Bay Of Fires

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. — 11 days ago

Austin, Ira and 15 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

These are great

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). — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Wente Vineyards

Southern Hills Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

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

Oyster Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Classic NZ label. Smells funky. Lawn just cut or a piece of fresh grass in the teeth. And lemon citrus peels. Flavors are complex and very audacious. Bombastic even. Plenty of citrus, but something else as well. Shells? Like the calcium carbonate in those. Also big gooseberries. This is a good example of how NZ Sauv Blanc differs from the other styles out there. This wine packs a punch. — a month ago

Bay of Fires

Tasmania Pinot Noir 2021

Cracking pinot. The nose is reminiscent of Central Otago - darker fruit, spice, and earthy notes, but the palate is fresher, with red fruit coming to the fore. Really good mid palate, and enough fine tannin and acidity to lengthen the finish. Smokey, earthy aftertaste. Really very fine. — a month ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2012

Good show. Only a hint of CA sunshine on the close. — 14 hours ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Pinotman, Bob and 5 others liked this

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. — 14 days ago

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. — 18 days ago

Ted, Jan and 17 others liked this

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 2018

Ruby red, moderate pigment extraction. Moderate tannins so plenty of mouthfeel initially, flavors of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry, mostly. Needs time to open. Finish of tart raspberries. Plenty of age left in this one. — 2 days ago

Ted and Doug liked this

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