Cherry on the palate with appropriate dryness common on Atlas Peak. Decanted, smoothed Tannins at 5 years old. December 2022. — 4 years ago
Elegant Cab Franc! Tasted it blind and struggled to pick up on the green peeper notes that typically are a dead away for the varietal. — 6 years ago
The 2016 ‘Quarzo’ Syrah is drop dead stunning. Sourced from Ann Kraemer's Shake Ridge Ranch this instantly grabs your attention with its dark inky color and vibrant aromatics of ripe black cherries, fresh violets, smoked bacon, black olives and hints of earthy minerals all exploding from the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied, fresh and layered with a center of juicy dark fruits, black olives and violets that burst on to the long supple finish. This is a total gem of a Syrah from Andy Erickson and Annie Favia that is simply delicious now, but will certainly continue to evolve incredibly well over the next decade. — 7 years ago
Blend of five vineyards from two appellations in Santa Barbara County; Solomon Hills and Gold Coast; from Santa Maria Valley, Peake Ranch and Zotovich; and Drum Canyon from Sta. Rita Hills. Ruby color with aromas of red fruit, baking spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of raspberry and cherry with white flower notes and an array of spices. Fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with fresh fruit, spice and earthy tones. Nice! — 4 months ago
2012 Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch Merlot - Review (November 2024)
The 2012 Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch Merlot remains a stellar example of Napa Valley elegance and richness. Its garnet hue hints at its depth, while the nose offers complex layers of ripe blackberry, licorice, graphite, dark chocolate, and cloves.
On the palate, a velvety texture highlights blackberry and fruit compote, evolving into a refined finish of chocolate and fine-grained tannins. Balanced and luxurious, this wine pairs beautifully with roast duck, aged Gouda, or beef Wellington. — 2 years ago
Big flavor. Fruit (plum?) in a good way not jammy. A little earthy and spice notes. Enjoyed it with Christmas in January — 4 years ago
Trader joes impulse buy. Good stuff! — 5 years ago
Slightly bricking garnet clear as a belle. Nose is less bright red fruit that say a Ballard Canyon suggesting a warmer climate or growing season for this vintage. Hint of tar- a bit of Syrah? This botttle was picked up in a Calistoga grocery store in 2016 so initial storage may not have been ideal. Still a lovely mouth-filling round wine about to serve with a 12-hour brisket and kimchi slaw. — 6 years ago
Very complex and incredible mouth feel — a year ago
2020, loved it — a year ago
Had to try one off the truck,
Last Bottle sale for $30.00, winery $100.00.. bought 4 should of bought 6
With proper rest period easy 95-96.
Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 1% merlot from Nuns Canyon (62%) and Hamel Family Ranch (38%). Interesting fermentation program: 52% stainless steel, 38% concrete tanks, 10% neutral French oak barrels. Aged 26 months in 66% new French oak, 34% once-used French oak. — 3 years ago
So when I opened the bottle 6 hours ago it exploded behind the cork with some fruit and a cedar forest. Then in the first 2 hours it disappeared. Totally dead. Now it has completely evolved. Smells of light fruit plums and cherry, dark chocolate, forest, a bit of violets. Smelling this after chewing lamb was wonderful. Palate is even better. AmaIbg balance of fruit, tannin, acid. Cassie, dried cherries, fresh wood, berries, a tiny, tiny hint of cream. Just wonderful. Worth every penny. Now almost 8 hours and it’s more herbs, sage, raspberries, thanksgiving stuffing with savory spices. — 5 years ago
Warm year quite ripe but superb balance. Impeccable winemaking as always by Ridge. Earthy, dusty. Medium body. Clean acid cherry finish. Killer steak/bbq wine. Dead ringer for a nice Primitivo from Puglia. If you don’t know what that is, go fuck yourself. — 5 years ago
Last night I opened the 2014 Saarloos & Sons The O.G. Carbonically Fermented Grenache.
On the nose there is black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, oak and a nice rich earth note.
On the palate ther are some nice notes of black cherry, raspberry, a ise, cinnamon, spice, herbaceous notes, oak and a nice earth component.
This is a medium bodied wine with medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that lead into a long nutty fruit finish. With things the way there are in the world presently I pray that we all will be safe in the days to come and that life gets back to normal sooner than later. Nostrovia!!!!! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago
The 2016 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is a drop dead stunning wine from the Phillips and their talented team of Mike Wolf and Françoise Peschon. This majestic Cabernet bursts opens to seductive aromas of dark currants, blueberries, spices, graphite, iron, violets and a touch of sage all emerging from the glass. On the palate this is equally as impressive, as it boasts a gorgeous full body that shows incredible depth, with a resonating core or ripe dark fruits that expands beautifully through the long polished finish. This is one of the most compelling wines from this fabulous vintage, and readers should not hesitate to get their hands on this years exceptional release from VHR. — 7 years ago

Michael Fiur
Lovely Pinot noir courtesy of Nicole Munroe. Lovely smooth. At mill and main. — 2 months ago