5/6/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

This is another easy weeknight pull from the Aperture lineup. As with many '19's I find this very approachable shortly after pulling the cork. this had the staying power over a few nights actually after I opened and then was away when I planned to finish the bottle night two. First of the 2019's I've pulled and stands right with the 2018 in my experience. Plush, cassis, violets, oak spices. Tannin management is phenomenal as usual. This is one you can easily drink now and enjoy or cellar 5-10 years and it should only gain a point or two. The use of Diam 10 corks on these I really see subtle changes over the 10 year period usually in these wines. 94+

4/18/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Drank of three nights, yes three! Such beautiful wines.

I love all things Standish, but this with the bit of viognier is just so dang drinkable!

(5/5) - Color is dark/deep purple ruby. showing off that Aussie red dirt and really the 2020 vintage here.
(15/15) - Aromas on this bottling are off the charts. One you could sit and smell for hours or in my case days. Plum, dark fruits, cool wet stone and crushed stone, spices just unfurl. A real treat if you're big on aromatics in wine.
(18/20) - This is a big wine. I decanted it night one for 5 hrs or so and then back in bottle remainder airing only when I was having a glass or two. Really came fully together night three with the first couple nights having either tanning (1) or acidity (2) just a touch out of balance. only really negative thing I can say and basically just means this can use some bottle time. Black fruit, stone fruit, stone, meat, spice. Tannins are expansive and palate coating with just enough acidity lift to not tire your taste buds. Finish goes on for minutes.
(10/10) - Another one of my Favorites from Dan. Will likely be triple digits in a handful of years. Wish I had more than 1 bottle left.

98+

4/20/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

(5/5) - Deep ruby color with no hint of orange at the rim right now.
(13/15) - Decanting definitely helped here as it initially had a bit of funk the first 30 minutes or so. Then revealing aromas of strawberry, cherry, potpouri, potting soil, leather and tobacco.
(18/20) - This is well balanced. Acidity you'd expect from sangiovese at this young age but very mellow tannins up front. The tannins are a bit resolved but then get you on the back of the palate. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate, spice. Quite enjoyable with food but something I found myself just sitting and sipping on throughout the evening.
(8/10) - Great QPR wine here. Hits well above it's price point and outperforms in my book many BdM's I quite enjoy. This "reserva" is quite a step up over Chiara's entry offering in my opinion as well.
94 with room to gain a point or two.

4/14/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

(5/5) - Deep magenta purple that gets darker the longer it is open.
(12/15) - This seems to lack a bit on the nose compared to the 2014 for me. Shows dark fruit (blackberry), plum, cherry, licorice, and on day two an unami quality. Decent, but not blowing me away.
(18/20) - Overall this carries a lot of dark fruit, oak spice, some tobacco. Tannin structure is extremely delicate here and starts showing it's grip 20 seconds in. Acidity just a touch out of balance at the moment, but not in an overdone way, likely just life cycle of the wine. Good now with a couple hour decant but should continue to age and add secondary flavors and aromas with another decade on it.
(7/10) - Overall thi is a high quality and good wine, but compared to the 2014's I've had this was a bit of a let down. Sadly, I've only had the 14/15's of this wine but would love to see how these evolved in vintages like 16, 18, 19. - 92+ for me this time.

4/6/2024 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Lovely nose of strawberry ice cream, sea salt but not much else. On the palate this wasn’t my favorite. For me needed another gram or two dosage. Fun to try but prefer others.

3/23/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

For me the 2019's from this producer are just singing compared to the 2018's. This was no exception. Deep ruby color. Aromas of plum, blueberry, blackberry pie, vanilla, and stone. Palate is youthful, tannins are lush and acidity is well balanced. I scored this for a killer price and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

3/21/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Incredible steal to get these at $15! Some flint and matchstick mixed with green pepper upon cork pull but those blow off after 20-30 mins leaving tropical fruit, citrus zest, hint of vanilla. Palate is fresh, chalky, mineral but carries the fruit. Wonderful wine.

3/17/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Be on the lookout for this up and comer. Purple ruby color. Given its youth this benefits from a few hours of air. Then showing aromas of cherry, plum, caramel, tobacco, vanilla, milk chocolate. The palate is youthful, tannins are tight, gripping and expansive. Acidity is punchy but not overdone. An exceptional wine and represents a great QPR. 96+ in my books.

