wine.com – Page 11

March 2, 2020July 29, 2021

2017 Pinot Noir (Los Carneros, Limited Release) by Artesa

Tonight’s occasion: 2017 Pinot Noir (Los Carneros, Limited Release) by Artesa.

Restrained, delicate, subtle are its hallmarks. The nose greets you with that all too familiar Carneros dirt. It’s very subtle but unmistakable. If you’ve had quite a few wines from this region, then you know what I’m talking about… LOL. I love it! There’s an even fainter hint of manure. It’s a very pleasant leather overall. The terroir is very nicely expressed through the vine and into this wine. Aside from that there are subtle sweet berry, cherry and floral notes.

Body is crisp. Clean. Balanced. This is a Pinot in the traditional sense. Light buttery tannins create a very easy laid back mouth feel. A hint of oak and cherry pull through into the body. A seamless transition to an otherwise dry, smooth finish, followed moments later by gentle spice.

This is a very clean, well made Pinot Noir. A textbook Carneros Pinot Noir. If you’re looking for a good starting/reference point, you can’t go wrong with Artesa. Treat yourself to the view from the estate at the top of the ridge. Take some time to go over their mouth watering assortment of representative wines. Well done Artesa!

Thanks to wine.com and their extensive library, you can now get most of the wines I review on here. You can use the link below to have Artesa Pinot delivered to your doorstep.

Shop Artesa wines on Wine.com

March 2, 2020January 3, 2022

WineSnob is now Wine.com Ambassador!

I am pleased to announce that WineSnob.blog has been selected to be an Ambassador for Wine.com . This is especially exciting for me because I have been searching for a way to share my passion for exploring unique wines off the beaten path. Up until now I have been unable to make any of the wines I review and taste accessible to my audience. This new development allows me to curate monthly selections and provide my readers with a means to order the wine and have them delivered to their doorstep.

February 19, 2020January 7, 2022

2014 Pinot Noir by Sanford

Tonight’s occasion: 2014 Pinot Noir (Block 6) by Sanford of the legendary Sanford and Benedict Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara California. Clear ruby color. Nose of crisp berry, sweet cherry and caramel with a hint of leather. Mildly acidic is attack quickly overwhelmed by a creamy, buttery expression. The caramel follows through the body along with a hint of plum, berry and a more pronounced leather. The terroir is well expressed. A seamless transition to a very subtle finish with very little fanfare. This is after all a traditional style Pinot Noir. Once opened up, gentle tannins and a hint of spice linger.

I keep a stash of Sanford Pinot in my cellar as a reference wine. It is a textbook example of what is possible when it comes to California Pinot. From grape to glass, they are delicate, layered, exquisite wines of the highest quality. For me they serve as an fine example for the central coast. You simply cannot speak of California Pinot Noir and not try their wines. It’s refreshing to see a Vineyard with such a legacy stay true to its craft after so many decades. Keep up the great work guys! 🍷😁👌🏽 Explore more Sanford and Benedict Vinyard on WineSnob.

Wine.com affiliate links are provided for your convenience. WineSnob.blog may receive a commission when you use the affiliate link below. See Affiliate Disclosure page for more info. Shop Sanford wines on Wine.com

January 18, 2020January 7, 2022

2015 Nebbiolo by Travaglini Gattinara

Tonight’s occasion: 2015 Nebbiolo by Travaglini Gattinara. Clear, ruby red color. Unconventional for most Nebbiolo. Crisp nose with slightly earthy mineral terroir. A suggestion of tart plum, and at least another very faint floral aroma I cannot pinpoint. Body is dry, crisp plum, with lots of structure. A noticeable melange of leather and mineral rock emerges towards the back end of the body. An increasingly dominating tannic grip only gets stronger and more intense as it transitions to the finish by the end of which your lips and entire palate are held hostage by its intense, dry, ironclad grip. A spicy heat joins in the bold, forceful, dramatic expression and lingers long after.

This vintage is powerful and shows great potential. While it may be barely approachable now, it is nowhere near ready. I last opened a 2010 last year and reviewed it on here. This wine needs at least another 5 years. TotalWine stopped carrying it in California but I found some in Seattle this weekend. Unfortunately I am unable to continue building a vertical of it in my cellar. [UPDATE] Wine.com carries this wine so I will resume building my vertical. See links below. To the folks at Travaglini, I most certainly hope to see you when I visit Italy. Molto bene! 🍷😁👌🏽 Explore more Travaglini Gattinara wine on WineSnob.

January 4, 2020January 7, 2022

Reserve: 2014 Pinot Noir by Dierberg * Star Lane

Tonight’s occasion: 2014 Pinot Noir by Dierberg * Star Lane Vinyards, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California. Light ruby color. Very restrained and delicate nose characterized by sweet berry, hint of cherry, oak and the faintest slightly mineral terroir. The melange creates a subtle and unmistakable slightly caramelized marshmallow essence. It is rich, clean, crisp, layered, highly delineated. Body is just as restrained, very subtle, delicate balance of mild, berry, faint oak and leather as the terroir becomes slightly more expressed. Body makes a subtly tannic transition into the finish which quickly turns creamy and dissipates into the very gentle finish capped by a restrained spice. This is a traditional Pinot and it is showing perfectly right now!

My goodness this is an amazing Pinot!!! After weeks of bold big bodied wines, it is a breath of fresh air upon the palate. It is a reminder that some of the best Pinot in the world is crafted here in California. You won’t find this at the store. You will have to make the journey of a lifetime to this understated region. I wrote about my visit to this winery on my blog (see link in bio). Well done Dierberg * Star Lane! Hope to see you again soon. 🍷😁👌🏽 Read more about my first visit to Dierberg * StarLane here. Explore more Dierberg Star Lane on WineSnob.

