Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First up, this is made by Master Sommelier-Raj Parr & his business partner Sashi Moorman. I studied for my Sommeliers test one day with Raj.

Second, this is one of few Santa Rita Hills I like. Most are over extracted for me. IMHO, many drink like Cabernet-Pinot blends. This is not. It is more Burgundian in style.

The 2018 is starting to come around. It shows some nice evolution & integration.

Lush & ripe entry of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, cranberries, dry herbs are bountiful, mid, dark spice, a touch of smoke, grilled meats, moist clay, limestone, dry top soil, some menthol, eucalyptus w/ bark, mid berry cola, red, dark, blue & purple florals for days, excellent round acidity, nice; tension, structure, balance & elegant finish that lands on spice & softened earth that lasts nearly two-minutes. — 9 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep garnet with a terracotta rim . This has some sous bois , earthy tobacco , coffee grinds , herbal touches , cedar and dried currants . On the palate this is quite dense and classic in profile , still quite a lot of tannin , sous bois , cedar , some cassis , tobacco and a little herbal. Quite stocky and chunky . Medium length , and balanced acidity . This is still quite dense on the palate , with grippy , slightly rustic tannins . Probably just past peak , but will hold over the next 5 years or so . Tasted at Hedonism Wines , London …. No label on the bottle ! — 2 days ago

Joe Fischer

9.2

Ruby red with aromas of strawberry, cranberry, and plum. On the bud, baking spices, blueberry, cinnamon, and a nice balance and medium finish. — 4 months ago

P Pelissero

10

One of our all-time favorite Pinot Noirs! — 2 days ago

Mary H

9.2

100% destemmed grapes. Ruby red, soft texture, strawberry, cherry and a hint of vanilla. — a month ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Had at the Judgement of Paris wine tasting/dinner. Still holding up after 40 years! — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark medium garnet with little bricking. On the nose: expressive perfumed nose with dark plum/cherry, currants,milk chocolate, baking spice, floral, wet forest floor, touch of roasted meat. Taste: silky, balanced, elegant wine that is singing at 20 years with dried red fruit, earth, chocolate, cedar, minerals, saline, and a spiced-tobacco-green bell pepper long finish. YUM! — 4 months ago

with Brenda

S.S. Mandani

9.1

Doing a Chardonnay flight!

Slightly more heat. From the nose, I predict more fruit flavors. Heavy lemon. More white flowers. A bit of that buttery/creaminess.

Oh yeah. That’s the stuff. A side by side comparison of Matthiasson and Sandhu is v interesting and a lesson in winemaking and different climates of Napa and Santa Rita Hills.

A bit of mako but not a ton to help lower the acidity. More primary fruit characteristics. Lemon. White flowers. Slight butter. And actually a bit leafiness, which I love. — a month ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Clean apple and peach notes, some oaky/resinous funk. After an hour hints of matchstick and toast occur.
Very Nice.

Gaining complexity and depth after extended aeration. Up a notch, — a month ago

Steve Rura

9.0

Not really a whisky drinker, but I can appreciate this Scotch. Very woodsy and dry. Cedar with orange bitters, and oaky vanilla bean. Clean fresh finish, with a long lasting Szechuan pepper tingle and wood chips towards the end. 14 yr single malt. — 3 months ago