One of the nicer, more balanced Portuguese wines that we have had. — a year ago
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
Easy drinking, smooth, smoky on the nose — 12 days ago
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. — 3 years ago
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! — 4 years ago
M&S buy again. Not with food but watching TV with cheese — 5 months 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. — 6 months ago
Maybe best 10 Euro red I have ever had. — 4 years ago
Jay Kline
Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. The 1985 is lovely and came more than willing, with a mix of tart, ripe and desiccated red fruits, Montmorency cherries, red currants, graphite, toasted coconut, leather and nuts. There was a slightly sherried character early on the nose but the structure seemed to defy age. No need to cellar further as this is delicious now and well stored examples should continue to be through 2030+. — 20 days ago