3/3/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Such a wonderful wine. Sangiovese but with the French oak twist. Shows some darker cherry, pomegranate, tobacco, vanilla. Palate carries that Sangiovese line of acidity and tannic bite. Great now but should drink well for a long time

95+ tonight

3/3/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

2016 feels like it needs more time still. 2018’s were good at release and last one of these I opened but I’m guessing have shut down like many 18 have. Aromas on the ‘16 are Blackberry jam, tobacco, pine, brown sugar (sweet pine smell is intense and very unique, like inhaling a blackberry pine tree). Palate still a bit disjointed (acidity needs more time). Tannins are light but very broad coating and a bit of abv heat at the end but finish goes on 60 seconds+. This vintage will be long aging it feels. 94 with upside 3-4 pts

2/15/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

This continues to hold strong for me at 94. In my opinion this may be the best vintage for this particular bottling in the 2015-2019 run. Although I've enjoyed 2015 still today and 2016 as well. To me this is a match for Silver Oak AV. If you're expecting a ton of nuance and finesse look elsewhere. It's a Cali Cab lovers wine that is plush, juicy and just enjoyable to drink on almost any occasion. Unlike many 2018's on the Napa side this AV bottling continues to be very approachable now with no signs of shutting down.

If you want a bit more nuance I highly suggest trying their single vineyard bottlings. Considerable bump up compared to these. You wouldn't only try a Napa wineries entry level Cab and then decide you no longer want to try their top end Cab's so don't do it here.

1/27/2024 - TMOVino2 wrote:

I've never tried these so wanted to pop one young and get a sense of for the wine.
(5/5) - color is a gorgeous dark ruby red.
(12/15) - A bit one dimensional even after being open a few hours. Tar, olive, licorice. Fruit and any spice seemed to really be hiding
(17/20) - This is where it was most clear this was opened too young. Ripping tannin, acidity in balance but still noticeable. Carried very earthy notes of tobacco, tar, olive again, dark fruit.
(7/10) - I'm not sure I immediately get the allure but it is still a fantastic wine that will absolutely improve with a couple decades and more of longevity ahead of it. Will try not to open another until 2030.

1/18/2024 - TMOVino2 wrote:

(5/5) - color was a deep purple magenta. dark and brooding. Holding well.
(13/15) - dark fruits (blackberry, plum, cherry), wet stone, minor baking spices. Not overly aromatic right now.
(17/20)- palate similar to the nose. Good but not wowing me. Maybe a phase but seem to remember similar a couple years ago for this vintage. Carries the dark fruit, some alcohol heat is present. Underwhleming this time around (especially compared to the 2013 or 2016 vintages of this wine).
(7/10) - as I noted, this was good but not great. Not a big step up from their other offering of the Terra 9 at about $50 less a bottle. 2016 remains my favorite vintage at this producer.

1/10/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Really good. Recommend trying. Evolved nicely over two nights. Interesting they used a Diam 30 cork (basically guaranteed to last 30 years). Quintessential Malbec. Black cherry, black raspberry, blueberry, baking spices, some wet stone. Has that classic Malbec acidity. High quality stuff for a great price.

1/6/2024 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

This wine is rarely made. Prior versions only in 2014 and 2016. I believe a 2021 may be coming though. Fruit from Sugarloaf vineyard. 55% Merlot 33% Cab Franc 8% Cab Sauvignon 2% PV 2% Malbec. 100 pts JD! Drank over a couple days. Day 1 was Cab Franc dominant notes but day 2 this was shining. Plushness from the Merlot joined the Cab Franc party. Has some herbs, wet stone, raspberry and blackberry. Cherry. Tobacco. Currant. Maybe new leather. Could be mistaken blind for young right bank Bordeaux. Would be fun entry in such blind tastings. Young now but will be great with a few more years integration.

96+

1/4/2024 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Deep magenta. Per usual, extremely aromatic. Blueberries, mulberry, wet stone, green tobacco, licorice. The palate needs a lot of time and air. Hours or even days. Heavy licorice and elderberry gaining weight and creaminess with time. Something is out of whack at the moment though. May be the alcohol here. Could sit and sniff this for days but it's not the usual joy to drink compared to my past experiences with Sami-Odi. One to sit on in the cellar for many years to come. Right now this is a 91-92 pt wine simply on aromas. Could it be 96+, time will tell.

