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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2020 Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin-à-Vent Dernier Souffle

 Gamay more
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11/21/2022 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 90 points

Deep garnet color with bright edges. Aromas of fresh violets and herbs, plum & blueberry, oolong tea, crushed stone and spices. Fresh and succulent blue and red fruit on the palate, with mineral, spices and floral secondary notes. Medium bodied with taut acidity and medium grain round tannins, finishing with dry zesty length. Very nice.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/21/2022 10:06:00 PM - I'm sure it will do fine over time. I'm guessing a 5-7 year wine ideally.
White

2019 The Hilt Chardonnay Radian Vineyard

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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5/8/2022 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: NR

Winery visit. Very complex aromas - flint, lees, wet soil, citrus zest, ginger spices, sandstone and white florals. Bright & vibrant on the palate, with seamless and round texture, vivid fruit with seamless secondary integration. Great acid tension, finely structured, with great depth and length.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    5/28/2022 9:10:00 PM - Thanks - great lineup at The Hilt/Jonata, but I think I loved the Chardonnays the most. Cheers!
White

2019 Liquid Farm Chardonnay Golden Slope

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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12/13/2023 - fussyeater Likes this wine: 93 points

Golden yellow. Sunflowers butterscotch and hint of vanilla on the nose. Quite full bodied, goregeous buttery mouthfeel, saline, very dry yet there is bright yellow fruit in an unfruity way. Good length on the finish and v moreish. 13.5% and sealed with Diam 10. Impressive.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    12/17/2023 7:55:00 PM - If I’m not mistaken, White Hill is more Chablis-like with less of an oak imprint and a little more reductive than Golden Slope. They’re all great!
Red

2019 Melville Syrah Estate Donna's Block

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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1/28/2023 - Cabfrancophile Likes this wine: 92 points

Literally made my mouth water smelling it from the glass--Kalamata olive, smoked game, basil oil, white pepper, violet. The level of complexity is mind warping--as it opens up, roasted peppers, thyme, mulberry, and a sanguine character come into play. Mid-weight, medium plus acidity, rounded mid-palate, herbaceous finish. Ripe, but grippy tannins, with a mild bitterness on the finish that didn't shake fully with air.

I am increasingly thinking this vintage needs like 5-7 years to knit together, with the 'raw' flavors and ripping acidity likely to integrate. The finish held back this bottle a bit (and very well could improve), but otherwise this was like a M.C. Escher or perhaps a Hieronymus Bosch for the gustatory senses.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    1/31/2023 10:17:00 PM - For such a cool vintage in SBC, the wines really have a ton of richness along with the savory power. Once that subsides and the fruit emerges a little more I think the best wines will be remarkable.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    1/29/2023 8:33:00 PM - Nice note! Definitely agree that 2019 Santa Barbara Syrahs and Pinots need time.
Red

2018 Domaine Barge Syrah St. Joseph Clos de la Ribaudy

 more
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7/29/2021 - joraesque wrote: 89 points

Upon opening, it smelled corked—but it's got a plastic cork! It turns out it needed to breathe for about an hour; medium-full bodied, and the biggest St. Joseph I've had to date; marked by damp wood and bitter cherry liquor; the more oxidation it got, the more minerality it revealed, as well as some gunpowder on the finish. PH appears to be relatively high. Overall, I'd say this is a St. Joseph for the Robert Parker palate. 13.5% ABV.
89-91
Update: Not drinking so well 30 hours later.
89

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    7/30/2021 10:43:00 PM - It does kind of look like plastic!

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    7/30/2021 7:14:00 PM - Just an FYI, it’s a Nomacorc, which is plant-based, not plastic.
Red

2018 Arianna Occhipinti Nero d'Avola Sicilia Siccagno

 more
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3/21/2021 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 91 points

Deep ruby color with clarity. Very vivid aromatically, black raspberry, red florals, start anise and fresh herbs. Bright and exhuberant fruit expression on the palate over a core of floral herbaciousness. Succulent, round and totally weightless structure, beautifully integrated high-tones acid and fine lithe tannins.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    10/13/2021 12:06:00 PM - Hi Marc, I’d buy the wine again, but I’m not enough of an expert on the producer to comment in the context of other vintages. Cheers!
Red

2018 Story of Soil Pinot Noir John Sebastiano

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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9/11/2021 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 90 points

