2/6/2017 - RobertDwyer wrote:

An bit of an unsual varietal/region I don't have a lot of experience with. Good depth of flavor with sharp acidity. Clashed a bit with the spicy Sichuan dish I paired it with.

1/14/2017 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

A tremendous achievement at this price point.
Light in color and full of characteristics I expect in California Pinot Noir.
Fresh, perfectly ripened fruit on the nose.
Satisfying depth of flavor with silky mouth feel. Well balanced.
Most impressively, the wine is free of any "off" notes.
Outstanding.

12/16/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

I've long been a fan of this bottling, and this 2014 is exceptionally impressive. Compelling pure fruit with classic supporting Oregon earthiness. If this is a sign of what's to come for 2014 Oregon Pinot Noir I'm very excited.

11/12/2016 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Perhaps even better than prior vintages, this is absolutely gorgeous. Brilliant fresh nose of perfectly ripened strawberries, briar patch and cola. On the palate it gets even better. It's smooth and silky but there's this silty almost chalkiness to it that's particularly intriguing. Flavors and aromas continue on with a long finish and invite another sip.

The color, the mouthfeel, the flavor profile...absolutely textbook RRV Pinot Noir. Outstanding.

14.7% alcohol

10/24/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

The stunning purity of fruit here is gorgeous, nicely backed by supporting minerality. A refreshing delight to drink. Perhaps a bit less serious than other '14 bottlings from Bouland but every bit as enjoyable.

10/5/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

This presents itself somewhere between a Cru Beaujolais and a California Pinot Noir, and it does so very well. Medium bodied visually and on the palate with an attractive flavor profile. More like Gamay on the nose (this is a German Pinot Noir) with grapey/floral aromatics and supporting smokey tar notes. Gets surprisingly velvety on the palate with a luscious long finish featuring attractive cola and strawberry rhubarb notes that invite another sip. Outstanding. Sample for review.

9/12/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

A joy to drink immediately upon opening but it improves substantially on the 2nd day. Pure silky graceful fruit. White pepper. Silty tannins. Outstanding. I'd recommend enjoying this at 55-60F; any cooler and its character is masked.

9/3/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

80% opaque, dark ruby visually. Gorgeous Gamay grapeyness on the nose backed amply and undeniably by crushed rock. Haunting meloncholy autumn leaves. Tea. Amazing. Bold but balanced with silky drinkability combined with acidity and tannic grip that makes this the complete package. A stunningly good value. The kind of wine that mkes you want to jump on a plane and visit the producer. Hard to find but worth seeking out.

6/14/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

The alcohol is marked high here but you'd never guess it. An attractive flavor profile and nowhere near overripe. Rich black and red fruit on the nose with supporting cinnamon/baking spices. Lands on the palate with confident presence but doesn't get too heavy. Long, enjoyable finish that invites another sip. Outstanding.

15.5% Alcohol
Sample for review

5/17/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Just a gorgeous, beautifully balanced fruit forward California Pinot Noir. Inviting nose of sweet black cherries, orange oil and a hint of supporting oak influence. Satisfyingly rich on the palate yet appropriately elegant for the varietal. Slight tannic grip which lends further to its appeal. Long finish, and not an off note in the bottle. Truly outstanding.

5/3/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Ridgetop is always a favored Sojourn release and this one delivers, but in a different way than previous vintages.

Medium-full bodied visually, with stunningly gorgeous aromatics that leap from the glass across the room. Unprecedented really. Textbook California Pinot Noir markers: Strawberries, orange oil, bramble berries. Beautiful.

The curve ball here is the mouthfeel. Whereas you'd expected to be punched in the face with weight, the experience is ethereal. Cloud-like and silky. But with a long finish where the aromatics resonate. Quite intriguing and definitely special. Compelling. Wow.

14.4%
Sample for review.

4/27/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium-full bodied visually and in terms of mouth feel. Fruit sourced from the Petaluma Gap.

Just a gorgeous array of aromas and flavors here. Rich red fruit and cinammon on the nose. I get a bit of earth and a hint of vanilla on the palate. Just everything I'm looking for a fruit forward California Pinot Noir. Keeps inviting another sip, never gets heavy.

