1/27/2023 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

It’s not outstanding. It should have been. In September 1999 we drove up US 1 in a convertible. Fantastic ride, but we were on a mission: pick up a case of Heitz Martha’s Vineyard and ship it back home to THE BOSS. We parked and rolled into the winery forgetting that Y2K was going to end the world. We sat at the bar, had some sips and slowly realized that this wine was over our heads. The credit cards were burning holes in our pockets. How could we actually pay for a case of this wine? We waited and prayed that the charge went through…it did. So we drove to the “ship the wine” store, packed up the case, sent it to the boss and never saw it again. So here we are tonight, 22+ years later, we skipped the Burgundy and pulled out this 2005 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard. We joked how in the last millennium we couldn’t afford this wine, popped the cork and waited for perfection and…it did not come. It was plum, blackberry jam and strawberry. Not the signature Heitz profile we expected. We sipped and questioned whether it was us or the wine. It wasn’t our pairing (steak). So we went back to the cellar and pulled out a newer Heitz “2014 Trailside”. And there it was, Heitz magic. Everything you would have expected in the 2005 Martha; mint, eucalyptus, dark chocolate. It wasn’t that the 2005 wasn’t good, it just didn’t remind us of driving up the coast on a dime with the wind blowing in our hair.

PS. A night of two bottles of Heitz is a good night

1/16/2022 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Cocoa and a fine cigar. What more could one ask for after Southern snow fell all day? We watched the magnolias catch flakes and the pines sway with each gust. A warm fire burned and the crackling of the wood set the scene for a perfect January night. A stew on the stove and some Jarvis in our glasses and we were home. We drank this wine for three hours. What began as a fruitful pairing to our cheese course, stayed relevant as we ate the fennel based broth and it carried us through the cold night. Now, the hints of tobacco and hot chocolate are warming us and we realize that we opened one of the best California wines. But Jarvis rarely disappoints and tonight it delivered. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect wine and can only imagine that this wine’s complexity and layers build up over time like the nice soft covering of snow in our yard.

9/5/2021 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

This Gaja is a fine Leather Belt. Well, actually the belt is often underrated- but actually it makes a statement and has a purpose. Not many things can do that. It wraps around you, soft, but sturdy and structured. You may smell hints from the tannery, deep and weathered. It stays with you, supports you and complements anything you put with it. Like leather, wine over time develops and changes. As you sip you realize- you are actually in the tannery but eating a dark cherry ice cream cone. The dark cherry begins to drip down off the cone- the leather, the cherry = this wine. The leather belt keeps you together, but the ice cream opens things up and lets loose. We paired this with many flavors- blue cheese, king crab, venison and romaine over the course of the night. It kept our pants up the whole time. However, like we will need to do after such decadence, you probably will want to add some extra holes to this belt to let it open a few extra notches. We have five more bottles, if it’s drinking this well now, like fine leather we expect future bottles to age with a very distinctive character and hopefully not too big of a waistline.

7/4/2021 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

In honor of the July 4th holiday, we wanted to thank France for giving us the Statue of Liberty and this fantastic Champagne. First, let’s talk about the color: salmon, peach, with a hint of rose gold. Really have never seen a color like this before, we stared at it even before we took our first sip. Then we stared some more. We didn’t stare all night! At first we decided this French wine tasted like American berries. After the effervescence hits your nose and the tip of your tongue with a little pop rock action, it settles nicely releasing hints of raspberries, blueberries and a twist of lemon. Being a warm summer night, we kept it cold and watched it evolve. The citrus began to take hold, and lemon-lime took center stage. At one point Mojito crossed our minds. Can you imagine a champagne tasting like a hand-crafted mojito? Muddled mint, lime, lemon lingering on your lips far after the sip is swallowed. It is pairing perfectly with the grilled corn, peach, mint, basil and jalapeño salad. We are trying to remember when and how we acquired 4 bottles of this and how we must have opened the first one on the perfect night. If you have it drink it now. Guaranteed fireworks 💥

6/17/2020 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

I taste Saffron. He tastes Mint. I say tomato(long o), he says tomato. But what matters what we say...it is what we experience. I spent four hours making paella, so Saffron was on the tip of my tongue. But honestly, I do taste the mint, too. So, so far this wine makes no sense - but these days what does? What can be agreed on is that it is delicious. On a long day, when the sun is just setting and it is surprisingly cool - all seems at peace. And free. And with that why not just enjoy all that is good in this world. An hour later we taste quite not ripe blueberries. Maybe they would be ripe in a minute..but then the birds would get them first. Maybe having an aerial view would be more advantageous. And just like everything else this wine is slipping away so quickly. Time is short, life is fragile...so better to drink a precious gem like this right now. Because right now it is magical. How do you get grapes to taste like an after dinner cigar in Monte Carlo? So elegant, refined...yet he wants to stick his entire face in the glass...I may just let him.

