Modus Operandi Cellars

Vicarious Chardonnay 2020

Raul Puga

9.2

Full of fruit and delicious — 14 days ago

Ted, Jose and 2 others liked this

Modus Operandi Cellars

Center of Gravity Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Ron R

9.5

Get some of this direct from the winery. For the loot, one of the very best Cali SB’s out there…
Bivio, Montclair, NJ. — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

Ted, Jose and 22 others liked this

Shay A

Agreed! Is that Keste pizza in the background?

Ron R

No @Shay A, my snowboarding friends opened a pizza restaurant in NJ. If you’re ever back in the area, we’ll take you there. I consider this to be better than Kesté 😮

Paul Lato

East of Eden Pisoni Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Shay A

9.4

I’m scoring as is today, but I really think this inches upward a bit over the next 5-7yrs.

This fell victim to curiosity (as well as a ‘21 Modus Operandi UV-Laguna Pinot). I’ve had a few of Lato’s entry and mid-level offerings, but this was my first Pisoni from them. Loved it.

Profile wise, this is similar to Dumol (not as big as Aubert, but not a lean style either). A very pretty down-the-middle style. While the aromatics here were lovely (honeysuckle, faint lemon cream, citrus and sweet baking spices), the texture of this wine was a standout. Sports much more depth than initially expected (yellow fruits, peach, apricot, pink cotton candy, limestone)…not quite a lees-y style, but close, while remaining elegant and light on its feet (good acidity). Oak is there but plays a supporting role. For being so young, this was a supremely balanced wine. I need to consider buying more. — 10 months ago

Jan, David and 23 others liked this

Bryan Kesting

@Shay A Paul Lato makes great wines. Many of them drink well on the early side. Great notes.

Modus Operandi Cellars

Amor Dalla Gasperina Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Raul Puga

9.5

Delicioso — 6 days ago

Shay, Ted and 1 other liked this

Ruffino

Modus Toscana Sangiovese Blend 2018

Dylan Thomas

8.9

Good pizza wine 🍕 at new Patsy’s spot in Gtown — 3 months ago

Modus Operandi Cellars

Rosé of Pinot Noir

Ron R

9.1

Winemaker has recently announced that he’ll no longer make this. It’s well behaved and shows its vineyard pedigree. A good rosé bites the dust - Bivio, Montclair. — 6 months ago

Paul, S.S. and 22 others liked this

Aston Estate

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — a year ago

with Anne-marie

Tom, Bob and 33 others liked this

Ron R

@Jody Scharf, let’s connect. Happy Christmas 🎅🏾

WC Fields

Year isn’t over! Got 2 more days. Detecting low expectations for the next two days? 🤪

Ron R

@WC Fields, well, I had lined up wines wines that we had quaffed previously, and because of that, the die was cast. Besides, I rarely tasted a wine once and come to such conclusions. I think a good product must also display consistency. 🥳

Modus Operandi Cellars

Caldwell Vineyard Syrah 2020

Ron R

9.4

When you pour this in the glass, it’s scary in terms of the visual extraction. On the nose it displays a briney/olive note. Dense, meaty overtones on the mid palate, with overripe cherries and baking spices. Excellent balance and delineation as the wine persists and expands. Acidity is pure and in harmony with the tannin. This will provide pleasure for many years to come. — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

Tom, John and 37 others liked this