4/7/2022 - dutradan@msn.com wrote:

Still plenty of life, evolved to a real nice place.

1/31/2022 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

really nice for an 11.

1/31/2022 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Ahhhh! marvelous drinking superbly !

12/30/2021 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

consistent with previous note and moving in the right direction. Nice body and mouthfeel. This is a big wine with lots going on. One more bottle for the future. Still has time to evolve

3/11/2021 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Solid wine entering the drinking window, Great vineyard source and the Red Stitch team continues to deliver.
My man Rich has a world series team and puts forth a world series effort with all their wines. If you haven't tried them seek them out. The ab is of the hook and very reasonably priced for Napa, (can you taste the malbec)

3/11/2021 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

bump by a point over last bottle because it was the right bottle with the right people at the right time. Oh what a jackass (fan) I am!

12/25/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Drank fro a magnum,
aging gracefully like Helen Mirren. Class and perfect posture. Well spoken and dignified. This pinot has been a delight each time I have opened a bottle. Silky upon entry with (still) bright fruit, a cross between red raspberry and black cherry and quickly filling all the nooks and crannies of ones mouth. Baking spice and the tannin give it a bit of punch across the palate 3 hours into the evening. Nice lingering finish makes you want another sip. Drank with Waygu rime rib for Xmas and it was as special as the evening. Drink now if you have 750's as the window is wide open. Not sure how much longer this start will shine as everything including Helen will eventually show her age.
Enjoy!

11/10/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Drink em if you have em. This wine has all the elements described by others and I also found it to have some oak grip left it it which doesn't make sense to me for this wine at 7 years old. I like my Rochioii cards in the 5-8 yr window but enjoy them immensely from 3 years on. honeysuckle and lemon curd in a very viscous presentation. coats the mouth but am left with the tingle of the oak finish. not off putting just interesting

11/1/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Will review at a later date

11/1/2020 - dutradan@msn.com wrote:

Coravined about 4 oz first in 2018 and did not post notes. My recollection is I needed to let it sit a couple years and I am now revisiting this bottle. I have 3 more and will review again as I am a big Phillippe Melka fan. for this bottle I am not sure about this wine. Not much on the nose at first maybe a light musty lavender or violet hard to determine as it it very faint. Upon tasting i get a red cherry more on the high side of the line then the tannins take over and while they are fine and non obtrusive that is about all there is. I wish I could say this must be an off bottle but that's not the case as what is there is balanced and in no way off putting . It is drinkable but not at this price point maybe $40 a bottle. It is pleasant enough but not what I expected from a Melka wine

10/17/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

I really like this wine. One of the things Philippe does so well is balance his wines. This one takes a big fruit profile maintains an acid balance and integrates it with the fine sweet tannins (he is known for) and still maintains grip and a 30 sec finish on the back end that make me want another sip. OK it wasn't a 60 second finish but that would not work with this wine. Drank with a SRF black label filet with a blue cheese butter and WOW did this wine pop... and clean my palate on the back end. Not sure what csimm1161 was experiencing with his latest review except maybe an off bottle. While I really did appreciate the Hersey bar and Viognier baby reference ( I give it high marks for creativity) This was not flabby or cloying and it did not degrade over the 2 hours I drank it. and oh by the way I first coravined from this bottle 2 years ago check on it occasionally and finished the last two glasses tonight. I have three more bottles so I will scrutinize each bottle going forward as I typically agree with Crimms reviews ( we seem to drink a lot of the same wine and/or have very similar taste profiles. I just did not experience the same. Thats what is great about wine unlike politics we can agree and disagree with out want to fight, we just want to raise our glasses and take another sip.

9/25/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Drinking really nice right now. 1 hr decant. Fruit is lively nice balance and fine sweet tannins that tell me there are more years ahead of this wine. Definitely in a really good place right now as well

9/19/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

holding up nicely

9/16/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Beautiful wine as are all the wines from red stitch

8/1/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This one took a bit to warm up to. Coravined over 6 months the opened and drank the remaining 1/3 bottle last night. first coravin showed tart fruit notes unbalanced and unfavorably tannic. Figured an awkward bottle stage. Over time it stared to come around each time I tried it giving it various amount of time in the tasting glass. this last taste prompted me to open and consume. Better integration of all components. The overly tart fruit was repacked with a nice balance of red cherry and higher fruit notes. the acid was in place and the tannins better integrated. My guess and hope is that this could be a 10 year pinot and will become a pleasant food wine over time. It has the acid and fruit and the tannic structure. Who knows at this point I have one more bottle nd it will stay where it is as an experiment.

