4/30/2022 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We had the 2018 Mt. Richmond Pinot with our fresh NC crab cake dinner, last night. In a word -fabulous! Quite Burgundian, great balance. Initially cocoa and chocolate notes with natural cranberry sauce flavor developing after about fifteen minutes. Went wonderfully with the food. Lemelson hit a home run with this one. We judged it 95+ points. Perhaps the best domestic pinot we have ever tasted.

7/4/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

If you liked Chocolate Cherry Garcia (Ben and Jerry’s – practicing capitalists espousing Marxism, ya gotta love ‘em), you’ll enjoy this wine. Very well made and a bargain. Beautifully balanced. Chocolate, cherry and raspberry flavors, but not overwhelmingly sweet. Matched our shrimp marinara perfectly.

6/30/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We didn’t give this wine a chance to settle down, having opened a bottle shortly after receiving it via FedEx shipping. Skunky nose, with a dark berry undertone led to an almost the exact flavor on tasting. Skunk and blackberry pretty even. This is obviously a very well-made wine with beautiful tannins perfectly balanced with the fruit. After the wine aired for 30 minutes, the skunk was considerably subdued, but still present. We will update after letting the remaining bottles settle into the cellar for a few weeks. Since the system will not let us put N/A for a point rating, we put 90 points. We expect the wine to reach at least that level after some proper storage.

6/4/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We bought a half case of mixed single vineyard Lemelson Pinots, direct from the winery. All bottles well-stored. We let them sit about six weeks to overcome any bottle shock. The 2013 Meyer Vineyard is, so far, the best of the lot. We still have two to go. A somewhat austere nose, showing the tannins, but not giving away the ample fruit. We call this one spicy, with red cherry with a hint of dark berry and briar smoke. A delicate wine with a long finish. Well balanced. Excellent with seared grouper, black beans, rice and pineapple. Good for at least another 5 years. A very well deserved 94 from us.

5/9/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Wildfires swept through the Willamette Valley in late summer 2017. The smoke generated by those fires caused “smoke taint” to be present in many wines. We purchased a case of the 2017 Hyland Estates Petit Estate Single Vineyard McMinnville Pinot. The label states that the Petit Estate is from vines younger than their other productions. At first tasting, the smoke taste was prominent. We judged the wine to be very well made, but suffered from the smoke. We tried a bottle every couple of months and noticed a marked improvement over time. With two bottles left in the cellar, we note that the smoke now is subdued in the wine and actually adds to its interesting character. Plenty of fine tannin, dark cherry, spice, and briar. Very pleasant with food. Now up to 90 points.

3/26/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We purchased a case of this on release and had our last bottle yesterday. The cork crumbled and we had to decant. Still surprisingly young in both appearance and taste, with ample tannins. The fruit seems a bit thinner now, indicating that it is time to drink up. Chocolate predominates, with leather and tobacco background notes. The taste stirred fond memories of times past. Meyney of all vintages remains one of our favorite Bordeaux.

2/21/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We have been David Bruce fans for many years. We had the 2009 Sonoma Coast on release and enjoyed it, but did not consider it a spectacular wine by David Bruce standards. We recently purchased a half case directly from the winery. It apparently has been in their cellar and they were selling the excess inventory. The wine has developed beautifully and is now worthy of some of the best David Bruce Pinots. We expected the wine to be a bit tired and flat. Not so. It has plenty of tannin and the fruit, while not young is peaking. Now complex. Licorice, tobacco and blueberry all present, with a bit of briar. It went perfectly with our dinner. This is an exquisite wine, likely aided by proper storage at the winery. Probably good for another 5-7 years. We wish we had bought a full case.

2/12/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We are big Ponzi fans. The 2017 Tavola Pinot is exceptional and perhaps our favorite Tavola so far. This is a complex wine with wonderful tannins to balance the fruit. Cedar, plumb, tobacco, dark berries and a bit of cranberry overtone. A caution to let it sit in your cellar for a few weeks. We drank two bottles the first week we received it and found it to be very good, but ripe, fruit forward and somewhat simple. After sitting for about 30 days, the tannins came out and the fruit emerged as we suspect Ponzi intended. This is a bargain and we are going long, putting a couple of cases in the corner of the cellar for drinking over the next couple of years. Went perfectly with our garlic and butter shrimp with black beans.

