4/24/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

Had over 3 nights. First two nights was pretty closed with more of an herbal / dill / vegetal taste. Night 3 it (finally) showed more of a fruit profile that was more promising, albeit cloaked by tannins. Glass half full says that’s a sign of long aging potential. Glass half empty says it’s a bit of a gamble whether everything harmonizes and emerges in 10yrs. I might pick up another bottle but certainly not backing up the truck.

4/23/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

By my taste, this was spot on. Smooth, cool California climate profile. Balanced across acidity, fruit, and oak with a med+ finish. I like it!

4/20/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I wouldn’t have guessed this is 2016, a little less acidic than some other Rieslings but still nice balance w apricot and petrol finish

4/20/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Had this w friends after two very good ones (Rochioli and Dragonette) and this held its own and then some. Of course probably enjoyed it more given the company and good times!

4/20/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Same as prior note / v good

4/20/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Had w friends - red fruit flavor profile that everyone enjoyed, not super complex and I don’t see it improving a lot, but very enjoyable nonetheless

4/18/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Liked it, but a little less character/complexity than I remember. Nothing wrong, just a bit below expectations

4/18/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

Same as prior notes- drinking well now

4/16/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Wow this is different (in a good way). Deep yellow/gold color, almost orange. By the looks you would think it is over the hill / oxidized but that wasn’t the case. Med acidity, citrus and mineral flavors. I previously had a 2008 at a restaurant that was surprisingly good, and just picked up 12-14 thru auction. Curious how those are.

4/14/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Good but not up to expectations versus the prior bottle I had which was fantastic. Maybe in a teenager phase.

4/13/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

Alas a little over the hill for my tastes

4/12/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Solid SBC pinot, nice complexity and red fruit flavors

4/11/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Agree w reviewer this is nice mix of old world and new world, showing some secondary signs and a little rust color but will go another 3-5 yrs+ i think

4/10/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I like it, but qpr a little mixed for me- I suspect the discerning rose crowd could find something of similar quality for more like $20

4/9/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

This was singing, especially on night 2. Give it a good decant if possible. Classic Nebbiolo profile. Can go longer (for sure) but fine now too. Wish I had more!

4/8/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I liked it, and more generally enjoy Tatomer which I think nicely capture the Riesling flavors in CA climate. Rating this slightly lower than Vandenberg and Kick On which I think bring a bit more intensity and complexity. But still good by my book.

4/6/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Definitely on the lighter side but looking at other notes maybe just a little shut down too. 12.5% abv, good complexity, strawberry and cherry notes

4/4/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I’m not a Riesling aficionado but overall found this pleasant with stone fruit flavor and crisp acidity. 11% ABV

4/3/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Agree w the other reviews, this is solid cool climate SRH profile that works great for me (13.8% ABV / fruity but not ripe). My 2nd try w this producer (also the Bien Nacido chard) and both were very good!

4/1/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Strong QPR from BD 15; no specific notes, overall positive impression

4/1/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Similar to my last note, but slightly lower score (still good, just a little less wow factor)

3/31/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Very smooth, complex fruit flavors of plums, cherries, and red berries. Also tea notes. This is drinking great now; I’m not sure it will improve significantly w age since everything is so balanced in the moment and it has a little less acidity than I might’ve guessed.

3/29/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

First time w this producer through BD 15. Very responsive and passionate about the wines which is always great to see. This is super balanced, oak is present but not overwhelming with a complex range of flavors - stone fruit, lemon, light minerality. Longish finish and med acidity. Well done!

3/21/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Very nice - low ABV (12’s) yet still nice intense dark fruit flavors, and a long finish.

3/20/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Had this a couple weeks ago, no specific notes, just recall enjoying it

3/18/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Ideal drinking spot for me- plush berry fruits that are fully integrated, and still youthful. Not showing signs of age by why wait. Great match w carne asada.

