Quinta De S. Francisco

Quinta de Fafide

Reserva Douro Touriga Nacional Blend 2022

M&S buy again. Not with food but watching TV with cheese — 21 days ago

Quinta de S. Sebastião

Fonte Das Setas Red Blend 2021

One of the nicer, more balanced Portuguese wines that we have had. — 8 months ago

Byington

Euphoria II Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Pinot Noir

A fortified late estate harvest of their estate Santa Cruz Mountains pinot noir.
I didn't like this when I first poured some from a couravin - too much oak and residual sugar. But now I revisit after 4 month of sitting in the bottle with that micro amount of oxygen and it's much better- I smell leather and desicated fruit over the oak and taste less sweetness than before, more of a tannic front with a nice balance of savory jam and subtle smoke notes.
Nice. I guess the lesson is that these 2014's need to sit in the bottle for a few more years.
— 3 years ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

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. — a month ago

Ted, Jan and 17 others liked this

Sandar & Hem

Mindego Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Really nice. My second S&H wine. Liked this Mindego Risdge better. Used to be my mountain biking haunt when I lived in Palo Alto. — 2 years ago

Eric liked this

Quinta de S. Sebastião

Forte Do Cego Syrah Blend

Way more interesting than its price (but not its label!) infers. Loam and forest floor in the nose, raging currant, ash, and minerals in the mouth. I guess the syrah gives it the body, but it still surprised me. Love it! — 3 years ago

Quinta de la Rosa

Ossa Sixth Generation Red Blend 2010

Fruit driven Cab S however at 13 years the tertiary notes are sometimes showing.
— 8 months ago

Eric, Diederick and 1 other liked this

Quinta de S. Sebastião

Q.S.S. Rare Lisboa Red Blend 2019

Very nice, drinkable wine. Great color, body, and mouth feel — 2 years ago

Quinta De S. Jose

Vinha Ruy Francisco Douro Tinto 2017

Maybe best 10 Euro red I have ever had. — 3 years ago

McHenry Vineyard

Estate Bottled Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2017

My first time trying the 2017 Estate, the latest release from this tiny yet remarkable producer way up on Bonny Doon Road. The wines from McHenry vineyard typically show their best with 5-10 years of age but I love to try them in their youth, you know...for science. I opened this bottle about three hours before dinner and allowed it to slow-ox in the cellar. At first, the aromas were predominately red fruited in profile; strawberries and spices…almost like a Christmas fruitcake. However, the profile evolved in the glass and with more air, this began to take on a darker fruit profile that I find to be more characteristic of McHenry’s wines. This is a beautifully perfumed wine. On the palate, this is very bright and full of precocious energy. Plums and red berries with baking spices and minerals. Tannins are medium at best but there is no shortage of acid, which is a hallmark for this estate, ensuring that the 2017’s will in all likelihood enjoy a long life. Excellent now and likely to be a stunner down the road. Only 100 cases were made. — 4 years ago

Ely, Hermes and 8 others liked this