| Wine Type | Vintage Name Variety Locale | Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More... |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2009 Tensley Syrah NoirSanta Barbara County more |
4/14/2024 - kmforster Likes this wine: 91 pointsPlush and rich, but still very fruit forward after 15 years from vintage. I like a bit more earth and spice in my Syrah. This hits all cylinders for texture but is not giving enough on the nose and just not complex enough to merit a higher score. Decanted about in hour; I wonder if others have had better luck with a longer decant? |
| White - Sparkling |
1996 A. R. Lenoble Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs MillésiméChardonnay more |
2/14/2024 - kmforster Likes this wine: 91 pointsDrinking really well right now for our taste. Lots of fun tertiaries but still plenty of fruit and bubbles. I wasn’t sure there would be any bubbles when I opened it - no sound at all, and it wasn’t just opening skills! But when I poured it, there was the effervescence, and it has persisted in the glass. A lovely bottle for Valentine’s Day. |
| Red |
2014 Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir Barrel Select Gold LabelPaso Robles more |
2/5/2024 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsPNP - might have been better with a decant but it was still enjoyable. |
| Red |
2012 Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir MonopolePaso Robles more |
2/5/2024 - kmforster wrote: flawedCloudy and sour - down the sink it went. :( |
| Red |
2012 Sanford Pinot Noir La Rinconada VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
2/5/2024 - kmforster Likes this wine: 91 pointsDrinking beautifully! Decanted approx 40 mins. |
| Red |
2009 Tensley Syrah Thompson VineyardSanta Barbara County more |
1/21/2024 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsMaybe a tick above 90 - this was lovely after about a 45-minute decant. Not overly extracted, not too jammy - but still lots of fruit life left in it, and quite food-friendly. We had it with moussaka. |
| White - Sparkling |
1990 Bollinger Champagne Vieilles Vignes FrançaisesPinot Noir more |
12/31/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 97 pointsLovely persistence on the back end. Showed its age a bit more than expected but still quite lively. Nose a bit reticent. |
| Red |
1997 Joseph Phelps InsigniaNapa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend more |
12/25/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 93 pointsA short decant was plenty. Lovely with Christmas dinner. |
| Red |
2002 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Three Palms VineyardNapa Valley more |
12/24/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 92 pointsFrom magnum with Christmas Eve dinner. Delicious. Decanted for about an hour. |
| Red |
1989 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's VineyardOakville more |
12/3/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 93 pointsBeautiful Martha - drinking great right now with lovely secondaries and tertiaries but the fruit is still there too. Opened 90 mins before dinner and decanted about 45 mins before we sat down; initial slight funk blew off quickly. Definitely got the signature eucalyptus note. Would have guessed a slightly later vintage from overall freshness. Would definitely seek out more! |
| White - Sparkling |
2000 Schramsberg Vineyards J. SchramNorth Coast Champagne Blend more |
11/25/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 91 pointsBeautifully mature, with secondary and tertiary notes, but also plenty of freshness and verve keeping it all alive in the glass. Really beautiful now but if you like them really old you could hold this longer provided it has been properly stored. |
| Red |
2011 Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir MonopolePaso Robles more |
11/25/2023 - kmforster Does not like this wine: 70 pointsFirst sip was OK but not great - somewhat thin and tart - but then I poured the rest into a decanter and it was cloudy (despite using a filter). Returned 20 mins later to see if the cloudiness had settled down or the wine started to improve, but sadly not. Poured down the sink. |
| Red |
2015 Occidental Pinot Noir Cuvée Catherine Occidental StationSonoma Coast more |
11/23/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsI had considerably higher hopes for this - oh well. It was nice but not at all memorable. |
| Red |
2015 Sanford Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
11/23/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsWas hoping for a bit more from this. I was lovely but not memorable. |
| White |
2010 Kistler Chardonnay Dutton RanchRussian River Valley more |
11/21/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 92 pointsAgree with HSACKS's description, except color is now medium gold. Still fresh and drinking beautifully. |
| White - Sparkling |
2011 Laetitia Winery Cuvée MArroyo Grande Valley Champagne Blend more |
10/8/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 89 pointsStill lots of life left in this, plus some fun secondary notes. Glad I kept one in the cellar! |
| Red |
2013 Sanford Pinot Noir Vista al Rio La Rinconada VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
9/30/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsAIR! This got progressively better over an hour plus in a decanter. Silky, fully resolved tannins, classic Santa Rita nose, and decent finish. Not complex enough for a higher score. |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Gosset Champagne Brut 12 Ans de Cave à minimaChampagne Blend more |
9/23/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 92 pointsLovely - tasting notes consistent with PAPIES. |
| Red |
NV Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Golden RectangleStags Leap District Red Bordeaux Blend more |
9/24/2023 - kmforster wrote: 89 pointsSilky, resolved tannins and a nice nose, but too much oak to warrant a higher score. Distinct vanilla note. Somewhat better with food. QPR not good here. |
| Red |
1982 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's VineyardOakville more |
9/1/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 94 pointsThis was fantastic. From a well-stored magnum; opened about two hours prior to dinner and decanted approx 30 mins prior. Cork was soaked through and I was worried until I caught a whiff. Just gorgeous, classic, beautifully fallen apart Martha - not past it at all. If I find another one I will jump on it! |
| Red |
2008 Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Pinot Noir HighlinerSanta Barbara County more |
3/4/2023 - kmforster Likes this wine: 93 pointsHad from magnum with dinner at the Hitching Post. Fabulous - really plush and in a great spot. It appears perfect storage and the large format made a huge difference here! |
| Red |
1999 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Palisade VineyardStags Leap District more |
12/29/2022 - kmforster wrote: 89 pointsLike most 1999 Napa cabs, even after all these years, the wine is disjointed, the tannins are not resolving, and it's just not coming together as one would normally expect. It reminds me very much of the 1975 Bordeaux vintage which has similar problems (still). Given that experience, I am not optimistic that more time will help. |
| Red |
1989 Château MargauxRed Bordeaux Blend more |
12/24/2022 - kmforster Likes this wine: 94 pointsSo…it was nice, but if you like mature Bordeaux, you will wish you had held this one. The nose is pretty lovely - duh, it’s Margaux! But the best years are decidedly ahead for this wine. I would give it another 10 years at least. (Decanted almost 3 hours and had with a very classic duck breast preparation.). |
| Red |
2018 Dominion Tantara Pinot Noir Radian VineyardSta. Rita Hills more |
12/21/2022 - kmforster Likes this wine: 92 pointsClassic SRH profile, plush fruit with cherry cola notes. Strong showing and drinking very nicely now. |
| Red |
2015 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir AcinSta. Rita Hills more |
11/25/2022 - kmforster Likes this wine: 90 pointsWell made, but not showing well right now. Needs at least a few more years. |
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- Tasting notes: 370 notes on 351 wines
