Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Deep Ruby with complex aromas of black and blue fruits, blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged for 20 months on French oak (60% new). On the palate flavors of currants, black cherry and blackberry with spice, and a touch of oak. Balanced acidity supported the fine dusty tannins. Oak, cacao, and leather were noted on the long finish. Although this wine needs some bottle age, it’s somewhat approachable now. — 9 days ago

Alan Hyde

9.0

Nicely balanced oak — 6 months ago

Christine T

9.1

Beautiful Refosco — 7 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Amici Cellars – Charles Heintz Vineyard – Chard – 2021
Sonoma Coast – Sonoma County – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerful yet finely balanced single-vineyard Chardonnay from the iconic Charles Heintz Vineyard, one of Sonoma Coast’s most respected sites. This is a serious, expressive wine that showcases richness without excess, built on precision, texture, and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Highly expressive with layered tropical fruit notes on both nose and palate. Ripe pineapple, mango, and baked pear lead, supported by subtle hints of toasted nuts and gentle spice. The fruit is generous but controlled, never tipping into heaviness.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with a creamy, polished texture driven by 100% barrel fermentation, native yeast, and full malolactic fermentation. The creaminess is well-balanced by structure and weight, delivering a long, smooth, and textured finish.

Food Pairings
Roast chicken, lobster with drawn butter, seared scallops, creamy pasta dishes, or aged alpine-style cheeses.

Verdict
A show-stopping Chardonnay that delivers complexity, power, and finesse in equal measure. Bold yet composed, this is a benchmark example of Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from a top-tier vineyard. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Charles Heintz Vineyard is renowned for its cool-climate influence and low-yielding vines, contributing to both concentration and natural acidity in wines sourced from the site.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is Chardonnay with presence. Rich, layered, and impeccably balanced, one of those bottles that reminds you why site and farming truly matter. — a year ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

A great friend brought this magnum to thanksgiving in days of yore when we still lived in NYC, and I held off to give it due time…a decade or so later it shined with a youthful vivacity that I wish I could match! — 23 days ago

Alan Cooke

9.1

Awesome Pic at Central Market Dallas! — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Crafted from premier vineyard sites in Russian River Valley, this 100% Pinot Noir captures the hallmark vibrancy of the region. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak, the wine is beautifully balanced, offering layers of blackberry, raspberry, and subtle toasty oak.

Medium-plus in body with moderate tannins, the mouthfeel is smooth, polished, and appetizing from start to finish. It’s drinking beautifully now, but has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years. A confident, fruit-forward Pinot with elegance and aging potential. Cheers! — 7 months ago

Ashish Pant

9.5

Go. Find. It. Wow! — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Olema Pinot Noir 2022
Sonoma County, California 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced across premier Sonoma sub-appellations. Olema is part of Amici Cellars, known for delivering high quality at everyday approachable price points. Sonoma Pinot Noir often leans toward lush fruit with a soft structure compared to the more restrained Burgundian style.

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red fruits dominate—ripe cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate—layered with subtle spice, clove, and a touch of cola. There’s a delicate hint of rose petals and forest floor rounding out the aromatic profile.

Mouthfeel
Silky and medium-bodied with fine tannins, bright acidity, and a smooth, fruit-forward finish. Very approachable and polished, made to be enjoyed young.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel and aged in French oak (a small percentage new) to preserve freshness while adding just a hint of structure and spice.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared salmon, or even charcuterie. Its freshness makes it versatile with both lighter and savory dishes.

Verdict
A crowd-pleasing Sonoma Pinot Noir—ripe, polished, and balanced. It offers exceptional value for its region, delivering elegance and approachability in one glass. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot, Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 9 months ago