Of the 20014 single vineyards I've tasted this one is the most balanced between the feel and flavor profiles found in various Sojourn Pinots. For this it is a very successful offering and a delight to drink. Outstanding.

14.5%.
Sample for review.

4/14/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Classic Sojourn Pinot. Amazing depth of flavor given its relatively light color.

Gorgeous brambly/fruity nose with distinct supporting Russian River Valley cola notes.

Satisfyingly grippy on the palate. Absolutely delicious. If there's one knock on this wine it's the short finish. But it only serves to invite another sip.

A benchmark appellation California Pinot Noir.

14.2%
Sample for review

4/13/2016 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Light in color but full of flavor, true to the Sojourn style.
However this is leaner than most of their Pinots.

30% opaque visually, in classic California Pinot ruby hues.

Pretty floral notes with supporting chalky/stone notes in the background.

Pleasing on the palate but some acid and grip, but where this falls short of greatness is on the finish which offers a very long finish but unfortunately some distracting flavors. That lack of purity stops this from from inviting another perfect sip.

A very good wine overall and quite enjoyable. But not my favorite Sojourn Pinot. Perhaps better suited for those looking for a more restrained effort.

14.4%
Sample for review

4/12/2016 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Transluscent magenta/ruby in color. About 30% opaque. Ready to go immediately upon opening. Clings to the glass.

Gorgeous nose of pure, perfectly ripened fruit. Strawberries. A bit of red raspberry. Supporting briar patch notes give it varietally correct appeal. Very clean and attractive.

The flavors on the palate get weightier with a hint of creamy vanilla notes in the background joining the otherwise elegant and precise fruit up front.

Full mouthfeel with a long finish.

Outstanding.

14.4%
Sample for review.

3/31/2016 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Absolutely delivers on its promise. Just what I'm looking for in a Napa Cabernet with density, complexity, and luscious drinkability. On the nose I get appealing chocolate, rich dark fruit and chalky wet sandstone. The mouthfeel is immediately approachable but supporting grip lets you know this is serious. Leans more towards fruit and chocolate than anything like eucalyptus or mint. But still - serious stuff. An impressive offering. Outstanding +.

11/9/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

This is very well made. Classic Merlot characteristics show nicely in this perfectly ripened example. Satisfying density and depth of flavor with toasty oak notes throughout, but it's not overdone. A satisfying daily drinker if you can find it south of $20.

11/1/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Powerful California Pinot Noir, aligned with the Sojourn style we know and love. Ample fruit on the nose and briar patch on the palate. Some rubbery off notes on the nose and a bit of a raspy presence knock this one down a notch. But still - an absolutely satisfying drink.

10/31/2015 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Off notes on the nose on opening that blow off after a while. What I'm left with is a very round single-note wine. Nor unenjoyable but I expect more at this price point.

10/21/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Really pretty with bright fruit and supporting earthy notes. Pairs brilliantly with autumnal mushroom dishes.

10/17/2015 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Marred by dark, brooding medicinal aromatics that take some time to blow off. Kind of a "cold blood on pavement"/iodine thing that lords over the supporting otherwise very good structure. Eucalyptus. Gritty tannins. Interesting, but hard to warm up to. Strange. Disappointing at this price point.

10/13/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Textbook California Pinot Noir. Bright, ripe black cherry aromatics with supporting smoky notes. Silky texture and uttery delicious. A finish that goes on for minutes in amazing fashion. Outstanding.

Sample for review.

10/12/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium-bodied and more enjoyably powerful and weighty than its 13.8% alcohol would indicate. Golden with hints of green around the edge. Glass-coating and satisfying with attractivate aromatics and flavors of ripe pears, golden delicous apples, and a hint of toasted marshmalllows on the finish. Outstanding.

Sample for review.

10/10/2015 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Golden-hued with shades of green around the edges. Baked pears on the nose. Satisfying mouthfeel with commonplace Chardonnay herbaceous notes that stop me short of being wholly enthusastic about this medium-bodied white. Still, well-mannered and enjoyable.

Sample for review.

10/10/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium bodied with lively, potent aromatics and flavors. Classic California Pinot Noir notes. This is young and needs time, as there are some sharp edges at points. But after a night or two on the counter (simply recorked) those traits disipated and the wine held up brilliantly. Outsanding wine. 14.2% alcohol.