December 27, 2019January 6, 2022

Reserve: 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon by Louis Martini

Tonight’s occasion: 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon by Louis Martini, Napa Valley. A textbook Big Napa Cab. Deep rich color. Clean, crisp nose characterized by tart plum and a hint of cherry on the back which quickly dissipates giving way to a neutral terroir undertone. There is a noticeable absence of any heat in the nose. Surprising for a wine with 15.1% ABV. The full, chewy, fruit forward body follows, with lots of blackberry, and buttery tannin. This massive Napa Cab is surprisingly balanced. A testament of the winemaker’s craft. A creamy transition to a smooth, moderately tannic finish. An enduring spicy heat finally keeps the palate warm long after. This wine must have started out as a real beast to tame. It is very approachable now and should further develop nicely over the next few years. Well done guys🍷😁👌🏽 Explore more Louis Martini on WineSnob.

December 21, 2019March 19, 2020

Reserve: 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon by Sterling Vineyards

Tonight’s occasion: 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon by Sterling Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley. Dark rich color. Upon opening, I am hit with an intense bouquet of floral notes (lavender comes to mind) that quickly vanishes, giving way to intense plum, berry and mineral terroir. As it opens, a sweet cherry vanilla emerges then vanishes. I get the feeling this wine did not appreciate being disturbed this early in its journey. Body is big, heavy, dry, very spicy. None of the nose carries over other than the mineral terroir. Transition to finish is seamless as tannins turn slightly creamy just before infusing the palate with a lasting spicy grip. At 14.9% ABV, this is a big Napa Cab by all accounts. Despite this it still exhibits good balance. This wine has a long road ahead, on its journey to its fullest expression. I probably won’t be opening anymore of this vintage for another 5 years or so. I look forward to seeing how it develops over time. This is a well built wine.🍷😁👌🏽

Thanks to wine.com and their extensive library, you can now access most of the wines I review on here. You can use the link below to have Sterling wines delivered to your doorstep. Shop Sterling wines on Wine.com

December 10, 2019March 19, 2020

Reserve: 2000 Chateau Prieuré-Lichine Margaux, Bordeaux

Tonight’s occasion: 2000 Chateau Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux, Bordeaux. Relaxed and understated nose that once agitated reveals lots of plum, then intense cherry and leathery terroir and a very faint licorice on the back. Once opened up, subtle notes of tobacco make a pleasing appearance. The body is all business up front showing good structure and composition right out of the bottle. Leathery terroir carries through turning more mineraly. Cherry from the nose makes a brief encore before transitioning to a restrained finish capped by moderate tannic grip and spice.

Once opened, the finish turns creamy. I opened a 2012 vintage earlier this year and was absolutely enamored with it. So when the opportunity to try explore an almost 20 year old vintage I couldn’t resist. This wine is perfect right now. This Chateau presents great value among its peers. Looking at my notes it is remarkable how consistent this Chateau is. Have you explored Margaux yet? You absolutely must for a proper introduction to what Bordeaux wines are all about. A votre santé! 😁🍷🍷🍷

Thanks to wine.com and their extensive library, you can now access most of the wines I review on here. You can use the link below to have Chateau Prieuré-Lichine wines delivered to your doorstep. Shop Chateau Prieuré-Lichine wines on Wine.com

December 4, 2019January 8, 2022

2008 Syrah (Sentinel Oak) by Terre Rouge

Tonight’s occasion: 2008 Syrah (Sentinel Oak Vineyards) by Terre Rouge * Easton Wines, Plymouth, CA. Deep inky color. Rich nose with lots of plum, blackberry and a hint of caramel on the back. Big, beautiful and bold structured body with great balance. That plum and blackberry carries through into the body accompanied by a little acidity. Massive finish dominates the palate as those big tannins roar to life and demand your attention. This is a fantastic wine. A well built wine that punches above it’s weight. The winemakers’s tireless attention to detail, commitment to excellence without compromise and decades of practice in the art and science of wine making really shows here. This wine is just now becoming approachable in my opinion and has easily another decade of expression ahead of it. At 11+ years old, it is nowhere near its peak expression. Well done Terre Rouge * Easton! 😁🍷🍷🍷 Explore more Terre Rouge Easton wines on WineSnob.

October 14, 2019January 8, 2022

2011 L’Autre (GSM) by Terre Rouge.

Tonight’s occasion: 2011 L’Autre by Terre Rouge * Easton Wines. This is a GSM – Grenache, Syrah, Mauvedre. A red blend from one of our favorite winemakers. Warm rich nose, with lots of cherry and plum wrapped in just the right amount of oak. Earthy mineral terroir is nicely expressed. Body is all business. Very structured, complex and balanced. Just the right amount of acid, tannin, fruit, oak, and terroir. A vibrant finish plays back and forth with tannin and spice, finally relenting to long lasting tannic grip. Once opened up, the tannins begin to spread from the finish to the back of the body, slowly dominating the entire experience reminding you that even though this is the 2011 vintage, it is still young and nowhere near it’s fullest expression.

We opened a 1992 GSM by this winemaker earlier this year. It was a true honor to partake in such a well built well preserved wine. So tonight we continue to explore this winemaker’s craft and how it evolves. There are moments where we feel fortunate to indulge in such art in a bottle. This would be one of them. Explore more Terre Rouge Easton wines on WineSnob.