Stephanie Knapp

9.2

2020, loved it — a year ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

With 9yrs age it doesn’t seem like any tannins have dropped. Extremely dense. Tannins are well integrated. Smooth and huge. Dark fruit. Chocolate. — 4 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

medium ruby with pale amber rim; bing cherry, cranberry, sage, baking spices; tart red fruits and spice; medium body, medium+ acidity, light tannins, 14.3% ABV; the historic parcel in the Santa Rita Hills was a former thoroughbred horse ranch; $55 — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

I am very excited to drink this. From old vine Zin grapes grown on my favorite site (Beatty Ranch in Howell Mountain). And on cue it delivers that classic Beatty Ranch earthy black peppercorn spice on the nose, hovering over dark, very spicy blackberry and crushed rock. Absolutely attacks the palate with savory flavors. But no jamminess in the least. Very full but the 14.5 is well hidden. Such a long finish. Love this. — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

My last bottle of this. It’s really good in a fuller style Oregon Pinot. Complex nose has gravelly loam, sandalwood notes, sappy cherry ooze, crushed rock, a little autumn baking spice. Full and broad in the mouth, but the flavors exhibit a nice balance of fruit, mineral, and underbrush notes. Medium acids, and a little very fine-grained tannin makes an appearance in the back half of the finish. Very nice — a year ago

Brent S

8.9

R.I.P. Soda Rock — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

What a great vintage. Its tannin structure will outlive the 09 and anyone 45 and older. The 2010 is a forever vintage and while different than 09, it will undoubtedly be just as great. It’s just going to take a lot more bottle age than the 09.

The body is full and round. The tannins have rounded but are still big and chewy. It’s more concentrated than 09. The fruit is really beautiful and again perfectly ripe. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum, poached strawberries with hints of raspberries. Soft soil structure; dry top soil, moist clay, medium intensity dark spice, fresh tobacco, dry herbs, crushed rock powder, with dark, withering florals with violets. The texture is velvety. The structure and tension are big. The length and balance are worthy of its perfect score. For me, it’s just not there, yet! The acidity is really good. The long, lush, ripe, well balanced, polished finish is deliciously persistent.

Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

Joe Christenson

9.0

Inky ruby. A bit effervescent. White pepper, mushroom, strawberries, and raspberry. Savory more than fruity. Fairly light and very smooth. — 2 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

I’m a sucker for great Grenache. If it can age all the better. Boozy raisins and blueberries. — 5 years ago

Clayton R Strong

9.3

You would have no idea if you tasted this blindfold it was from CA - this is Old World Northern Rhone Syrah. Good acidity, tannins, and fruit. Love wine from this producer! — 6 years ago

with Tiffany