Ojai Food + Wine Festival

Ojai Food + Wine Festival took place over four days in Ojai California.

Thursday Night Reception

Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries with a spotlight on regional California wineries, along with some of the world’s best producers.

• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 170ème - France, Champagne (10/26/2023)
  (95 pts.)
• 2019 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Grenache Two Become One - USA, California (10/26/2023)
  Decanted for a little over an hour and this was absolutely singing! Way way more approachable than the Syrah which we had next to it. This was powerful but elegant, gorgeous red fruits and a silky mouthfeel. Lingered on the palette which was a welcome delight. Love this one. Significantly better than the bottle I tried about a year ago. (98 pts.)
• 2019 Faethm / Fingers Crossed Syrah Two Become One - USA, California (10/26/2023)
  Terrific Syrah but massive and needs a lot of time to open up. Would recommend a 4+ hour decant. I actually did VacuVin and finished the rest the next day and it was much better then. (96 pts.)
• 2020 Saxum White James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/26/2023)
  Wow! First time trying Saxum's white blend and it lived up to the hype. Like it better than many of their reds. Great stuff! Regret not having taken my allocation of this in the past... will not make that mistake again! (95 pts.)
• 2019 Saxum 4 Hearts Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Willow Creek District (10/26/2023)
  Wasn't my favorite of the Saxums. Crazy black fruit like overripe blackberries. Definitely presents as a Petite Sarah to me. I probably would have liked it better with food, like pizza or BBQ chicken. (92 pts.)
• 2021 Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetiers - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/26/2023)
  Nice classic chard. (92 pts.)
• 2021 Kistler Chardonnay Stone Flat Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/26/2023)
  This was excellent! First time having a Kistler Stone Flat and it's a new fave. Beautiful, balanced wine. (94 pts.)
• 2017 Rhys Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard - USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains (10/26/2023)
  Great stuff (93 pts.)
• 2021 Kosta Browne Chardonnay One Sixteen - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/26/2023)
  I haven't had KB One Sixteen in several years and this took me immediately back. Readily identifiable as that wine. Very nice but a bit too much oak for my taste. (92 pts.)
• 2021 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (10/26/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2019 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/26/2023)
  Much bigger than I remember Gap's Crown. Massive PN. Felt kind of hot to me. (92 pts.)
• 2013 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (10/26/2023)
  Wow! That is some killer juice. Drank from magnum. (94 pts.)
• 2019 The Mascot - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/26/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2020 Ovid Experiment N5.0 - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/26/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 2020 Timeless From the Family of Silver Oak Soda Canyon Ranch Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/26/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 2019 Mail Road Wines Pinot Noir Mount Carmel - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (10/26/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2019 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Estates Oakville - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (10/26/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Elizabeth Bodega Headlands - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/26/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2021 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Catherine Running Fence Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/26/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2019 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (10/26/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2016 Peter Michael Les Pavots - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (10/26/2023)
  (95 pts.)
• 2021 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder (10/26/2023)
  (90 pts.)
• 2019 Walson Holland Mélange Blanc - USA, California, Central Coast (10/26/2023)
  (90 pts.)
• 2019 Walson Holland Mélange Rouge - USA, California, Central Coast (10/26/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• N.V. Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 242 - France, Champagne (10/26/2023)
  (91 pts.)

The High Bar w/ Maggie Harrison

Maggie Harrison honed her skills at the legendary Sine Qua Non under Elaine and Manfred Krankl but it was the “ancient earth” of Oregon that most spoke to her. Her wines at Antica Terra are among the most celebrated and thought provoking, but this tasting is focused on wines that inspire her; the High Bar. An enthusiast’s dream tasting of rarities from different regions of the world that help support the aspirational beauty that Maggie creates in her wines every day. This seminar will explore eight different producers from various regions of the winemaking world.