6/11/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Amazing Pinot from Martinelli as always . 30 minutes decant (could have used more) and open up beautifully over the next hour. like mot all Martinelli Pinots you can drink this one now but it has plenty of life in it. I will wait another 2-3 ys fro my next bottle
Cheers

6/7/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

I wished I had waited. This wine was great last night with an hour decant but while drinking I kept thinking about when I was going to open the next bottle and I am thinking at least 5 years. Great fruit and impressive structure. Definitely enjoyed the bottle with a Kurabota pork chop porcini mushrooms and a raspberry glaze. This wine has great structure and will go many more years in my opinion.

6/7/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

first of 4 bottles. I have been watching the comments on this wine for a while now and was enticed to try. Bright fruit cherry and dark raspberry fruit, packs a punch but still light on its feet. a bit of forrest floor and spice and all balanced nicely. Needed some air to come around. Great nose of all the aforementioned notes. Corked the last glass and revisited 4 days later and still had great fruit presence. I am holding for another year ad will drink the next 3 over the next 5+ years. This is a really great California SC pinot.

5/26/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Getting better with age unfortunately my last bottle

5/1/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This wine was amazing tonight! Alway a great vineyard and I think we hit this at the precise right moment in time.
Drink now if you have it

4/24/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

drinking so well right now plenty of life left

4/23/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Mom gives it a big thumbs up. This is her favorite Carlisle wine so far

4/19/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Bumped by a point as it is even better than I remember from last year. Still bright and could go another 3+ years. Had with lobster ravioli in a creamy garlic cheese sauce. The citrus and acid was such a great counterbalance to the sauce. This is a food wine. It made to dish. I encourage anyone that still has some to pair it with a rich cheese or other rich dish. You will not be disappointed. My only regret is this was my last bottle of the 2014
Aloha

4/11/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Finally coming into its own. Previous bottle was a bit disjointed. This one showed a great balance between the acid and fruit with an underlying creaminess on the mouth.
3 more bottles and will wait at least another 6 months before trying again

4/11/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Solid Rachaels. The window is open and very pleasing.

4/9/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Just as good as it ever was. Softer but the fruit is still bright and juicy

4/4/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

I liked this wine but not worth a higher score for me at this point. The pedigree is there but the fruit was not. slightly disjointed. It does have the frame for aging and it wants to support more fruit but??? maybe a bit of bottle funk and i am hoping it comes through to the other side. I will wait a few years for the next bottle. Maybe it will shine on the next round

4/4/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

always interesting and worth seeking out. you may need to contact the winery but I highly recommend.

This is a blend that varies each year. Chard, fruilano, Ribolla are the varietals 16%, 39% and 45% respectively. Crisp as it needs to be, rounded edges to please the mouth food or cocktail this wine has it all

4/4/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

great wine in a great place right now. The fruit from this site is always a juicy mouthful and this is spot on

4/4/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

What a Jackass! always a delight. burgers and big zin. a wonderful shelter in place meal

4/1/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

consistent from previous notes. bumped a point. drank it over two nights. Fruit is big, wine is balanced, tannins are in check and give us the grip we need to show age worthiness. I really am intrigued and wonder how this will evolve and drink in 5 -7 years.

3/25/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Great balance and great fruit on this beauty.
These are great people and they make great wine. Support one of the better folks in the business. You will enjoy this and all his wine.
Coravin'd into the glass and sat down 90 min later to a nice grilled filet.
deep dark fruit on the nose including a hint of toasty oak as well if you look for it. Sneaky smooth upon entry giving way to big fruit exposition, its all on display here. Blueberries, blackberries, deep dark fruit and a hint of fresh just ripe plum. As this nectar flows through my mouth, i reflect on all life's happy moments as this is definitely one of them. Tobacco and cigar box and all the classic cab nuance is here but the fruit and the balance take center stage Big frame with solid tannic structure to support all this and make a case for long term aging, even with this wonderful big fruit profile. I am impressed ! drink now if you like em young (the window is open with a decant) or hold for another 10 years. this one will be very interesting in 7-10 or maybe more.