2/9/2020 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Ready now. Complex. WS gave it 90, we judge it 92. WS description spot-on. We especially enjoyed the “lightly dusty” finish. The reviewer who recounts an $8 purchase price is either referring to the CDR, rather than the CDP, or was fortunate that LB put the wrong bottle in their mixed case. This is truly a premium wine, worthy of the full list price of $50+. Perfect with our baked sole in tomato sauce.

11/30/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Perhaps there is inconsistency in the "vinted and bottled" wine contained in these bottles. Our experience was considerably different from other reviewers. Ripe, plenty of fruit, tannins on the way out. Excellent sipping wine. Also went well with our dinner. It took a few minutes to develop in the glass. Plum, black cherry and pepper notes. We would buy more, if available.

7/26/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We have had the Chateau Beaumont in the cellar since release. This is a fairly big wine with some sediment and a lot of tannin, even after 19 years. It took about 30 minutes in the glass for the fruit to show. Chocolate flavor dominates at first, then tobacco and dark raspberry. Went great with steak, garden tomato salad and garlic small Yukon potatoes. We decided this one needs to go back to sleep for another 5 to 10 years to increase its accessibility.

7/16/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Dark purple color, nose showing classic Bordeaux with Merlot and Cabernet evident. Black currant and cassis flavor with tar and a bit of tobacco. Enough tannin to keep the flavors stable. Went great with our remoulade crab cakes, dill slaw and asparagus.

7/13/2019 - FFNA Does not like this wine:

Initially, we thought the wine might have bottle shock. So, we waited a couple of weeks to try the second bottle. Nope, the wine failed both tests for us. It is neither a good quaffing nor a good food wine. Decidedly “skunky” with another odd overtone that we could not identify. Supposedly a premium Pinot. For us a generous 85 points, though we would not purchase the wine again at any price. A rare disappointment from LB.

6/30/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Another excellent vintage from Campus Oaks. Not as sweet as the 2013, which we consider an improvement. Compares favorably to Zins over twice the price. Predominantly blackberry jam flavors and well-balanced tannins.

6/23/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

A classic Cru Bourgeois at an attractive price point. Black currant, fennel and tobacco notes. Just enough Merlot to make it approachable now. Great food wine.

6/23/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We are fans of Panther Creek Pinots. The 2014 De Ponte is decidedly not in the typical style of Panther Creek, but a very good wine nonetheless. Surprisingly dark color with a dark berry nose, the palate reveals a lighter tone of pomegranate. The usual Panther Creek gravelly, clay tannins are mostly missing, but the tannins present complement the wine. Better with our seared salmon than merely quaffing.

6/23/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Deep dark ruby, distinctly cabernet nose. Black currant with sweet tobacco flavors. Has a very long finish of a singular flavor that defies description. Decent tannins, a well-made wine that went well with food.

6/20/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Reminiscent of a quality Burgundy, the wine is a light translucent red with a ripe berry nose. The palate exhibits bright strawberry complemented by well-integrated earthy tannins. A beautifully made wine. Perfect with grilled grouper.

6/15/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Deep dark purple with a blackberry jam nose. Flavor also blackberry jam with a subtle clay/earth tannic edge. A well made wine, though we are not grenache/mourvedre enthusiasts.

6/15/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

A beautiful magenta with sweet strawberry aroma. Strawberry, raspberry and fennel on the palate. Well-balanced with clay tannins. Outstanding Pinot for the price point. Went great with garlic/dill juice soaked roast chicken.

6/11/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We are not Cabernet Franc enthusiasts, but this wine was included in one of our supplier’s “mystery box” offerings. The proprietors of Lang and Reed, John and Stacey, are. They did an excellent job in selecting this 2014 offering. Very dark, deep indigo on the pour, pleasant nose. At first, seems one-dimensional with edgy tannins and a tobacco taste. After a few minutes, blackberry and clay/earth flavors come up to the tannins. A pleasant drinking wine that went very well with our salmon patties and Virginia cole slaw and Romoulade sauce. Still not big fans of Cabernet Franc, but we certainly enjoyed this selection.

