4/10/2021 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Great balance of CA cab aromas and dark berry fruit flavors. I love the smells, and I especially enjoy the eucalyptus that Blueline brings. Delightful!

3/31/2020 - ChrisGiggles Does not like this wine:

Tasting notes from the winery suggest a much more orgasmic tasting experience that my own recollection. Whoa! Too much toasted oak barrels for my taste. Aromas were overwhelmingly "bonfire" instead of "ripe red fruits".
If you're curious, here are the notes from the winery, "The 2014 is immediately expressive in the glass -- bright aromatics of mandarin rind stand out, followed by subtle hints of clove and wisps of paperwhite. In contrast to the nose, the palate is quite cool to the touch, starting with a swirl of blue fruit and wet earth. A surprisingly tannic backbone and a sturdy, guiding acidity whisks this wine to a graceful, lingering conclusion. Drink now through 2021"

3/26/2020 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

This needed about 4 hours air time to allow its aromas to come together, as upon opening, the predominant smell was petroleum/carcinogen...yuck! Later, however, the only aromas discernable were delightful ripe red berry fruits. Just delightful!

3/23/2020 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

This was delightful, with a bit of inky syrah flavors complimenting strong dark fruits and great spice aromas.

5/27/2019 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Delicious, with a bit of oregano and lots of cranberry aromas, with delicious dark red fruits and cranberry with spice on the palate.

5/27/2019 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Golden yellow, with candied lemon aromas and flavors on the palate, and a hint of salinity (reminds me of when enjoying oysters on the half shell).

5/19/2019 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Really nice! Crisp green apple, great fizz, not too acidic or tart. Would definitely get again!

11/1/2018 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

For me, it's interesting to see how this wine has changed since my last tasting 5+ years ago in August 2013 (see tasting note posted earlier). Tonight, ruby color with aromas of mostly strawberry with some apple and a hint of spice. Raspberry aromas developed after 2+ hours, as did asian spice aromas. Strawberry flavor on the palate. The wine has a smooth texture, with medium body and a short-medium finish. No sediment whatsoever. I have 1 more bottle, and will note to drink in 2023 to see how it's further changed in another 5+ years. Yummy!

10/13/2018 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Lots of Asian spice on the nose immediately upon opening. Delicious!

4/23/2018 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Tasted at the West of West wine festival in Philadelphia, PA, April 23, poured by winemaker John Raytek. I'm a big fan of the Escarpa releases, and John confirmed there will be no more Escarpa despite replanting several years back. However, he predicted that as a fan of Escarpa, I would appreciate the Occidental release because of a very similar/identical soil type(s). Aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie and some spice on the nose, with similar flavors on the palate, I am happy to confirm this wine did not disappoint. Looking forward to enjoying this release in the future!

2/9/2018 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

2 hour decant. Lots of dark fruit on the nose (especially blueberry), with dark fruit flavors and a hint of spice. Tannins have softened, and drinking well right now.

7/1/2017 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Pale yellow in the glass. Aromas of grapefruit, white peach, and honeysuckle flowers, with a perfect balance of fruit flavors and crisp acidity. Delicious!

11/19/2016 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

Lots of spice and a hint of leather. Absolutely Delicious!

11/19/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Lots of cherry and light plum. Scrumptious!

10/13/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine has a fairly deep yellow color with a hint of green in the glass, and light sediment in the bottle, probably from no lees stirring (confirmed in winemaker's notes). To me, this smells and tastes like lemon, with a light/medium body, smooth texture, and fairly crisp acidity. I only detect slight influence of oak, which makes sense given only 10% new oak was used (also in winemaker's notes). The wine finishes medium, with the flavor lingering for almost a minute, even when chilled in the refrigerator. Cheers!

7/3/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Both fruit aromas and some butter on the nose. This had a nice balance between acidity and buttery flavors. Yum!

7/3/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Lots of dark cherry, with some raspberry and blueberry. Very jammy flavors...Delicious!

5/14/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

This might be one of my Top Five favorite chards. Phenomenal aromas and spectacular flavors...delicious!

4/19/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Cloudy in appearance, leaning toward brick red in color. Not much forest, herb, or spice on the nose. Cranberry and strawberry flavors, tasted better on day 2 than day 1. Will assume this bottle was off, as I notice a few other tasting notes mention the cloudy appearance.

1/17/2016 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Rich, dark berries on the nose, with nice toast from the barrels. Yummy!

12/8/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Crisp lemon-ey acidity. I would have guessed this to be a West Sonoma Coast steel-fermented Chardonnay had it been a blind tasting. Delicious!

