Comments on my notes

Red

2018 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Octagon Vineyard Russian River Valley

10/28/2022 - SMZ wrote:

94 points

Wow….great bottle

SMZ commented:

12/18/22, 12:47 PM - Chris, can hold off for several years without having to worry about the wine reaching its peak….Steve Z

Comment (See all 2 comments)

Red

2015 Hartford / Hartford Court Pinot Noir Land's Edge Vineyards Sonoma Coast

6/25/2019 - SMZ wrote:

94 points

First bottle from this winery. Deep color and aroma. Rich and concentrated, with creamy flavors - stupendous

SMZ commented:

6/26/19, 8:43 AM - Unbelievable value too at $40 per bottle.
SMZ commented:

6/26/19, 2:18 PM - I've had Sojourn pinots... very nice. I'll have to try some of the other Hartford Court pinots

Comment (See all 6 comments)

Red

2014 Cirq Pinot Noir TreeHouse Russian River Valley

12/21/2018 - lzelman Likes this wine:

94 points

Awesome wine. Very flavorful, long lasting finish. Delicious.

SMZ commented:

12/23/18, 11:10 AM - This guy lzelman has impeccable taste

Comment

Red

2014 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

5/22/2017 - SMZ wrote:

92 points

Not usually a fan of Oregon pinots, but I liked this one. Vibrant and flavorful

SMZ commented:

8/4/17, 2:36 PM - It's just a matter of style.... I like the big, rich and plush style of the CA Pinots. to me, the Oregon (and French) Pinots are more delicate and feminine....often, austere.....just a matter of style preference.

Comment (See all 3 comments)

White

2013 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Estate Russian River Valley

1/19/2017 - SMZ wrote:

88 points

Not in the class of the single vineyard Walter Hansen chards.

SMZ commented:

3/8/17, 2:59 PM - Right... I wasn't considering cost into the equation

Comment (See all 2 comments)

Red

2013 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing Sta. Rita Hills

1/14/2017 - SMZ wrote:

93 points

Rich and polished. I've never understood why the Sea Smoke Pinots don't get higher ratings here.

SMZ commented:

1/15/17, 6:51 AM - I've had the Kistler pinots (although not the Occidential) and think they're way overrated.

Comment (See all 2 comments)

White

2013 Arnot-Roberts Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains

6/29/2016 - SMZ wrote:

88 points

Outstanding.....if you like Chablis and Savingnon Blanc....this does not, in any way, resemble a Chardonnay!

SMZ commented:

6/29/16, 8:09 PM - Different from CA Chardonnay...totally different
SMZ commented:

6/30/16, 8:33 AM - I have two bottles left; maybe you'd like to purchase them.
SMZ commented:

6/30/16, 7:59 PM - My email address is szelman@irell.com. Please email me and we can discuss getting the two bottles to you .... Steve

Comment (See all 6 comments)

Red

2013 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

12/6/2014 - DrizzleOH Does not like this wine:

50 points

First of all, I do not like the 100 pt scale, so pay attention to my notes, not my points. Don't believe the hype. I rarely poor a glass down the drain... But i poured this pinot down the drain. I appreciate the history of the vineyard, but this is not my style. Aroma hits hard with heavy spiced potpurri, sweet dried fruit compote, cola, vanilla and oak. Big mouthfeel, more sweet vanilla and spice, mid is oaky, smokey and finish is more of the same. I am just glad this was a gift.

SMZ commented:

12/7/14, 7:40 AM - You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but it looks like virtually no one agrees with you. Maybe you had a corked bottle.

Comment (See all 3 comments)

Red

2010 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley

10/20/2014 - SMZ wrote:

94 points

Spectacular wine. Deep, dark and plush. Intensely flavorful with notes of wild berries. So glad I have two bottles of this left.

SMZ commented:

10/20/14, 7:43 AM - The wine is awesome. We had it with another couple at dinner alongside a 2010 Seasmoke Pinot (which is a good wine), but the KB blew it away.

Comment (See all 2 comments)

Red

2011 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

4/3/2014 - SMZ wrote:

89 points

Got a little better over the course of an hour, but it's clear that WS had problems with their 2011 vintage.

SMZ commented:

4/3/14, 8:18 AM - In all fairness, I'm basing this assessment on the 2011 Sonoma and RRV Williams Selyem wines....I haven't opened any of the single vineyards yet.
SMZ commented:

4/3/14, 8:57 AM - FYI, I'm a huge fan of the WS wines...going back to 2009, I probably have about three dozen wines that I haven't opened yet. And their winery is magnificent, if you ever get the chance to visit.

Comment (See all 4 comments)

Red

2010 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley

2/28/2014 - SMZ wrote:

94 points

Spectacular. Beautiful nose of vanilla and berries. Everything is in perfect harmony. I've now had the Talley Rincon and Rosemary's vineyards ... Both excellent, really high end, bursting with flavor.

SMZ commented:

3/3/14, 1:58 PM - I'll be stocking up on the 2012 Talley single vineyard Pinots. Do you know if Talley does winery tours / tastings? I'm going to Santa Barbara in July for the weekend and am looking for a couple of great wineries to visit. A friend told me the Clos Pepe Winery is also really nice for a visit.

Comment (See all 4 comments)

Red

2011 Ken Wright Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills

3/15/2013 - SMZ wrote:

78 points

Admittedly, I opened this bottle too soon, but it was simply awful. Poor aroma was the worst part, and lacking flavor... Way too sweet.

SMZ commented:

12/19/13, 5:47 AM - This was a long time ago....can't remember. But I do remember other Ken wright wines I've had that were corked.

Comment (See all 2 comments)

Red

2004 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese

7/23/2013 - SMZ wrote:

88 points

The good news is that I only have one bottle left

SMZ commented:

7/23/13, 8:18 AM - You're right... it's a decent wine....but nothing special and definitely not worth the price. Seems washed out.

Comment (See all 3 comments)

Red

2007 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT Sangiovese

2/16/2013 - SMZ wrote:

87 points

Can't quite figure out what all of the hoopla is about. This ia a pretty mundane wine. Lacking much nose, flavor or finesse. These are half bottles, so maybe that's why the wine tastes so washed out. Decanted for three hours which, looking back, seems pointless.

SMZ commented:

3/5/13, 3:53 PM - I'm obviously an outlier because everyone else loves the wine. Maybe I've got a bad batch of bottles (375 ml). But I've had two of these little guys and haven't been crazy about either one.

Comment (See all 2 comments)

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

Search

Report a Problem

(18 comments on 14 notes)

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

SMZ commented:

Search

Report a Problem

Your report has been submitted!