Steve Somermeyer

9.2

Opened a bottle 2 years ago & it was excellent but a bit of tannin bite on finish. Today this bottle retained the fruit aromas & palate feel but it’s finish softened so I found it bit better. — 9 days ago

Miguel Jaimes

9.5

I’m getting it again. — 17 days ago

David Dorn

9.2

Bug wine and first Tempranillo outside of Spain I’ve had- really good stuff! — 2 months ago

Ryan Colthorp

9.0

Super dark. Cocoa and baking spice on the nose. Plum. Stewed fruits. — 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

River Road Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma County, California 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay from Sonoma County, one of California’s most acclaimed regions for this varietal. River Road is known for crafting approachable, value-driven wines that showcase Sonoma’s balance of ripeness and freshness. This vintage leans toward a classic California style but with a refreshing lift.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright orchard fruit (pear, apple, and peach) mingles with citrus zest, tropical pineapple, and a touch of honeysuckle. Subtle notes of vanilla and toast from oak aging add roundness without overpowering.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied and creamy, with a soft texture that’s balanced by lively acidity. The finish lingers with a clean streak of lemon and a whisper of minerality.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel and partially aged in French oak, striking a balance between fruit purity and soft, toasty complexity.

Food Pairing
Perfect with roast chicken, creamy pasta, crab cakes, or a simple cheese board with Brie and Camembert.

Verdict
A well-priced, approachable Sonoma Chardonnay that offers both creaminess and freshness. It’s versatile, polished, and a great daily drinker with real Sonoma character. — 10 months ago

Nicole K

9.8

Absolutely delicious! So round and perfect. Cote dinner w mark and Kelly — 5 years ago

Devin Bostick

9.0

Smell is fresh sorrel, cranberry, lavender, color is rusty ruby red, flavor is chalky and cranberry, leather, oak, and green grape, acid comes at finish with a tannin cover up — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Unmistakably Central Otago to my palate. Red plums and raspberries. 20% of the grapes were whole bunch. Also aged in 27% new oak. I must mention Neil Martin’s famous Quote, “ Whenever there is a tasting designed to challenge the supremacy of Burgundy, it is usually Felton Road that is ushered into the ring”. Very much on allocation these days and can be difficult to source. — a month ago

Paul J

9.6

Held its own versus the 2018 Schrader and 2022 VHR. My friend blind tasted all three, got them all, but it was a struggle. — 2 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Really smooth. A lot more dark plums, and softer tannins. Earthiness, small amount of spice and looong aftertaste — 3 months ago

Chris Blanchard

9.1

2023 vintage - it opened brighter than expected with bold ripe flavors and more fruit forward than expected. It was a nice surprise. After 30 minutes the flavors balanced a bit and tasted less bright and fruity and more balanced. The wife and I enjoyed the bottle. — 5 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Really nice. A lot of baking spice, raspberries, cherries, rose petals. Good tannin. Large structure but great with a hearty meal. — 5 years ago

with Randy

Richard Mills

9.5

Really tasty and smooth. Monthly pick we had with mom and Cali. — 5 years ago

Daniel Bloom

8.9

Gritty black fruit. Thin on opening. Fleshes out and blooms with air and protein. A cool weather Cab Franc to be sure. Patience in the glass brings rewards. — 6 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.6

Outstanding block 5. Much more concentration and power than precious vintages. Strawberry, raspberry, pepper, wood spice. The power of the very best from Central Otago but with an elegance.
Really great pinot.
— a month ago

Steve Mitchell

9.2

Drink now or cellar. This is an elegant, velvety, Pinot that never disappoints. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. 100% Grenache. Ripe, spicy biggie in need of a decade's worth of time or a serious decant. 4.19.23. — 3 years ago

Steph Anie

9.0

Black cherry and raspberry cream aromas, subtle oak overtones (back label) — 5 years ago

Lynn Penner-Ash

Owner/Winemaker Penner-Ash

9.3

Really nice balance and freshness — 6 years ago