4/25/2024 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Wow! Wow! Wow! This is a terrific wine. Big. Bold. Dark. With that said, it’s not overpowering, there’s a lot of layers of flavor….earthy, dark plum, dark…brooding not jammy in the least. And the finish goes on and on and on….

1/27/2024 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This is drinking beautifully right now. Let it open up for about an hour and wow, it just sings. Dark cherry, maybe some pomegranate a hint of nutmeg…yeah, this is a terrific Central Coast Pinot. I like this…a lot. Sorry that this is my last bottle of this vintage. Hoping the ‘18 and ‘19 are just as good…we’ll see.

1/19/2024 - cnr128 wrote:

Kansas wine, who knew? Is it great? No. But what is is is a nice simple red table wine that works well with pizza or a burger. It’s a blend of something probably with Chambourcin the official state grape I’ve been told. Looking forward to sharing with friends.

1/14/2024 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Drinking beautifully. Bright fruit…red berries, pomegranate…maybe currant. Balanced, kind of juicy. Although it’s terrific now, I think in a few more years it will be even better. This is a really good California Sangiovese. Another winner from Bella Luna.

10/1/2023 - cnr128 wrote:

Holy mole! This has evolved so nicely. Had this a few years back and wasn’t impressed but now, the wine is singing. Pomegranate is prominent but there’s also raspberry and cranberry. Medium body, hints of earth…perhaps some smoke. There is a lot going on here. This is everything a Sangio should be…and the finish goes on and on…and on. Probably one of the last great Palminas. Sorry to see this bottle end.

7/11/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Big, bold Syrah! Full bodied with vanilla and some other baking related flavors. Once you get past the red fruit flavors it’s yellow cake and chocolate frosting all the way! Really interesting wine. I like it…a lot.

7/5/2023 - cnr128 wrote:

So if all Pinots tasted like this…wow, this is a terrific, gorgeous expression of a Central Coast Pinot. Is it medium or light bodied? It depends on the sip. Still drinking very fruit forward and juicy, there’s a lot going on here and is constantly evoking. A hint of game and perhaps dried herbs…sage? If you couldn’t tell I love this wine and I thing it will be even better in 2027.

6/26/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Let this warm up from chilled to cool and this wine will sing. The peach/nectarine notes are beautifully balanced with a bit of creaminess…cobbler perhaps? Very food friendly wine but also drinks well alone. Not very familiar with Clairette but if this is representative then I’m a fan.

6/25/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Beautifully structured Viognier. Strong stone fruit, especially apricot with some nice minerality. Super dry and crisp…but then, there is just a hint of butter…but not buttery. This is a great food wine.

6/18/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Beautifully executed Syrah with all the things I love about California Syrahs…peppery, juicy dark fruit with a hint of tobacco. Full and lush with silky tannins. This is a terrific wine. I’m becoming a huge fan of Hawk Watch.

4/11/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Dry, crisp Chenin Blanc. A bit mineally, citrus peel…not complex but a nice easy drink.

3/9/2023 - cnr128 wrote:

This wine is singing right now. Beautiful Sangio, it’s filled with oxymorons…delicate but bold, smooth yet striking. This wine has so much going on and is evolving from sip to sip. This is why I love wine I need more.

1/22/2023 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

A little past it’s prime, still drinkable but jammy.

12/19/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

So at first, I thought…hmmm, there’s not much there, there but as it warmed and opened, things got interesting. Still a delicate for a Sangio, but there was a nice spiciness that started to come through, along with red berries…currant…silky tannins…yeah, it’s growing on me. It’s defiantly will pair better with lighter flavored foods. Looking forward to what it tastes like on Day 2.

10/23/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This is an interesting wine, juicy and fruity as you’d expect from a two year old wine, but there’s a nice depth. I’ve never had smoked cranberries…but I imagine this is what they’d taste like. The finish goes on and on. Very food friendly. I’m not overly familiar with Gamay Noir, but if this is indicative, then I’m in.

9/21/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Great all purpose wine. Full bodied, fruit forward wine. Silky tannins and that worderful peeperiness that’s so indicative of Central Coast Syrahs. A little tight at first but really opened up after 30 minutes or so. This will improve over the next 5 plus years.

