1/18/2024 - funwinesports Likes this wine:

This is a 'wow' wine, period. An immediate sense of pedigree when first smelled, followed by an emphatic YES upon entering the palate. Even in its youth, supremely balanced with a forever finish for California Pinot. Aged in French Oak barrels made from staves dried for 5 years! Game changer for mouthfeel and flavor subtleties that place this wine in rarified air. Bravo, Bibiana!!

5/26/2023 - funwinesports Likes this wine:

Sort of surprised by the relatively low scores. This is a very approachable, silky-textured Brunello with breadth on the palate and a long finish. Very well-balanced and enjoyable now, but don't be afraid to cellar. I believe wines like this help to solidify Brunello di Montalcino as perhaps the best value in fine red wine, anywhere in the world.

5/26/2022 - funwinesports wrote:

This wine is fantastic. Next level white from Spain with citrus and tropical notes; beautifully textured with more than ample acidity, and loooong finish. White Bordeaux in style yet oh, so fun.

3/12/2021 - funwinesports wrote:

One of the truly great food-wine pairings of my life. Had this wine with a Double Cheeseburger at Gott's Roadside in St. Helena in April 2017. Phenomenal balance and exquisitely textured. (The wine was good too.) Best Burger wine ever. I said it.

12/7/2019 - funwinesports wrote:

Spectacular! Easily one of the best I have ever had, including Grand Cru from Alsace. An imposssible amount of freshness and vibrancy for its age, even reflective in the wine which still had flecks of green. Loooong finish that encompassed all of the lychee, rose water, and ginger spiciness you could want from this noble grape. New Zealand Gewurz. in the house!!!

10/28/2019 - funwinesports Likes this wine:

Ok - let’s just talk “yummy factor” - it’s there in spades. Velvety soft on the approach, dances with a little mid-palate spice form the Grenache and a fun little tootsie roll nose and finish; a hint of seeet tobacco leaf. C’mon! Paso in the house and bringing it!

8/16/2018 - funwinesports wrote:

3 out of 4 bottles premox. The one bottle was excellent - the other 3 were undrinkable. I'm afraid this is a "buyer beware" offering. Too bad - the one that was not flawed - 92, otherwise NR

5/2/2016 - funwinesports Likes this wine:

Goodness gracious this wine is showing well! Bought it at the bodega in Spain back in 2011 and just enjoyed last night. Fruit, oak and tannin are in balance. Lots of life left here but there is plenty to enjoy right now. Yum!

12/17/2015 - funwinesports wrote:

This wine has a lot of what you hope for from a classic Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. Lively acidity brings energy to bing cherry fruit, nuanced with vanilla/ baking spice from well integrated oak. The body/weight is just at medium-plus with enough stuffing to stand up to 'pick your pork' dishes, yet would be slammin' with Salmon, as well. These guys took full advantage of a fantastic vintage.

3/25/2015 - funwinesports wrote:

This wine is flat-out delicious. There is a perception of sweetness from the ripe tangerine citrus, melon and yellow apple that is immediately proceeded with juicy acidity, wrapped in a vein of minerality. They call this a "porch pounder" in South Africa. All day long.

3/25/2015 - funwinesports wrote:

This wine is remarkable. Many wineries in the New World portend to make wines in an Old World style - very few even come close to what this winery has accomplished. Gorgeous fruit without being over the top; impeccably balanced with racing acidity and a vein of minerality that carries through the long finish. Truly a "Sancerre meets California/ New Zealand" style that will not disappoint - especially at this price point.

10/29/2014 - funwinesports wrote:

What a lovely wine this is! The fruit is beautiful - reminds me of a riper/ richer style Albarino. There is just a kiss of oak to accompany an almost (but not quite) Chardonnay-like richness, with more of a sweet stone-fruit and tangerine profile, than apple/ orchard. Great "off the beaten path" wine to try.

11/15/2012 - funwinesports wrote:

For everyone who has rated this wine poorly for over-use of oak or excessive spicy oak, here's the news - there is NO OAK on this wine! Special Burgundian yeasts were used and the wine was blended with a little Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermintino. Extended lees aging gives this wine an amazing mouthfeel - rich, yet with tons of juicy acidity. Bravo!