4/9/2024 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

A well-structured wine, balanced in its woodsiness and fruit, acidity and residual sugars. There’s a red berry freshness to this, with hints of white pepper, clove and baked rhubarb. A wine you can sit with as it unfolds its layers. This is a good example of how far Oregon Pinot has come. I’ve had Burgundies more expensive that couldn’t deliver on their QPR. This one does…and then some.

3/14/2024 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Straight, narrow Tempranillo … more of a food wine, and benefits from a slight chill. Def woodsy and dried leaves, white pepper. Dry, medium bodied, short finish, tannin forward. I’d pair this with food.

2/4/2024 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Well structured, balanced wine that unfolds in layers. Nose and palate of fruit and spice align, delivering a pleasant, lasting finish. This is worth seeking out.

12/24/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This is the Derby Wine Estates Maneater, v.2016, bought at the tasting room. Great stuff…especially with regard to the tail. It’s a smooth ride, from nose to palate to finish. I’m not a fan of pure Zin, so the Petite Sirah adds this a pleasant depth while also giving it the light fruit infusion to make this very accessible. Full bodied, also in the mouth, medium acidity. Perfect window to enjoy, imho.

12/18/2023 - VenturePlanet wrote:

It’s fine. Pop and pour. Too expensive, though, for what you get. Back-end peters out to alcohol.

8/31/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This needs some time to open…45-60 min. Decant or run through the blender for a quick hit. At first it’s a bit tight, but once it opens up this wine’s a beauty. Blackberries, raspberries, clove, hints of white pepper. It’s not the aggressive Sonoma PN that will slap you on the face…subtle, contained yet approachable.

6/19/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Yay, bday wine! Loved it! Balanced and integrated fruit, tannins and acidity. Pleasant on the palate. Mild funk (which leads me to believe that this baby can sit in the cellar for a decade or more and come out stellar!). Opened up nicely over the hour we had it, showing layer upon layer, going from fruity to meaty and good-musty. Gonna try to hunt down some more and let ‘em do their thing in the cellar.

6/2/2023 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Air-dried meat on the nose, with some red and firest fruit. Ruby colored. But fizzes on the pallet - like, almost invisible. Strange. As someone indicated, no integrated. Weak tannins, mid acidity. Too bad. Pinot Noirs need to give it up, and this one didn’t. Wish the mouth matched the nose (especially at this price)

5/4/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Been off Cabs for a looong time…too many notes, cloying, bending to the market, shocking price point. Heck not on this one… li’l guy comes out of left field. I’d had their PN, and was hesitant to try it (but the wife likes the Cab). And…hello! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! This stuff was solid - no killer oak, no overt tannins. Really, just end to end, what I remember a great Cab used to hold. Wonderful balance of fruit, acidity, structure, delivery. Well played….

4/27/2023 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Huahhhh…so da bomb! This was amazing. Haven’t had a PN of this depth and this well-rounded in a long time (and I drink decent stuff…jus sayin’). Deeper ruby color, nose of red berries, black cherries, stewed plums, hints of white pepper, pipe tobacco (also on palate), smooth mouthfeel. Medium tannins. Lovely finish. Love love love

4/23/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Solid Sonoma expression…fruity, drinkable, fun. QPR works for me in this era of overpriced wines. Pleasant nose of red fruits/cherry. Smooth on the palate. Paired well with Greek lamb. Glad I have another one.

3/27/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Steely, full of minerals. Citrus, green melon, straw, shells. A versatile white with an appealing balance of acidity and fruit. I enjoyed a glass by itself, had the rest with halibut soft tacos. Delightful.

3/27/2023 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This, to me, is a pre-Parker era, super-charging Bordeaux style blend wine. There’s something that got lost in the Napa imitation game (including my $$). The oak is subdued, there to tease out the fruit, not overwhelm it. Great wine with grilled meats and vegetables, or a plate of pasta with red sauce.

3/27/2023 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Forward tannins, stewed plums, crème brûlée, hints of cherry. Earthiness and wet hay on the palate. Not sure this has the right “legs” to come into its age. This may be as good as it gets. Recommended with food.

9/5/2022 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This really delivered…a wine that settled into itself. A perfectly welcoming and embracing balance of spice, fruit and mild funk. Nose of red and black berries, tobacco ash, all-spice, and a hint of ripe melon (I know, right?). I actually think that if this had a Grand Crus Burgundy label on the bottle you’d nod your head and say “yep, there it is!” I’m telling ya…

4/3/2022 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

In the discount bin for 26.99…thought I’d give it a shot. Definitely funk, but the good kind. The fruit starts to show through, although it’s lighter on tannins than I’d like. Nose of stewed plums, strawberry jam, compost, forest berries, hints of all spice. To me it seems this is the time to drink, with window closing soon…

3/7/2022 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Lovely all around…OR PN done solid! Good depth and finish. Mix of black and forest fruit and earthiness on the pallet, nose of pipe tobacco and a hint of pencil shavings. Recommended!