6/10/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

The 2013 Panther Creek Verde Vineyard is decidedly not a quaffing wine. We rate each wine with and without food. Without, we judged the wine to be one-dimensional, and a bit thin with cassis flavor and gravelly tannins. Medium ruby color that appears to be only moderately filtered. 87 Points. With food is a much different story. Sauteed grouper with potato salad, broccoli and mid-south cole-slaw, with a dash of Carolina barbeque sauce and the Panther Creek Verde Vineyard shows its stuff. 90 Plus Points. A very well-made wine. The producer clearly knows what they are doing. Let it breathe, then have it with a meal.

6/5/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Exhibits Southern Italian characteristics rather than Tuscan. Not particularly complex, but very quaffable and went great with our rosemary/tomato chicken. Violets and blueberry nose, with the addition of fennel on the palate. Tannins dissipating now.

6/3/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

The 2015 Lange Pinot Reserve reminds us of one of our favorite Oregon Pinots – Rex Hill. A substantive medium dark ruby, with a pronounced nose of dark berries. Marionberry, blueberry, black cherry, pepper and tobacco on the palate. Somewhat edgy tannins melted into the flavor. A very well-made wine that was excellent with Alaskan Sea Bass.

6/1/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

A classic Montepulciano. Needs some air prior to tasting. Complex mix of violets, tobacco, dried cherry and plum. It would be difficult to find a comparable at two times the price point. Excellent aging potential. One of our favorite food wines. A great complement to marinara.

5/31/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Medium ruby on the pour. Pleasant nose of ripe berries. On the palate, expresses a jammy boysenberry/blackberry with adequate tannins. We didn’t see the wine as light at all. It stood up well to blackened Caribbean Grouper with garlic, shallots and dill. Overall a very pleasant drinking experience.

5/27/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Beautiful clear ruby color. Nose of dark berries. We were not prepared for the taste, which is a unique salt water taffy, and not in a bad way, which induced a mouth-watering response. White pepper and dried cherry overtones with light but edgy tannins. It went OK with our crab cakes. We enjoyed the wine, but the price point is such that we will stick with other favorites.

5/25/2019 - FFNA wrote:

We were looking for more out of this wine. Semi-sweet, a bit disjointed, it is an average Cotes du Rhone. Appears to have little aging potential. Went OK with our shrimp marinara.

5/6/2019 - FFNA Does not like this wine:

Not a bad wine for the market price, which we did not pay. It was an offering from a wine club to which we subscribed and very overpriced by them. We will not be continuing our subscription, as we have found each offering to be over priced and unimaginative. Clear and fairly light color, nose of blueberry and blackberry. The taste is a bit citrusy, sort of like canned mandarin orange, with cherry cough drop. Not a favorite.

5/6/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Another offering from a wine club to which we subscribed. This Pinot is the best one, so far. However, not much of a value. Dark and clear magenta color with a dark berry nose accompanied by pronounced alcohol. On the palate, it is complex. Exhibiting butterscotch (one of our favorite Pinot flavors), with cassis, licorice and tobacco and ripe/light tannins. Not enough tannin to stand up to our garlic chicken dinner, but a decent effort overall.

4/17/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

A very enjoyable cab at a bargain price. This is a very big wine that required about 30 minutes of air to achieve approachability. Deep dark purple/violet with lush cabernet flowing off the glass. Dark berry, chocolate and a hint of motor oil on the palate. This one will likely continue to be drinking well for the next 5 plus years.

4/17/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

This review is for the Londer Estate Grown Anderson Valley. It appears that the notes on this page are for both the regular Anderson Valley and the Estate Grown Anderson Valley. There is a great deal of difference between the wines. While we very much enjoy the regular Anderson Valley, the Estate Grown is a far more complex and substantive wine. Londer is our favorite CA Pinot producer. Sadly, they are no longer in business. Over the years, we purchased several dozen cases of wine from them. Of all their offerings, we liked the Estate Grown best. As of 2019, the 2010 Estate Grown is at the top of its game. It has matured to a dark magenta color with a ripe berry nose. On the palate it exhibits jammy ripe raspberry, blackberry and dark cherry, with a hint of fennel. This wine received a well-deserved and very rare 95 from us.