9/4/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Dark and brooding. Plum, dark berries and earth. Doesn’t have the pepperiness that define so many Central Coast Syrahs but there’s more tannins than expected. Nice drink, better on Day 2.

8/31/2022 - cnr128 wrote:

This is what I refer to as a middlin’ wine. Good drinking but nothing exceptional. Mid to full bodied, lots of plum and cherry, a hint of vanilla and maybe a little earth. Not sure what the Petit Verdot’s role is here but Merlot comes through strong. But just to be clear, this is a really nice, friendly wine.

8/28/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

The first word that comes to mind is juicy. Lots of dark plum and sour cherry with a black peppery finish…pepper in all the best ways. Long finish that carries you to the next sip. Great pizza or spaghetti wine. This is a pretty darn good quaff. This is going to drink well for the next four-ish years.

7/31/2022 - cnr128 wrote:

It’s like those friends that are a lot of fun…at first but after a while wonder why you keep them around. Really liked this at first, the dark berries, a hint of baking spices, then after a bit started to get jammy with a cherry cough drop finish. The good news is by the next day, that was gone and now we’re friends again…for now.

7/25/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Beautiful. Everything about this wine worked for me…and I’m not usually a Pinot guy. Granted it’s coming up on a decade and the wine is aging like George Clooney. There’s a complexity going on that my unrefined taste buds can’t decipher, but I know enough to know this wine is special and still drinking quite young. Wish I had another bottle to hold another decade.

7/21/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

So I’ve had this wine a couple times and each time I like it more. This fits in the category of wines that make you go wow. Food friendly, fruit forward but not fruity….definitely black fruit. I’m talking plum, blackberry and maybe pomegranate. Think of it as that unassuming person that once you get to know becomes your BFF. Drinking beautifully now, but will just keep improving as it mellows from ingenue to leading lady.

7/17/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This a powerhouse wine. But it’s like the bull in the china shop that stops in for tea. Bold but elegant. Bergamot and leather on the nose leading to big and fruity with that Central Coast pepper that I love about Syrah from this region. It’s good upon uncorking but give it 30 minutes and…wow. This is a terrific wine!

7/8/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

So I have to admit I’m a barbera fan. This is a terrific, no frills barbera. Juicy, tart raspberry and a hint of white pepper. If ever there was a pizza wine, this is it. This should drink well for the next few years. Hello, pepperoni?

7/4/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This is an excelent example of Central Coast Syrah…there’s an elegance that you don’t often see in California syrahs. Dark berries are at the forefront which then leads to something a little more brooding…and a finish that lingers until the next sip. Not as peppery as others from the area, but that just lets all the other good stuff shine. Nicely balanced acidity should lead to a long shelf life…I think it’s going to be spectacular for the LA Olympics! Paired beautifully with a smoked brisket.

5/7/2022 - cnr128 wrote:

Beautifully executed Pinot Not sure if it’s at its peak yet , but it’s terrific The wine evolved throughout the meal. Started off a little tight but loosened up as we did. Great food wine…great wine.

4/20/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

GSM…San Diego style (Grenache, Sangiovese, Merlot) really nice, easy drinking wine. But this doesn’t mean pedestrian. Meaty nose (think jerky) on the nose. Cherry (thanks Merlot!), white pepper, and earth. If there was ever a perfect pizza wine, this is it! I really like this wine!

4/17/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This one just gets better and better. A hint of smoke, dark berries, pepper…just a hint of jam. This is drinking beautifully and should for several more years.

4/1/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Great find. The Merlot does what Merlot does best tame the Cab. There’s a lot to like in the wine, dark cherry, plum and white pepper….juicy. The longer it’s open the better it’s getting Too bad the bottle didn’t last long enough to see tomorrow…

2/3/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Outstanding dry Riesling….I really like this. The nose is deceptive, fruity almost sweet, like a “typical” California Riesling, but the the sip….fruity,but dry. Green apple, cassis and a little mineraly…this is a great food wine. Very similar to the German style, but not quite so austere. Yup, I’ll do this one again.

