Save Me San Francisco Wine Co.
Trail Marker Wine Co.
Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2021
Nice classic burgundy style Pinot. Enjoyable. Light and somewhat fruit forward — 5 months ago
Bedrock Wine Co.
Evangelho Vineyard Carignan 2022
Evangelho Carignan is back from Bedrock for the ‘22 vintage and this one is loaded with potential. It’s got firm tannins, plentiful zip, and lots of bright berries at this very young age. The nose is deeper and sweeter, maybe belying more balance to come. And for those that like the way a glass looks, perhaps the most stunning color I’ve seen, from deep, dusty purple to near dayglo pink on the edges. Worth a look and taste (and some cellaring if you have more than one)! — a year ago
Ridge Vineyards
Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 6 months ago
McHenry Vineyard
Swan Clone Pinot Noir 2021
If you’ve been following me on CT or Delectable for while, you’ve probably read some of my tasting notes on the Pinot Noirs from McHenry Vineyard. Few are aware that this special vineyard, way up on Bonny Doon Road, even exists. Fewer probably know that the McHenry family have been quietly producing wine from this vineyard for over 40 years. It has never been easy. Not only are the vines own-rooted, they have also had to deal with some devastating fires over the years. And yet, despite the challenges, the McHenry’s remain committed to growing Pinot Noir and making truly special wine.
As I have mentioned in the past the winery was destroyed by the CZU Lightening Complex Fire in August of 2020. The vines survived but no wine from the vineyard was made that year (obviously). While the winery gets rebuilt, the fruit from the McHenry Vineyard has been made with care by their neighbor, Ryan Beauregard. The McHenry’s are still making a lot of the decisions but they are working around the Beauregard’s schedule. 2021 represents the first year of this collaboration and the results are nothing short of incredible.
Popped and poured; consumed over the course of a week with the help of a “Repour” stopper. A little austere on Day 1 but it was obvious the quality was super high and unmistakably McHenry. As hilarious as this may read, this was best on Day 7. The 2021 Swan Clone pours very pretty ruby with medium viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beguiling aromas of the tiniest forest strawberries, dark cherries, anise, some tomato leaf, some beets, a touch of clove, a mix of red and purple flowers, limestone minerals and some beautiful, soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts forever and it’s got a lovely savory thing going on. This is a wow wine with a long, bright future ahead. You can drink now with patience but this will drink best after 2026 and probably be stunning through 2040. How will I keep my hands off my remaining bottles? Only 100 cases were produced.
— a year ago
David Shaw
Fine light drinking red with an assortment of heirloom varietals you would see in a Sandlands release. Down the middle table red style with good acid but lighter in alcohol and tannins. — a month ago