5/11/2024 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Underrated wine especially the price. Had this with a 2003’Grange and held its own. Mourvedre front and center and great body, fruit and plenty of years left.

5/11/2024 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

I wasn’t sure this would live up to the hype but it did. It’s like a great Bordeaux, Hermitage, Napa Cab all mixed into one and for 2003 has so many years left. Had this with a Tomahawk steak and great barbecue and left us stunned how well it held up. Only missing component is the body is somewhat lighter than expected. Beautiful wine deserving of its reputation

5/10/2024 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful gold hue, huge aromas out of the glass. This smells like a rich burgundy but with some ocean air and herbs. Med+ body and long finish. This is an excellent wine, great body and balance of fruit and some secondary characteristics starting to show now. Slight herbal and spice notes but still enough acid and fruit to be fresh.

12/31/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Perfect cork with no signs of any movement up the cork at all. No signs of age in the glass. Muted nose a bit and after 1-2 hours decant started to open up. Restrained and balanced just starting to show some secondary flavors but still has bright acidity. Lighter body than other vintages but classic Biondi Santi. Would drink or hold as this has many years to go and may be slightly shit down right now.

12/31/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Not much to say other than this is an exceptional wine!

Cork was almost in perfect condition and showing only slight signs of age in the glass. Some oak, menthol and cassis on the nose after a short 20-30 min decant.

Initial pour showed secondary flavors, fruit was muted but after decant really opened up and showed signs of tobacco, cedar and beautiful fruit (classic Napa Cab) especially fans of more traditional wines from years past. This drank like a 15 year old wine from a producer like Mayacamas, Diamond Creek or even Long Vineyards. This took me back and wish I had more. Drink now!

12/25/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

89 isn’t a knock on this wine. After 10 yrs in a bad vintage still is a great QPR and great straight forward wine great with or without food.

12/25/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Cellared since release. Only signs of age visually was some sediment which the decanter took care of. Dark starting to show rip fruit/berries on the nose, a bit of oak and spice and tobacco. Full body, tannins have softened which leads to a really nice mouthfeel. Red fruit and berries, with some earthy/tobacco and spice notes. Drink now and over next 5 or so years.

12/9/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Fulldraw Drift -80% Clairette Blanche / 20% Grenache Blanc

The complexity of this wine is always impressive. Medium body and the changes as it comes up to closer to room temp really brings out some of the herbs and spice flavors. Gewrutz like but such vibrant acidity, was great with food.

11/25/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2015 Clos Solene Cuvee Jean - 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier. This was my favorite of the vintage at release and this is the first bottle we have opened since. Coming along great and immediately get that classic smoky, meaty Syrah characteristic reminiscent of Northern Rhone. Good acidity, lighter tannin and body than I remember. Really enjoyed this vintage CJ since it wasn’t as “fruit forward” or “big” as other years. The decanting really let this open up and would say drink now if you enjoy more fruit forward vintages of CS but could easily go for 5-10 years.

11/22/2023 - West Coast Wine Does not like this wine:

This may have been one of those wines in 11’ that should have been skipped. Green, somewhat “sour” and fruit was really not balanced at all. Love the vintage for those that made a great “classic” Bordeaux style wine in Napa but this is not it.

11/22/2023 - West Coast Wine Does not like this wine:

Rarely give a negative rating but this was so disjointed and never came around to being something we could even enjoy. Actually poured the wine.

11/22/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Still has a lot of acidity and has turned from that bright citrus it usually has young to a bit more stone fruit. A little more body and has for lack of a better description “salinity” or “ocean air” type feel. We have had this every two years since release and this is the best it’s showed since the first two times we tasted since release.

11/22/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2011 Summerwood Diosa ( 82% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and 3% Grenache). Down to our last few bottles of Summerwood. This has aged beautifully and still has a lot of life left. Just slight color variation along the rim. Dark fruit, some tobacco and spice on the nose. Full body and still has some tannin but balances well with the fruit and really long finish. Syrah is still front and center but getting some of that Mourvedre earthy/herbal note on the finish that balances out the fruit.

11/22/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Not showing any real signs of age in the glass. Served slightly chilled (cellar temp). Some prior vintages at this age had a bit more “overripe” fruit up front but this one doesn’t. Aged nicely still showing blackberry and some spice with a fairly long finish and lush body. Seems like it’s ina good drinking window right now.

10/12/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2012 Foley T Anchor Pinot Noir, 14.1% ABV

This held up pretty good, visually no clear signs of age and still full of black cherry and cola but good acidity and some tannin. This vintage was different from the early versions of T Anchor as it was usually the “lighter” of the group (JA/Bar Lazy S etc) and the first versions we had after some time showed more earthy/secondary flavors. This shows more ripe fruit and even a bit of alcohol.

