Stone fruit aroma, lemon zest flavor, medium body, rich mouthfeel, paired beautifully with a slightly charred cod dish. — 4 months ago
Winemaker dinner at Nari. Fabulous and if not tied for WOTN it might win in some cases. — 4 months ago
2021. Drove to Omaha to attend an Arnot-Roberts wine class and tasting, and got there early to enjoy some delicious oysters with a bottle of fantastic Chardonnay that wasn’t on the tasting list. Unfortunately, Nathan Roberts flights were delayed and the class was cancelled, but we’re going home with a bunch of tasty wines instead! — 6 months ago
Blackberry and spice on the nose, fine sand textured tannins, lively acidity and cherry plum flavor. — 9 months ago
Another last of its kind wine as the San Mateo moved to Alesia label after this vintage. This young blend is really singing right now with bright red fruit and cedar spice and well balanced acidity. A candidate for short term aging, but the freshness of the fruit really shines now. — 7 years ago
For hot climates, like here on the Outer Banks, I love chilled Pinot Noir for all day drinking. This Marlborough Pinot has the right acidity to stand up to the spices and heat of the NC summer. — 4 months ago
Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 4 months ago
Smooth but welcomed acidic. Triangular. Stone fruit - more-so peach. Peppery with a hint of smoke on very end. Doesn’t overstay its welcome. If it was sweet it would a dessert. — 5 months ago
A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — 7 months ago
39.97 from new season. Balanced. Round. Worth the price. Would buy again — 7 years ago
Great from Trader Joe's! — 7 years ago
Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 9 years ago
Our go to summer wine — 12 years ago
Dark and spicy — 6 months ago
Well-made single varietal cabernet grown near Monte Bello. Smooth blackberry and graphite. Round and medium weight mouthfeel. Less complexity given the single varietal but made with finesse. — 7 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2023 “Contra Costa County” pours, a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black pepper, orange zest, menthol, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the orange citrus notes show a bit more prominently. The finish is medium+, bright and refreshing. 9 barrels produced. Drink now through 2038.  — 9 months ago
Still young for my tastes but checking in on a go-to producer. Killer with King Crab Salad sandwiches 🥪
This bottle was a bit slow out the gate and needed some air to reveal the magic inside. This bottle was a pick up from Corti Bros when passing through Sacramento via Tahoe.
Finesse, and beautifully prolific white wine structure all the way throughout.
Santa Cruz Mts represent! — 5 years ago
This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago
Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 10 years ago
Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago
John Howard
Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries
Nose was shy, beautiful palate! See @Delectable Wine’s review. — 3 months ago