Al Shikoh

9.1

vivid ruby; muted aromatics, red berries, cherries, potpourri, dusty earth, pine needles; very tart red fruits, prominent minerality on the finish; medium body, high acidity, prominent fine grained, 13% ABV; first vintage sourced from their estate vineyard, 25% whole cluster inclusion, aged in 25% new French oak for 12 months and then 4 months in tank; still a bit tight at this point but suspect it will reward long term cellaring; $50 — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

inky black color; dark chocolate, plum; blackberry cobbler, spice, great concentration and length; full bodied and tannic but velvety texture, medium+ acid, 14.7% ABV; blended with 8% Syrah, sourced primarily from Rossi Ranch in Sonoma Valley (89%) with some fruit from Rosella’s Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands (11%); should have good aging potential; $34 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

medium lemon yellow; lemon curd, pineapple, brioche, white flowers, hint of smoke; medium body, medium+ acidity, 13.2 % ABV, lovely balance; sourced 56% from Sanford & Benedict and 44% from Solomon Hills, aged 11 months in 90% new French oak, 50% malolactic fermentation — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

medium ruby; dried leaves, potting soil, sage, violets; dried cherries, mushroom; medium body, medium+ acidity, soft tannins, 13.1% ABV, good length; winemaker Justin Willett was former assistant winemaker at Arcadian; $57 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

straw colored; green apple, melon, lees, minimal oak; light bodied, medium acidity, 12.5% ABV; farmed biodynamically; gentle whole cluster pressed, fermented with indigenous yeast, 12 months in once used barriques and 500 L puncheons and then 6 months in stainless steel — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

dark purple; plum, blackberry jam, licorice, mint, spices; dark berry bramble, good length; blend of 84% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 2% Mataro; comprised primarily of 100 year-old vines, Ridge has had a bottling since 1991, spends 11 months in American oak only 10% of which is new; $39 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

medium ruby; red cherry, damp earth, spice; cherry, raspberry,silky tannin, 14.3% ABV; 18 months in 59% new French oak, sourced from Two Barns Vineyard, 38 acres planted in 2000 to Dijon, Pommard and Wädenswil clones; $95 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.4

opaque violet, prominent tears; very floral and aromatic, lavender, licorice, blueberry compote, hints of black pepper; plush, round, blue fruit, feminine; full bodied, medium acidity, tannins have resolved, 14.8% ABV; sourced from Gary Franscioni’s Rosella Vineyard, 25% whole cluster inclusion — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.4

medium reddish purple; bing cherry, rhubarb, dried rose petals, vanilla, Christmas spices; dark berries, sugar plums, orange peel; medium body, medium acidity, very soft tannins, 14.2% ABV; sourced from a single block of own rooted vines in Brooks Estate Vineyard all planted to Pommard clone, old vines planted in 1973 and 1974 and farmed biodynamically, winemaker is Chris Williams Jimi Brooks’ former assistant, 18 months in French oak; $55 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.6

dark violet; blackberry, cocoa powder, vanilla, violets; blackberry cobbler, sweet dark fruits; full bodied, medium+ acidity, fine grained tannins, 14.5% ABV; blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec, aged 24 months in 100% new French oak; $220 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

medium ruby red; blackberry, plum, dark chocolate; round, voluptuous, fruit forward, black cherry, dark berries; medium+ acid, medium tannins; made from 100% Merlot; 14.4% ABV; $88 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

light salmon-pink; strawberry, sweet floral notes; soft red fruit, spice; light bodied, dry, mouth watering acidity, 13.5% ABV; blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault from vines planted in clay-limestone soils averaging over 30 years-old; Cinsault is direct-press, Syrah and Grenache saignée, fermented in concrete, aged on the lees 3 months with bâtonnage, no malolactic fermentation; Louis Dressner selection; $13 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.6

dark violet/black; blackberry, black cherry, mint, vanilla, dark chocolate graphite; intense flavor, red and black fruit, minerality; full bodied, chunky tannins, 15.2% ABV; sourced from Harbison’s Estate Vineyard in Oakville, 5+ acres of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; $295 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

medium yellow with pale watery rim; aromatic, slightly cloying, honeysuckle, lemon, chamomile, beeswax; slightly viscous mouthfeel, long finish; medium body, medium+ acidity, 13.7% ABV; blend of 60% Roussanne and 40% Viognier; $60 — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

dark, inky black violet; blackberry, black cherry, lavender, menthol, graphite; blue and black fruit, minerality; medium weight, dusty tannins, 14.7% ABV; made from blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3 % Cabernet Franc planted in combination of gravel, sand, and clay soils, aged 19 months in 65% new French oak; Larkmead’s base cuvée, has the balance to drink young; $125 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

peach colored, coppery highlights; peach skins, musky floral notes; orange rind, lovely texture from aging on the lees in barrel a year, super crunchy, nice grip on finish, 12.4% ABV; made from 100% Zinfandel grown sustainably in King Vineyard in Suisun Valley; $32 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

medium ruby red with watery rim; black cherry, plum, dark chocolate, mint; medium body, high acidity, medium tannins/fine grained, 13% ABV; ripe vintage, made from 100% Merlot, organically farmed in mixture of clay, limestone, and gravel, élevage in 25% new French oak, a Kermit Lynch; $39 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

vivid pink; strawberry, watermelon, floral notes; very fresh and fruity, dry, 13.4% ABV; blend of 71% Grenache, 16% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, and 9% Viognier, sourced from the True Believer Estate Vineyard which is the Miller family’s Bien Nacido Vineyard farmed by winemaker Chris Hammell; fermented in neutral barriques and aged 5 months; $27 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

pale rose color; strawberries, wild berries, wet stone; light bodied, great acidity, dry, 12% ABV; made from 100% Pinot Noir, grown organically in limestone soils, spontaneously fermented; a Louis Dressner selection; $18 — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.4

inky purple; blackberry jam, cassis, violets, mint, vanilla; very dense dark fruit, good persistence; full bodied, medium+ acid, tannins are slightly grainy, 14.6% ABV; sourced from one of the choicest areas in Larkmead Vineyard, aged 20 months in 80% new French oak; $95 — 7 years ago