This was better than expected and from my prior notes since I last had it about 5 years ago.

9/15/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Last tasted 5 years ago and this has improved from what was already an exceptional wine. Not much to improve on. Just a touch of oak but as it opens up it balances well. Glad I kept a few to age.

9/3/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Purchased on site and stored in cellar since purchased. Some light bricking. Really no signs of secondary aromas on the nose. Ripe fruit, classic can and some cab Franc aromas bell pepper and green notes. Light body, tannins have completely resolved. On its decline and maybe 2-3 years past it’s prime it still enjoyable.

9/3/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Purchased and cellared from release. Light straw color no signs of aging. Grassy and citrus on the nose. Bright acidity moving right into stone fruit and such a great mouthfeel without being over ripe. Beautiful wine and has at least 5 years left to be within its peak.

8/20/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2021 Diablo Paso “Sin Vergüenza” Rose (Tempranillo) Great acidity to go with the classic fresh red fruit/berries and a little floral finish.

8/18/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2021 Verdejo - such a great wine with bright acidity and has a little more body than some Spanish versions. Citrus, a little grassy and is a perfect wine for a warm day/evening.

8/12/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2010 Torrin Tsundere - 40% Cabernet Sauvignon/26% Syrah / 24% Grenache / 10% Tannat

Dark Purple with no visual signs of age. Really expressive on the nose - blueberries, plum, lavender, and some spice and a hint of oak. Full body, tannins and acid are integrated well now and full of dark fruit and light pepper. This definitely has many years left.

7/15/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2016 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc - 43% Viognier / 40% Grenache Blanc / 14% Marsanne / 3% Rousanne and 13% ABV.

Definitely showing it’s Viognier right now on the nose, really expressive! Bright floral notes and some ripe stone fruit. Medium body for a white not really showing much age at all. Nice acidity and in addition to the expected flavors it has a bit of herbal and floral notes. Tablas can always be counted on to age great.

Really good QPR

7/14/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Updated rating since last bottle- Bought at release and cellared since. Have had a few bottles since release and held a couple back since I’ve always found BC to age well. This has held up nicely, still has bright acidity and a fuller body than I remembered.

Nose was muted at first and as it opened still had some citrus notes and lemon curd not much oak at all. Wouldn’t guess it was 13 years old and definitely has improved with additional time in the bottle.

7/3/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful golden color. Ripe apples, stone fruit and oak on the nose. Med acid, full body and no hint of any excess alcohol. Rich beautiful expression of Chardonnay! minerality, salinity and would guess Batard Montrachet as it has that strength and long finish but still precise. Such a great wine. Could age for many years but tasting so good not sure would want to even wait any longer.

7/3/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Beautiful salmon color with some slight orange tints. Full of bright fruit and red berries.

6/20/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

This is a great summertime red. 13.6% ABV with fruit from York Mtn. Bright red fruit and floral notes on the nose. Light bodied, light color with bright acidity. Still had a little weight for a carbonic and would guess possibly Beaujolais if tasting blind.

6/9/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

I believe this was purchased along with the Bien Nacido back when Dilecta was being poured out of Paso Underground.

This is tasting great right now. Such an expressive wine on the nose with floral notes of Jasmine and violets along with some green notes and ripe berries. Tannins, alcohol and acidity are balanced with a soft palate and long finish. Almost wouldn’t guess Syrah as the fruit is really lush but has slight hints of pepper on the finish. This has aged great and glad still have another to hold a bit longer.

5/28/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

The rating doesn’t really justify how good this was for what it is. This is a daily drinker for sure and may not be the most complex wine but so enjoyable and hits all the marks for a white wine you can enjoy with dinner or just on its own. Perfect summer wine!

5/21/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2012 Brian Benson Western Widow - Caliza Vyd. 90% Syrah and 10% Roussane. Have had this in cellar since release. Such a great nose filled with Pepper, Dark berry/fruit, Slight green notes and spices. Tannins, alcohol and acid are really balanced right now but this has a long finish and really aged well. Been awhile since I’ve pulled a BB wine and wish I had more from these vintages.

5/21/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Really expressive on the nose and great body especially as it opens up. Full of cherry/Strawberry The acid is not as high as expected for a new release but in a good way especially for a Pinot Rose.

5/13/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Drank earlier than normally would but had this as part of a wine flight with other Tempranillo. Extremely well balanced and approachable now after 6+ hour decant. Compared next to a similar aged Rioja and this seemed to have much more complexity but also the acidity, tannin and fruit to age.

