Brandon Boesch

9.7

This is outstanding. Strawberries and cream, cherry, red apples, flowers, there’s a hint of baked pie crust, but this is fruit and acidity balanced. Not too dry or austere. So complex. One of the top sparklers I’ve had from CA! — 3 months ago

Matt Sterr

8.9

Cheese and brine. — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.4

Meg was right about 5+ more years of aging. Just getting close to perfection. — 3 years ago

with Bonnie

Emily Wang

9.1

Nose like a Pinot, mouth feel and ripe fruit almost like a Merlot. — 9 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

Hello, California Syrah!!

From everything we’ve read, the Alder Springs Vineyard sounds like a truly majestic place.

It’s isolated in an undeveloped part of northern Mendocino County, situated in California’s North Coast region, where the steep and rugged terrain meet sweeping views of the ocean, bordered by rivers, redwoods, and snowcapped mountains… elevation stretches up to 1,800 feet above sea level.

It’s no wonder so many acclaimed producers, like Pax Mahle, source their fruit from here, where vines are sustainably farmed and cared for by Stuart Bewley. We were fortunate to visit Pax in Sebastopol in 2022, where we picked up this 2011 Cahto Ridge Alder Springs Vineyard Syrah. We’ve been waiting patiently to taste it. And here we are.

100% Syrah. Whole cluster fermented. Aged 12 months in neutral French oak barrels.

This wine is deep ruby trending towards garnet. The aromas are concentrated with ripe boysenberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, next to violet, black peppercorn, licorice, cured meat, peat moss, smoke, clove, leather and olive notes. On the palate, it is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body, high alcohol (14.6% ABV), medium (+) fine-grained tannins, and a long, elegant finish.

It’s both elegant and wild all at the same time and we love it.

Cheers! — 9 months ago

with Deked1

Scott Soren

9.5

Another killer effort from @Pax Mahle Deep rich purple. The nose is chocolate and olive and blackberry. The palate is full and Rich with black cherry and chocolate. This finish lingers for a minute plus. Medium acidity and tannins still present but well integrated. Just another solid wine. — 4 years ago

Tracy Byrnes

9.3

Loving this! Enjoyed it with fondue. Bright acid, full body, gorgeous texture. — 9 months ago

Donald Williams

9.5

It doesn’t get much better than this. A beautiful Rhone white blend. Aged better than expected. — 3 years ago

with Bonnie

Eric Urbani

9.0

Prior notes apply! — 4 years ago

Paco Suro

9.2

Wow. Surprising. Restrained. In the zone now. — 4 years ago