| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| White - Sweet/Dessert |
2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Sémillon Lachryma Montis, Botrytized Old Vine Monte Rosso VineyardSonoma Valley more |
4/30/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 95 pointsWow! Just wow! This is one of the most pleasurable dessert wines we have ever had. With a nose serving up a pronounced scent of peaches, honey, and pineapple. Those notes of pineapple and honey come to the fore on the palate, with citrus flavors becoming a bit more pronounced. |
| Red |
2002 MacPhail Pinot Noir Toulouse VineyardAnderson Valley more |
6/3/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 94 pointsWithout a doubt this bottle of MacPhail Pinot Noir goes down as one of the finest we have ever had! From start to finish, there is a refined opulence to this '02 Toulouse (Anderson Valley) that is incredibly satisfying. From the beautifully detailed and integrated tannins to the subtle earthiness, we just couldn't get enough! Oh, right, almost forgot to mention that incredible silkiness that clearly comes with some age. |
| Red |
2005 Jeff Cohn Cellars Petite Sirah Frediani VineyardNapa Valley more |
7/7/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 94 pointsTime for a word association game. Okay, when I say JC Cellars Petite Sirah, you shout out the first word that comes to mind. So…the word is...BIG! Very inky, broad shouldered, and supercharged with obvious notes of blueberry, blackberry and a big whiff of vanilla backing it all up. When Jeff Cohn secured his supply of grapes from the Frediani Vineyard he produced one powerful rendition of this amazing varietal. Then comes those bombastic flavors of super ripe dark plum and even more flavor packed blackberry spreading out on the palate. Yummy flavors framed by round tannins punctuated by a gentle mineral component. I am smitten with this wine! Did I mention the one thought that persisted while enjoying this one? How did Cohn get this massive wine into this little bottle? Charlie Sheen said it best with one word that describes this wine-WINNING! |
| Red |
2011 Kutch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coastmore |
7/19/2013 - smokeshowing wrote: 94 pointsThis wine is absolutely spot on for me. No formal tasting notes, but enjoyed the heck out of this one. What stood out for me was the wonderfully tart cherry and raspberry flavors that dominate. There's a bunch going on here and all of it positive. Here again, gotta stop kicking myself for not purchasing more of this beauty! |
| Red |
2007 Drew Family Cellars Syrah Broken Leg VineyardAnderson Valley more |
7/19/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 94 pointsThis is a tough one to call simply because this bottling is still just a baby that will probably need another 4-5 years to really show its true colors. Deep inky purple in the glass with a strong aroma of leather which makes this seem almost one-dimensional until you take that first, then second taste. Only now does the real potential of this sleeping beauty come to the fore as ripe plum and blackberry launch the attack that closes out with some block rockin' tannins. GIve this one a few years, if you have the patience, and enjoy the rewards! |
| Red |
2008 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo VineyardSonoma Coast more |
12/31/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 94 pointsThis bottle turned out to be the star of our Sojourn pinots. Popped for a Christmas eve celebration and here are the reactions: |
| Rosé |
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Ode to Lulu California RoséMourvèdre more |
3/29/2013 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 93 pointsJust another fantastic rendition of the Ode to Lulu Rosé! Funny, this wine has become a feature of our warm weather months here in the South Bay (San Jose, CA), and since it's been some time since we have had the pleasure of enjoying this wine, I was eager to break it out today. Wonderful nose of strawberries and peach for me. The balance of fresh red fruits, minerality, and acidity makes this wine just sing! |
| Red |
2005 Saint Jean du Barroux Ventoux L'OligocèneRed Rhone Blend more |
7/30/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 93 pointsEureka! We have found it! This is a wonderful blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault all working seamlessly to produce a wine flush with spice and tremendous character. Philippe Gimel has done a wonderful job blending this nearly opulent wine. And for the price, there is no question that this is a taste experience you owe yourself. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, so to speak, but my bet is that paired with well-chosen foods, you'll find yourself fascinated with the complexity of this lovely effort. Well done Mssr. Gimel and we look forward to experiencing this wine with many meals in the future. |
| Red |
2008 Scholium Project Gardens of BabylonCalifornia Red Blend more |
11/17/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 93 pointsThis is what Bogle's '08 Phantom blend wishes it could be when it grows up. My second Scholium wine and I am perfectly satisfied to call this blend a wanton slut of a wine. Perfect for my current state of mind and feel free to read into that what you will. Not a heck of a lot to crow about when taking in the first sniffs of this little beast, but whoa doggy, do things change when this one is poured into the pie hole. One word sums it up...YUMMMMMY! |
| Red |
2008 Jeff Cohn Cellars Zinfandel Sweetwater SpringsRussian River Valley more |
6/8/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 93 pointsI have been a fan of Jeff Cohn's wines for a few years now and I have been looking forward to having my first bottle of the '08 Sweetwater Springs Zin for some time. Having reached the limits of my patience I finally popped this one to accompany some barbecued burgers and I am happy to say that this is one of the best Zins I have ever had! |
| Red |
2008 Coterie Cellars Syrah Casatierra VineyardFiddletown more |
8/20/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 93 pointsWOW! This is a fantastic Syrah that offers a heady nose of blackberries that just goes on and on. This fruit, sourced from the Casatierra Vineyard in Fiddletown, California, packs everything a California Syrah should. |
| White |
2009 Joseph Swan Vineyards Gewürztraminer Saralee's VineyardRussian River Valley more |
7/19/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 93 pointsTasted this beautiful expression of Gewürztraminer at the winery and was floored by the extraordinary aromatics of sour apple and floral notes. This is an outstanding rendition of Russian River Gewürztraminer that will pair beautifully with the usual suspects including chicken pad thai. Some suggest that this wine "needs" food to really show at its best, but I found this to be a genuine treat as a standalone. Then again, the thought of next Thanksgiving featuring this wine is making my mouth water! |
