4/28/2024 - jonahfactor wrote:

Must be an off bottle, given other recent CT tasting notes. Cellar-stored and a deeper gold than expected. Dull nuttiness on the palate. I might venture that this one was corked.

4/24/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Unctuous on the palate, this smells of bacon fat and beef drippings. Black raspberry compote and black figs on the palate with a hint of lavender in the finish. This is a three-course meal in a glass. So complete. So delicious. The tannins sneak up on the back end; so this might be worth revisiting in five years. Drink now to 2033. Outstanding.

4/19/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Popped the cork on this one too early. Youthful and tannic, this offers rose petals and lavender in the nose and black fruits on the palate. A scratchy finish right now. Give her a long decant. But, better yet, stash her away in the back of the cellar for the next decade. She’ll come together. Drink 2028 to 2035. Worth Seeking Out.

4/15/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

A solid GSM blend with a splash of Counoise. A nice sidekick to tonight’s salmon and will likely continue to soften over the next decade. Drink now to 2035. Worth Seeking Out.

4/7/2024 - jonahfactor Does not like this wine:

Very tight out of the bottle and didn’t charm out of the decanter either. Unripe raspberries and dried apricots, and that’s about it. Abrasive tannins and fairly high acidity. Might be too young. But, while we’ve loved vintages of this wine for more than a decade, methinks this may be a vintage to pass on. Pass.

4/6/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

More youthful than expected, with very little bricking and lots going on in the bouquet and on the palate. Cassis and pencil lead upfront and a melange of black fruits on the palate, ending with cedar and cigar box notes. Finishes short. A lovely Y2K wine. Drink now to 2029. Worth Seeking Out.

3/28/2024 - jonahfactor Does not like this wine:

A closed bouquet and unfocused on the palate, this offering opens with a slightly Kool Aid palate and finishes with cloves and wet grass. Beautiful salmon hue in the glass. But ultimately there’s not much to recommend here. Fairly new winemaker; so I’d love to support his efforts. But this is a pass for me.

3/24/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

The grip and tannins tell you this is from Howell Mountain. But remarkably drinkable after a deep decant. Just lovely. Might be our favorite 2021 Turley so far. Almost black in the glass, this reveals crushed ripe blackberries, yellow peaches and dried apricots. Holding this might just reveal what the tannins are hiding. Drink 2025 to 2031. Outstanding.

3/23/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

A “what the heck” $15 impulse buy on a Sancerre that clearly punches above its weight. Lime and grapefruit nose with river stones, citrus and apricot on the tongue. Gets a bit sloppy in the finish. But overall a very nice summer sipper and a bargain at $15. Drink in 2024. Worth Seeking Out.

3/22/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

From magnum. If tasted blind I would have guessed Southern Rhône. Elegant with a vein of California fruit. Plums, raspberries, cherries and light herbal notes. Beautiful ruby in the glass. I would pair this with mac and cheese. Seriously. Lovely, inviting finish. Only bottle, unfortunately. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.

3/22/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Chablis influenced, this begs for bacon-wrapped scallops or shrimp scampi. Whiffs of seashells, minerals and sea spray in the nose. Citrus zest, pineapple core and more minerals on the palate. Improves as it warms in the glass; so don’t serve straight out of the fridge. Another beautiful Liquid Farm Chardonnay. Drink 2025 to 2032. Worth Seeking Out.

3/22/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

This offering has something for everyone. It enchants those who prefer a more French style of Chardonnay, i.e. lean and crisp, as well as those who like a touch of oak. Citrus, apricot and mango kissed by minerals and brioche. An elegant, beautiful wine. Will be interesting to see what a few years of cellar time does to this. Drink now to 2028. Outstanding.

3/17/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

My gosh, this is delicious. Still very young and primary, with enchanting Asian spices at the back end. Smooth, rounded tannins and a finish a mile long. The bouquet is particularly beguiling. So fresh; so inviting. A satisfying meal all by itself. This wine will likely outlive some of us. Drink now to 2040, if cellared properly. Outstanding.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza With Friends.) A marvel, really. Was never cellared during its three decades in bottle. Yet, except for slight bricking, this was in excellent shape following closet storage. A fairly simple Port, as the tasting notes from others reflect. But a tasty partner to blue cheese and walnuts, and a good close to our tasting. Drink now.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza With Friends.) Double decanted six hours prior to pouring. The first pour was disappointing. Acidic, muted nose, no flesh, not worth a revisit. However, two additional hours in the glass transformed this into a voluptuous wine. Lush and textured, this hit the target with the group and was a revelation to some. This wine just pops. Still an infant, this will be best enjoyed 2027 to 2035. Decant generously prior to that. Outstanding.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza With Friends.) The bouquet still seems closed, but it explodes on the palate with rich red and black fruits. The group remarked about its balance and its long, satisfying finish. Decanted for four hours prior to serving, and it continued to open up throughout the evening. Still plenty of life left in this one. Drink now to 2035. Outstanding.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza With Friends.) In spite of its pretty gold leaf label, this offering was a conundrum to the group. It had all the right pieces but didn’t seem to come together over the course of the evening. Nice bdx styling built around a core of red fruits. Was it closed? Needs more time? Will hold remaining bottles. Drink 2026 to 2036.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza With Friends.) This Barolo was at a disadvantage in tonight’s more fruit-forward lineup. This deserves to accompany a rich pasta entree. The acidity sings and the rose petal, cranberry and pomegranate palate provides lift to a heavy meal. Drinking well, but still young. Drink now through 2030. Worth Seeking Out.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza with Friends.) Spectacular, and red wine of the night for the group. Clear ruby color, no bricking, vibrant nose and in perfect shape, although she probably won’t stay in her prime much longer. Graphite, cedar, bay leaf and quiet plum throughout. Done in a Bordeaux style. Delicious. Drink by 2026. Outstanding.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza with Friends.) Thought this would be past prime, but it was singing tonight. Luxurious mouth feel with lots of mixed nuts and marzipan on the palate. White wine of the night for the group. Drink by 2026. Outstanding.

