Bay Bridge Vineyards

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2019

2019 vintage. As delicious as ever. Exquisite balance of fruit and acidity. Medium-heavy bod. Clean with a smattering of mineral influence here and there. So good. 6.5.24. — 9 days ago

Austin, Ira and 15 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

These are great

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — 13 days ago

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Carignane 2020

First pour of the vintage for me. Smells like I just pulled fresh table grapes off the stem. Initial flavors of red fruit herbs and something floral, followed by unripe plum and cola. Light bodied but medium pigment extraction. After sixty minutes, flavors integrate. — a month ago

Ira, Ted and 2 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2018 vintage. Oak a little showier than last visit 4.20.24. *Full disclosure* Probably my favorite CA cabernet for QPR purposes-year in, year out-since the early 90's. Not inexpensive, yet, in a world of ridiculous CA cab pricing, this is a bargain. Had I storage space and projected lifespan, would pick up two cases and crack a bottle every year starting in 2028. Some overt baby fat/oak to dissipate in anticipation. Currently, wanting more structure and depth but, given the track record with this wine/producer, it's enroute. 5.29.24. — 17 days ago

Ted, Jan and 17 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Swan Terrace Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2008

2nd place. Brownies in the oven nose, silky texture, some ink press and sous bouis. Very nice. — a month ago

Shay, Steve and 7 others liked this

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019 vintage. Less body (light-medium vs medium/medium heavy) than the 2018 effort. Absolutely phenomenal nose. Wowza. Starts off decently demonstrative, then dovetails into Subtletown. Catching this on the relatively youthful side so anticipating variability/changes but drinking beautifully now for the price. You could easily throw this into a Bordeaux tasting and get away with it. Full disclosure...massive Mount Eden honk but a Domaine Eden (2nd label) sceptic. Laying on the horn here as I did with the 2018. Beep beep n beep beep, beep beep n beep beep, yeah. 5.5.24. — a month ago

Shay, Ted and 10 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

I have liked their Chards

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 5 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

At Vivace. Balanced. Very bright. Lovely. — 9 days ago

Wente Vineyards

Southern Hills Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Surprisingly good and well balanced with lots of oak and finish — a month ago