Clear Bottle Bay

Domaine Auguste Clape

Cornas Syrah 1997

First pour of this and I was like, “uh-oh”. It was clearly full of flaws (Brettanomyces, VA and maaaaybe some slight TCA) but would they be too much to appreciate the wine? Only time would tell so into the decanter it went. After a lot of air, it became clear this was Brett and VA. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) with notes of blackberries, umeboshi, animale, purple flowers, black pepper, red Flintstone vitamin, horse blanket, wood varnish, and sous bois. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. An elegant, complicated bottle. This is my second time with the 1997 vintage and due to the flaws, a different adventure than previous. That being said, this decidedly grumpy, Burgundian expression of Clape’s Cornas paired really well with the dry-aged steaks. Drink now, with a lot of patience, through 2037? — 9 days ago

Paul, Andrew and 7 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Not really complex just a solid mid week bottle with tertiary notes coming into play. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister, Andrew and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

Mo
9.3

What can I say? Absolutely delicious. Tasted after about an hour of bottle aeration. Will be paired with reverse seared, aged ribeye steak. — 10 months ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Estate pours a bright, yellow/green color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical fruit: pineapple, passion fruit, star fruit, lemon curd, almonds, toasted marshmallow, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2035+. Bottle No. 9032/12960 — 2 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 16 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Jay Kline SCM definitely overlooked. Mount Eden makes a reserve chardonnay (on the mailing list/visit but worth seeking out) that is equally delicious but a bit weightier.
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

I work in Cupertino- a go to place for killer wine! Cheers!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Neil Valenzuela for real…jelly!

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 7 months ago

Zach, Tom and 5 others liked this
Seth Masterson

Seth Masterson

One of our local stars.
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

❤️👍🏼
Jason Gelman

Jason Gelman

happy 10 and lucky find!

Ridge Vineyards

40th Anniversary Vintage Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Love the high Merlot % this vintage has. There’s a plushness and supleness to the tannin that really impressed. With age the Merlot really bringing that core of sweet stewed red plum. Long, elegant, completely intact, very well-stored bottle. — 3 years ago

Shay and Aravind liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

This one had signs of seepage on it so I opened it planning on throwing it out. What an amazing wine and so fresh! Maybe another bottle seeped on to this one? — 3 months ago

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2021

Medium ruby color. Aromas of curry, cardamom, cherry and strawberry. Strawberry flavors, toasted oak, raspberry and black tea. Very interesting Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. Bottle #32187

🏅94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— 3 months ago

Doug, Pinotman and 11 others liked this

Ceritas

Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Not as good as the bottle we had 2 years ago. All of the great lemon peel and minerality and texture and acid are still there - but this is oddly lacking on the mid palate, so you get a nice entry and exit but not a lot of meat in the middle. — 9 months ago

Ira, Jay and 5 others liked this
Seth Masterson

Seth Masterson

Well that's something you don't see everyday - a Sonoma County winery using Santa Cruz Mountain grapes for their Chardonnay

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Red Table Wine 2018

Last bottle of vintage — 2 years ago

Ted, Neil and 1 other liked this