Jim Ball Vineyards

Hugh Hamilton

Jim Jim The Down-Underdog Shiraz 2019

Always suspect of ‘cute’ labels. But this is pretty tasty for an inexpensive Aussie Shiraz. Lots of fruit- strawberry- a bit of white pepper- light tannins- 14%. Would be a nice cook out wine. Hard to dislike. — 6 months ago

Tom liked this

Jim Barry

The Benbournie Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

2009 - beautiful velvet smooth and rich CabSav. Great drinking — 3 years ago

Linden

Claret Red Bordeaux Blend 2016

This is a beautiful Bordeaux blend from the brilliant Jim Law. — 4 years ago

Vanessa, Sharon and 8 others liked this

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2018

My Sunday night wine I have gone back to a favorite of mine that is not going to break the bank and is consistently good. I have opened the Jim Clendenon 2018 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County.

On the nose there is raspberry, cranberry, cherry, spice vanilla anise, clove and earthiness.

On the palate I detect good red fruit, raspberry, cherry, cranberry, red currant, anise, clove and earthiness.

The wine is medium bodied with medium + acidity and medium fine tannins that leads into a long fresh red fruit finish. Another well blended wine from Jim Clendenon that i have come to expect. I hope everyone's weekend was a good one and we are all still safe and healthy. Have a great week, Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷
— 5 years ago

Aravind, Jeff and 39 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Sounds delicious! And same to you!
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Daniel P. Drake Excellent pull!
Gregory Fulchiero

Gregory Fulchiero Influencer Badge

These are iconic and delicious

Jim Barry

The McRae Wood Clare Valley Shiraz 2017

Mary H
9.0

Got that cheerful New World round red fruit and chocolate thang. — 6 months ago

Jim Clendenen

Estate Bottled Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Pinot Noir 2015

This isn’t your average Pinot Noir. No, this is the kind of wine that slinks into the room with quiet confidence, drops a sharp one-liner, and makes you question everything you thought you knew about wine. Unpretentious but impeccably crafted, with just the right amount of attitude. On the palate, the fruit—cherries, raspberries, and plums—is vibrant, alive, like it’s been plucked at the peak of its existence. But then comes the earth: a bit of cedar, a dash of spice, and that elusive minerality that makes you wonder if you’re drinking wine or walking through a misty vineyard at dawn.

The acidity? Razor-sharp but not overwhelming. It’s like the sarcastic friend who keeps you grounded. The tannins are there, smooth and silky.

And the finish? Long. Real long. Like the kind of story you hope never ends, full of fruit, spice, and a faint echo of oak.
— 9 months ago

Jan, Paul and 10 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

Love this!!!
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

RIP Jim. Can still taste the 1991 vintage. A formative CA pinot pioneer. Cheeky pinot title...
Ericsson

Ericsson

Gotta share a bottle, maybe on the wall above.

Clendenen Family Vineyards

Le Bon Climat Aligoté 2019

I believe this is a relatively new project for Jim - great execution as always — 5 years ago

Eric, Keaton and 22 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Need to try

Tait Wines

The Ball Buster Basket Pressed Old Vines Barossa Valley Red Blend 2021

Mostly Shiraz with some small cab and merlot blends to make for a lovely red wine that went well with lamb and Rosemary. Aroma is deep and complex. I get facing notes of chocolate, vanilla and tobacco from the barrel. I get fruity notes of cherry, plum and black currant. I get light herbal notes from the soil with touches of Rosemary and pine. I get spicy notes from the yeast like cardamom and clove. The palate is full bodied with a heavy sweetness quickly balanced by very strong tannins so that it never feels too sweet or oppressive. Definitely finished with a strong tannic astrigency that would be aggressive if it wasn't scrubbing the heavy fruity sweetness. — 7 months ago

Ethan HeyboerPeter HeyboerDiane Heyboer
with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Chatto Wines

Pinot Noir 2018

Notes of Toffee Apple initially - a little reductive to begin with. Pale dirty crimson - transparent in parts - quite Burgundian in colour. A light to medium weight palate but Medium intensity. Like a good Village, verging on Premier Cru. Interesting and tasty but needing about 4 or 5 years more to develop complexity. Jim Chatto is regarded as one of Australia’s best winemakers having been in charge at Mt Pleasant in the Hunter Valley and now running his own show in Tasmania. Had a 2nd bottle 147 weeks later on 9th August 2025 - very pale Ruby in colour. Confectionery red fruit, jubey nose and palate. Sweet and savoury simultaneously. An excellent Tasmanian Pinot Noir. — 3 years ago

Ira, Eric and 18 others liked this

Thienot

Black Ball Champagne Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2007

Nice Wednesday keto bottle, with some pesto topped barramundi
K&L notes,

This Champagne is composed of juice from all old vine Grand Cru grapes on property that used to belong to Krug right in the Cotes de Blanc… so you know they’re working with great land and great fruit. The nose is earthy, almost a little sandy toned, but there’s also good fresh fruit here with scents of citrus peel and Golden Delicious apples. The mouthfeel is soft and supple with a great apple/pear balance that becomes more intense in fruitiness and even borders on tropical flavors before coming to a gradual vanilla finish.
— 5 years ago

Paul, TwiLea and 30 others liked this
Jen

Jen

Your descriptions are great!
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

I cannot take the credit, that’s the tasting notes from K&L wines
Buddy G

Buddy G

Don't give away your secrets @Paul T- Huntington Beach