Clear bright garnet with light edges. Aromatics and notes throughout of fig & pomegranate, fresh hibiscus, brown mushroom, sandalwood, and five spice. Fresh, high-toned red fruit expression on the palate, with nicely layered secondary depth, showcasing its earth and exotic spice notes as it moves on the palate. Lean, with round middle density adding heft. Brightly integrated acid, finishing with fine supple tannins and moderate fruit-driven length. Showing very well.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    9/12/2021 9:27:00 PM - This is actually another producer - Story of Soil. Jessica Gasca is the owner/winemaker. Sources from John Sebastiano and a few others.
Red

2017 Clos Fornelli La robe d'Ange

 Corsica Sciacarello, Mammolo more
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11/13/2019 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 90 points

Clear ruby color. Aromas and notes of fresh plum, dried blue florals, hints of clove & paprika spices, and hints of stone. Vivacious and bright fruit on the palate, with subtle secondary floral and spice depth, adding darker earth notes and hints of star anise. Gains richness and texture in the middle with air, with medium-plus acid and round smooth tannins. Peppery spice and crushed stone on a lingering finish. Very nice - reminds me at first of Etna Rosso with a softer Pinot Noir-like structure, but gains structure with air.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/23/2019 2:22:00 PM - I'm not surpised... I've thought we are pretty well aligned on other notes... Thanks for the reminder... I need to go pick up my shipment!
White

2017 Au Bon Climat Hildegard

 Santa Maria Valley White Blend more
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6/13/2020 - MattMauldin wrote: NR

Tasting at Au-Bon Climat: Bright and lively aromas - lemongrass, citrus zest and crushed minerals. Rich and luscious fruit on the palate with a mineral and spice edge. Solid depth.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/20/2020 3:12:00 PM - My go-to would be a cedar plank grilled salmon or steelhead trout. The fatty fish goes well with the rich structure of the wine, while the wine's brightness cuts through nicely.
White

2017 Leitmotif Cuvée Amiliana

 Santa Barbara County White Rhone Blend more
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5/5/2019 - Cabfrancophile wrote: NR

Quaffable white Rhone. Fresh and nimble, likely due to the co-fermentation of the two varieties with different typical harvest dates. Pear, a bit floral, but not overtly aromatic. Really like the weight and balance on this.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    5/31/2019 9:00:00 PM - Nice note. Based on the timing of our notes I'm wondering if you picked this up this up from the Wine + Beer April shipment? Cheers!
White

2017 Trimbach Riesling

 Alsace more
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8/14/2020 - MattMauldin wrote: 87 points

Pale lemon color. Peach blossom, orange zest, petrol, slate, white pepper aromas. Expressive palate, crisp and fresh with well balanced flavors and good acidity. A little linear in the middle, with decent roundness and depth on the finish.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/13/2020 9:10:00 PM - I will look for an older bottle sometime. It's a good thought to give the entry level bottlings due time. I picked this one up because we were getting ramen takeout, and I didn't want to open any of the Rieslings that I have!

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/12/2020 11:16:00 PM - Thanks for the comment. Thinking back on this IIRC I didn’t sense a density to the middle that I thought would flesh out to a great extent over time, it was simply lean and ‘linear.’ I don’t think cellaring would hurt, and perhaps I’m amiss on that take. I did enjoy the wine.
White

2017 Samuel Billaud Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes

 Chardonnay more
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9/4/2022 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 92 points

Light gold color, clear and bright. Aromas of lemon zest & white peach with floral and mineral secondary notes like honeysuckle, orange blossom and oyster shell. Fresh ripeness on the palate, showing lively tangerine & key lime fruit with wet stone minerality and hints of clove, marzipan and saltwater taffy. Opens rich and long through the mid-palate, with racy acidity and taut round structure reining in a cool zesty finish.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    9/4/2022 9:40:00 PM - Thanks and cheers!
White

2017 Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill

 Sta. Rita Hills more
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1/8/2022 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 92 points

Bright, light-gold color. Very mineral on the nose, aromas of oyster shell & slate, along with lime & orange flesh & zest, celery salt & white pepper, ginger powder, hazelnut and lavender. Lean and piquant on the attack, with juicy zesty citrus and depth of crushed stone, hazelnut, white pepper and hints of clove. Dense and fleshy middle palate, with taut acidity and tightly rounded edges towards a lengthy and mouthwatering finish.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    1/26/2022 9:46:00 PM - Thanks sir - cheers!
Red

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco

 Nebbiolo more
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9/17/2021 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: NR

Restaurant service - classic aromas and notes of cherry & fig, rose petal, star anise and other exotic spices. A bit angular on opening, with expressive fruit. Rounded out beautifully over the course of an hour so. Bright acidity, round fine grippy tannins. Plenty of depth. Excellent bottle, needs a decant.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    9/27/2021 8:36:00 PM - Thanks for the info. A great wine and an amazing value.
Red

