ESF

9.5

About as good a domestic Pilsner as I’ve ever had…. Absolutely Legit & Delicious — a month ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Jeb 99 pointer, Another 2nd day wine, if you’re looking for a typical Paso Fruit bomb go to Austin Hope. If you want real wine head to L’ Aventure
Some history,

Stephan Asseo, owner and winemaker at L'Aventure Winery, began making wine in 1982, following his education at L'Ecole Oenologique de Macon, Burgundy, France. In that same year, Stephan established Domaine de Courteillac in Bordeaux. He and his family later purchased Chateau Fleur Cardinal and Chateau Robin in the Cotes de Castillion, Bordeaux. Over the next 15 years, Stephan developed into an artisan winemaker of fastidious craftsmanship and gained a reputation as a maverick vigneron. However, his true desire was to be more innovative than AOC law would allow. In 1996, this led him, his wife, Beatrice and his three children, including his daughter Chloé on a quest for a great terroir, where he could pursue his ideal as a winemaker. After searching for over a year among the world's great wine fields, ranging from South Africa to Lebanon, Argentina to Napa, they found Paso Robles. Stephan and Beatrice immediately "fell in love" with the unique terroir of west side Paso Robles. The rolling topography of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, the deep calcareous soils, and the maritime influences of the renowned Templeton Gap all combine to produce a world class wine country, with the potential to craft some of the world's greatest blends. It is here, in Paso Robles, that Stephan and his family began their adventure, "L'Aventure" in 1998. — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

More sweet than sour, great on a warm Georgia evening.
5.0% ABV — 5 years ago

LaShondra Berman

9.0

One of the best Russian style imperial stouts I’ve ever had. — 7 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Back label nails the flavor profile - black cherry, white pepper, mint, and a smidge of saline in the finish. Slightly tart. To me, the salty finish inhibits the length of the fruity flavors, and underscores the tactile aspects of the skin tannins and the bitterness of the seed tannins on the finish. Overall, four notes dominate- cherry, salt, acid and tannins, with hints of those undercurrents of mint and white pepper. An interesting wine, but not a style of Syrah I’m in love with. Call it a technical appreciation of a winemaker who’s willing to take chances in his craft. Mostly he hits, and on this one he doesn’t quite do so. Close though. And yet, after three hours, the black cherry fruit finally comes out with depth. Decant accordingly. — 7 days ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.8

Wine of the Year – 2020. What a year. Maybe it should be “Wine of the Apocalypse” 1976 MOUNT VEEDER WINERY “Niebaum-Coppola Vineyards” Napa Valley Cabernet Franc. Yes, I love old California wines and every wine I have declared “WOTY” has been from the 1970’s so far, but I believe it’s time to leave the 1970’s behind and move on so 2020 – we go with an obscure variety especially in 1976, Cabernet Franc. I’ve had this wine three times with the last one being this week. Mount Veeder wines from the 1970’s and early 1980’s still sport what may be my favorite label design ever. The David Lance Goines’ label (he also did Ravenswood) just rocks. Oh yeah, the wine...
From a low neck/high shoulder bottle with an intact cork the wine poured out with a delicate aroma of dried roses, light pipe tobacco, and even a hint of cherries. The texture was edgy and tart but nothing to panic about – just a bit of oxidation which would have been surprising if it was absent from a 44 year old wine! I sat with friend Jodi @jojosommface for a couple of hours at lunch and watched as this wine slowly unwound and displayed its full panoply of exotic flavors. At about opening +2 hours it was really stroking – now the aromas had morphed into anise, blackberry, that smell from first grade when you cleaned the pencil sharpener – sort of, cedar and graphite but more complex, some fig and date notes lingering. It was extraordinary in every way and a delight to drink and share.
The 1976 was the third vintage released by the winery started by Michael and Arlene Bernstein and I have no idea how many cases of the Cabernet Franc were made. There was also a Cabernet Sauvignon (I’ve also had), probably a Chardonnay. I’d never seen this wine until it started coming up on wine auctions about ten years ago. I miss wines like this and certainly in my own way craft the Secret Door wines to perform like this over time.
I hope that you and your family get to enjoy wonderful wines together this Holiday Season. If you share one of my wines please feel free to post with your comments! — 4 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.1

Bruce Boeko crafts his gin from scratch, distilling the base spirit himself three times before adding a recipe of seven botanicals for the fourth. Juicy and palate coating, it tastes of juniper, jasmine, and lavender. The name is Boeko's own epithet to Nashville, the "Crane City" a reference to its explosive growth. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When TRB started this label, I thought a primarily Cabernet Winemaker is going to make Pinot Noir? I wondered how his first vintage would be and while it wasn’t bad by any means, it wasn’t what this 2014 Silver Eagle is at this point. TRB has/is honed/honing his craft. This 2014 will likely continue to improve a bit going forward over the next three years for sure & maybe five. This 14 Silver Eagle is definitely hitting its stride. The nose shows the blue & purple fruits I enjoy on the Pinots I prefer to drink.

The nose reveals nicely ripe blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, dry cranberry & raspberries hues on the glass edges. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, limestone, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field.

The palate shows good mouthfeel & wire to wire consistency. Juicy, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberry & mulberry tones, pomegranate, cranberry & raspberries hues. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, warm caramel, toast, steeped fruit tea, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix with deep palate penetration & heat, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry brush, sandalwood, grey volcanics. wet clay, sandstone & limestone powder, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field. The acidity is excellent with a long, elegant, well; balanced, tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes and lands nicely on dark spice as it sets.

I really enjoy this vineyard and some of the Winemakers that make Pinot from it.

Plenty of life left in this one. 8-10 years well stored.

Photos of, Rivers-Marie facility (2), Owner/Winemaker-Thomas Rivers Brown & beautiful prime Pinot clusters ready for harvest. — a month ago

David Shaw

8.9

Newish vintage, 600 cases produced. 94/6 blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne from three vineyards: Boushey (81% GB), Weather Eye (13% GB), Olsen (6% R). Pale yellow white, excellent clarity. Floral, vanilla and mild aldehydic barnyard aromas. Guava, lactic flavors, tropical fruit finish (banana then coconut? But this ain’t no Piña colada). Lingering cherry and heavy (skin and seed) tannic aftertaste . This is either serious experimental winemaking, or ultra craft-focused ‘blanc de noir’, or is this just their iteration of a pale “orange” wine? Massive tannins for a “white” wine. Not a wine for the faint of heart. Dry, just enough acidity, fruity but still pondering this one... The trop fruit flavors backed off, with cherry and other red fruit and Grenache character flavors emerging after 30-60 minutes. Tannins also softened somewhat, with patience — 4 years ago

Lauren Kelly

8.9

Light but full of flavor! I tried it when I didn't recognize the wine brands on vacation so I picked this for the cool label...three days later I went back for two more bottles because I can't get enough! — 8 years ago

with Diane