4/17/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Londer is our favorite CA Pinot producer. Sadly, they are no longer in business. Over the years, we purchased several dozen cases of wine from them. Of all their offerings, we liked the Estate Grown best. As of 2019, the 2010 Estate Grown is at the top of its game. It has matured to a dark magenta color with a ripe berry nose. On the palate it exhibits jammy ripe raspberry, blackberry and dark cherry, with a hint of fennel. This wine received a well-deserved and very rare 95 from us.

4/10/2019 - FFNA wrote:

An interesting wine, with a note on the back label by Monsieur Touton that it was “reimported”. So, was it shipped overseas in a cask, bottled and sent back? Or bottled, shipped and sent back? Also unknown is the vineyard origin, other than the “Oregon Wine” statement on the bottle. The wine was not “produced” by the name on the label, at least the label doesn’t claim it was. We generally enjoy Mssr. Touton’s selections. This one is a very light, clear wine with not much fruit. It is somewhat reminiscent of the flavored waters that were the rage a few years ago. The light strawberry flavor is offset by considerable tannins that promote an earthy edge. Apparently, the winemaker was going for a copy of an inexpensive Burgundy. A little more fruit and it might have achieved that objective. It is a drinkable wine, but didn’t go great with our flounder dinner.

4/7/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

So far, the best offering from a Pinot wine club to which we recently subscribed. Significant tartrate crystals around the cork and neck caused a restricted pour. Magenta color with a pleasant dark fruit nose. The taste is somewhat complex, showing dark cherry, fennel and pepper. The fruit is considerably bigger than the subdued tannins. Pleasant drinking, but we don’t believe it has further aging potential.

4/7/2019 - FFNA wrote:

We had a split opinion on the 2015 Dion Old Vines Pinot. Light and clear color with a strawberry and violet nose, the palate exudes licorice. One of us found the licorice to be off-putting, while the other thought It was OK. The wine did not pair well with dinner, resulting in an average score of 85. Quite expensive from the Pinot wine club to which we recently subscribed.

4/1/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Pleasant Toscana. Ruby color, reminded us of Judy Garland. Bright cherry, fennel, sous-bois on the palate. Seems made for pizza. Went great with our Chicken Campania.

4/1/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We bought this with a number of other 2005 Bordeaux. Very tannic and closed for many years. Still tannic to the point of overwhelming the fruit for about the first half-hour. Then, the wine becomes more integrated. Not sure if the fruit will match the tannins over a few more years, or the wine will simply become stale. Dark maroon color, nose indicates pleasant Merlot, which is apparently escaping the glass as it struggles with the tannins. The fruit is herbal, with fennel and arugula prominent. Not bad, and continues to show promise.

3/21/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

The 2014 Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is more like a rose’ than a Pinot. Light raspberry color with a nose to match, the palate reveals delicate cola and plumb flavors. We very much enjoyed the wine. Light tannins and fruit indicate the wine will last only a couple of more years. Drink it on the porch during the warm months.

3/19/2019 - FFNA wrote:

This is our second offering from an online Pinot wine club. It is better than the initial wine we received, but not anything to re-order. Very attractive bright cherry color on the pour, nose is a faint dark berry and pepper. The taste is somewhat washed out, showing ripe raspberry, cherry and pepper, with light tannins. It appears the winemaker is trying to emulate David Bruce SLH, but misses the mark. We let it sit for about a half hour, which did not change our conclusion. Overpriced for what it is.

3/18/2019 - FFNA wrote:

Our first selection from a highly touted online wine club. Cloudy chartreuse color, the nose is Bing cherry and pepper. On the palate, it shows cranberry and pomegranate flavors with citric acid tannins. A bit astringent, this is not a bad wine, but it is overpriced. We have five Pinot’s coming from the club over the next couple of months and hope for improvement.