9/27/2019 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Eight years. What can happen in eight years? Well you can place a bottle of wine in your cellar in 2011, not think about it, but somehow watch the world change around it. Then on a regular night with a regular prime filet, this wine traveled through a time warp and was plucked out of said cellar. Now, Pride Vineyards is a time-tested and relatable wine. You can take a sip and memories will spill forward, like the time you went up Pride Mountain and had one foot in Napa and one in Sonoma. Time travel is possible when you drink this wine. It is like a chocolate covered cherry. Sort of starting with dessert, then traveling back to an appetizer through each sip. First, you taste chocolate - Dessert. Then you take a bite of your filet - Dinner. Then another sip where there is this hint of fruit, like maybe a salad with a bit of fig in it. Appetizer. Bam! You have traveled back in time. But to a good time. Then you get to do it all again with the next sip. Great wine, great vineyard, great memories.

3/3/2017 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

ESTRE LIKES THIS WINE: (EDIT)96 Points
Friday, March 3, 2017 - So complex. As the night went on new flavors emerged. We had with cheese, steak, chocolate and this enticing chameleon changed its colors for all. Yes, it's big, yes it over-powering, yes it's outstanding. But sometimes it really is all about the wine. And when you drink this, everything becomes its dutiful assistant, serving the grandiose power that this wine will have over you. If you want a complement to bring out the flavors of your food, maybe choose a different bottle...but if you want a night where the wine is center stage, the star of the night, this is your bottle. Oh, and we began drinking right away over the course of 3 hours. Maybe could have used a decant, but Friday after a long work week we were ready to get down to business.

9/26/2015 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Like a secret garden filled with herbs- mint, sage, thyme, rosemary. Hints of almond, and enough fruit to create an intriguing and elegant bouquet that lingers on all the senses. This wine is so balanced, yet so varied it makes you want to stroll through it, smell each stem, swirl each sip. Why pick it from your cellar now- because it is perfectly ripe for the picking, the Howell Mountain can wait. One of the best California Cabernets we've had in a long time.

2/25/2015 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

What to do when Snowpocolyose II shuts down the South??? Well, spend hours braising short ribs and decanting this wine. As the aromas permeated the house over hours we watched as the wine sat patiently in the decanter. After two hours we could no longer control ourselves and poured a hearty taste. Like the weather outside the first sip was dark and stormy, like licorice and anise and bitters. But the second sip seemed to soften and as the snow fell, the wine got airier and fluffier. We could see the forecast of cinnamon and clove in our future. After two more hours of braising and decanting we were truly ready to enjoy this wine. Complexity. A wintry mix. Prune, spice and an avalanche of flavors poured into our mouths. And as school was being cancelled the next day the coming sips of wine and bites of short ribs falling off the bone, warmed our hearts. Now, what will we make to complement the remaining bottles of this incredible wine???

10/24/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Fennel. The interesting little seed with so much flavor. Luckily it was in the provincial inspired dinner we had tonight - because this wine wooed it and inspired a true love story. Like Romeo calling up to Juliet's balcony, the anise in the wine seduced the fennel in our meal. But when you have licorice, moist hard rock and a little salt you are in for some Shakespearean drama. Luckily, we finished the bottle with only a little fight over the last drops, but not much else titillation. Important note: we decanted for 2.5 hours.

3/14/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Each sip is like taking a long slow puff of a finely hand-rolled cigar. You can almost feel the swirl of smoke creating circles after each breath. We did not decant, but drank over the course of three hours. Not much change, but flavors of licorice, and a slight hint of sour cherry emerged. Clove and tobacco added to the slow finish. It didn't even change as we ate our homemade Cioppino, and then celebrated Pi day (3/14) with apple pie. It is sophisticated, mature and confident, like a distinguished gentleman, who puts on his velvet smoking jacket and retires to his library to savor the last moments of his day. Like Pi, the excellent, richness and depth of this wine goes on and on and on and...

3/7/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Black licorice takes front and center stage in this show. It's sort of like a remake of an old school traditional Italian wine, however hints of new world change the story quite a bit. It is dominated by the Cabernet as Super Tuscans are, and the Syrah adds a twist in the plot. Act 1 was the decanting and first pour. Act 2 was the pairing with the spicy cioppino, and there was harmony. Act 3 is quite climatic as time has passed and black cherry has entered the scene. Along with fresh herbs, ground pepper and fennel seed there is sure to be a strong finale to this wine. Perhaps the few sips left will linger, and stay well after the show has finished. Standing ovation.

3/4/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Tuesday night. Why we decided to drink a Grand Cru Bordeaux escapes us. Maybe it's the teenage angst overflowing tonight. However, although young and impulsive, it does not disappoint. Like a teenager, it holds potential and promise. Savory. The fruit doesn't slam you in the face. But maybe over time this young spicy wine will develop into something sweet and fulfilled. Sort of how we grew into adulthood, maybe with grace, maybe with attitude, hut definitely with love.