1/6/2022 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

A well-balanced, approachable and versatile blend. Medium-bodied, showcasing its various varietals, making it a wine for many occasions and foods. The tannin and chalkiness are in sync, while at the same time allowing for the fruit to follow through from the nose to the back palate. Stewed red black fruit, pencil shavings, hints of mocha.

1/6/2022 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Not what you might think…which is Lambrusco. This is a dry red, slightly sparkling. When a bit chilled, it’s a lovely and refreshing change-up to every-day red or white. Tart, fruity, effervescent, yet doesn’t overpower the food it complements. While at first glance this may be thought of as a summer wine, I would highly recommend pairing this with fall fare, such as roast chicken, ribs, or even a lamb and feta burger.

12/15/2021 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Sitting here rn…second bottle I’ve opened over the past 6 months. It’s a wine that hits a lot of notes across the board, though nothing outstanding. Pleasant spice on the nose, red fruits with vanilla bean and cream, hints of sandalwood and pine sap. Smooth mouthfeel, fruit forward with cherries and raspberries, medium finish. I could see this pairing well with salad and salmon, oven-roasted white meats, or light French fare.

12/13/2021 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Mos def good stuff. Agree w the stewed fruit…prunes? Some mocha mixed in with the berries. And there is a chalkiness there that I actually welcome. Milk chocolaty palate. Diggin’ it. Glad I loaded up. Whoot!

7/9/2021 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Ok. Could use more fruit, balance, and structure. Thin on the nose, and weak on the mouthfeel. I lean toward subtle burgundies, so it’s not that this needs to be powered up. But it lacks depth and character. A case of form over content for me.

7/3/2021 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

That’s the stuff! Well-rounded PN that puts that Oregon imprint on Burgundy. Full, fruity nose, with forest berries, wild rose and dark cherry, yet small hints of veg. What is that…a wee of hibiscus? Me thinks yes! Pleasant mouthfeel, med-high acidity, med tannins. I can probs sit on my other bottles for a while, although good to go now.

5/4/2021 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Liked it! Indeed, leans much more French...fog of funk on the nose. The palate is fruity, but not “pow” like Cali PN. Subtle, pleasant...subdued

1/21/2021 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

What a lovely wine! When others zig, this one zags. The nose opened to strong rose hips, with forest berries and hints of clove. Tannins and acidity medium, with a silky mouthfeel and a lingering, fresh finish. Highly recommended when in search of an alternative to the usual lineup of offerings.

11/24/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Phenomenal...structured, balanced, layered. Nose of wet fall leaves, cake spices and black fruit jam. Mouthfeel optimal of luscious fruit, long finish. A very nice representation of Cali PN...

11/13/2020 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Great nose, but the palate leaves something to be desired. It showed great fruit, although the acidity profile didn’t fully translate.

11/9/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Bellooooo! E anche buono!

10/31/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

I guess I’m the first to provide notes on this. Lucky me! This has become a special-event wine. It’s truly reflective of what Cali PN can strive to be. The balance of fruit, tannins, acidity and structure is completely in sync. From nose to lingering finish this wine delivers a harmony to the senses. Black cherry jam, fresh pipe tobacco, lovely woodsiness, subtle spice. Great, just great.

10/31/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Solid stuff...I see some of the ratings knocks, but in my view this is a well-rounded Cali PN...what you come to expect from the area when you’re not drinking the mass-produced stuff. Well-balanced structure and acidity, ripe red fruits, smooth mouthfeel with a lingering finish. This is a good value PN.

9/18/2020 - VenturePlanet wrote:

Good, not great...tightly wound...structured well, but neither fruit nor (fowl) funk on this. Leans more toward
a Barolo. Opened up slightly, and while the acidity and tannins were in balance, it seemed overly restrained. May need much more time to settle into its skin.

9/14/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Uhm...no way I’m waiting until 2027...too good, toooo goood! Evesham nailing it...lovely nose, fruity-juicy mouthfeel. Sure, give this wine some time and distance to unshackle itself in the absence of time, but it’ll deliver now...now...and now. Love the lower ABV, which is a big marker with me for PN. Ok...gonna finish me wine now...

8/31/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Lovely fruit forward! Smooth, rounded, balanced. Cherry, cranberry, jasmine, a hint of vanilla and a trace of smoke...delicate on the nose and palate. Super yum, super thumbs up!!!!

7/27/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Very pleasant...structured to balance alcohol, acidity and texture. An undercurrent of funk that keeps the fruit in check, while concurrently providing it a tailed finish. This is reminiscent of a Northern Cali Pinot or even a small production Burgundy. Kudos...I picked up another bottle right away...

