Tom Casagrande

9.0

One of my favorite wines to have with basic pasta with tomato sauces (with or without meat) is Argentine Bonarda. Unfortunately we’re overrun with effing Malbec and Bonarda remains hard to find in the states, even though it’s widely grown in Argentina. This has the classic dark, purply color. Tangy dark mountain berries, crushed rocks, and bitter herbs on the nose. A blast of flavor initially, fading quickly into lingering minerals and acids. (A flavor profile that just works with the aforementioned pasta.). Cheap and good. Glad I stumbled on this. (Not sure why @Delectable Wine published my notes a second time as a comment 🤷) — 14 days ago

Dawn E.

9.0

Excited that we had Temps in the 40's today, not bad for Iowa! Rated previously.. showing hazelnut notes now! A relaxing Sunday; musical enjoyment "Gòrecki Symphony No. 3. — 3 years ago

Debra Palmer

9.0

Shared with love ❤️ — 4 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Black cherry, mushroom, leather, and dried herbs. Full bodied for a Pinot but not too opulent. Medium plus finish. — 2 months ago

with Angelina

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Hendricks Pinot from the Doctors Vineyard in Santa Lucia. 11 barrels made. 22 months in French oak. I don’t know what everyone is used to but a Pinot 22 months in French oak is far more rare than common. This is my first look from the four bottles I’ve stored. Roughly eight years is the timing for first look.

This may be the best CA Pinot I have consistently yr over yr. The fruit is ripe, dry-ish, slightly tart; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, notes of blueberries, raspberries, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful mid spices, nutmeg, cinnamon-cinnamon stick, vanillin, mid to dark berry cola, dry brush, dry clay, loamy, limestone volcanics, dark, dry soil, dark chocolate baking bar, crushed dry rocks, notes of not quite eucalyptus, tree bark w/ sap, fresh & slightly withering, dark, red, blue florals framed in subtle violets, near perfect acidity with a nicely structured, well balanced, velvety/silky, consistent wire to wire finish that lasts a minute and half. Simply amazing palate.

Good first look but better things ahead for my next bottle(s). Another 15 plus years of half drinking ahead.

Happy Labor Day weekend. — 3 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Grenache based Red. Light garnet color. Intense aromas of tar, asphalt, rubber, and dark cherry. Pallet is still reasonably fresh with notes of cooked dark cherry, plum tobacco, roasted nuts and herbs. Hints of watermelon on the long and Smokey finish. Oak has integrated very nicely. Acidity is well balanced. This is an example of a wine that has improved with age. Thank You for sharing Keith S! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend from several vineyards, including Middle Reach, Green Valley, Santa Rosa Plain, and the Laguna Ridge area. Bright Ruby color, purple edges, with aromas of ripe fruits, floral and complex spice. On the palate concentrated flavors of raspberry, cherry and currants with pepper, tea, herbs, vanilla and oak, aged on French oak, soft tannins on well balanced structure. Full body, rich long finish, ending with spice, ripe fruit and oaky tones. Very Nice! — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2016 vintage. Mount Eden Vineyards wine dinner @Mister A’s Restaurant-San Diego. Decanted and tasted after opening and after 4hrs. Opening notes showing the baker’s pantry and a distinctive, crumbled Graham cracker vibe along with plenty of baby fat and meandering. Fast forward four hours…wine had dropped all the above and gained actual structure along with some richness, cinnamon (more the heat than the flavor) and darker fruit components. Still needs a decade plus but coming along and all the building blocks are slowly being laid in place. A small chance this wine is the best Cabernet JP has ever made. Have had more than a few (including the Old Vine Reserve (that 1991 tho, 1990 didn't suffer either)-no longer made-through the '90's) in the 90’s and 00’s laying down defined, kick-*ss parameters. 4.20.23. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This is the Artazu Pasos de San Martin Navarra, a varietal Garnacha. A bit sleepy before it gets air, it gradually Benjamin Buttons and develops a terrifically pure nose of kirsch and raspberry ooze, along with crushed rock dust and sandalwood. In the mouth it’s got intense fruit, but is laser-focused and has excellent acids. Zero flab.
Just enough tannin to package it all. Really nice rendition of Grenache. — 4 years ago

Dusty Ross

9.2

Loved this wine tasted at Basil’s wine tasting. $20 with a discount. Nice caramel flavor — 4 years ago