Recently released (10/22), the ‘21 Wirz Riesling is pale gold colored with a nose of apple and honey. It’s bone dry, with little fruit on the palate, and lean leaning toward thin. Putting some away for bottle age too. — 2 years ago
Strawberry with a little dark cherry maybe. Good balance. — 4 years ago
1 hour decant (moderate chunky sediment). A stunning burnt crimson color with just a little bricking...looking young for 19 years! On the nose: jumping from the glass - smoke, currants, creme brulee, dark cherries, eucalyptus, crushed stones. Taste: BAM! A silky, rich wine with dark cherries, vanilla mocha, minerals, earth. Some very subtle tannins lead to a spicy pencil lead long finish! Drinking well...will go another 10 years....got one more bottle...YES!! — 5 years ago
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. — 7 months ago
I got the XVIII (18 not 17). Nice! Drank by the glass at a restaurant, I was told it is little known grapes from California, I was expecting a kind of sin massale but I was surprised! Lightly colored, with good floral perfume and bright red food, good acidity and some earthiness that takes it away from pinot land, without any funk — 3 years ago
Cuvée Karatas, not botrytized. A legendary wine from legendary vines: 140 year old Semillon vines from the majestic Monte Rosso vineyard. Sauv blanc on the nose, Semillon body. Still just a little baby wine with lots of promise. Right now this wine is all about texture and tension. Virtual bedrock tasting with Chris C. — 4 years ago
Blend of mostly Merlot with a little Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, sweet spice and espresso notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with toasty oak, cacao and espresso. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and sweet pepper spice. Still has room to age, but nice now! — 9 months ago
Great champs. Very rich w maturity as a little mushrooms n leaves. But also apple n almost caramel. — 4 years ago
Carolyn Herlihy
Pairs well with empanadas. Quite smooth, a little spicy but a well rounded Old Vine Zin. — 8 days ago