12/31/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Opened NYE. This was very good. Probably my second favorite from UM so far. I'm still not convinced these keep up with high quality champagne but they are certainly the best US bubbles I've had. This was chalky, some yeast, lemon zest and even some salinity. Improved immensely with air time. Sad it was my only bottle on this one, but no rush if you are keeping yours in a cool cellar.

12/24/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Holy cow! Finally had to scratch the itch and try one of my Kinsman. It took a lot of self-control. Sleeping Lady vineyard. Deep ruby purple. Very aromatic at pop but gains with hours of air. Blackberries, black currant, plum, tobacco, mint early on. The palate is very Bordeaux like. Fruit given its youth but some lead pencil, wet stone too. This will age amazingly. Can’t wait to try the other vineyards.

Saved a glass for Christmas Day. Was the best. Stunner and sleeping lady usually isn’t my favorite. 96 now with potential for 3-4 more points.

12/25/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Holiday tradition. Still drinking so well! Notes similar to last year.

12/20/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Crushable juice. Will be re-stocking.

12/20/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Dark ruby. Initial aromas clue you in this is Sangiovese. Some funk blows off about 30 minutes in. Deep cherry, pomegranate, crushed stone, spices, leather, tobacco. Almost all of these carry to the palate. Classic Sangiovese acidity but a bit more oomph. Fantastic wine. Her “reserve” wine is a step up on this bottling though by a handful of points.

12/20/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

At PnP…visually on point for brunello, some orange at the rim, deeper ruby than some. some vanilla (which makes sense if i recall aging regimen), dark cherry, plum, balsamic, dried Italian herbs, potpourri, and a hint of mint. Palate is cherry, licorice, tar (in a good way) and maybe some balsamic again. Good line of acidity, and very youthful tannin.Very drinkable. See how it evolves tonight and should continue to age a decade plus.

Was this a good Brunello? Yes, it was. Was it unbelievable and mind blowing as the scores? No, it wasn't.

12/18/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Drank at holiday party, no formal notes. Similar to prior experience. Phenomenal wine. Everyone loved it. Drinking really well right now.

12/16/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Drank at holiday party, no formal notes. Similar to prior experience. Phenomenal wine. Everyone loved it.

12/16/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Drank at holiday party, no formal notes. Similar to prior experience. Phenomenal wine. Everyone loved it.

12/9/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Holy cow. What a wine!
“With this wine, Martin wanted to showcase the vibrant, fresh, and fruit driven side of Malbec. The fruit is grown at 3800 feet in Tupungato, one of the biggest departments in the Uco Valley with a diverse array of alluvial soils, crossed by many rivers and river beds. Wines from Tupungato tend to have very expressive aromas because of the sun exposure, and yet they are lighter bodied with much more skin and bone than muscle with an austere mid palate, depending on the soil composition.

Grapes are hand picked and then brought into the cellar for spontaneous fermentation. About 80% of the grapes are de-stemmed and sent to stainless, along with the remaining 20% whole clusters. Cold maceration takes 20 days, with one soft punch down per day. When alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine is pressed off the skins and sent to concrete tanks for one year of aging. It is gently fined and filtered to preserve freshness and bottled with 75 ppm sulfur.”
•
Deep ruby color. Aromatic right after cork pull showing plum, cherry, herbal notes, wet stone, and saw dust. On the palate this is juicy, a tad crunchy, balanced and precise hitting smack in the mid palate with true Malbec goodness.

12/4/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Unique blend of Chardonnay (60%) and Roussanne (40%). The nose initially has some hay, lime zest, pineapple upside down cake standouts. The palate is so interesting to me. I’m expecting electric Chardonnay qualities but it’s all smooth and creamy from the roussanne. Very unique. Only one you get in the box. Great now, but can probably age a decade and enjoy. I think Jeb Dunnuck's notes nailed it for this one honestly.

12/4/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Compared to last time I had this wine and vintage this seems to have shut down or be in another phase right now. Aromatics more muted than before and palate was more disjointed. Maybe the bottle. Wasn't bad by any means but not anywhere close to the bottles of this wine I've had before. Will hold my last one for another several years as this can take plenty of age and is still youthful. 92 today but my other experiences have all been 95+.