Sample for review.

10/6/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

There is a lot to like here in the $10-$15 range. Rich, inviting fruit backed by baking spices on the nose. Dark red velvet mouthfeel. Acidity is lacking but the flavors never get overripe nor pruney. Pairs well, for a red wine, with spice-driven dishes. And quite enjoyable on its own. I like it. 15.0% alcohol.

9/15/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium-full bodied visually. 14.8% alcohol.

Fresh, vibrant fruit with ample oak influence on the nose.
Constituent parts are individually discernible.
Gets a little hot at times but it's undeniably luscious and appealing.

Takes me back to tasting rooms in Napa/Sonoma in a very good way.
With some time to integrate this could be tremendous.

Sample for review.

8/2/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

One of the best wines I've had the past couple years. Nearly everything I'm looking for in Napa Cab. As soon as I opened it, I gave it a sniffy sniff to make sure it wasn't corked. And my goodness - I couldn't believe how good it smelled. It's the perfect step up from their entry level Napa Cab. Rich fruit backed by supporting savory aromatics and flavor notes. Never too heavy on the palate. Textbook Napa Cab. Classic.

6/16/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

From Joseph Wagner's Copper Cane Wine portfolio. This is a new bottling for Beran in 2012 - a Napa Valley designated wine. As opposed to the more readily available Beran California Zinfandel, this wine is bigger and bolder with higher alcohol - 15.4% as compared to the 15.1% their California Zinfandel claims on the label.

Visually the wine is dense and clings to the glass. It is a blockbuster aromatically [and on the palate] with rich but not over-ripe fruit. Red and black licorice. Hoisin-glazed beef. Appealing pure fruit with low-medium acidity and a long finish. Overall, luscious and invites another sip.

Outstanding.

Pre-release sample.

6/7/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium-full bodied visually.
Spicy-sweet red fruit and black pepper on the nose.
Powerful presence on the palate; pairs brilliantly with grilled burgers.
Surprisngly firm tannic grip with compelling acidity.
Overall, a rich fruit-forward experience with supporting structure.

15.1% alcohol. Shows strong variety characteristics.
Textbook California Zinfandel. Outstanding.

Sample for review.

6/2/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Brilliant rich golden color. 8% alcohol. Slate-driven aromatics with ripe peach/pear notes and a hint (just a hint) of petrol in the background. Really shines on the palate with satisfying depth of flavor and good ripeness yet it keeps it lean with balanced acidity. Clean finish. A delight to drink.

Outstanding.

Sample for review.

5/30/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

This is a classy, multi-faceted wine. 13.5% alcohol. Medium/medium-full bodied visually and on the palate. Shows like a cool climate Merlot with good ripeness. Dusty strawberries and red licorice on the nose. Tart cherries on the palate with supporting toffee notes on the palate with trailing green pepper (just a hint!) and cinammon. Long finish. Nice stuff.

Sample for review.

5/14/2015 - RobertDwyer wrote:

This is a classy, well-made affair.

Transluscent green/gold in color. Star bright.
Green apples. Wet stone. Guava.
And yes, hints of feral notes creep up in the background after some time.
The strength here is the overall bright acidity which ties this together as a complete package from beginning to end.

Outstanding.

Sample for review.

5/12/2015 - RobertDwyer wrote:

From the sunny 2013 vintage, these grapes were organically farmed at the southern tip of Napa Valley near San Francisco Bay. Fermented in 900-gallon French foudres. 6 months in previously-used small French barrels.

For me, this drinks more like a Chardonnay than a Sauv Blanc. The mild oak treatment is evident on the nose and in the mouthfeel. Light golden in color with lemon curd and toasty notes on the nose. Medium-full bodied with a long finish. More of a sit-down wine than a summery porch pounder, which aligns with the classic label.

$30 retail, 14.1% Alcohol.
Very good. Sample for review.

5/1/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Very dark fruit with a strong presence and confident delivery. Plenty of oak here. And appealing savory notes. Could be great with a little more fruit and a little less of the drying tannins.

4/14/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Intense with almost piercing depth of flavor. Bright fruit. If this settles down a bit it could be epic. Still, I enjoyed it now.