• 2013 Jacques Lassaigne Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature Clos Sainte Sophie - France, Champagne (10/27/2023)
  (96 pts.)
• 2018 Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Néore - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre (10/27/2023)
  So let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of Sancerre. I had tried Vatan Neore before ('11 and '12 vintages) but never had this kind of transcendent experience. Now I understand why this unicorn wine is so sought after, and why Vatan is the G.O.A.T. when it comes to Sancerre. This floored me. Spectacular juice! Drank on recommendation of Maggie Harrison of Antica Terra. From magnum. (99 pts.)
• 2010 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Rosé Erratica - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (10/27/2023)
  Beautiful, elegant, lovely. A rose that can age well. Drank from magnum. (93 pts.)
• 2019 Azienda Agricola Valentini Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (10/27/2023)
  Awesome rose that can age well. (94 pts.)
• 2017 Domaine de la Rochette (Jacques Tatasciore) Pinot Noir Les Rissieux - Switzerland, Three Lakes, Neuchâtel (10/27/2023)
  This was my first Swiss Pinot Noir. Stunning wine in the style of a great burgundy maker. Drank this one on recommendation of Maggie Harrison (of Antica Terra) and man was she right. Awesome! I have heard that very little Swiss wine makes it outside of Switzerland. I hope to get my hands on this again. (95 pts.)
• 1980 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (10/27/2023)
  Gorgeous wine. Elegant and graceful but with a sharp jagged edge. Dried red fruits, dusty earth, slightly sour cherry. Maggie Harrison (of Antica Terra) described it as being like the "warm body of a dead lover in your arms" and I actually get what her poetry was capturing. You wanted to put it to your lips before it faded away forever.... (94 pts.)
• 2014 Antica Terra Pinot Noir Antikythera - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (10/27/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2001 Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas (10/27/2023)
  The greatness that I have come to expect from an Allemand Reynard. Awesome juice. (94 pts.)

The Stars of San Francisco Luncheon

Nancy Oakes (Boulevard, Prospect) teams up with husband-and-wife duo Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski (State Bird Provisions, The Progress) to create an unforgettable lunch celebrating some of The Golden City’s most beloved restaurants. Includes a family-style lunch and wine pairings from Carlton McCoy.

• N.V. Legras & Haas Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Chouilly - France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru (10/27/2023)
  Degorgement: Feb 2020
  Main Harvest: 2016
  Dosage: 6,90 g./l
  Alc. 12,5% by vol. (90 pts.)
• 2019 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru (10/27/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 2016 Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Siepi Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT (10/27/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 2017 Ink Grade Estate Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (10/27/2023)
  (91 pts.)

Local Legend: Sine Qua Non w/ Manfred & Elaine Krankl

There really is no wine producer like Sine Qua Non. Named after a Latin phrase meaning “without which, nothing,” SQN gives each new bottle in each new vintage a new name, a new label and a new bottle shape – all of which reflects their unique approach to winemaking. SQN doesn’t have a set method, recipe or style for the wines they make. Rather, they see each year as a new experience and an opportunity to make a wine that reflects what nature has given.

Manfred and Elaine Krankl will share eight different bottlings in this bucket-list peek behind the curtain of Sine Qua Non. They started with a 1999 Sine Qua Non Sparkling wine en magnum that was unreleased (only 280 mags produced and none sold).

• 2007 Sine Qua Non Body & Soul - USA, California (10/27/2023)
  Really wonderful but first time a SQN white has felt a little bit long in the tooth for me. (94 pts.)
• 2015 Sine Qua Non Entre Chien et Loup - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  Yes, yes, YES! Spectacular! What I have come to expect from one of my favorite white wine makers. (96 pts.)
• 2008 Sine Qua Non Grenache THE Line - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 2004 Sine Qua Non Grenache Ode to E - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  Wow!!! This is in a great place right now. (96 pts.)
• 2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Poker Face - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  Yes please. This is killer juice. Loved it, wish I had some more. (96 pts.)
• 2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dangerous Birds - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  (95 pts.)
• 2014 The Third Twin Graciano The Third Twin Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (10/27/2023)
  (96 pts.)
• 2013 Next of Kyn No~7 Cumulus Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast (10/27/2023)
  (96 pts.)
• 2007 Sine Qua Non Grenache To The Rescue Vin de Paille - USA, California (10/27/2023)
  WOW! Knock your socks off good. (98 pts.)

Dinner in My Italian Home w/ Nancy Silverton

Who wouldn’t dream of showing up at Nancy’s home in Italy for a dinner party? Join Nancy and special guests as she hosts an intimate dinner at a Tuscan-inspired private estate for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and some of the dishes that etched her name into culinary legendry.