3/22/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Really great fruit and smooth fine tannins. This Syrah is really nice.
Had with a smoke pork loin. Oboy! Has plenty of life to go another 5 years. the ideal drinking window is opening for me right now

3/19/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Great expression of Syrah purpose built rose. Very bright with punch. Great job!

3/19/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Still very bright and balanced with nice acid. A great food wine. great job

2/29/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

I have been drinking this Sav Blanc for 5 years now as I alway get some when I order the Cab. This year is special. Great with Oysters, cheeses, and all by itself. Very versatile. This one may age a bit and go 5 years. We will see

1/20/2020 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This Chard hit all the right spots. This is a blend of multiple sites and is a testimony to this master and his blending skills and vision to understand how all these different sites will connote to play well together as the wine ages.
Great balance with citrus maybe Meyer lemon and fruit, think peaches and some guava for the fruit. Did I say great balance. If this wine is still available I would suggest you seek it out. I have one more bottle and while it is awesome now I see another 3-5 years for this drinking window

12/25/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Nice lighter more feminine style for Sonoma Coast. This is in line with Littorai signature. Still plenty of life and could go another few years but drinking nicely now. Stood up to prime rib on Christmas!

12/25/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Still great 10 yrs later. plenty of backbone left. Fruit is still there but time to drink i my estimation. It will last another 5 for sure or even longer depending on how you like your syrahs

12/16/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

great fruit. Been coravining over the last 6 months. Finished now. Did I say great fruit? solid backbone, Sweet integrated tannins. Ill let the next one go 5 or more. highly extracted but it all works

12/5/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This wine is getting better. The tannins are softening and moving to the background. The fruit is front and center, great acid and balance. bumped my rating by one point.

10/5/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This is a really good central coast Chard. Great balance and food friendly. young and fresh I will drink my next few bottles over the next couple years . Has the right stuff to get better over the next 3-5 years and maybe beyond.
Kudos to Team Red Stitch
Aloha

9/29/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This wine is not the in your face California Cab that so many look for. It has strong shoulders and is meant for the long haul. I do not think we will see the best of this year for another 5-7 years from now. Oak is well integrated now and the overall balance of this wine is spectacular. the tannins are fine and something to ponder over in of themselves. This is a thinking mans wine and for me is meant to enjoy and ponder the meaning of things over a nice big ribeye as we did last night.
I think the score may go up as we come up on 10+ years for this one

9/24/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Great fruit, well balanced drinking window is open. Nice Job Tom!

9/13/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

This is a great central coast Chard. Hits all the right notes. Nice fruit with crisp tone that makes it really food friendly.
Will wait a while for the next bottle. This has plenty of life to go a few years. Cant wait to try the 2017

9/13/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Solid wine. Great balance between fruit light integrated ok and citrus , very old world in style and appearance with new world life and energy.
This is a winner. Great balance between acid/citrus and then fruit/peachy tones for me
Awesome!

9/8/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Still a great wine but maybe the company and environment shifted my thinking this time. Or this bottle just showed different. Still great but would not consider it a perfume to wear this go around. Maybe the window is starting to close ever so slightly. I will drink my last bottle in the next few months and not wait any longer. Still has lot to offer. Also got the smokey oak thing that Roseint1 mentioned. Interesting evolution. That was not there two years ago

7/28/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

as expected. The fruit is over the top but then again.... . a hint of heat from the stated 16.6 (might be higher) but it does all work and is not detracting. Lighter in color than one may expect but this delivers for those that know this wine. A great solid effort for this vineyard. Will wait for a couple years for the next bottle. I'm intrigued now for the bottle of Hill ( i have two, Been buying for that long) waiting in the wings.

6/24/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

great job by Mr Carpenter.
Great fruit from a great vineyard and mountain site.
Buy his wine before it become 200 a bottle

6/20/2019 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine:

Really great fruit, for those that know Andy's wine s and style this is in the wheelhouse. Balance and depth, sorry to say it was the last bottle. Consistent, Cool and Courageous!
Aloha