3/11/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Londer is our all-time favorite CA Pinot producer. We are sad that they no longer exist. The 2010 Paraboll still needs more time in the bottle. It is drinking much better than when we first tasted it on release. Initial nose is very tight, alcohol and tannins dominate. After about 45 minutes ripe cherry and blackberry come up to the acid. Over the years, we have had at least a dozen cases (probably more like two dozen) of Londer through the entire Pinot spectrum. Our favorite remains the Estate Grown, followed by the Ferrington Vineyard. The plain old Anderson Valley is also outstanding. The Paraboll might catch up, but it will be a couple of more years. Alas, we won’t have any in the cellar by then. Larry and Shirlee – we miss you!

3/9/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

This wine has been in our cellar for over 30 years. The cork came out intact, soaked, but excellent condition. Very dark purple color with an amber tinge. Initial nose was musty and initial taste was surprisingly thin, given the deep dark color that indicated a big wine. Fruit and tannin initially separated. After nearly an hour, the fruit began to show caramel, briar and fig and the tannins beautifully balanced with the fruit. Probably could last another 5 or so years.

3/8/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We picked up this Zin on recommendation of Lettie Teague. A beautiful deep violet color, the nose is a pronounced dark fruit, most reminiscent of blackberry. The flavor is reflective of the nose. Not complex but very pleasant. Excellent balance of tannins and fruit, we doubt it will last another five years. Lettie is correct about the wine. An excellent bargain Zin. Drink up.

3/5/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We found this at Costco and decided to give it a try. Beautiful medium dark magenta, blackberry and ripe raspberry on the nose. The palate also showed blackberry and ripe raspberry. Not a lot of tannin and we don’t expect the wine be prime for more than another 3 or 4 years. We’ve tried the base A to Z and found it to be an OK drinking wine. The Essence is a couple of steps up and reminded us of one of our favorite Oregon Pinots, Rex Hill. It went great with a dinner of roast chicken with horseradish/tomato sauce, dill and chive potatoes and fresh steamed asparagus. Drink it now.

3/1/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We have tasted this wine twice. The first was on receipt and it was closed and one dimensional. After some months in the cellar, it has blossomed. Beautiful medium ruby and clear color, the nose showed raspberry and rosemary spice. On the pour, it developed nicely in the glass. Initially cherry and raspberry, it became more complex with tobacco and a hint of cinnamon. Plenty of tannin, so I’d try it again in 3-5 years, but today it is an excellent affordable representation of a Barolo.

2/27/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Second tasting for this wine. The first was upon receipt and we judged the wine to have bottle shock, so we deferred to the second tasting. Beautiful violet color in the glass with butterscotch amber on the edges. Nose was cola and blackberry with a hint of butterscotch. The palate is overwhelmingly cola, reminiscent of RC Cola. Blackberry also apparent. Very long lingering finish with the cola remaining. This is a fat wine. Not really our style, we tend to like more austere earthy Pinots. Went well with our roasted chicken.

2/20/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

Understandably slow to open, medium dark cherry color, young Sangiovese nose. Tobacco, tar, briar and black pepper flavors. After about thirty minutes, becomes a very pleasant drinking wine that goes great with substantial food.

2/19/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

From a case we purchased on release, we found this bottle in the cellar with a note to open after 2005. The cork disintegrated trying to open and we poured through a strainer. Very dark purple on the pour, nose was a pleasant aged cabernet. Initially separated tannins, tasted like an 81 Trotanoy we had in our collection, strong licorice and briar, almost unpleasant, flavor. After about 45 minutes, the palate became more complex, still licorice, with blackberry, pepper and a hint of brown sugar, and the tannins merged with the fruit. On its way to a low score, time proved that it remains an enjoyable wine.

2/17/2019 - FFNA Likes this wine:

We brought this wine home from France in 1982 and opened it 37 years after we placed it in our cellar. Ullage down only a fraction of an inch. Cork removed mostly intact, soaked almost to the tip. Nose was musty, becoming brown sugar with a hint of ripe raspberry. Initial taste was subdued with plenty of tannins. After about thirty minutes, the palate showed the brown sugar and ripe raspberry, with black pepper coming up after another thirty minutes and tannins melting into the fruit. A quality wine that has aged well. We had pleasant thoughts about our years spent in France and look forward to opening our other wines we have from that era.