Bruce Dunbar

7.9

I was underwhelmed by this and another 2011 Gestalt Block opened a couple years ago. Both showed raisiny traits, not much fruit and drying tannins I had hoped would have softened with 10-15 years in the bottle. Not sure if it was the wine or mishandling prior to purchase (bought a couple years after release, around 2015) but these seemed to be a bit tainted and/or past their prime. Too bad given high expectations and years of praise for Brittan. — 3 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.6

The ‘22 Winds of Change has a quiet nose with just hints of plum and earth emanating from the glass. It’s medium-bodied and subtle in these early days with mellow tannins wrapped around berry pie and underbrush. All in, a very drinkable syrah with potential for more complexity. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.2

Beautiful: dark, quiet, powerful. Nothing extraneous. Lead with minerals, graphite, tobacco on top of a layer of dry black and red fruit. Tannins were mild. Fit the room (The Grill, NYC) and the meal (Thanksgiving) perfectly. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.8

A really lovely California sparkler that brings together the best of California Chardonnay with Blanc de Blanc! Rich nose with toasty oak, minerals and pear on the palate, all lifted by a delicate mousse. A great food sparkler. Can age. — 13 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Medium-bodied but somehow rich, the 2015 cuvée from Le Vieux Donjon is loaded with sappy red fruit balanced by garrigue, anise, and florals. Easy drinking but not simple, it pleased a wide range of palates at our Christmas dinner. Still seems to have the legs to go a few more years. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.5

This young cab from the cool Petaluma Gap is an easy drinking, food friendly wine in its youth. Very dry, low tannins, hints of blackberry, tea, graphite and cocoa. It will be interesting to see how much more color time will bring out. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.2

There is a lot of life left in the 2002 Petite Syrah from Turley’s venerable Hayne Vineyard. Still loaded with bright and dark fruit, the richness of port without a hint of prune, a wonderful funkiness and a long, bright, peppery finish. It’s full bodied and beautiful in its middle age. — 19 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.3

More a show jumper than a thoroughbred, the 2015 Pajè Barbaresco from Roagna is light on its feet and well-balanced, but reaches great heights. High-toned red fruit (strawberry at the top), baking spice, and florals jump from the glass one-after-another and land softly on a a base of minerality. Drinking beautifully. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

A beautiful wine full of classic Barolo flavors: dark cherry, tobacco, rose petal, cedar and more. Reserved yet deeply satisfying. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.5

The 2005 Les Lys, after +/-10 years in Defaix’s cellar and another 10 or so since release has a nose of apricot and straw and is bone dry on the palate with touches of pear, vanilla and honey. Its golden, lager-like color belies its age and perhaps the slightest touch of oxidation. — 2 months ago