Amazingly racy, this sparkler has a lot of energy and acid. The acidic finish persists for a long time. This is a different animal than methode champenoise, happy to try it at $73 but not sure I'd be a buyer at full price.
This is what I hope that Kistler has become. The buttery oak is quite dialed back, it is in the background. Golden fruit, rocky minerality and crisp acidity.
Drank a small glass over an hour. This was in a lineup with two chardonnays. While it stood out, I understood the resemblence as well. Its as if the Rhone variety's lift the larger chardonnay and give more structure. Quite floral, honey, beeswax, apricots and a viscous mouthfeel.
Tasted alongside the 2014 Calera de Villiers, this was lively, elegant, stunning. The price difference between the two makes me sad. :( Medium bodied with raspberry, cherry and loamy earth.
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Modern rich fruit with a soft palate and syrah-like secondary components. There was a olive flavor along with blueberry, slight vanilla and underbrush.
What a difference 4 years makes. Decanted 30 minutes, this was the most deft and lifted Saxum that I think I've had. Still full-bodied, lots of spices, herbs, flashy fruit, blackberry.
I don't think this was decanted. Drank a small glass over an hour. It didn't appear tannic, but the oak was incredibly evident. The fruit also huge. At this stage it's a cocktail wine for sure and I'll have to fall back on my belief that SQN reds need 12 years minimum from vintage.
2012 Schramsberg Vineyards J. Schram 91 Points
USA, California, North Coast
Amazingly racy, this sparkler has a lot of energy and acid. The acidic finish persists for a long time. This is a different animal than methode champenoise, happy to try it at $73 but not sure I'd be a buyer at full price.
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2011 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut Rosé 93 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
GWASH's bottle, this may have been the best L'Ermitage I've ever had, both rose and brut. Fresh red berries, a creaminess, toast.
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2016 Kistler Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
This is what I hope that Kistler has become. The buttery oak is quite dialed back, it is in the background. Golden fruit, rocky minerality and crisp acidity.
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2019 Sine Qua Non Distenta White I 94 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Drank a small glass over an hour. This was in a lineup with two chardonnays. While it stood out, I understood the resemblence as well. Its as if the Rhone variety's lift the larger chardonnay and give more structure. Quite floral, honey, beeswax, apricots and a viscous mouthfeel.
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2014 Calera Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan
Tasted alongside the 2013 Jensen, this was so much bigger, bolder, more earth, dark fruits, dense, less lively. It remained a pleasant pinot.
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2013 Calera Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan
Tasted alongside the 2014 Calera de Villiers, this was lively, elegant, stunning. The price difference between the two makes me sad. :( Medium bodied with raspberry, cherry and loamy earth.
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2009 Lillian Winery Syrah 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County
Modern rich fruit with a soft palate and syrah-like secondary components. There was a olive flavor along with blueberry, slight vanilla and underbrush.
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2008 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 95 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
What a difference 4 years makes. Decanted 30 minutes, this was the most deft and lifted Saxum that I think I've had. Still full-bodied, lots of spices, herbs, flashy fruit, blackberry.
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2018 Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga 92 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
I don't think this was decanted. Drank a small glass over an hour. It didn't appear tannic, but the oak was incredibly evident. The fruit also huge. At this stage it's a cocktail wine for sure and I'll have to fall back on my belief that SQN reds need 12 years minimum from vintage.
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