11/23/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Same as last time. Just so good.

11/20/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Italian Merlot at its finest. Just a baby of course but like many 2019’s so enjoyable already. Aromas of plum, cherry, some tobacco and a hint of olive. On the palate waves of dark fruit, tobacco, and spice. Enjoyable on its own after a couple hours but shows beautifully with a nice Tuscan meal. 94+ (won't be shocked if this is close to 98 with some age).

11/3/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

I have been following these wines a bit now. I snagged some of this Mencia and his Rioja to try out. Mencia is completely new to me. Wine Folly had a good recent write up on it actually. This would be a fun wine to blind taste people on as my initial thoughts ran to Pinot Noir. Transparent ruby purple in color. Aromas at PnP were a bit of barnyard funk, cherries, pomegranates, crushed stone, and maybe some fresh herbs. On the palate it’s lighter bodied, fruity, acidic with tight tingly tannins. Excited to have it with dinner and see how it evolves over a night or two. Would be a good Thanksgiving wine!

Initial PnP I would have scored 89-90. After a few hours airing in bottle it was worlds better. gaining a bit of weight and blowing off some of the funk. Started to remind me more of a Gigondas almost. Very drinkable, great price, very food friendly. 93 for me.

10/30/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Checking on this given another shot at '21. This is still in a fantastic place. Similar notes but gaining a bit more complexity with more bottle time. Drink or hold another 10+ year. Continues to be a great QPR even though I've passed on almost all napa '21 offerings this year. Mostly just prioritizing diversifying my cellar. 93+

10/16/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

I saw the recent highlight of @jean_hoefliger from @thewineindependent and was inspired to open one of his wines. Jean is a favorite winemaker of mine and seems to slide a bit under the radar by Napa standards. Producing fantastic wines from various valley sources. This a higher elevation small family owned vineyard. Deep ruby red. Electrifying aromas of berry bramble, pine forest, cool sea breeze, bark, coffee, milk chocolate, tobacco. Smooth on entry, but then some acidity smack in the mid palate. Grippy but fine tannins carrying the berry, cherry, plum and tobacco notes. This wine speaks of place and its higher elevation source and a morning fog. 96+

9/25/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Sadly my last bottle of this particular bottling. Takes me right back to sitting on a leather couch in a little photo gallery in Healdsburg for @andykatzphotography tasting his son @jkatzwine wines with @lauren_e_wong . Since then the wines, photos, and experience have only grown exponentially. This is and will always be one of the coolest labels to me. Devil Proof is now even more a true cult wine. Jesse now owns Farrow Ranch. This particular bottling is a labor of love. Fermented in barrels, hand punch downs and careful oversight. Opaque ruby purple and magenta rim in the glass. Aromas of plum, raspberry jam, sweet tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla hints. This is still very youthful. It carries all the fruit and spices with an electric line of acidity and extraordinarily fine tannins. Live well, drink well, and the devil can’t get you!

94+ - still going strong on day 3. Plenty of life left in these.

9/15/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Perfect weather and prefect wine for sipping by the fire. Ruby red. Aromas pop of plum, sweet tobacco, cinnamon sugar, candied berries and violets. Acidity a touch high still but otherwise nicely balanced and palate coating tannins that carry the red fruits and a little almost citrus like zing. TGIF! 94+ for me right now. More time likely continues to improve this. Sad it was my last bottle.

9/10/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

5/5 - deep purple ruby and still showing well
13/15- taking a point or two off as it was wonderful to smell with dark fruit, chocolate leading but never evolved much.
17/20 - Carries the aromas and shows much better than last bottle I had a couple years ago. This will get better with a few more years.
8/10- drinking well with a lot of air but should improve more with a few more bottle years

9/10/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

5/5 - gorgeous deep purple color
12/15- for me this is where this wine fell short. Very green and vegetal on the nose. Bell pepper even some Tuscan spice and celery that remained even after airing in bottle for 5 hours+. I’d give it time
18/20- this was so different than the nose! Red and blue fruits, chocolate and oak slices come through. Superb to drink.
8/10- overall a super interesting wine. May be the vintage? I have a 19 I’m curious to try too.