7/24/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Ugh...my impatience got the best of me. This should be left to do its “thang” for...tanto tempo. Alas, its kryptonite tendered my willpower completely useless. Yes, still young but already exhibiting such multi-dimensionally. Tannins remain pronounced yet don’t overwhelm...nose of dark red roses, candied berries, fresh pipe tobacco, and hi ya of clove and dried sandalwood bark. Incredibly depth and finish. Yes, of course...decant for a few hours and ale this a 3-hour session wine, if not longer. Bravo, Giacomo...complimenti!

7/23/2020 - VenturePlanet Does not like this wine:

I have to admit, this was a disappointing wine. I had it cellared for the past 6 years - high hopes when I decided to open it. The color was good...hardly any rimming, a clear ruby...and even the initial nose held some promise. But repeated tastes left this wine quite bare and devoid of, well, much of anything. It lacked depth, flavor, finish...everything from start to finish. The only pronounced qualities were acidity and a detracting bitter note. I don’t think it went bad...rather, a failure to launch in 2011.

6/19/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Blimey! Just enjoyed this over the past 90 minutes (Bday prezzi)...cork needed a bit of working, but the wine was gor-geous! Unfolded with scents of camp fire, grilled meats, jerky, caramel, leather, and stewed plum. For a 50 year old wine, this still had plenty of legs, with little bricking. Great body and mouthfeel. Was at its best the last 20 minutes. Truly fortunate.

6/13/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Solid Burgundy...all around good balance on fruit, spice, structure. Held up nicely - nose with pepper, wet tobacco, forest berries, mustard seed. Long finish. Drink now.

6/3/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This definitely settled well over the years. Woodsy, layered, tobacco, leather, dark berries...all wrapped in spice and decaying fruit “funk”. Really nice...

3/31/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Lovely stuff, and truly unique! The grape varietal, Fantini, native to the Colli Bolognesi, was brought back from near extinction in 2005... now Podere Riosto is its only wine producer. A fragrant light red, balancing fruit and spice, with low-med acidity. Very accessible at 12% abv for every day, pairing well with charcuterie, hard cheeses, and white meats. A great score (if you can find it!).

3/28/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

For Pignoletto, this is superb. Often a standard Pignoletto frizzante can be too sweet and overly bubbly, veering more toward a moscato. This one, however, is refined, subtle, and layered. It’s slightly effervescent, with beeswax, hay and green apple on the nose. It’s great by itself, or then with light fare or even sushi.

3/8/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

What Anderson Valley PN should be! Balanced, approachable, yet with layered depth. Mild spice, medium acidity, perfect tension between tannins and fruit. A gem of a wine, showcasing what that region has in store ...

1/13/2020 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Light, fragrant, musky, with sanguine and wild game aromas. Hints of licorice, anise, forest berries. Med-high acidity, bit of cherry. Could use a tad more body to bring out the fruit. Short finish, but overall an accessible wine to pair with light foods.

9/23/2019 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

This is a fruity Cab without the overpowering chalkiness and oakiness often found in Cali cabs. The fruit takes precedence, still giving way to some vanilla notes - but not the other way around. And the tannins aren’t overbearing. I agree that the finish is a bit short - a few years in the cellar may put a longer tail on this. Overall, a very pleasing wine.

8/30/2019 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Darn good! Metallic and fruity on the nose, smooth syrupy texture on the palate. Spice and stewed linger on the finish.

6/24/2019 - VenturePlanet wrote:

I had higher expectations, to be honest. Fruit was underwhelming, the finish short. Disconnect between nose and palate.

6/24/2019 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Wooow...wowwowow. This is what Cali PN should be all about. On the nose, deep spice - cinnamon, clove, sugar cookie and hints of pipe tobacco - and dark fruit on the palate. Smooth from start to finish, with lingering dark berry jammy-ness. It perfect now ... maybe a few more years to enjoy, but I would hate to see it lose its terrific blossom. A one bottle and done deal for me...bummer.

2/14/2019 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Big fan of this vineyard...was lucky to snatch a bottle after I had tried it a few years back. Ruby color and Sanguine nose, red berries, hints of rose water, cinnamon and just a dash of fresh polished leather. For the higher ABV, this is incredibly smooth and delightful on palate, with tannins and fruits in balance. This can easily age a few more years, although I thoroughly enjoyed it in its current state.

1/5/2019 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Still young but oh-so-good! Enjoying the freshness that comes with tropical fruits (hints of guava and pineapple) in addition to the cherry and spice! I’m bummed this is my last bottle...I see this has “appreciated” as well. This’ll be a knock-out in 5-7 years no doubt.

10/12/2018 - VenturePlanet Likes this wine:

Good, but not great. Loved the 2010. This one took a bit...about 90 min...to open. Then released a bouquet of plum, peppermint and cinnamon, pipe tobacco clove and oak. Pleasant mouthfeel, balanced fruit and tannins, low to med acidity, with signature PL chalkiness. The finish doesn’t linger, though.