Au Contraire Pinot Noir 2014
The 2014 Au Contraire Pinot Noir is vastly more charming than I expected it to be given the price point. A well-crafted Pinot for less than $25.00 is a rarity and this bottle exceeds expectations. Swoon-worthy aromas of seedy raspberry, black cherry, underbrush, dried rose petal, and warm spice surge from the glass. In the […]
Cave Dog Godello 2016
From acclaimed winemaker, Michael Havens—Cave Dog is his latest project and this micro-lot of Godello proved surprising for many reasons. The nose is nuanced, almost hard to pin down with notes of pear, lemon sorbet, buttercup, honeycomb, malt and a delicate savory edge. It’s equally nuanced in the mouth, with unbelievable, glorious texture offset by […]
Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier 2010
My first Cabernet Sauvignon from Morlet Family Vineyards—I’ve only been lucky enough to taste and have been dazzled by their sublime Chardonnays. That said, the 2010 Mon Chevalier didn’t disappoint, displaying classic Knight’s Valley character, it’s a treasure trove of cassis, black currants, incense and sandalwood, tar and menthol. Black pepper and spice box. The […]
Rock Wall Wine Co. Jack’s Dry Creek Petite Sirah 2014
Baritone and lush, the 2014 Rock Wall Jack’s Dry Creek Petite Sirah is a spicy melange of juicy black cherries, plums, cedar, and bay leaf. Inky and dark in the glass, this Sonoma County Petite Syrah is equally hedonistic on the palate, a riot of black fruit and ripe tannins pierced by a jaunty vein […]
J Vineyards Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2014
Flat out pretty, J Estate Vineyards Grown Pinot Noir 2014 is sourced from the River Valley and is a shade more nimble than expected. Robed in translucent garnet, and delivering a pent-up array of woodland berries and raspberries still on the vine, underbrush and rose petal and a dusting of warm spice. It’s a poised […]
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Monterey, Sonoma, & Santa Barbara Counties 2015
J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir is a blend of Pinot Noir from three AVAs: Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and Sonoma County. It’s a big, voluptuous wine, not quite opaque and neatly inlaid with black cherry, roasted strawberry, warm brown spices, and decaying rose petal. Silky on entry, with well-integrated tannins—the acidity hits at […]
Square Peg Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014
Lovely purity of fruit in Square Peg’s 2014 Estate Block 8 Dry Farmed Pinot Noir from Green Valley. Grown at an 800′ elevation a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean—winemaker William Knuttel has coaxed red berries from this cool climate Pinot along with nuanced aromas of underbrush, rose petal, dried orange peel, and baking […]
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV
I had the chance to visit J Vineyards in 2015, and was impressed (no pun intended) by the large Coquard press flanking the processing bay of the winery. The Coquard press is traditionally used by Champagne houses, and is extremely gentle. J’s Brut Rosé NV is as I remember it, fresh and vivacious, brimming with […]
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The profile of the 2012 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is consistent with the profile of the 2013 I reviewed last spring—how did I manage to get the vintages out of order? No matter, these are wines with great aging potential, they can be squirreled away for a decade or more. Black currants, […]
Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014
A nice value Chardonnay from the River Valley Russian, Frei Brothers 2014 Reserve is medium lemon yellow in the glass with a leaning towards tropical-papaya, ripe pear, buttered scone and baked apple tartin. The attack is round and full with moderate toast squarely at the mid-palate. A short shorts that adorned with toast and pencil […]