3/17/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

I drink a lot of Dragonette and am a fan. So I was excited to try this for the first time. But in the spirit of “satisfaction = performance minus expectations” this was pretty underwhelming (also noting ~$100 price point). Nothing flawed but just didn’t have a special character that I was hoping for. I much preferred the Sanford and Benedict and Radian PNs.

3/16/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I like this wine - tropical, floral, with the oak fairly present but not overwhelming. 1-2 pts upside if the oak better integrates, I’ll try my next bottle in 1-2 yrs likely

3/13/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

A head scratcher for me, jury is still out. Lots of complexity, evolved over several nights, with depth/intensity. But flavor wise did not give me a lot to get excited about, maybe too you young or needs to integrate if I’m giving the benefit of doubt. Will hold my other two bottles for a few years to see what happens.

3/11/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Agree w recent reviews, this is in a great spot. The cab franc showed through w some herbal / bell pepper notes but not dominant. And the merlot balances it out w red fruit flavors. Not surprisingly it showed a lot better on day 1 instead of day 2.

3/10/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

First, just to declare my tendencies, I really enjoy Dragonette wines/style. I was a little unsure how this would sure be as apparently 2022 was a heat spike year in Santa Barbara area. I was pleasantly surprised as it did show more of a fruit profile but certainly not overly ripe. Good complexity. I like it.

3/9/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

In a great spot now. Oak is better integrated with floral / lemon peel notes, plus a slight reduction (match stick) which adds complexity.

3/8/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Same as prior notes, this is savory and complex, a little more fruit than I remember, in a pleasant, balanced way

3/4/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Had this a few nights after the 2019 Rita’s crown and it was similar to me, rounded / tropical fruit / honeysuckle / oak

3/1/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Rounder and more oak/honeysuckle/vanilla/tropical instead of acid/lemon/mineral

3/1/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Same general impressions as last bottle, but for some reason this didn’t quite hit me in the same way. Anyway, still quite good and good QPR.

2/29/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

This wine is very primary and fruit driven with a mix of dark and red fruits. It’s not an over-the-top fruit bomb just to clarify. Drinking well now I don’t see it. Evolving a lot of complex or nuances so I probably wouldn’t wait to have it. A good value from berserker day.

2/26/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

In a great spot, the merlot elements shine with dark fruit / mocha / chocolate notes. Very smooth and well integrated

2/24/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Blend of high pedigree SRH sites, as usual smooth complex. Drinking fine now, ok to hold but not sure it improves from here

2/23/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Same thoughts as prior note and showing even a little better right now

2/23/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

My last few notes I was thinking this one was peaking in time to drink up. This bottle was a pleasant surprise and showed a lot of character.

2/23/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Same as prior notes what a great QPR on this one

2/22/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

Good but a bit young/tannic and also some green/herbal/bell peppers. Holding score for now / let’s see how it develops / I’d wait another several years

2/21/2024 - WineJ2019 wrote:

I always like Dragonette. This is higher % Sanford and Benedict. enjoyed it, i'd drink sooner than later (not that it's over the hill, but I don't see it gaining more complexity and you risk losing the approachable fruit aspects)

2/19/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

I agree w some of the recent notes on the range of flavors here. However I tasted an undertone of aging / oxidation, not dramatic but enough to slightly distract from the flavor profile.

2/18/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Totally agree w the last review, this was super enjoyable now and I think will get better. A lot of charm and complexity. Actually preferred on day 1

2/18/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Got from Berserker Day (shout out to Lisa Tupetz / good deal, excellent service). More acid/lemon fruit and less petrol/apricot than other Rieslings I’ve had). I like it

2/16/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

More lean and cool climate and certainly no butter oak bomb. Nice

2/15/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Well made, clean, I do prefer the SRH from Dusty with a bit more depth but this is good too

2/14/2024 - WineJ2019 Likes this wine:

Pretty primary, not sure how it will evolve, curious to see others’ reactions over time