2016 A Tribute to Grace Wine Company Grenache Morro View Vineyard

 Edna Valley more
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9/13/2020 - Will Hansen Likes this wine: 81 points

Another beautiful wine from Tribute to Grace. Medium ruby color. Very fresh nose. Great light berry flavor, moderate, intregrated tannins and good acidity. A hit with everyone at the table, getting repeated compliments.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    9/30/2020 8:19:00 PM - Just wondering if you meant to score it so low? I guess everyone's idea of a good/bad score is a little different, but I think the general consensus would be that 81 is a below average score, not something you'd have such a favorable review for. Cheers.
Red

2016 Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Rutherford

 more
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8/31/2019 - mathwonk wrote: NR

I differ (at my ignorant peril) with the other reviews. To me this is a light, delicious, fruity wine, with no depth, complexity, or long distance potential. I surmise that this is the future of climate change wine at their best, delicious but uninteresting. But I like it a lot. Yes I woud prefer an interesting wine, but at this price point ($50) I don't expect that today, and am quite happy with delicious.

To be specific, this is clearly more enjoyable than the Ridge estate cab that I bought for $17 more at a higher priced store last week.

edit: In August 2020, I am again grateful this is available locally, as it is still delicious, and still fruity and uncomplicated. Hard still to imagine any significant depth developing, but well recommended as highly drinkable now.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    1/28/2020 10:24:00 PM - I totally get your take, knowing Frog's Leap wines and how they show young. Don't be afraid to come back to this with age - they can tend to pick up some structure and complexity with some time in bottle, which enhances that elegance.
Red

2016 Bien Nacido Estate Syrah Santa Maria Valley

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5/10/2020 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: NR

A deep garnet color, bright at the edges. Complex Syrah aromas of blackberry, mesquite char, potpourri, pink peppercorn, nutmeg and cardamom. Elegant and refined palate, with expressive dark fruit and layered depth. Medium-bodied, with roundness and volume in the mid-palate. Succulent acidity, well balanced, with fine moderate tannins. Finishes juicy and dry with nice length.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/15/2020 7:21:00 PM - I'd go through your 14's and 15's first. I don't recall how long I decanted this, but would definitely recommend one if opening the 2016. I think these are five years from vintage at a minimum, and still very young at that point.

    (disclaimer - I work for the Millers... hence no score on this tasting note)

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/15/2020 8:29:00 PM - WGDM, hope you enjoy them, cheers!
Red

2016 Raen Winery Pinot Noir Home Field

 Fort Ross - Seaview more
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6/3/2018 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: NR

Sonoma County May 29, 2018: Aromas of tea leaf, fig, smoked paprika and lavender- nicely complex. Succulent and snappy red fruit palate with secondary layers of mineral, earth and florals. Finely elegant weight and tannins and very good depth on the finish. Excellent.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    6/7/2018 10:06:00 PM - Cheers, Joe.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    6/6/2018 11:04:00 PM - That Raen lineup I tasted was outstanding. As a group they stood out from other CA lean-styled Pinot Noir with their dark mineral and earth notes- somewhat of an homage to Burgundy in that respect. The Home Field was the brightest profile of the 3, and my favorite. It's definitely pricey at $75, but if you're in the market for CA Pinot Noir at that price, it's worthy. To my mind, it's definitely in the quality league of similarly styled top end wines from Littorai or Rhys. So yes, I'd recommend it.
Red

2015 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero

 Nebbiolo more
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11/28/2019 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine: NR

Piedmont II - better and learnings; 11/23/2019-11/29/2019 (Barolo, Alba, others): First wine in one of our tastings this week that has floored me. This wine is special. Should underline and bold and all of that. This was a wine that made me take notice and I'll be on the lookout ever hereafter. It's pretty. Whole cluster fermentation which is of course very unusual in barolo but more usual for this cru. Elegant. Gentle. Sweet red fruits. Spicy. And did I mention beautiful? There's something about how this is pulled together where that is just the perfect word for it. Absolutely beautiful.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    11/28/2019 9:41:00 PM - Great notes. Tasted this back in May while visiting. One of the best wines I've ever tasted.
Red

2015 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero

 Nebbiolo more
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10/14/2019 - JOsgood wrote: NR

Tasted at the Cantina in Verduno. A superb vintage for this wine. Super expressive with big aromatics and big cherry notes on the palate. Such a unique and memorable young Barolo.

  • Comment posted by MattMauldin:

    10/18/2019 5:19:00 PM - Totally agree. Visited back in May and tasted this... it was my wine of the trip (a trip that included Burg and N Rhone along with Barolo).

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