10/31/2019 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Just a beautiful wine. Just the right balance of oakiness, floral and citrus notes and silky finish. Can't wait to open another bottle.

8/7/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

One of the better pinots I've had recently. Nice deep ruby color. Nose of raspberry and lavender. Palate of earthy ripe berries and superb toned acidic finish.

8/7/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Beautiful dark purple. Aromas of blackberry, bacon. Earthy pepper, leather, ripe dark berries with a nice finish. Drinking well now, but could improve for another couple of years

8/3/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very dark red/purple for a Pinot, which was an indication of what was to come. Well structured with hints of dark cherry, red berries, pepper. Drinking well now.

8/3/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Characteristic Pinot black cherry, plum and leather. Quite a lot of structure which makes this wine standout. Drinking well now.

8/25/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Outstanding wine, esp at this price point.

7/12/2015 - kjlund wrote:

As a fan of Ledson, such a great wine....prepped a meal of gourmet meal Chicago style hot dogs (those from Chicago understand) and I picked the right one. What a complement to the meal. Enough smoothness to balance the peppers, but enough structure to enhance the mustard, relish, extra celery salt, dill pickle. It was truly one of the best pairings I've made in quite some time. My review of hot dogs should not discount the true quality of this wine - Ledson knows how to do Cab Franc.

11/27/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Outstanding. Just enough oak with heavier malactic, buttery finish. Wet stone, light orange notes. An intense but not "in your face" chardonnay - which still allows the beauty of the grape to shine through.

11/22/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine that's drinking well right now. Delicate nose of tobacco and blackberry. Outstanding finish that truly makes this wine. Palette with even more blackberry, currant and a hint of pepper/spice. Did not have chance to decant, but would recommend doing so for about an hour. Still, it was a big hit with the dinner guests.

9/25/2016 - kjlund wrote:

Superb wine. Very earth with subtle chocolate note. Paired beautifully with a hearty penne & meatball dish. Wish I had bought more of this, as I can see it being a very versatile wine.

10/27/2019 - kjlund Likes this wine:

What an intriguing and enjoyable wine. The swap out of the more traditional Mourvèdre for CS adds a touch more structure without making it too weighty. Loads of red berries up front. Drank with roasted pork and arepas and it was a beautiful match. Drinking really well right now...I’m going to drink up my remaining lots over the next 12 months.

10/28/2021 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Drinking really well right now. Abundant red cherry, raspberry tones. Silky smooth with a long, pleasant finish. I generally like my pinot's a bit younger, but this one still has some time. What a value!

3/7/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Satisfying pear and vanilla on the nose followed by citrus notes on the palate. Enough oak to provide structure without overwhelming a very enjoyable wine.

11/19/2017 - kjlund wrote:

For being a 2008, I was very pleasantly surprised (I love Pinots but tend to prefer earlier in the drinking window). Still drinking quite well, which speaks to the caliber of Hamacher Pinot Noir. Light-to-medium color. Not as juicy as a younger vintage might be, but a lot of the characteristic spicy, dark cherry nose. Nine-year aging has brought an incredibly silky, smooth finish. Wish I had more in the cellar...

10/28/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Beautiful deep ruby color, earthy nose with plum and dark cocoa on the palate. The 4 varietals combine to deliver a long, silky finish. Will be interesting to see how the wine evolves in coming years. I would have guessed this was an older vintage.

6/6/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Still drinking nicely late into it's expected lifespan...

10/19/2019 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Wow, this was a real treat. This wine has definitely benefited from a couple additional years of cellaring. Modest oak. Nice, rich cherry and blackberry with a hint of dark chocolate on the palate. Probably another 2-3 years of good drinking.

4/14/2016 - kjlund wrote:

A full bodied yet smooth Chard. More butter than oak on the palate. Melon and pear on the nose. Glad I cellared for a couple of years. Drinking very nicely right now.

12/16/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very tropical and lemony. Delicate oak creates a highly enjoyable wine. Was a perfect match for chicken lo mein and beef with garlic sauce.

6/17/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Give it a little time to open up...then superb. I dont like tea, but it's like pouring a cup that's as complex as a smooth, dark roast coffee.

8/2/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Drinking very well right now. Opened up nicely after ~30 minutes. Lots of dark fruit, good amount of oak (didn't overpower the wine). Excellent silky finish. Wouldn't normally have this type of wine with pulled pork and bbq brisket, but we were celebrating with friends and the wine paired beautifully.

11/22/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable wine, but think best days may still be ahead. Did not have a chance to decant, but would recommend a controlled/cellared decant of at least 1 hour. Blackberry, cloves, blackberry on the nose, followed by rich cherry, currant and earthy finish - very nice, but I think age will enhance smoothness. Will be fun to see what this bottle does over next few years.

10/26/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Thought it might be past its prime, but was mistaken. Not much of a nose, but the reward was a silky intake and finish that paired beautifully with penne ala vodka, grilled pork chop and ribeye - i.e., a great spectrum of versatility.

8/27/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

I'm typically not a huge fan of SBs but this one really resonated with me and especially at this price point. Beautiful honeysuckle nose and nice lingering minerality on the palate. A lot sturdier than many sauvignon blancs, which was a nice surprise.

7/7/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Loved this wine. What an interesting blend. Full of ripe berries with a subtle smokiness.

7/1/2021 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Will be interesting to see how this wine progresses. This opening was very nice, but you could tell not up to its potential. Meal was grilled beef tenderloin, for which I only on occasion choose a Syrah. But it did well. Very deep, dark berry notes and (for me with almost all Syrahs) very tropical (coconut, pineapple) finish. After all these years, I know only a few people that also get the tropical finish with Syrahs...