3/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Wineapalooza with Friends.) One of Ojai’s newer offerings consisting of Ambulo Blanc and Caminante Blanc. Citrus- and mineral-driven, this is a perfect summer wine that offers nice complexity. A perfect opener to our eight-bottle tasting. Drink now to 2026. Worth Seeking Out.

3/8/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Built for drinking over the next handful of years, this offering is a nice pre-dinner sipper or with spicy Asian food. Floral nose and a nutty marzipan and lychee palate. Picks up citrus and peach in the finish. Try this one with crab cakes. Drink now to 2026. Worth Seeking Out.

3/7/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

This is so lovely for a sub-$20 wine. And consistent year after year. Black olives and sage with a gentle, yet lingering, finish. Doesn’t need much air right now. Drink now to 2028. Worth Seeking Out.

2/28/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

2nd dinner at La Bicyclette. More advanced into the secondary and tertiary phases than anticipated. At 16% abv this isn’t a shy wine, and the alcohol shows throughout. Heavy dose of black licorice and ripe black raspberries with some ripe peaches in the finish. A bit unbalanced at this stage. Just too heavy on the alcohol and a bit too ripe. This is still a very young winery, and it will be interesting to see it develop. Drink now to 2028. Worth Seeking Out.

2/26/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Anniversary dinner at La Bicyclette. Tight as a drum right now, even with a decant. Mostly raspberries, strawberries and minerals with bay leaf and mint in the finish. But still a great accompaniment to tonight’s pizza, where the still-pronounced acidity cuts through the cheese and olive oil. This promises lots of pleasure in about 3-4 years. Drink 2027-2035. Worth Seeking Out.

2/24/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Butterscotch inflected with lemon and lime zest, this is a friendly weeknight dinner wine with chicken and roasted potatoes. The oak gets more heavy handed over time. But this is still lovely. At peak, certainly. Drink in 2024. Worth Seeking Out.

2/19/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Might be our favorite vintage yet of this offering. Required a decant to loosen things up. At $35 this might be one of California’s best wine values. Lush and complex, this full bodied Cab-dominant blend gushes with fruit, herbal and mineral notes. Restrained bouquet, but a long finish. Might cellar this for another year before revisiting. Drink 2025 to 2034. Outstanding when you factor in the QPR.

2/17/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Similar notes to when tasted on 7/10/22. Drinking beautifully now without a decant. Lemon oil, tropical fruits, crème brûlée. Not quite as sophisticated as other DuMOL chardonnays. But incredibly tasty and versatile with a range of different foods. And a nice sipper, as well. Drink now to 2030. Worth Seeking Out.

2/14/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Checks off all the boxes for a V-Day dinner. Deep rose hue; check. Glides along the palate; check. Invites conversation because of its complexity; check. Opens in the glass over the course of the evening; double check. This was beautiful. Just like my bride. Drink now to 2027. Outstanding.

2/11/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Super Bowl Sunday. This one’s a well-oiled locomotive after a few hours in the decanter. Very expressive with a blast of red and purple fruit that never falls off the tightwire. A kiss of oak in the finish. The abv is high (15.4) but never obtrusive. Drink now for the fruit or hold a few years to see what secondary flavors emerge. Outstanding. Drink now to 2033.

2/10/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Very Rhône oriented; more so than Cali-Rhône. A bit reticent, likely because of its youth. But lovely and food friendly. If we had more, I’d wait another 5 years before uncorking. Drink 2030 to 2040. Worth Seeking Out.

2/9/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Open for business in a big way after a three-hour decant. Meaty up front, becoming more fruit driven on the palate with some mushroom and forest floor. The oak has integrated nicely. This is a beautiful and good value offering, especially at the club member price. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.

2/4/2024 - jonahfactor Does not like this wine:

A light spoiled milk bouquet followed by hints of lemon, grapefruit and sage. Short finish. Might be a reasonable accompaniment to shellfish. But there’s not much there. Serve cold. Drink now. Pass.

