Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on November 3, 2023 at Home]

The Kite’s Rest estate vineyard is located in Anderson Valley, 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Cherry and dried red currant, with licorice, smoke, stony minerality and spice. — a year ago

Danny Martinez

9.5

Happy Boxing Day 2022 from 🇭🇰! Ok. Bottle is done. Meal is complete. Honest review to follow. One — this wine. Serve this to anyone and they will be thrilled with its drink ability and balance coupled with depth and refinement. It’s Brunello de Montalcino’s finest (according to Sr and Sra Martinez). While service was a bit slow — where were we to go? Nowhere other than to people watch and enjoy the show. Technically it’s still alba truffle season; one tagliatelle order later (don’t ask the price); so happy. A dual of meat dishes: delightful (though don’t leave Danny alone w pomme purée) — but at the end of the day, it is the desserts that reign supreme. The sgroppino! The soufflé! Pannetone with mascarpone cream! The box of chocolates and truffles (and a side of limoncello). Visit at Christmas, we insist. This was a lovely visit at a staple favorite. 5 stars! — 2 years ago

Sarah Etty

8.9

Good wine considering the price! Full bodied — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.4

Medium straw with green tinges. Nice persistent perlage and pleasant creaminess. The nose is pure bliss. Caramel with butter, apricots and pears, honey and apples. Fragrant floral notes along with warm brioche and sea spray.

A very stately and baronial wine from Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs. Rich and well developed at this point. The minerality is so good and the acidity just right. Precise and concentrated with all the depth that you would expect. Very lively and powerful.

The palate follows the nose with honey dipped apples and cinnamon. Chalky notes mingle with the electric citrus fruit. Long, long finish that just keeps going on and on. This still hasn’t hit its peak, it has miles to go. — a year ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

dark purple; blueberry, black plum, white pepper, black olive, hint of smoke; medium body, medium+ acidity, grippy tannin, 13.8% ABV; made from Syrah sourced from remote high altitude vineyard in Mendocino County 3.3 miles from the ocean and cofermented with 5% Viognier, 50% whole clusters used, aged 14 months in neutral French Oak puncheons; $48 — 2 years ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.4

Two Miles from the Pacific Ocean with an elevation of 1500 feet. This is one of the most elegant wines of the three different sites.  Rose petals, crushed raspberry, wild strawberry.  — 3 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

dark ruby purple; raspberry, rhubarb, sarsaparilla, mushrooms, pine needles, lavender, cedar: full bodied, surprisingly structured, good acidity despite ripeness, 14.6% ABV; made from 100% Pinot Noir by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, sourced from estate vineyard just a few miles from Pacific Ocean, aged in 33% new French oak from multiple coopers; $75 — 2 years ago

Jack Petras

9.2

This w 2021 Viognier is exceptional. Great balance between its vibrant acidity snd lush fruit and flowers. Having it in a Solvang Airbnb courtyard probably 30 miles away from where it is grown. A true classic. — 2 years ago

Martinez

8.9

Entry-level Chasselas by Luc Massy, a historic producer from the village of Epesses in Lavaux (right on the shore of Lake Geneva, about 6 miles southeast of Lausanne). Pale gold color. Discreet nose with subtle aromas of pear, bake apple and vanilla. Light-bodied, round, delicate. Low acidity, subtle minerality. Great breakfast wine, as they say around here. — 2 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Field blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Beurot, Muscat and Pinot Noir from the Engelgarten, a vineyard with poor, gravelly soils located just outside the walls of Bergheim (about 10 miles north of Colmar, in the Haut Rhin). Pure, expressive nose with notes of citrus, rubber and minerals. Intense, dry, textured. Slightly ripe. Long, saline finish. — 3 years ago