10/26/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Really impressive, versatile Pinot especially at this price point. Very light bodied; black cherry notes not as pronounced as in the Willamette Pinots that I love. Would be great choice for a sturdy charcuterie spread. Wish I had more...

10/7/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very light, dusty ruby color in the glass. Modest ABV. Peppery, herbaceous nose different from the Willamette and RRV PNs with which I'm more familiar. Characteristic cherry plus unique green pepper on the palate. Smooth, easy finish. Great pair with home grilled chicken and green beans. Likely has another ~3 years of maturation, but drinking well now. Suberb value @ $30/bottle.

12/18/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Has added some complexity since last bottle. Still prominent melon and lemon/lime notes but a longer minerality in the finish. A very true display of the beauty of a chardonnay.

8/25/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Pleasantly surprised this is still drinking nicely. Spicy floral notes and green pepper on the palate. Definitely more of a food wine, and was a great pair with chicken biryani and dal makhani.

12/3/2016 - kjlund wrote:

Even better than last bottle. Great value. Very balanced Chardonnay. Light citrusy and flowery nose. Enough oak and butter but not overwhelming like some CA Chardonnays can be. Big fan of Ledson. They produce a wide range of varietals but hit the mark much more often than not - especially for the price.

11/27/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Thought this might be past its prime, but I was wrong. This was a silky smooth malbec. Malbec can be a pretty intense wine, but I had a feeling this would go well with our Thanksgiving dinner - and it did. Blackberry, plum, cherry notes really complemented the turkey, cranberry, sweet potato, mashed potatoes, etc. Drinking very well right now. I heard this winery as being sold. If so, I hope the new owner maintain the unassuming and charming spirit of this winery.

10/4/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Heavy but pleasant minerality. Unfiltered, so perhaps that's why? Definite buttery/malolactic tones, less so on the oak. A very intriguing chardonnay. I'll be curious how next bottles taste over next 1-2 years.

4/12/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Interesting to see how this wine has developed over time. A powerful merlot with strong vanilla/mocha notes but still with the characteristically smooth merlot finish. Naturally, it has lost some fruitness/vibrance with age but that is a personal preference.

11/2/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very full bodied with heavy chocolate notes. Almost Syrah like. I'd suggest decanting for an hour or two before enjoying.

4/5/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

I was skeptical when I dusted off this 2004, both because I'm not a syrah fan and given its age - but this wine pleasantly surprised. Perhaps aided by its massive 16.7% ABV, this wine still has some life left. When it comes to syrah, my palate is typically overwhelmed by earthy/minerally coconut. Perhaps given the age of this wine, I'm met by salty, gamey (and overall much smoother) notes. I had written off this inventory but perhaps not so fast...

4/5/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Have had better at this price point but a very pleasant wine. Smooth tannins, balanced oak, dark berry notes. Went well with lightly spiced, beef tenderloin, collard greens, potato mash with pickled jalapenos & shallots. Thought the wine might "compete" too much with the food, but it did quite well. In any case, a big fan of Ledson - overall they do a great job with their wines, across many varietals, and at decent price point.

12/24/2015 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Rich and vibrant. Prevalent blackberry notes with smooth finish. Decanted 2+ hours.

11/28/2015 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Another nice Ledson bottle, especially at this price point. Great aroma with less citrus than many Sauv Blancs. Cantaloupe notes, smooth, creamy finish with

1/23/2016 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Pear, apples, hint of vanilla. Modest oak, light structure. Unfiltered, I believe. A pleasant wine.

12/1/2017 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Surprisingly (I've owned/cellared the bottle since release), seemed a bit past its prime but still good with characteristic cherry, plum, blackberry notes. Didn't have the vibrant juiciness I was hoping for. I'll be drinking up sooner rather than later.

6/29/2020 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Doesn't blow you away, but a GREAT wine at this price point.

10/7/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Interesting blend with Chardonnay primary. Had with grilled chicken, but could see this being a versatile winner with stronger cheeses for appetizers, and lighter proteins (fish, chicken) for entrees. Excellent value at $30/btl.

12/24/2015 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Very smooth and balanced. Nice floral and citrus notes without too much oak.

7/1/2021 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Generally not a Riesling fan. But we tasted this at the winery a couple of years ago and really liked it. Just opened a bottle today with sushi and it was a nice match. It's a wonderful grape, but my concern always with "dry Riesling" is that it's still too sweet. This one was not. Subtle nose, smooth palate, clean finish.

10/10/2013 - kjlund Likes this wine:

Good overall Pinot. A respected producer that cares about their wines. Would recommend drinking soon. Nose has strong strawberry and currant, with a hint of orange on the finish.

9/5/2018 - kjlund Likes this wine:

A pleasant, well-balanced wine. Went well with grilled sausages, but could see this wine going with a wide variety of food that's not too rich.

9/24/2016 - kjlund wrote:

Spicy floral notes and green pepper on the palate. Very interesting sauv blanc. Characteristic of other Cape Peninsula region wines I have had.

3/3/2013 - kjlund wrote:

A very well produced Pinot. Still a bit early and should develop some more complexity with time. Classic nose, and not an overwhelming cherry finish that some pinots deliver.

11/28/2013 - kjlund wrote:

An impressive chardonnay, especially for the price. Minerals, citrus, peach. Balanced oakiness such that is pairs well with more delicate fare. But still enough of a finish to stand up nicely on it's own.