2/1/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Much more open than when last tasted in June 2023. But still decanted it for 3 hours. A wonderful — big! — expression of Grenache. Kiss of oak and some cedar notes. Perfumed bouquet. Plush palate. Full bodied. A touch of heat. All balanced. This is still a youngster. Drink 2024 to 2034. Outstanding.

2/1/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Grapefruit forward, lean and steely, with lemon zest and light herbal notes on the palate. My nearest comparison is a young Sancerre. Very versatile; for sipping or dining. Next time: With bacon-wrapped scallops. Drink now. Worth Seeking Out.

1/29/2024 - jonahfactor wrote:

My notes from 3/25/18 mirror tonight’s. Very reticent, perhaps still in a closed phase. Extremely tight out of the bottle and only marginally more open after a three-hour decant. Not much of anything right now. My last bottle. But I’d wait another three years if I had more in the cellar.

1/12/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Jim Binns’ End All Be All offering, and it’s every bit as good as that descriptor. Two hours in the decanter. Unremarkable bouquet right now. But it thrills on the palate with a fruit bowl of black and blue fruits and herbal notes that follow through to a luscious finish. What a thrill. A few more years in the cellar should help dial up the bouquet. Drink 2025 to 2033. Outstanding.

1/12/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Quite lovely. Chamomile and lime zest in the nose, and baked lemon pie on the palate with some brioche notes in the finish. Opens quickly in the glass; so a short decant would have been helpful. Both a food and sipping wine that gains depth the longer it’s in the glass. Drink now to 2030. Worth Seeking Out.

1/8/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

A Roussanne/Chard blend that was a gift from H. Wears its unfiltered status proudly by showing cloudy in the glass. Delicious. Restrained nose, but alive on the palate with grapefruit, melon, Meyer lemon and tropical notes. Expected this to be more viscous due to the 70% Roussanne. But it’s electric, bright and perfect with tonight’s scampi. For immediate enjoyment. Worth Seeking Out.

12/24/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Spent all afternoon cooking Christmas Eve dinner and all everyone wanted to talk about around the table was this wine. It enchanted red- and white-wine drinker alike. Crème brûlée, tangerine zest, marzipan and river stones. Oily and satisfying. Delicious right out of the bottle. An hour in the glass was even better. Our white wine drinker, H, said it was the best white she’d had in years. Drink now to 2028. Outstanding.

12/18/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

As we drink through our cellar, I’m finding that these Esprits drink like California blends in their youth (under 8 years) and take on a more elegant European disposition as they age. It’s been fun to see these TC Rhone blends evolve. This offering was ready to enjoy after a 90-minute decant. Food friendly and offering notes of black licorice, ripe cranberries and tobacco. Lovely, medium bodied and well integrated. Drink now to 2029. Worth Seeking Out.

12/10/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

More Northern Rhône than Californian in temperament, this is drinking beautifully right now. Velvety and lush, it’s food friendly and offers nice secondary notes in addition to ample fruit. The Esprit is usually long lived. But I can’t imagine this getting any better with more age. Outstanding.

12/6/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Still a young pup. But promises a lot of pleasure once it becomes more integrated. Right now it’s mostly a fruit compote with a touch of oak. But promises pleasure by the sip full in a few years. Drink 2025 to ????

12/6/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours prior to pouring on Night 1 and she was …. well, okay. But really came alive after overnight in the bottle. Herbal and loamy with a mouthful of plums, black cherries and thyme. This is a beauty. Unfortunately our only bottle. Drink 2024 to 2034. Outstanding.

12/2/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

Across the board, the 2021 Turley offerings are off the charts. Absolutely delicious, starting with this entry-level Juvenile. A case buy, maybe two. Spicy, yet refined. And bursting with fresh black and blue berries with a long finish. Lovely spice in the bouquet. Drink now to 2029. Outstanding.

11/26/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Tasted at the winery) Following a full throated Petite Syrah, this held up remarkably well. Lovely nose of fresh-cut flowers, orange zest and sage. Drink now to 2027. Worth Seeking Out.

11/26/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Tasted at the winery) Very approachable right now. Elegant for a PS, and promises at least a decade-plus of enjoyment. Cranberries, bay leaf and black olives are most noticeable now. Slightly astringent finish that should mellow out in a year or two. Drink 2024 to 2033. Worth Seeking Out.

11/26/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Tasted at the winery) Egads, this is good. A mouthful of wine that the Pesenti Vineyard often offers. Big, yet balanced, with a more spicy nature than usual. Begs for prime rib or BBQ burger. Drink 2024 to 2030, possibly longer. Worth Seeking Out.

11/26/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Tasted at the winery) Generous on the palate, with jammy black and blue fruits and herbal notes in the finish. Lusty finish. Cellar worthy, but drinking nicely now. Drink now to 2028. Worth Seeking Out.

11/26/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:

(Tasted at the winery) Built for the cellar, this is a touch acidic and tannic right now. But oh the glory that awaits in a few years. Apricots, black berries and gentle oak on the palate with a quiet nose right now. Drink 2025 to 2036. Outstanding.