3/2/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

The day we bought this wine we drove on ice and snow up a mountain to the Viader winery. Now, 11 years later we sit by a warm fire with the wine decanted in front of us. Definitely the adventure we had getting to Viader adds to the greatness of this wine. Unlike the icy road this wine is easy. You can almost forget what you are drinking, it is subtle, it is clean...just easy. Dry, it coats your palate and lingers well after you swallow. The strawberries are ever so present, but the long linger begins to darken into something more seductive. Deep fruit, fig, pomegranate and cloves take hold. We would happily climb the icy mountain again to have more of this juice, as this is our last bottle. (We had our pregnant friend drive us back down, in case you were concerned about our safety).

2/21/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Well, what can you say about a Casanova. He swoops in, steals your heart...and then before you know it he is gone. Too bad it wasn't a Magnum. We decanted for one hour before the first sip. And it had us at hello. Within the course of the next two hours, the original tobacco and roughness began it's smooth moves. Cherry, plum and a hint of mint began to take hold. We ate many different flavors that night and this wine held it's own. Although we are on the last sips, more bottles are waiting in the cellar. Now only if we can resist this Casanova's temptations over the next couple of years. Perhaps, we will have an even bigger score.

1/24/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

In a year or two, I may give this wine a 92. It has promise and hope and was still really good. Especially on a night when you don't feel like cooking so you hit the drive-thru. Then you realize your wine cellar has become "not ready" and you need to open something from Spain because it will always be interesting, even if young. Cranberries, clove and perfume are present. The color is electric plum. I have several more bottles- here is to the next one being opened in 2016 and paired with my excellent Paella.

1/17/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Smokiness. All things smoked. Cold winter's night...fire...aging Bordeaux. Comfortable and familiarity with each sip as the hours progress. Did not change with the spiciness of our dinner, held it's ground. But age gives steadiness, reliability...even with it's thinness. Sort of a familiar face from the past, just a little older, a little receding hairline. Maybe in a smoking jacket with a hand-rolled cigar. But hey- if you got 'em - light 'em up.

1/10/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Hmmm...what to drink with truffle & foie gras burgers? Many choices. Need to go American. A cab would be over-powering, however will a Merlot stand up to the richness?? So many questions. But leave it to the carefully cultivated mountain fruit of Pride. There was no competition between the burgers and the wine- just complete harmony. The wine is drinking perfectly right now. Soft and luscious tannins wrap around your tongue. Berries are first and foremost. Then a touch of sweetness - just enough to think of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day. Then a smooth infusion of minerals. Glad we have another bottle of this. Let's see how it does in the future - to be continued...

1/3/2014 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Classic Napa Cab. Enjoyed with skirt steak. And this bad boy certainly copped a feel under the "mini". No smooth moves but maybe in a cowboy bar, it would have some swagger. Over the course of 3 hours not much development- but hey, what's wrong with some stability?

12/23/2013 - MaximusT wrote:

What a dirty wine. And I mean that as a compliment, for I speak of earth, of local flavor, and distinct terroir. After 15 years of settling, now is the time to open, decant and pour. Probably not the best ever, but hey it's the holidays so why not show the love. PS. It went well with BBQ chicken and beans.

12/20/2013 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Pop & Pour, ready to drink now. A little weak, sort of like Popeye without his spinach. Somewhat curious and amusing, but not saving Olive Oyl at the moment. Classic Bordeaux terroir without the refined and elegant finish. Surprisingly tasty with our Seafood Arriabiata.

12/13/2013 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. First sip and we were ready to pour down the drain. But... We waited. We continued to decant. Drank a 1999 Pride in the meantime - and then 2 hours later something magical happened. The Kirwan finally revealed its true flavors. The smell was of wet leaves after a fresh spring rain, blending with the taste of deep cherries and pomegranate. Not a prototypical pairing, but went amazingly well with our Santosha Rhodiola & Hawaiin Red Salt chocolate. Not an ordinary wine, and not an ordinary chocolate. Drink this wine, but definitely decant for 3+ hours!!!

12/13/2013 - MaximusT Likes this wine:

Decanted in Reidel Black tie decanter for short amount of time. Then legs as long as Rockettes. Paired perfectly with the excellent veal chop Marsala we cooked. First sip was explosive, with tastes of fruit and infinite depth. For a wine with such age, To have so much fruit was quite impressive. With the mix of wild mushrooms in our dinner, the wine began to reflect a perfect balance of earth, rich berries and dark chocolate. Seemed like a good time to open, but probably would be great a year from now. Now onto the Bordeaux we have been decanting for 3 hours...