12/6/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

15.6 ABV. Delicious. Nice red berry presence, with a hint of wood and hint of bramble, dusty earthiness.

11/8/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Jammy darker fruits with vegetal (hint of green bean) and spice (black pepper) on the nose. Great pairing for Italian and Mexican dishes. Some 15.8 ABV heat, but a delicious effort.

9/6/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Opened on Saturday night, tasted (blackberry & licorice), recorked in fridge overnight for Sunday dinner. Dinner day 2, it smelled like blackberry, toast, cedar and coconut, and it tasted like blackberries with medium body. Enjoyed with grilled flank steak rolled around chicken almond fennel mixture.

9/5/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

This was delicious. Not as harsh/grass-y as other SBs, with a wonderful silky texture and a slight hint of sweetness. Toast from the oak barrels is just lovely, coupled with intriguing citrus aromatics. Will plan to order this again in the future, and skip other SBs.

6/13/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

From old vine Charles Heintz Vineyard on the Occidental Ridge. Faint hint of honeysuckle flower, nice acidity, oak aged with a nice hint of buttery-ness, and a nice spiciness/savory-ness that I like!

5/15/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Enjoyed with roast leg of lamb in mustard/herb marinade. Wine was deep purple in the glass with light sediment. Flavors were more prominent than aromas. We only smelled dark berry fruits, while we tasted mild black pepper, prominent spice (cinnamon, clove), lots of dark berry, and a subtle light toast that was very balanced. Medium body, low acidity with a smooth texture, and the wine finished medium. Last bottle...I wish I had more in the cellar.

5/14/2015 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine was magenta-purple with no sediment in the bottle. Smells like oregano, mint and cherry to me, with mostly cherry on the palate. A round texture with light/medium body, and medium acidity and a medium length finish. I will save my other bottle for 12 months and compare again in a year.

12/8/2014 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine looks purple with light sediment in the bottle. It smells like bell pepper, medium toast and fur, and it tastes like green beans and bell pepper. The body is light/medium, with long legs, a smooth texture, and low acidity. The wine has a short finish.

11/1/2014 - ChrisGiggles Does not like this wine:

The wine looks ruby colored, and there is no sediment in the bottle. It smells and tastes like raspberries. The body is light/medium with a juicy texture, and it finishes short. I was hoping for much more than it had to offer.

10/25/2014 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine is yellow in the glass, and there was light sediment in the bottle. It smells and tastes like lemon. The body is light/medium, with a silky texture and high acidity. Delicious!

5/16/2014 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

55 Syrah 45 Merlot. This needed an hour to open up, nice dark fruits, but slightly too much oak, and high alcohol heat on the tongue.

3/6/2014 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

ABV 14.6%. Initial aroma of PN and saline. After 15 minutes, wood hits you first, and dark fruit, blackberries. Heat of alcohol on the back of tongue, slightly syrupy (med body).

11/7/2013 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine looks ruby colored, and it smells like strawberry, blueberry, forest floor, and pine. It tastes like cherry / cranberry with a hint of light toast. The wine has a light body with a smooth texture, and it finishes short - medium. This is probably my favorite affordable go-to pinot noir for the price. I love the aromas of this wine...just a delight!

10/5/2013 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

Cherry and pencil shavings aromas, still rather tannic. Didn't have much to offer.

9/28/2013 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

The wine looks Garnet colored, with fast legs. It smells like raspberry and oak, and it tastes like strawberry, raspberry, toast, and oak. The wine has smooth texture, the body is medium, and the wine finishes medium. Considerable tannins on day 1...I would pair this with charcoal grilled meat(s) next time.

9/8/2013 - ChrisGiggles Does not like this wine:

Aroma of red fruit jam is predominant, but this wine has little else to offer. You can feel the heat of the 15.5% ABV, and the flavor profile seems a bit off. I'm a big fan of other Biale wines, but this is my 2nd try for Old Crane Ranch, and I'll pass on this in the future.

8/28/2013 - ChrisGiggles Likes this wine:

Day1 - Ruby color with medium legs. Aromas of strawberry, caramel, wood, and clay soil, with strawberry flavor on the palate. The wine has a smooth texture, with medium body and a short-medium finish. Day5 - Ruby color with medium legs. Aromas of over-ripe strawberry and forest (hint of conifer?). Medium body, smooth texture, and short finish. Thrilled to have 2 more in the cellar.

8/31/2013 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

Wonderful black cherry aromas, but flat on the palette. I think this one is past its prime.

8/25/2013 - ChrisGiggles wrote:

Aromas of cherry, tobacco, and wood. Little/no tannins, with cherry flavors. Highly likely this vintage is past its peak.