Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Truly artisan, made in small batches from the Angeleno Wine Co. This is a quite different Albariño sourced in collaboration with Bokisch Vineyards. The V.22 was the only vintage they made as it ended up being a little bit of a warmer year in California. Grapes for this wine were harvested on August 2022 at 20.9 brix, destemmed and macerated for 20 hours overnight, then pressed it off.
It fermented in tank and then racked half of it into stainless steel barrels and half in regular neutral Hungarian oak barrels. Fermentation took off from the indigenous yeasts on the fruit and in the winery. The wine in stainless steel was not allowed to go through MLF, while the wine in oak barrels was allowed to go through MLF naturally. After 7 months, it was blended the two wines together, filtered it, then bottled.

All this processes resulted a compelling multi-layered and extremely complex Albariño never tasted before, the array of citrusy from lemon peel, ripe mandarine, to some hints of fermented pineapple on both nose and palate, takes you to a joyful savory roller-coaster, it has the prefect balance of oak and acidity, perfectly balance on the mid-and-back-end of the palate. Mouthfeel is exotic and sharp but not tarty, a very harmonious combination of acidity and dry, clean and crispy finish. If you are lucky to find it, get it as it will not disappoint. Cheers! — a month ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Raspberry, cherry, currant, blueberry, licorice, flint and oak. Light-bodied and moderate tannins. — 3 years ago

P A

9.0

I’m from British Columbia the home of so many great beers not to mention our own. But San Diego California also has some of the greatest craft beers on the planet. Stone Brewing is among the best in a tough market. It’s hard to beat their IPA and visiting their brewery is on my bucket list. Bill @Bill Bender of San Diego this one’s for you. Stone Brewing well done and congratulations. — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Lucky Rock Wine Company Grenache 2020, California

Reddish in color.

Fruity nose of raspberries, strawberries, cherries, light oak chocolates and spices.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, light oak, spices, dark chocolates, earth, vegetables, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Short finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 4 year old Grenache is drinking at its peak. Showing a soft mouthfeel with nice complexity. Has a California Pinot Noir feel, but more tannic.

I had it 3 years ago, and it is drinking better now.

Good right out of the bottle and gets earthier as it opens up. I gave it a light chill, and paired it with cheeses and crackers.

Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months. Unfiltered and unfined.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$26. — 6 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.2

Cherry, blackberry, raspberry, currant, vanilla, mossy earth and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 2 years ago

Michael Chelus

8.9

Grapefruit, apple, lemon, dried apricot, blood orange and lime zest. Racy acidity and great minerality. — 5 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

A rush of medium purple with a ruby rim in the glass. This wine just sings. Loudly and proudly. Beautiful beautiful Barbera. Cranberries say hello on the nose with guest appearances by wild strawberries and boysenberries. Ripe with bright acid and a bucket full of charm and sunlight. Dark fruit on the tongue with a silky mouthfeel. Earth and spice and funk and leather and sexy. A decidedly fun and spectacular wine. Needs a good decant and I’m willing to bet this is even more interesting on day two but there was no way this wine was going to last two days with me.
— 2 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry, blackberry, currant, cranberry, licorice and oak. Light-bodied and soft tannins. — 2 years ago

Kevin Løk

9.0

First wine grape planted in North America? You have my attention. Fascinating history of this varietal that I highly recommend reading up on if you’re lucky to have a friend like @Brendan Devine buy you the Wine Grapes tome. The wine itself is really tasty, desert-like in your mouth and has that full almost raisiny note that a lot of natural wines have. Give it a shot. — 4 years ago

with Caroline

Joe Estrada

9.6

One of the best white blends you’ll ever be lucky to get your hands on!! — 6 years ago

with Brad and Greg