| Rosé |
2009 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvèdre Ode to Lulu RoséSonoma Valley more |
9/5/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 93 pointsI know, I know, 90+ points for a rosé... 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1) |
| Red |
2008 Carlisle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valleymore |
10/18/2010 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 93 pointsMy first 2008 Carlisle Dry Creek Zinfandel, and what a first impression! We enjoyed this fantastic wine with an assortment of wurst, cabbage and potato salad. |
| Red |
2008 Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir Valenti RanchMendocino Ridge more |
11/15/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 93 pointsMolly and Jason Drew are some of the nicest folks in the business and I'm thrilled to give this wine another huge thumbs-up! |
| Red |
2008 Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir Valenti RanchMendocino Ridge more |
7/19/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 93 pointsTasted at the source and this bottling was one of the highlights of our swing through the Anderson Valley. Drew Family Cellars wines, especially the '08 Valenti Pinot Noir, can best be described as soulful and harmonious. This bottling is still quite tight and clearly in its infancy, but the possibilities shine through as reflected by the deep black cherry flavors that start you down the path to a long and sensuous finish. I would call this a special occasion pinot noir that will require some time to fully blossom into what is sure to be one of the best from the 2008 vintage in the North Coast region. For those concerned with smoke taint, put your worry beads away, and know that this wine is harvested from grapes at significant elevation that allowed for drift smoke to blow off before having any serious impact on the grapes. If you can get this one, do it, and let it have a lengthy slumber before pouring. |
| White |
2009 Drew Family Cellars Albariño Valenti VineyardMendocino Ridge more |
7/19/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 92 pointsOh my goodness, this was indeed the discovery of the year so far. Tasted at the source, the 2009 Drew Family Cellars Albariño left us absolutely blown away by its impressive aromatics of citrus and apple followed by a distinctive spike of lime that was backed up by a perfectly balanced layer of acidity. This is a fantastic showing for this varietal and to say it is highly recommended is an understatement. Here again, we have a producer that is willing to take chances, and like the SF Giants bringing up Buster Posey, it's working out beautifully. BRAVO! |
| White |
2005 Chéreau-Carré Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur lie Cuvée des Ceps Centenaires Comte Leloup de Château de ChasseloirMelon de Bourgogne more |
9/3/2010 - smokeshowing wrote: 92 pointsWe had gotten away from enjoying Muscadet for the past few years, but on a whim, I grabbed this bottle at a local retailer and I am so thrilled that I did. It's a warm day here in the San Francisco Bay Area, and probably no better time to chill this lovely wine and enjoy with my true love. |
| Red |
2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine ZinfandelSonoma Valley more |
12/20/2012 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsWow! Here we go again...another wonderful release from what has become our absolute favorite producer over the past couple of years. This Zin has all of the hallmarks of what we have come to expect from Morgan's efforts. There's a lovely nose of spice and plenty of red and darker berries. Flavors of those very same berries come to the fore, but all is backed with a beautifully balanced stroke of acidity that suggests this wine can stick around in bottle for quite some time. As others have mentioned, outstanding value! |
| Rosé |
2011 Cartograph Pinot Noir RoséRussian River Valley more |
6/11/2012 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsGood golly, this is what summer is all about for me. Warm evenings, great company, and a Rosé that just sings! Not much more to add that hasn't already been said by William Allen, but I'll throw in my .02 cents worth. |
| Rosé |
2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Mourvèdre Ode to Lulu RoséSonoma Valley more |
5/8/2012 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsThis one hits all of the sweet spots for me. From the subtle nose of fresh grapefruit and flowers, to the citrus, peach, and strawberry flavors that offer up a crisp rosé that just sings on all levels. A big thanks to Morgan for crafting a real beauty! |
| Red |
2007 Jeff Cohn Cellars Broken CompassCalifornia Carignane, Carignan more |
10/17/2010 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsFirst word that comes to mind upon tasting this Syrah is WOW! This is a big, and I do mean BIG, wine that oozes super ripe dark fruits that range from plum to black cherry. I am amazed that the bottle can actually contain this beast. |
| Red |
2009 Cartograph Pinot Noir Floodgate VineyardRussian River Valley more |
6/8/2012 - smokeshowing wrote: 92 pointsThis is such a lovely wine with its aromas of cherry and spice. Lots of RRV characteristics on the nose. There is a nifty balance between flavors of strawberry, cherry, and mild earthiness that make this a truly satisfying Pinot Noir. Recommend this one without reservation and am looking forward to what is to come from Cartograph! |
| Red |
2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valleymore |
3/10/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsOkay, I sat on this tasting note for a couple of days after returning from an extended stay in London. Upon returning home the 2009 Dashe Dry Creek Valley Zin was the no-brainer wine of choice for an episode of decompressing from a long, long flight from LHR to SFO. I guess I do genuinely associate Zinfandel with my home, California, and after acquiring a case of homesickness this was the wine that would successfully welcome us back! |
| White |
2009 Wind Gap Wines Trousseau Gris Piccolo Bastardo Fanucchi VineyardRussian River Valley more |
4/30/2011 - smokeshowing Likes this wine: 92 pointsPax Mahle describes this unique wine as being "freaky," in that it looks different (orange and pink) and tastes different in a big way. I can attest to the fact that this wine is indeed a bit freaky, but in a really intriguing and thoughtful way. You know you are in for something completely different as soon as the bottle is popped and poured. |
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- Tasting notes: 138 notes on 137 wines
