Francisco Alfonso & Son

Quilceda Creek

Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

I became a fan of Quilceda Creek when visiting our son at College in the US back round 2005. I bought this bottle from Vinfolio in San Francisco. This wine is a dark Ruby red with a tawny rim developing. Initially notes of asparagus (SO2) which blew off after about 30 minutes in the decanter. Medium weight on the palate with red and black berries and a touch of chocolate. Very balanced at 16 years of age , some savouriness finishing with soft resolved velvety tannins. Medium plus intensity and low acid. I note Harvey Steimans Drinking window was 2010 to 2020. 14.9% ABV is hardly noticeable. One of the 1001 wines and a delight to drink this. — 4 years ago

Severn, Arden and 25 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1992

92 vintage. Just epic. A beautiful wine. My wife's birth year celebrating the birth or our son. — 9 years ago

Richard, Thomas and 1 other liked this
Richard Young

Richard Young Influencer Badge

Congrats!

Francisco Alfonso & Son

Tinto DoUmia Rias baixas 2010

Loved this wine. Especially the aroma--pepper, bacon, slightly woody. Mildly tart, bright fruit flavors. Excellent. — 10 years ago

Francisco Alfonso Reboreda

Tinto Do Umia 2011

cool red from Spain--pretty sure I never had a red from this region before. — 10 years ago

Carter liked this

Francisco Alfonso

Rías Baixas Pedralonga Barrica Albariño 2016

Mineral driven nose, with white flowers. Creamy lees. Chalky. Medium minus weight. Bright and fresh on the palate. — 5 years ago

Francisco Alfonso

Pedralonga Rías Baixas Albariño 2013

Alex Crangle
9.2

Spot on! Good midpallet for Albariño. — 8 years ago

Serge, Chris and 3 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend 2012

Loving this California producer right now. You may see their Zinfandel in the ATL market. Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson is the son of Ravenswood founder Joel Peterson. They're working with multiple old vineyards in CA making gorgeous Heritage single vineyard wines (vineyards a blend of varietals). — 10 years ago

Anchor Brewing Company

Brekle's Brown Ale

Son in law had it and likey a lot Not strong but mellow — 10 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

David T
9.2

On the nose; liqueur style blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, baked strawberries, sweet spice, vanilla, wood shavings, dark, rich, moist soil, crushed, dry rocks, violets and fragrant, fresh, dark florals. The palate is medium bodied and the tannins are nicely resolved and round. The fruits are also liqueur is style. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, baked strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Sweet, soft leather, lead pencil, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, soft spice-box, understated herbal notes, rich, moist, dark soil, crushed rocks, a touch of bramble, crumbled volcanic minerals, nice, soft, round acidity and a long, lush, fresh, elegant fruit finish that is 75% fruit and 25% earth. The 06 has plenty of life ahead of it...at least 10 years. I'm pretty sure this bottle was around $35 at Costco upon release. Photos of, the view from their tasting terrace, the legend/Napa maverick Joseph Phelps, terrace seating and interior shot of the remodeled estate. Producer notes...the winery was founded in 1973 by Napa wine pioneer, Joseph Phelps. Like a number of other vintners in the valley, Joseph came to wine from another industry. In the 1960’s he ran one of the largest construction companies based in the USA, Hensel Phelps Construction One of his projects was to work on building the BART system in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Joseph's transition into the winery business started with a banker informing him of several potential winery projects in Napa and Sonoma. One of the projects was to build Souverain Winery in Napa (now Rutherford Hill Winery). After that project Joseph became interested in purchasing his own property in the valley. He acquired 600+ acres. His first vintage of Insignia was 1974. Joseph Phelps began planting grapes – varieties such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. They ultimately discovered these grapes were not suited to the particular climate of this part of the valley and they changed over to other varietals...namely Bordeaux based red varieties.The first vintage of Joseph Phelps was made at Heitz Cellars. Sadly, Bill passed away in April 2015 at 87...may he rest in peace with a glass that never empties. All and all a good life I'd say. Today his son Bill Phelps is President of winery. Not that long after Joseph's passing, Joseph Phelps opened their remolded hospitality center (photos above) located in what was the original winery building. It's sad that Joseph did not live to see it's full completion and opening. The last 1/4 of glass or less from the bottom of the bottle which; is called "The Truth" was so rich, concentrated & beautiful, I was tempted to push the rating to 9.3/9.4.
— 7 years ago

Sofia, Eric and 30 others liked this
Kim Stanbro

Kim Stanbro

@David T I really like the story and background with this review- thanks for taking the time to write it! I sometimes get lazy with my write ups- you are setting a high delectable bar.
David T

David T Influencer Badge

@Kim Stanbro Thank you Kim. I'm not really trying to set a new bar but as a Sommelier it's important to keep learning and knowing as much about producers as you can. Delectable helps me retain it better by writing it down and keeps it handy by always being in my pocket. If you and others enjoy it and or find it useful...well that's an added bonus. Thanks again for your note. Cheers! 🍷
P A

P A

@David T David I have always maintained that you can't go wrong with JFV Cheers 🍷

Mount Eden Vineyards

Old Vine Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Peter Marks
10

Celebrating Chris' (my son) birth year and HS graduation. Both have aged beautifully! — 11 years ago

Scott liked this
Scott E

Scott E

Congrats, my daughters also.