• 2015 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame - France, Champagne (10/27/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2020 Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (10/27/2023)
  Stunning. (95 pts.)
• 2018 Domaine Louis Michel Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru (10/27/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 1998 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC (10/27/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 2021 Giuseppe Rinaldi Dolcetto d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba (10/27/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 2012 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (10/27/2023)
  Very nice. Interestingly it paired beautifully with both grilled branzino and bone-in ribeye. Drank from magnum. (93 pts.)
• 2013 Castello di Volpaia Vin Santo del Chianti Classico - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (10/27/2023)
  Very nice. (93 pts.)

Leroy, Guardian of Great Wines

“Leroy, absolute perfection. More than a model, the wines are an absolute reference. No other winery in the world holds itself to a higher standard in terms of exactitude in its viticulture.” - La Revue du Vin de France. A dream tasting of eight vintages of Leroy will be presented in this swoonworthy seminar.

• 2019 Maison Leroy Gamay - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne (10/28/2023)
  What a fun way to open up your palette for a Leroy tasting. Not your typical Gamay. Lovely wine. (92 pts.)
• 2009 Maison Leroy Volnay - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay (10/28/2023)
  Wow! Loved this. (94 pts.)
• 2009 Maison Leroy Gevrey-Chambertin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin (10/28/2023)
  Terrific! (93 pts.)
• 2017 Maison Leroy Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru (10/28/2023)
  Absolutely loved this wine! (95 pts.)
• 2015 Maison Leroy Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc (10/28/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2018 Maison Leroy Auxey-Duresses Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Auxey-Duresses (10/28/2023)
  (93 pts.)
• 2017 Maison Leroy Meursault - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault (10/28/2023)
  Wow! Stunning beauty of a wine. (95 pts.)
• 2013 Maison Leroy Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières - France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru (10/28/2023)
  Spectacular! (95 pts.)

Saturday Grand Tasting

Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries at Ojai Valley Inn’s signature venue, The Farmhouse. Scheduled to appear: Priedite Barbecue, Sumo Dog, Rossoblu, Loreto, CUCINA urbana, The Dutchess, Rare Society, among others.

• 2008 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame - France, Champagne (10/27/2023)
  Wow, this was great! Drank from magnum. (94 pts.)
• 2018 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/28/2023)
  (95 pts.)
• 2019 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/28/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 2019 TOR Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (10/28/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2022 Black Sheep Finds Syrah Holus Bolus - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County (10/28/2023)
  (91 pts.)

1982 Bordeaux First Growth Retrospective

Widely considered the benchmark vintage by wine enthusiasts, this rare tasting explores the wines of legendary Châteaus Mouton-Rothschild, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, and Latour. Just passing 40 years of age, these wines are still delivering peak accessibility while promising many great years ahead.

• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 170ème - France, Champagne (10/28/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 1982 Château Margaux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux (10/28/2023)
  Was fortunate enough to try this in a tasting of all the 1982 First Growths and this was my least favorite. Perhaps an off bottle, but felt long in the tooth--perhaps dare I say over the hill? (93 pts.)
• 1982 Château Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (10/28/2023)
  Great stuff (94 pts.)
• 1982 Château Mouton Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (10/28/2023)
  Wow! Great juice. (96 pts.)
• 1982 Château Latour Grand Vin - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (10/28/2023)
  WOW. This is what great aged Bordeaux should taste like. (97 pts.)
• 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (10/28/2023)
  Spectacular! Still so much body on this one--the years have not made it any less of a brute. (96 pts.)

Michelin Three-Star Celebration w/ Kostow, Bradley, Harlan Estate & Krug

Christopher Kostow (The Restaurant at Meadowood, Charter Oak, Loveski), and William Bradley (Addison) will collaborate with Will Harlan and Harlan Estate Director Francois Vignaud to create an evening celebrating the pinnacle of dining in California. Served in an intimate private estate, the duo of three-starred chefs will share the kitchen and pair courses with the iconic wines of Champagne Krug and Harlan Estate.

• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvee Edition 169eme - France, Champagne (10/28/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Édition 168ème - France, Champagne (10/28/2023)
  (95 pts.)
• 2008 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/28/2023)
  This wine massively overdelivered. Wow! Not sure how a champagne this young can be so full of character and complexity. Paired it with Chef Christopher Kostow's (of Meadowood fame) Potato In Beeswax 3.0 dish and rarely have I had a better pairing. Mind blowing stuff. (99 pts.)
• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Rosé Edition 27eme - France, Champagne (10/28/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 1997 Harlan Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/28/2023)
  (97 pts.)
• 2005 Harlan Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/28/2023)
  (96 pts.)
• 2017 Harlan Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (10/28/2023)
  (95 pts.)

Krug Vintage - The Story of a Year

At the House of Krug, every Krug Vintage celebrates the distinct character of a particular year. A Krug Vintage is a blend of the most expressive wines from a single year enhanced by a stay of over 10 years in the cellars. This reserve seminar will explore eight different vintage years of Krug.

• N.V. Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 170ème - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  (94 pts.)
• 2008 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  A classic year for Krug. Truly emblematic expression of my favorite champagne house. (97 pts.)
• 2006 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  A cool year in champagne still produced an excellent vintage of Krug. (96 pts.)
• 2004 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  A warm year for champagne region still makes a great bottle of Krug! (96 pts.)
• 2002 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  Another classic year for Krug. Reminds me of the '08 (or I guess I should say the '08 reminds me of the '02). Great stuff! (98 pts.)
• 2000 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  (97 pts.)
• 1998 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  Starting to feel a little age for the first time in Krug vintages (ie, none of the 2000s+ seem to have much of any age right now (late 2023) but the '98 is starting to show it with honeycomb and caramel peaking through. Start great wine. Still had plenty of bubbles and felt much more lively than the '96. (96 pts.)
• 1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  Could definitely tell the age on this bottle. Color was a dark honey/caramel with oxidized flavors to match and effervescence has diminished. Still a lovely bottle. I wouldn't call it over the hill like some have said, but I certainly wouldn't guess it will get better with more age. (96 pts.)
• 1995 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut - France, Champagne (10/29/2023)
  WHOA. Drank this after a '98 and '96 and I would have guessed it was a decade+ younger than those wines. Full of life, lighter in color, very little oxidized notes, FULL of bubbles. Wow. Just stunning. (99 pts.)

Sunday Grand Tasting

Open to all ticketed patrons, the walk-around tasting will feature over a dozen chefs and more than 30 wineries at Ojai Valley Inn’s signature venue, The Farmhouse. Scheduled to appear: Loveski, chi SPACCA, Holy Basil, Rory's Place, Gasolina, among others.

• 2018 Niner Wine Estates Fog Catcher - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (10/28/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2011 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia (10/29/2023)
  Yum! (94 pts.)
• 2016 Hugel Riesling Estate - France, Alsace (10/29/2023)
  (91 pts.)
• 2019 Donnachadh Vineyard Chardonnay Donnachadh Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (10/29/2023)
  (92 pts.)
• 2021 Donnachadh Vineyard Pinot Noir Donnachadh Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (10/29/2023)
  (92 pts.)

The Kill Shot Dinner

Just a few friends popping some good bottles.

• 2010 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/29/2023)
  Exceptional. Surprisingly approachable though could benefit from several more years in the bottle. (96 pts.)
• 2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (10/29/2023)
  Spectacular wine. Everything you expect from a MacDonald wine. Just great. IMO, drank best about 1-2 hours into decanting and wasn't showing quite as well after about 5 hours in decanter--but make no mistake, it was still drinking fine! (97 pts.)
• 2014 Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville (10/29/2023)
  A glorious wine. Still drinking beautifully. 1 hour decant and drank over 5 hours. Held up beautifully and consistently over that time. (96 pts.)
• 2014 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (10/29/2023)
  This was really interesting. Decanted for about an hour and started drinking. Wonderful juice. Powerful and balanced with black and blue fruits showing. But after another couple hours in the decanter, all of sudden it became all red fruit! The black and blue disappeared and it was fresher and lighter than I would expect from a decade old Schrader. It suddenly paired *perfectly* with our grilled pork chop entree. No matter what, great stuff! (95 pts.)