4/21/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Cherry, cherry pit, pomegranate, plum. Minerality, wet stone, medium tannins. Loads of charm and plenty of complexity. Still young, decanted 3 hours and while showing well now, this may evolve further.

4/21/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Lovely, fresh, balanced. Great QPR.

4/14/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

One small glass. My associates gobbled it down before I could get more.

4/15/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Perhaps this one is at an in between time. The components are there but this bottle seemed disjointed and definitely on the lighter side for a Helfer. Alcohol was overly present. No score but based on just this bottle 86-88.

4/14/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Light and “refreshing” red, shows berry and hints of cinnamon/spice. Still slightly tannic but in a good/supporting way.

4/10/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Sauvignon Blanc dominant, this shows tart grapefruit and lime, with a modest amount of seashell and minerality in the background.

4/9/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Lighter version tonight. Still very good, but not quite as on point as some other bottles of this wine that we’ve had.

4/7/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Good though not a barn-burner, shows some complexity, but less depth if that makes sense.

4/5/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Bright and fruity, with a mineral and seashell salinity. Lemon, peach and melon flavors upfront, lip-smacking acidity on the finish.

4/3/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Light melon, saline, hint of honey. Refreshing.

3/30/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

A bright Rhône-like effort, fruity and savory with a long, warm finish. A bit of cherry candy, violets and crushed stone.

3/30/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Grapefruit, peach pit, with just a touch of lime. A beautiful blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon with a hint of sweetness and a sublime balance.

3/28/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Peach, lime, lime zest; modest acidity and a light finish. OK but not especially noteworthy.

3/27/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Alluring nose of blueberry and garrigue. Savory up front, then cherry and strawberry, some crushed rock; modest tannins on the finish with a hint of smoke/oak.

3/10/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Smooth, easy drinking Grenache. I liked it more than Susan. Pretty darn good in my book for $12.

3/26/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Medium-bodied, black cherry, Pinot-like, savory and succulent, with a smooth finish.

3/24/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Plush and polished, shows raspberry, cherry and rose flavors with an earthy/spice box/herbal component. Understated elegance.

3/24/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

A big though balanced Chardonnay. CA style with hints of Burgundy refinement. Lemon, lemon peel, hints of tropical fruit.

3/23/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Pinot adjacent, ripe plum and strawberry, hints of spice box and wet stone. Showed better day two, give this a quick decant if you want it to open up.

3/23/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Tight and very closed. Was better initially with food. Needs more time. Should have decanted. No rating, would be unfair at this point.

3/21/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

A bit austere and monolithic day one. Re-corked after one glass and set aside. Day two much better; strawberry, cherry, wet stone, hints of garigue. On the lighter side but satisfying.

3/18/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Dry, light black cherry, tight and closed or maybe just lacking in depth.

3/17/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Bright up front, shows black cherry, strawberry, tannin and plenty of structure, with a warm, menthol finish.

3/13/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Bright and fruity up front, strawberry, cherry compote and cranberry, then a warm lingering finish with orange peel, oak and some alcohol. Better day two.

3/9/2024 - winejnky wrote:

60% Sangiovese, 40% other international grapes.

3/7/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Wow, dead ringer for a very good Mersault. Apricot, lemon zest, hints of petrol, salinity and minerality with a warm, persistent finish.

3/7/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Lighter white, shows melon and peach flavors.

3/6/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

See my note from August 2023. This bottle was singing tonight. Great pairing with scallops. Lime, lime zest, minerality, grapefruit and a lovely, persistent finish.

2/28/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Melon, pear, salinity. Showing a little lighter tonight yet still an alluring, light white.

2/21/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

A lovely fresh wine, slightly creamy, flinty and clearly shows mineral/seabed salinity as depicted by the shell on the label. Will buy more.

2/19/2024 - winejnky wrote:

A muscular Pinot, perhaps too young still. Ripe, warming purple fruit with spice hints on the finish.

2/18/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Cherry, vanilla, oak; a ripe wine with loads of character, still showing a youthful edge with plenty of life ahead.

2/17/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Spicy, energetic CdP, shows cherry, boysenberry and a slight “sweet-tart” flavor. A classic style ripe and structured, balancing fruit and minerals, excellent.

2/17/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Smooth, easy drinking Grenache. Seems to be unoaked. Fruity and less structured.

2/14/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

A robust wine, with the Syrah dominating even on day two. Richly tannic, oaky and full-bodied, yet refined and fruity. A very appealing wine suitable for a ribeye.

2/14/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Such a steal in my view at $12; full-bodied Chardonnay with ripe melon and pineapple flavors and enough acidity to provide some uplift and hold it together.

2/12/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Starts with a lovely floral and lime zest nose, then lemon, lemon oil and melon on the palate with a saline finish.

2/9/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Lighter and nuanced, but shows typical Burgundy profile. Wondering if it will fill out a bit with time?

2/9/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Drinking better with some extra bottle age; very savory profile, with ripe plum and cranberry fruit popping through. Austere vs typical California PN, but not a bad wine.

2/3/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Lemon cream, saline, chalk dust, lime zest. Better as it warmed up.

2/3/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Similar to Oct 2023 note. Lime more than lemon, hints of petrol and minerality, salinity and melon.

1/29/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Bright and fresh, ripe melon. Decent everyday Chardonnay.

1/28/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

This has a nice savory/mineral uplift, red fruit, some oak and a light, warm finish. Dry, minty. I like how the Merlot softens the wine.

1/27/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Pear, saline, butterscotch, lemon. A really lovely and balanced Chardonnay.

1/24/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Fresh and juicy, with a hint of sweetness. Loads of bright red fruit (strawberry and pomegranate), with minerality and medium tannic structure. Great now with many good years ahead.

1/21/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Mineral driven at first, then a burst of black and blue fruits leading to garigue, minerality and a tannic finish. Very good but a bit subdued vs some prior vintages.

1/20/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Slightly rustic at first, then brambly, rich red fruit and a warm, oak and mineral driven finish. Great compliment to a rich red sauce pasta.

1/20/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

So smooth, wonderful Syrah driven wine.

1/18/2024 - winejnky Likes this wine:

Still drinking great. Light gold, lemony, supportive mineral backbone. See prior note for more details.

1/14/2024 - winejnky wrote:

Green apple and lemon with a slightly bitter finish. Lacks nuance and minerality.