Michelle Connely

9.4

I have previously rated this, but this is a different vintage so I’m rating it again. I consumed this in July 2024. 70% Monterey County, 19% Santa Barbara County, 11% Sonoma County. I think this is in the $25 range. Went really well with steak.  — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Straight up my wheel house for Old World Syrah.

It is called Cote-Rotie or translation roasted slope for a reason.

The nose has beautifully, lightly floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in amazing violets.

The body is smooth as silk. The fruits are ripe & juicy; blackberries, dark cherries, plums for days, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, shades of lightly, grilled meats, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, crushed rock powder, river stone, dry top soil, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in a. amazing field of violets. Rainfall acidity, soft structure & tension, well balanced and an elegant, beautiful, lush finish. Damn beautiful wine.

Sofia & I walked the La Landonne vineyard with Pierre and tasted in the cellar w/ Rene & Pierre.

Excellent with both Tri-tip’s…rubbed & marinated. — 10 months ago

Joseph LaPanna

9.0

Dark purple with gobs of fruit billowing from the glass. Blueberry, blackberry and currant with hints of coffee and leather. Full bodied with silky smooth tannins, the mouthfeel is soft and juicy. The mid palate is round and full of black cherry, currant, plum black olive and toast. The finish is long and lush with hints of smoke and nutmeg. Paired with grilled Tri-Tip! — 3 years ago

Scot Walker

8.9

Cherries in the boat with cherries and plums in the palate. The flavor is enhanced with both BBQ chips and white cheddar cheese. More fruitiness brought out with the cheddar. — 4 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.0

Medium body, drinks fairly light for bdx. Well balanced by age. A little gravelly/dusty. Very tasty. Pair with marinated grilled sliced tri tip. Don’t forget to pound your meat. — 7 months ago

Gladys Xiques

9.2

Exquisite. Ripened dark fruit with herbaceous notes. Paired with tri trip — a year ago

Lisa Bilz

9.5

Luscious with a tri tip. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Splash decanted; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2017 “Tip Top Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe black and red fruits: brambles, plums, cherry lozenges, black pepper, warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This worked really well with a variety of grilled fare though I suspect a few more years in the cellar would help add some complexity. Drink now with patience through 2032. — 4 months ago

Gladys Xiques

9.3

A classic Pinot with bright red fruit supported by earthiness in the background. It was more than a warming note to our Santa Maria tri trip. — a year ago

Joe Estrada

9.7

Introduction of Saarloos to our new neighbors…..perfect pairing with Santa Maria Tri-Tip — 2 years ago