3/21/2022 - wchrisw wrote:

I was really excited when Ridge released this as I had been anticipating a blend like this from them for years. As stated by others the value isn’t there for this type of blend. It drinks fine, no issue there but lacks a wow factor. It’s just really, really okay. Almost seems like a bulk wine they threw together, an afterthought just to have this on their resume. I miss the Grenache on its own but it all goes into this now. Stewed plums and mulled fruits. Drank over 2 days.

1/23/2022 - WineGuyX Likes this wine:

Disgorged 10-2018. Medium-light yellowish-gold. Big, toasty nose. Roasted almonds and chestnuts with hints of yellow cling peaches. This is rich and substantial on the palate. Loads of baked peach cobbler, citrus oils and Meyer lemon on the palate. This is mature, but with loads of life left! Really wish I had more than 2 bottles left. Drink now-2028+. 94

Two nights later: this has continued to develop rich, oxidative characters. So much marzipan! What this lacks in elegance, it more than makes up for with brash richness!

5/15/2021 - Conocedora Likes this wine:

In 2016 WE’s Jim Gordon reviewed this wine, “Intricate aromas like dried leaves, dried cherries and cloves lead to clearly defined fruit flavors layered with cinnamon and cedar notes in this distinctive wine. The texture is gentle, the body not too full, and the mouthfeel is generous and soothing. RATING - 94.”

With 5 more years in the cellar this Pinot was an absolute delight - retaining and even increasing- in all the qualities mentioned, yet with a hint of forest floor on the nose and salinity from the Pacific on the palate.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Sweet fruit and a long finish worked perfectly with the berries topping our dessert. It’s obvious why this vintage is highly regarded, as this has many years of life ahead.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Tangy caramel and toffee hung on a typically sturdy Madeira spine. Very nice match with the base of the berry “misu”.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Out of the bottle nothing but oak, but after a little time in the glass it came around to mellow into a rich and powerful statement of New World Pinot Noir. Perhaps a bit young? Even so, it worked well with our main course.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Duck can be a tricky match, as the richness of the breast meat cries out for acidity. Where better to find that than in a Riesling with some bottle age? A Kabinett would have been too dry and an Auslese too sweet, so splitting the difference with this lovely Spatlese was a perfect choice.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Perfect with the tuna tartare. The sweetish ingredients with the fish were perfectly balanced by the Viognier’s bright, fresh flavors.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): The tart red fruit elements in this Cru Beaujolais were a nice complement to the rich beef.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Northern Rhone comes to the Alpine foothills in this straightforward wine. Perhaps slightly off balance, tipped a hair too much toward the fruit side of the scales. Even so, it was a very nice counterpoint to the soup’s smoky pork.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): Leaner than its stablemate, this BdB focused our attention quickly. Lightness without daintiness.

2/27/2021 - IWFS Arkansas Likes this wine:

Event #1: Where in the World is Carmenere Sandiego? (Ciao Baci): More body as one would expect from a BdN, and also more texture brought on by bottle age. Slightly less aggressive mousse than the BdB.

12/26/2020 - dkstar1 wrote:

Anyone else have a corked ‘13 BdN? Having had nearly a dozen Ultramarines to date, this was the first corked bottle. Super disappointing way to start Christmas morning. What can you do.

6/10/2020 - sleepyhaus wrote:

So I've now had a few bottles of these Brunet Vouvrays, both this and the Renaissance. Firstly, I prefer the latter. Secondly, they all seem to open with a really unpleasant smell that I can't quite identify. Perhaps reduction but not 100% on that as it bears some resemblance to oxidation but without any of the gold color one expects from that malady and with less lasting effect. Whatever it is, some time appears to help quite a bit. I suggest a decant if you drink now, or let it air out quite a bit.