TOO cold

N: BUTTER with undertones of sandalwood & lemons

P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish OAK/frt (with hints of apple butter) met by a TANGY astringency which pretty much calms down by the LONG, very, VERY slightly bitter finish with notes of tangy/swtness. Reasonably done in the style, but I'd be leery of holding it > 18 mos. 14.4% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. [Although it appears as though they're already out, this vendor's $19.99 compares VERY favorably with the winery's $37!]

WAY too cold

N: Pears, poss peaches; Flowers with addt'l swirling?

P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by a slightly spritzy acidity which transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with OCCASIONAL *hints* of a very, VERY slight bitterness. For now & into, poss through, '20. Nicely done! 12.5% ABV; My EXC-. 90 pts, Editors' Choice, & #80/Top 100 for '18 from WE @ $16, 87 Vinous (Galloni), & Silver @ '19 TEXSOM Int'l Wine Awards. [This vendor's $10.99 puts it in the bottom of the TOP quartile of wine-searcher's large field.]

"Established in 1995 just outside of Occidental, and planted to P.N. clones 115, 113, & Beringer in sandy loam soil, the Morelli Lane Vyd finds its home at a 1000’ elevation & only 6 short mi from the rugged & cool Sonoma Coast."

N: Blk rasps, straws, & earth

P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by puckerish astringency which morphs into a LONG finish with a BITTER/swtness (70:30) to the VERY fine tannins. "Rougher" than I'd like/expect, this NEEDS into, poss through, '20, then drinking for 3 yrs more, IF the frt holds, in which case my VG/VG+ will be WOEFULLY low. 14.1% ABV. [I saw no other sources with which to compare this vendor's (closeout?) $14.99, which may already have sold out.]

80% Pinot Noir aged for 12 mos in 25% FR oak

N: Cherries with notes of raisins?

P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by astringent pucker which pretty much resolves as it transitions into a LONG finish with a tangy/SWTNESS (& hints of raisins) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS through '19, then drinking for 2, poss 3, yrs more. Some var char with REASONABLE overall quality. 13.7% ABV; I'll stick with my initial VG+/EXC-, although I had NO idea @ the time that it's "but" 80% P.N., something that is basically unheard of when one uses the P.N. label. [This vendor's $12.99 is $3 < wine-searcher's only currently listed source.]

N: Smoke atop darker fruits; Intensity lurking?

P: LM body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent PUCKER which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly puckerish finish with a refined swtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. NEEDS through '20, I'm thinking, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. Nicely done & with the potential for improvement. 14.7% ABV; My EXC-, more possible down the line. 87 pts WS. [This vendor's $26.99 is at least $1 < anyone else on wine-searcher.] 3,400 cases made.

N: RIPE berries, but with an odd medicinal note (band aids?) which somewhat blows off

P: Med body; Rndish entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt (approaching threshold R.S.?) met by an astringent pucker which evolves into a LONG, very, VERY slightly tangy finish with a distinct swtness to the fairly inoffensive dusty tannins. Decently done in the style. 14.1% ABV; My VG+/EXC-, the higher possibly for QPR in a dink now style @ this vendor's $9.99, for which I saw no competition. 88 Points, Silver Medal, & Best Buy, Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

84% C.S., 9% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, & 1% C.F.; Aged 12 mos in FR oak barrels; Bottled Feb 2018

N: RIPE berries beneath smoke

P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtist, bacon-tinged frt met by an astringent pucker which, while remaining in contact with the frt, transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with a definite smoke tinge to the fairly inoffensive, dusty tannins. For now & the next 3, probably 4, yrs. 14.5% ABV; My EXC-, but one HAS to love smoke. [This vendor's $17.99 puts it in the top quartile of wine-searcher's plentiful postings.]

Note: Also tasted on 8/25/2018

N: CLOSED; Berries, earth, poss iron?

P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by astringent pucker, but without losing contact with the initial frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with a tangy/swtness to the dusty tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '20, then drinking for 3, poss 4, yrs more. 14.8% ABV; My EXC, more with cellaring? 95 pts ea Jeb Dunnuck & Vinous (Galloni), 93 ea WS & WE @ $40, and 92 WA. [This vendor's $34.95 puts it in the TOP 15% of wine-searcher's postings.]

Note: A *much* more positive TN than on 10/27/2018!

A blend of Zin & Syrah?

N: Blood, slightly atop vanilla? Ripe berries underneath

P: Med body; Rndish entry with ALMOST swtish frt met by some astringent pucker which pretty much resolves by the LONG, very slightly tangy finish with a distinct swtness to the dusty tannins. DESERVES through '19, then drinking for 3-4 yrs more. NICELY done for the price! 15.6% ABV; My EXC-, POSS more for the QPR of this vendor's $12.99, for which I saw no other source.

Levendi Ranch is apparently owned by Laird Family Estates?

N: Slightly closed, but already seems complex; Intensity lurking?

P: Med body; Rndish entry with nice, ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) met by some astringent pucker which, without losing the initial swtness, fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG finish with a tangy/SWTNESS (45:55) to the dusty tannins with OCCASIONAL *glimpses* of bacon fat. DESERVES/needs through '20, then drinking for 4 yrs more. *Impressive* QPR for this AVA! My EXC in this style. [This vendor's [closeout?] $35.99 compares VERY favorably to the winery's $70 for the '15!]