9/10/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

5/5 - deep ruby purple
14/15 - wonderful aromas of red fruit, a lot of various oak spice and vanilla, some garrigue
18/20 - this is where this wine shines. So well put together. Balance, harmony and no heat on this 15.6% beast! Fruit and oak notes prominent and our group all agreed this has a toasted marshmallow flavor that hits right in the middle of your palate. Spot on.
9/10 - overall a fantastic wine and feels like a good QPR at release pricing. 96+

9/3/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Blowing off some sort of Unami, soy sauce like aromas at PnP. If blind tasting I’d personally mistake this for Bordeaux. Cherry, olive are dominating the palate. No bricking in the color. This could be a very long lived Napa Cabernet. 2010 remains an underrated vintage in Napa and Sonoma to me.

8/25/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

(5/5) - Deep magenta color still with no bricking
(13/15) - a bit more restrained on the nose at first but then opens up to dark blue/black fruits, oak spices, cinnamon/nutmeg, some cool cab franc additions of strawberry and crushed gravel.
(18/20) - Fruit and spice come through in waves. Tannins are still holding strong for this 2014. Acidity is well balanced.
(8/10) - Overall this has been my favorite vintage of this wine. 80% Cab Sauv 20% Cab Franc. It's so much more classic but still modern than the more fruit forward 2015.

8/21/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Same as 2020 note on this. Which is kind of crazy. Wonder just how much air the Diam 10 cork is letting in on these.

8/21/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

this was an off bottle. Muddy with strong lingering brett.

8/14/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

This is a 2013 tonight. Like many 2013’s this feels like it’s just entering a prime window with years ahead of it. Huge contrast to the 2014 I had awhile back and the still very youthful 2016. No mistaking it’s Napa Cabernet, but with a much more Bordeaux like feeling to it. Color is deep magenta, no bricking still at this stage. Aromas of plum, black cherry, clove, tobacco, cinnamon stick and new leather. The palate is very linear carrying cherry, tobacco and spice with still very youthful grippy tannins. Cheers! 94+

8/11/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

easily my WOTN. Such an exceptional wine. The Cepparello was amazing. Sangiovese aged in French oak. You get the red fruits (cherry, pomegranate, blood orange), baking spices from oak, vanilla, some tobacco, and creaminess but with a classic Sangiovese line of acidity. Extremely drinkable now but could also age a couple decades I imagine. Paired amazing with Italian style pasta and Kim’s homemade focaccia bread. I need more of these wines. I can see how it scored highly 97+ for me today and a bit irresistible at the moment.

8/11/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

aromas of lime zest, pear skin, bread, and sea salt. Palate has all of that with a bit of creaminess and pineapple and stone fruit. Paired well with the peach crumble

8/1/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Took to a friends easy dinner on a hot day. Enjoyable. I don't think it's mind blowing stuff but it's a crushable Rose which is generally what I want in these wines.

7/25/2023 - TMOVino2 wrote:

Big fan of Maggie Harrison and these Lillian wines. Wish she was still making the blue label version. It saw a bit more oak I believe and is a noticeable standout versus the other labeled Syrahs. These will age a LONG time. Beautiful ruby purple color. Aromas of blackberry, bacon fat, savory herbs, stone and a hint of garrigue. This is in a wonderful drinking window right now.

7/10/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

Deep ruby in color. Aromas of plum, blackberries, elderberry, sweet spices and brown sugar as well as some licorice (twizzlers) on the nose. Flawlessly balanced with incredibly fine tannins and a 60 second finish.
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One added note: winemaker, Jesse Katz, is using Diam 30 corks on these and Dian 10 on his entry reds. One thing I’ve consistently noted is how pristine these corks are. Maybe the real deal and this will keep for decades to come.

94+ (current stage)

7/10/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

This is a pale translucent yellow. Aromas of hay, tropical fruits (pineapple, guava, passion fruit) and sea salts. Medium bodied carrying the fruits and salinity well with a lingering of the hay. Goes on for 30 seconds plus.

93+

6/28/2023 - TMOVino2 Likes this wine:

No Formal Notes. Consistent with past experiences with this merlot though. Always a quality napa offering that is definitely new world but with some old world notes.