1/15/2022 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Isn’t it interesting how local wines go with the local cuisine? That’s definitely the case here. Big, bold wine with a little spice (it’s the Zin!) that played off beautifully with chili colorado. I remember thinking when I bought the wine in 2019, it was going to be terrific in a few years and it is. Dark berries and sour cherry, full bodied. I wish I had bought more…a good reason for another road trip to Valle.

10/7/2021 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

So I know very little about Indiana wines that aren’t sweet and this is definitely dry. Picked it up after a terrific tasting at the winery. I’m guessing this is nonvintage since there is no date on the bottle (I should have asked!). My knowledge about the Marquette grape is limited…no nonexistent but I like it. Medium bodied on par with a Chianti. Very fruit forward, dark cherry, pomegranate maybe a little nutmeg. Very nice. This is pizza wine. Indiana, who knew?

7/29/2021 - cnr128 wrote:

Hold until 2022

3/24/2021 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This sangio just sings! Yes it’s young, but there’s a lot going on here, baking spices, plum, cherry and a fullness that’s surprising for a 2 year old wine. Day 2 it was even more complex. Yup, I like it.

3/1/2021 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Needs about 4 hours.

1/29/2021 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

If you like Nebbiolo (like me), this a a terrific one and after 14 years is starting to mature. It’s really, really good...but it definitely needs about an hour to decant...and food. Yeah, this is a great wine.

1/19/2021 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

So I thought this wine was good on Day 1, and it was...good but after a day, it softened and opened up. Still lots of cranberry and dark cherries and cocoa and hickory...just really nice. Lesson learned, open ahead of time.

5/23/2020 - cnr128 wrote:

Oh so much better after being opened a full day. Not that is was bad, but it needed a day to open up. Still not one of Palmina’s best.

4/10/2020 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Earthy, spicy.,,bold but subtle started a little jammy but settled nicely after about 30 minutes. I like it.

4/5/2020 - cnr128 wrote:

This is coming to the end of its shelf life. A little sour upon opening bud after decanting an hour it softened up. This has definitely achieved drink right now status.

12/14/2019 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

A little smoky, a little earthy, definitely got some cocoa and berry jam going on. It’s a big wine that benefits from a little air time.

11/17/2019 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Fruit forward with smooth tannins...but not hidden. Cranberry, dark cherry with baking spices on the finish. This would be a great turkey dinner wine. I’d hold it for a couple more years.

9/27/2019 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

My oh my! What a difference a decade makes. Alicia in the Palmina tasting room told me to lay it down for 10 years...and I listened. The great grape of Barolo Cali style. Surprisingly it’s still very fruit forward. Complex...a little spicy...a little earthy...just a great drink. Wish I had another bottle, I’d keep it for another 5-8 years.

4/21/2019 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This is a terrific New a World Syrah. I mean really terrific. Still very fruit forward...plum...I want to say boysenberry but in reality maybe mixed berries is appropriate. Nice peppery thing going on. As the night passed, it got dark and even more complex. Great with the Easter ham.

4/15/2018 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

I love that Barbera is back and more and more California winemakers are embracing Italian varietals. This one is bright and spicy. Berries and sour cherries and a hint of earth. This is becoming one of my go to wines. At its peak, an hour uncorked makes a world of difference.

11/24/2017 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Still drinking well. Spicy and still has some fruit up front. Thought this was going to overpower Thanksgiving food, but it was a actually a great pairing.

9/3/2016 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Hollywood Bowl

7/11/2016 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Wow! Forgot how much I enjoy Anacapa...and a five year old one yum! The dark berry. A little earthy. Starts off bright and fruity but as it opened it got dark...beautifully balanced. Good stuff. Sad that it's my last bottle.

6/18/2016 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

Wonderful Central Coast style Syrah. Deep and rich. Spicy, but not as peppery as some but has some dark fruit and other stuff that's just darn good.

11/27/2015 - cnr128 Likes this wine:

This is what a Merlot should be...cherries and cherry, hint of pepper, velvety tannins. Food friendly and interesting wine. Perfect fit with the Thanksgiving feast.