Ming L

9.0

Dismissed by many as too jammy or too ripe, I’ve always thought this is the fun bottling. This ‘21 is no exception. Beneath the slightly over extracted ripe dark fruits lies quite complex aromas and flavors of figs, sweet spices, dark chocolate, smoke meat, and hint of balsamic. Rich palate but not overbearing. In a good vintage like ‘21, this can benefit for 5-8 years of bottle age.
My guilty pleasure. — 2 years ago

Kevin Mullally

9.0

My second favorite of the Quivira wines. Floral. Dry as a bone. Lots of acid. Refreshing. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Young quality #zinfandel #petitsirah blend by Ridge - blackberry pie filling, vanilla and other sweet spices on the nose; beautifully balanced fruit and acidity ending in grippy tannins. Methinks this wine would be better laid down for 5+ years. — 5 years ago

DAL 9000

9.1

On Ambiance’s new patio. Bouquet of cherries and raspberries. Soft upfront then the pepper/spice about 3 seconds in. Then a mild plum finish. — 6 years ago

Peter Collins

9.3

Really smooth and great finish. — 6 years ago

Peter Heidt

9.7

...personal fav!!! Inky purple grape goodness in a bottle. Wish I would have had the time to get up to the winery on this visit... Would put this up against any high end California Cab... These guys are artists... — 7 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

9.8

"If you can't make a great wine in this vintage, you should get another job," Lou Kapcsándy told me in the Spring of 2013, when I first tasted this wine with Kapcsándy, his son Louis, and the late Denis Malbec. It was a fascinating tasting because the wines were all still in separate lots, unblended, and we tasted each lot cooper by cooper...one of the most instructive tastings I have ever done anywhere. Today, a few years later, the 2012 Grand Vin is still stellar. 😱❤️😋 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy 50th birthday! I always ask what were you doing when you drink a wine this old.

I am told by my Somm buddy who brought this bottle, this is To Kalon fruit even though it is not listed on the label. Excellent fill line. 12% ABV. 👏👏👏

Color is brickish on the edges but the color inside is still beautiful & solid.

This is a wine not to decant or a short one and pour it out w/ 6 people. It does get better in the glass.

The fruit is old but still ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, stewed plum/cranberries, baked rhubarb, almost watermelon notes, mid berry cola, steeped tea, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, dry tobacco, sandalwood to some cedar, light dark spice notes, dry herbaceous notes, pine bar, some tarriness, anise, dark forest, dry leaves, some v/a-bandaid, dry river stone, decade red, dark, florals, excellent acidity, great evolution, balance, still has tension, with elegance & smart polish that lasts a minute.

Bottle acquired recently from the winery. — 2 years ago

Kerri

9.5

Bennet Valley, Jackson Park Vineyard. Flavors developed beautifully in this one! Deep fruit on the nose and first taste, then a nice earthy flavor on the finish. The fruit deepened into this mixed dark fruit, smells amazing! That aged earthy deep flavor is a nice finish. Decant for a bit before, small amount of precipitant — 5 years ago

Nick

9.1

Tastes like Sprite, with a nice punchy acidity — 6 years ago

Renee Lanza

9.2

Thoroughly enjoyed this Sauvignon blanc. I had high expectations, but they were met. Can’t beat it for the price! Would recommend. — 6 years ago

with Christian

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

EnRoute established in the RRV in 2007 by the partners of Far Niente. Les Pommiers introduced in May 2009 and reflects a blend of vineyards from Green Valley and upper Middle Reach area of RRV AVA. Complex fruit aromas, cedar and mineral notes. On the palate cherry and cranberry flavors with tobacco and toasty oak, rich structured tannins. Nice mouthfeel, zesty crisp acidity ending with fruit, mineral and oak character. Nice! Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

This is a great Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Fruit forward with black fruits and chocolate notes, earth, vegetables, bell pepper, spices and peppercorn.

Nose of sweet red candy that fades out with airtime.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some complexity and tannins.

After a few hours of airtime it is much earthier with lots of vegetable notes.

Would benefit from another few years in the bottle.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$26. — 7 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

The ‘16 is just a stupid good value. Teldeschi Ranch Zin with a spike of 15% Petite Sirah. It’s big and beautiful, yet refined and classy. Everything you could ask for in a Carlisle appellation that drinks like an awesome SV. — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Showing black fruits with earth, oak, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, vegetables, light vanilla, herbs and peppercorn.

Starting to drink nicely now. Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.

Good right out of the bottle, but very tight. Needs 3 hours to open up, but it finished too quickly.

Aged in (25% new) American oak barrels for 14 months.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45. — 3 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.2

A complete delight to drink tonight. It has weight but it’s light on its feet, with enough brightness and acid to pair well with a steak and rich sauce yet soft enough tannins to sip on after dinner. Perhaps time will reveal more complexity, but I can’t deny the simple enjoyment of this one tonight. — 5 years ago

with Sam

Justin Gilman CSW, CSS

9.0

Revisited one of my old favorites. This #zinfandel is very dark in the glass with deep purple hues. The body is heavy and compact with a somewhat fresh and cassis like. Tasting a savory component as the seed. Mildly tannic, moderate acid. #wine — 5 years ago

with Sindy

David L

9.2

17’ Quivira Alder Grove SB. Pale straw color(sitting in the glass all night) it’s much lighter. Medium bodied
The inviting aromas of peach, guava, orange blossom, key lime pie, followed by a palate full of juicy grapefruit & lively citrus flavors. Moderate/light acidity floats nicely on the back of the palate. Serve at cellar temperature!!! Not to cold.
Incredible value at $ 20 dollars a bottle. Cali version of a well made Bordeaux. Just love it! — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

This Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon is extremely fruity. Good by itself as a sipping wine. Showing black fruits with chocolate notes and peppercorn.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins.

I found this 3 year old better than the 5 years old 2014 i had not too long ago.

I paired it with a cheese plate, dried fruits and crackers.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$18. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

One of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded in 1885 by world traveler John Benson. The winery flourished until Prohibition, at which time it was abandoned and fell into complete disrepair. The stately stone shell of a winery was purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, melon and citrus flavors, creamy, with toasty oak, fig and honey tones. Lingering finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. Nice! — 8 years ago