5/13/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Decanted 5+ hours. This opened up great and evolved through the evening. This also has many years ahead. All the expected characteristics of Tempranillo but right now being young had a bit more tannins and big bold fruit but as it opened seemed to balance out a bit.

5/13/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Decanted 4+ hours. Great depth, medium body and acidity. Rich fruit, berries and some earthy notes. Fun to have this next to the other two. Would love to see how this evolves as it has everything needed to age for years.

5/13/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

such an expressive wine on the nose served just slightly chilled. Medium body especially as it warms and the clear color is so deceptive.

4/15/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Stone fruit and white flowers on the nose with bright acidity and a long finish. Just a touch of salinity and minerality to go with the white peach and melon flavors.

3/18/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Just entering its drinking window. Stored since release in cellar. Definitely get the oak on opening but decanted and drank over 6 hours and opened up beautifully. Drink now or over 10+ years no signs of age

3/18/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Best Albariño I’ve had and think this will improve over time but doing a comparative tasting so drank early. Beautiful wine! 93-94

3/10/2023 - West Coast Wine wrote:

This is a bit rough somewhat disjointed and not pleasant. The 11 was exceptional but this either needs time or just not a good wine especially for the price.

3/10/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

This is in a great place right now. Still has bright acidity and citrus/tropical fruit on the nose. Not showing much signs of age in the glass at all. Lighter body/mouthfeel that some other vintages but a long finish. This is tasting great right slightly chilled and seems to be transitioning from the bright citrus and fresh tropical fruits to a bit more ripe fruit and just a touch of oak and caramel flavors but not prevalent. Drink now if you enjoy this wine younger and maybe over the next year. If you enjoy with more age give it a couple more years. Will revisit this one over then next 4-5 years to see how it evolves.

2/24/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Last bottle and really enjoying the age on this wine. Still fruit forward but a nice earthy/somewhat funky/barnyard flavors coming through which give the wine a nice complexity. Drink now

2/20/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Red cherries, somewhat jolly rancher, candied fruit on the nose. Good acidity and slight tannins. Short finish and ripe strawberry, Rasberry and some earthy notes in the finish. Definitely meant to drink young. Good value and I think would be a good gateway Wine for those looking to branch out from lower tier wines to something a bit more thoughtful.

2/14/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Citrus, honeysuckle, waxy notes on the nose with vibrant acidity. Citrus (lemon), some floral notes and herbs and as it warmed a bit picked up some more tropical fruit flavors.

2/11/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Drinking great right now. Decanted 3+ hours. Red fruit/berries and balanced acidity.

1/7/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Garnet hue and red berries and black cherry on the nose. Med+ acidity, med body and long finish. Really balanced for as young as this is and smooth tannins. Red berry, touch of cola but also some earthy notes. Delicious wine that can be enjoyed now or let age for some time.

1/1/2023 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Last time I had this was about 2-3 years ago and this was the last of the bunch. This was tasting much better so the last must have been in a bad phase and it has definitely evolved nicely. Fresher on the nose than last time around with more red fruit and some spices. Alcohol has integrated and not the fruit is more vibrant. Would say it has more years ahead but this is in a great place right now so at 10 yrs for the Juvenile I would drink up.

12/30/2022 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

2016 Monastrell (75% Monastrell, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot)

Showing med+ acidity and dusty dark fruit. Nice Paso version of a Spanish wine. Drink now or over next 3-5 years maybe longer if you enjoy primary fruit.

12/24/2022 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Still showing that primary fruit on the nose as expected from these wines. Dark purple in the glass with just a slight rim variation showing a little aging. Showing great after 30-45 minutes with the tannins, alcohol (15.4%) and acidity all coming together. Pepper, spices along with the dark berry/fruit and a little oak.

12/9/2022 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Pineapple , stone fruit and even a touch of herbal notes on the nose. Medium body more than expected from the varietal with a long finish. Ripe citrus flavors, melon and floral notes. Let come up closer to slightly chilled and opened up more showing more fruit and expressive aroma.

12/2/2022 - West Coast Wine Likes this wine:

Definitely not the prototypical Napa Cab but also leaner than other Mayacamas years. Really enjoyed this for it’s precision but don’t know if it has a long life ahead of it. Interesting that we thought it could have passed for an excellent Chinon given the somewhat green/vegetal qualities and light tannins. Would drink now

10/8/2022 - West Coast Wine Does not like this wine:

Unfortunately no positive change since last tasting of this one. Consensus was it was a Zin or maybe Grenache. Don’t think this vintage will see any improvement with more time.