4/9/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

This is very well put together.
Appealing bright aromas of dark berries with distinctive supporting chalky herbal notes. Fresh and lively on the palate with a notably toasty finish. 9 months of French oak.
Great example of elegant RRV Pinot. A delight to drink. Nice stuff.
Sample for review.

4/3/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

70% Monsatrell
15% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Garnacha Tintorera

This wine checks in at almost twice the price of Castano's entry level value play. Both wines are great buys. This one does deliver incremental complexity and depth of flavor, making their entire portfolio worth checking out.

Medium-full bodied visually with inviting aromatics featuring both fresh fruit and brooding savory notes. On the palate it does what Monastrell from this region of Spain does best: Delivers satisfying depth of flavor with appealing freshness that's hard to find. Keeps inviting you back for more.

Parker sees his way to 94 points. Not sure how he got there but it's definitely a great value so it's mostly a good recommendation. It delivers on its price and then some, like most evertyhing Castano produces.

3/2/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Brilliant light golden color with hints of green color around the edges. Attractive ripe pear, vanilla, and golden delicious apple on the nose. This flavor profile conveys on the palate with a hint of herbaceousness on the backend. Medium length finish. A well-made wine with attractive aromatics and flavor profile. Better on the nose than the palate. Sample for review.

2/14/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

I've seen a consistent pattern with Honig Napa Cab over the past decade: At 2 years post-vintage it's a little disappointing. But at 3 years it sings. And this one is no exception. Terrific wine at this point from a reliably outstanding producer that keeps pricing in check.

2/12/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

A gorgeous red Burg. Aromatics and flavors satisfy this new world leaning Pinot fan but in classic old world style this wine is taut like a drum with effortless power. Makes me think twice about spending north of $60 for new world Pinot.

1/22/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Light golden in color with medium+ viscosity. It's a confident, well crafted Chardonnay. Ripe golden delicious apples, appealing fresh fruit, and a hint of lime zest (which gives it freshness). Gets creamy on the palate with a lingering finish with no off aftertaste. Nice stuff. Sample for review.

1/6/2015 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

60% opaque dark ruby visually. On the nose it's a perfect combination of ripe strawberries and briar patch. On the palate the mouthfeel is surprisingly full given its light complextion. The flavor profile continues with the strawberry and reveals attractive herbal notes. Pitch perfect California Pinot Noir.

Sample for review.

12/18/2014 - RobertDwyer wrote:

Didn't show particularly well. A little green (bell pepper) on the nose but then quite different on the palate where it is quite rich with chocolate mint flavors. This bottle just didn't come together well at this point. Disappointing.

12/2/2014 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Terrific combination of bright fruit with round caramel toast supporting structure. Really solid. A delight to drink as usual from Sojourn.

12/1/2014 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium bodied visually and on the palate. At this point there's an appealing collection of aromas and flavors but they haven't come together harmoniously quiet yet. Red mineral-laden fruit, a touch of toasty oak, and just a hint of signature Merlot bell pepper on hiding in the background. Spice box and cinnamon on the palate. Long finish. Sample for review.

11/27/2014 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

My goodness, this is an amazing wine.

I chose to pop it open today because it had the highest CT community average rating of any bottle in my collection, taking that as a "crowd pleaser" indicator. I half-suspected it was so highly regarded because someone had stuffed the ballot box but in reality, for me, the community got it absolutely right.

It comes in an gorgeous, heavy bottle with an elegant label and massive punt that had me thinking it might be more of a "sit down" wine than it actually is.

Medium-full bodied visually. Perfectly ripened rich red fruit with just a hint of caramel on the nose. Plenty of fruit on the palate but it finishes clean. Wow. Just wow. So good.

They just don't make bottles like this big enough. A classic California Cabernet.

11/25/2014 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Medium bodied with low-medium acidity. The nose is definitely old world Italian but appealing round cherry flavors give it an attractive personality. An absolute delight to drink. I may have found a new house Italian red.

11/23/2014 - RobertDwyer wrote:

There's just not a lot to get exited about for me here. Solid, but thin and lacking vibrance and especially the complexity I'd expect at this price point.

11/22/2014 - RobertDwyer Likes this wine:

Textbook California Pinot Noir with layers of classic aromatics and complexity. Baked cranberries, strawberries, orange oil, and brambly fruit. Silky complexion. Wonderfully pure.