahead...properly stored of course. On the nose; dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, stones, old tobacco leaf, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices and dark fresh floral bouquet. The body is somewhere between medium to full. The tannins are nicely resolved. Fruits are ripe, fresh and juicy 31 years down the road. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry cranberries & pomegranate extract. Black licorice, a touch of pyrazine, black rich earth, wet stones, dry top soil, old tobacco leaf, light expresso roast, softly understated asian spice, mint, cedar, saddle-wood, baking spices (vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & a hint of nutmeg), violets and dark fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is round and like a waterfall over the palate. The finish is rich, ripe, balanced, well textured, elegant and lasts well over a minute. The quality of this magnum wildly exceeded our expectations. One would think this bottle was stored at a Chateau it’s entire life prior to my purchase. The alcohol comes in at 12.5%; which is one of the reasons I love the good years of 80’s Bordeaux and prior. Too bad alcohol levels are negatively impacted higher now and going forward due to climate change. Additionally in some cases, because of producer marketing decisions largely based on consumers who crave higher alcohol levels! Sofia, I am lucky to have found you to walk through life together. I love you now and forever. What a 10th celebration tonight and a celebration of our life together. All under a nearly full moon. Oooow, I ❤️ you! Photos from our 5th anniversary trip back to Cortona; the building we were married inside & out and one of the vistas surrounding (Cathedral) this beautiful hilltop town. — 9 years ago

Jamelle Legaspi

9.0

Nice and crisp, with hints of pear and actually....tobacco!?? WTH. Well this is a pretty solid wine. I got this wine at the winery itself when I visited last year, and they were totally dog friendly. I totally suggest visiting them, and bring your dog! — 9 years ago

Zachary Price

8.9

The Foxen Volpino, or "little fox", is a 78% Sangiovese - 22% Merlot blend. The merlot hails from Vogelzang located in Happy Canyon AVA, but I'm not sure where the sangiovese is sourced. Either way, the wine is one of the 7200's "caltalian" blends that, if available, can be poured for you in the winery's "Shack" tasting room. The shack is an adorable bare bones structure located off the Foxen Canyon Road surrounded by old world charms and stunning vistas, full of sassy sommeliers and attendants. Not fined or filtered, the grapes and barrels do the talking and deliver a fine new world example of an old world staple. ~$32 | #foxen #volpino #caltalian

On the eyes: Bright, garnet, burnt orange color, med+ stain, med+ tears, no gas, floc present.

On the nose: Vinous, cassis, blackberry, tobacco, mint, hints of petrol, med+ alcohol.

On the tongue: high acid, med+ tannin, med+ alcohol, med round body. Juicy, black cherry, current jam, a tinge of pressed meats, then leather yielding to oak and smoke. A very serviceable table wine - still young, wait another a year or two as it starts to come into its own. — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.0

The 2013 Pieropan La Rocca Soave
sets the imagination adrift to high altitude vistas, with delicate, breezy aromas of wild mint, resinous mountain air, white flowers, and white peaches. Crafted from 100% Garganega, it's golden-robed and silky on entry with bright, deliciously tart acidity delineating richer lemon curd and stone fruit notes. Pleasingly fleshy and full with a medium length finish tinged with sea salt. Really lovely. Sample — 11 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.8

OPAQUE 2014 petit verdot Colina D’Oro Vineyard, San Antonio Winery. The color of coarse is midnight black with a purple reflection on the walls of the glass. The bouquet is CHOCOLATE!!!!!!! OMG... The initial palate has loads of dark fruit and berries, raspberries, and fig. The mid-palate brings on the chocolate and vanilla and graphite. Then comes the long finish with smoke and oak to a dry dry finish!!!!! Still one of my all time favorites from California!!! — 8 years ago

Eric Naslund

9.3

At an Alta Colina winemaker dinner last night (thanks Maggie Tillman!) we opened the 2015 of this Syrah. It was a beautiful wine grown on a north facing hillside in Paso. This one just three years older really revealed where that 2015 will hopefully go. The 2012 was more integrated and the richness of its flavors more developed. The Tillman’s make a beautiful wine! — 8 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

Jared Etzel’s project in the Dundee Hills. This is a cant miss tasting room. One of the most beautiful spots in the valley and Melissa who runs the hospitality program is a world class professional.2015, blend of their estate Iron Filbert, George Hilberry’s La Colina, Terry Family Vineyard and Roy’s other Yamhill Carlton estate site. Great value, shows a ton of acid and liveliness. Price is a slam dunk. — 8 years ago

Victor Charcan

9.2

Very intense nose of red cherries and a slight hay and farm touch. Complex, fresh, high acidity and length. A beauty — 9 years ago

Vladimir L

9.2

Hoi Polloi Alta Collena Syrah 2014. A warm climate rich syrah, turns to velvet in decanter, long finish, great tannic structure. Tasted it at the open house of the winery over and over and over again — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Stone fruits, dry pineapple, marmalade, white & yellow florals, honey, candied nuts, citrus, citrus blossoms, melon & delicate minerals. The body is thick & rich, has round acidity with a well polished finish. Photos of their cheese shop. If you like big stinky cheeses...this is your place. Barrel room and more amazing vistas the other side of Queenstown. — 9 years ago

An Le

9.0

Had at the winery. Super solid with a Gruyere like cheese. We really liked this one. — 10 years ago

Vic Petroff

9.0

Still young, but nice. A lot of new oak in the nose at first. Big for Dundee Hills.. This will last. — 11 years ago

Andrew Crane

9.0

Plum and dark fruit on nose, cola and anise with lingering finish. Full bodied for a Rhone blend. — 11 years ago

with Sarah