Joel Lara

9.4

This is my second Temperance Hill pinot, and I’m finding I’m a big fan. This opens with striking aromatics. Dark cherry, slow roasted strawberry, raspberry, incense, sage, thyme, and cloves all come through on the nose, with floral notes and forest floor peaking through with time in the glass. The flavors on the palate mirror the nose, with outstanding depth. There’s fresh acidity that amplifies the fruit but doesn’t overwhelm. The finish leaves incense, cloves, black tea, and a saline minerality lingering on the palate. Well balanced with good acidity and medium/firm tannins. I can see this aging well. Vintage is 2019. — 2 days ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — 12 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa...Best of Oakville wine tasting
Moderated by Antonio Galloni, founder Vinous

WINES
2023 Favia cabernet
2016 Dalla Valle Maya
2013 Opus One
2023 Gamble estates cab
2023 Vine Hill Ranch cab
2023 Keplinger cab franc Detert vineyard

PANEL
Tom Gamble...Gamble estates
Ray Isle...wine editor,  Food and Wine
Bruce Phillips...owner Vine Hill Ranch
Michael Silacca...winemaker, Opus One
Maya  Dalla Valle...winemaker Dalla Valle — a month ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.3

hour decant(decent sediment).  A still dark garnet with bricking.   On the nose:  subtle notes of dark fruit, licorice, tobacco, forest floor, herbaceous, olive brine, mocha java.  Taste:  silky, layered, creamy wine with blackberry/dark plum, tobacco, baking spice, mocha java, earth, minerals, dried herbs and a long dry finish.  YUM!! — 6 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

This is the 2019 Hunting Hill, same vintage as the recently tasted Kumeu River Coddington. The Coddington remains the more opulent of the Kumeu cuvées. A mouth watering salinity. In this one. As Bob Campbell MW said, this is a Burgundian style (lacking the stone fruit of the Coddington). Although several previous vintages of Mates Vineyard have proved, at least to my palate, that it is the premium Cuvée. — 2 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Yet another outstanding vintage (2020) of this consistently excellent Co-Op produced Barbaresco. Aromas of red fruit, dried rose petals and anise. Flavors of bright red cherry and raspberry fruit, mint, Asian spices, minerals and orange zest. Long and earthy/smoky finish. Fantastic balance, structure and depth. Fine grained tannins and a silky texture yet still firm and powerful. So delicious now, but built to age for at least another decade. The quality consistency of this wine vintage to vintage is incredible. Outstanding value! Thanks so much for opening this one, Keith S! Happy 60th Birthday, Karyn! — a month ago

Ed Chin

9.0

Refreshing and good mouthfeel, it was lacking in depth, length and on the simple side. — a month ago

Paul J

9.7

WOTN! Bested the 2018 Schrader. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Cherry, vanilla, and blackberry with a touch of oak. Fruity but still very structured this is still a favorite of mine. — 13 days ago

DelectableWino

9.1

Great wine. Elegant dark fruits. Rich. — 2 months ago