Grafted Cellars
Axios
Kalaris Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014
100% Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast AVA. Had the 2014 vintage, and vines from Kamari’s are mostly grafted from the Pomard appellation in Burgundy, so this can actually age beautifully.
A distinctive and elevated Raisin and fig notes, eminently smooth, intricate and elegant mouthfeel, still showed an inviting acidity with an irresistible finish. A show stopper!
— 9 months ago
Sandlands
Kirschenmann Cinsault 2022
The 2022 “Kirschenmann” (Lodi) sources its fruit from, you guessed it, Sandlands home vineyard, Kirschenmann which, only recently, had Cinsault grafted to 1 single acre of 140r rootstock (rootstock was planted in 2019 and Cinsault was grafted in 2020).
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine pours a slightly hazy ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of raspberries, freshly ground black pepper, Peony’s, and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, fine gritty tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and sweet-tart. Drink now through 2032. — 2 years ago
Château Plaisance - Marc Penavayre
Bouysselet
2024 vintage. The first time I tasted this very rare grape variety, it was saved from extinction by Philippe and Diane Cauvin at Domaine La Colombière. These days a few estates produce Bouysselet wines, and intriguingly Château Anthonic in Moulis, grafted Bouysselet on Merlot vines, with the first production expected in 2025. I suspect this is produced from young vines, but the resulting wine is very interesting. The closest thing that comes to mind is Chenin Blanc, but it seems to have a character of its own. I will taste a few others soon. Abv. 13,5%. — 4 months ago
Grafted Cellars
Pinot Gris 2022
Slightly sweet, but still crisp. Delicious for a summer evening! — 2 years ago
Sandlands
Lodi Assyrtiko 2022
Having spent some time in Greece last year, I had access to all the Assyrtiko my heart could desire and it turned out, my heart was nearly insatiable. So when I learned that Sandlands was going to be releasing an Assyrtiko from Lodi, I perked up.
The 2022 pours a pale straw with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with moderate intensity and notes of lime, slightly underripe Bartlett pear, passion fruit, and tarragon. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium and slightly saline with a lingering, waxy texture. While this doesn’t have the intensity of the best Assyrtiko from Santorini (or Tinos), it’s varietally correct with the structure and texture I expect. I dig it! Drink now and through 2032. Only one single 1000L foudre and one single barrel were produced from vines grafted to existing rootstock in the Stampede Vineyard (Clements Hills), just a few years back. — 2 years ago
Benanti
Serra della Contessa Etna Rosso Nerello Blend 2011
Oldest Benanti vineyard. Planted in 1910. I grafted pre-phloxerra. 90% Nero mascalese and 10% nerelo cappucio. — 6 months ago
Amici Cellars
Flora Marie Vineyard Chardonnay 2018
I have made other reviews of the v.2020, but this 2018 vintage is something special, a true winemaker’s year marked by patience, balance, and reward. With a cool, even growing season and no major heat spikes, the fruit from Flora Marie Vineyard was picked at ideal ripeness, and it shows in every sip.
This Chardonnay is a masterclass in restraint and purity, offering a mineral-driven core laced with delicate salinity and soft white florals on the nose.
The palate is layered and evolving—baked pineapple, citrus zest, and yellow pear glide across a silky medium-to-full-bodied frame, all carried by a sense of poise and structure. The finish is long, clean, and quietly complex, never overreaching but deeply memorable.
Grafted from Montrachet clones (within Côte d’Or, specifically Côte de Beaune) onto the ridgelines of Russian River Valley, this bottling is a rare harmony of Burgundian heritage and Sonoma expression. If you find a bottle, don’t hesitate. It’s a wine that speaks for itself far beyond what words can express. Cheers! — 7 months ago
Alta Colina
Old 900 Estate Syrah 2019
Thanksgiving Paso Robles trip day 0 first stop. John Alban suitcase clone. Grafted in 2006. Southwest facing slope. Black olives, juicy bramble. 90% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Viognier. — 3 years ago
Hacienda Solano
Finca Cascorrales Ribera del Duero Tinta del Pais 2016
Serious single-vineyard wine from extremely old, un-grafted vines growing at over 3,000 feet elevation in La Aguilera. Planted in 1895, the vineyard survived phylloxera thanks to its gravelly, sandy soils. Fermented and aged for 15 months in open-top 500-liter oak barrels, followed by an additional 4 months in concrete tanks. Dark fruit, licorice and hints of mint on the nose. Full-bodied, quite concentrated, good structure. I found Peña Lobera much more elegant — 4 years ago
Stefan Dolhain
2023 vintage. A whole different wine compared to the 2024 Plaisance. As in this case the Bouysselet was grafted on Merlot vines, the young vine effect doesn't play a role. Yellow, light golden colour. Intense nose with apricot,flowers, beeswax and toast. In the mouth it is powerful,with concentrated stone fruit ( apricots, peaches, prunes), subtle almond bitters, fresh acidity, and a slightly honeyed long finish. Unlike the Plaisance, this is very unique, maybe closer to Timorasso than Chenin Blanc. Producers are aiming for a Fronton Blanc Bouysselet appellation these days, which would be great for the better producers in this underestimated region. Abv. 14%. — 4 months ago