This pale cuvée dazzles a silvery hue in the sunlight as you swirl it in the glass. The aromas are classic Chenin, with Verbena and citrus, clover honey and Casaba melon. The crisp palate is juicy with honeysuckle and Rainer cherry flavors underscoring the integrated acidity with a generous fruit driven center. The finish is layered with mineral, wet stone, lemon zest and Key Lime with pear grit and sweet passionfruit essence while finishing bone dry.
This Petite Sirah is both tannic and bold while maintaining a juicy, overripe profile displaying ample acidity to balance the tannins and fruit concentration making it multidimensional and food friendly. The finish is so supple and smooth that you will miss it when it is gone.
On the palate the wine explodes with generous tropical flavors from mango to passionfruit and then wrapped up in creamy custard flavors. The acidity shines through the creamy texture and demonstrates the optimal acidity that cool climate Monterey grapes possess. The finish is long with silky vanillin, clove, guava and papaya and finishes with baked banana custard flavors. The finish is long with silky elegance and lingering acidity.
91 PTS, Wine Enthusiast "Soft aromas of sea salt, baked apple, lemon and hazelnut make for a classic nose on this bottling. There's a slow-rising acidity on the palate, where honeysuckle, baked pear and toasted-pastry flavors align." - MK
90 PTS, Wine Enthusiast This wine displays a vibrant, ruby plum color. The aromas are deep with Bing and Rainer cherries while backed with vanilla and slight caramelized raw sugar notes. The palate is intense with wild raspberry, blackberry and bramble. These flavors are backed by intense earthy notes from black pepper to mushroom followed by toasted oak and clove. The finish overall expresses ripe berry and leather with a silky envelope of toasted vanilla.
90 PTS, James Suckling "A fruity chardonnay with apricot, poached pear, papaya, lemon pith and vanilla on the nose. Some toasted brioche and oyster shell, too. Full-bodied and buttery with a ripe, flavorful palate. Drink now."
90 PTS, Wine Enthusiast "This is a value-driven wine that overdelivers on its price point, offering black cherry, vanilla and dried herb around an oaky center. Made in a full-bodied, fleshy and lush style, it finishes in earthy varietal character and drops of cinnamon." - V. B.
Baked blackberry, cracked pepper and loads of oak spice show on the nose of this bottling. There's a viscous, nearly sweet character to the palate, which is hefty in body and ripe with dark fruit flavors.
92 PTS, James Suckling "Reserved character here, with notes of cedar wood, tobacco, spices and lead pencil to the red fruit. Medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and juicy dark fruit on the palate. Dry and polished with a long, even aftertaste. Drink or hold."
90 PTS, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast "This is well made and offers outstanding value, It's a well-made red, with good grip and integration that shines in briary black cherry and blackberry. The nose invites in sweet oak and tobacco as supple tannins support the full-bodied weight." - V. B.
92 PTS, James Suckling "Aromas of dark plums and blackberries with black coffee, baking spices and moist earth undertones. Full-bodied, juicy and textured with supple tannins and a pretty spiced dark-fruited core. Fruity finish. Drink or hold."
93 PTS, Wine Enthusiast This wine pairs ideally with a double cut bone-in rib eye steak with sautéed chanterelle mushrooms and shallots served with haricot verts in garlic butter with a saffron risotto cake. Save a half glass for dessert and do the dark chocolate molten lava cake.
Hoffman Vineyard, Longhorn Ridge 91 PTS, James Suckling "Black fruit, dark plums, cedar and dried herbs on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm tannins. Structured and focused on the palate. Give it some time to calm down."
92 PTS, James Suckling "Notes of mulberries, blueberries and plums with woody undertones. It’s full-bodied and structured with firm tannins and a long, energetic finish. Drink in 2023."
91 PTS, Wine Enthusiast "Thick grippy tannins surround a core of mountain sage and dried herb in this 100% varietal wine. Tart underlying acidity brightens a triumvirate of cherry, cassis and red currant, with the promise of rocky minerality lingering on the finish." - V.B.
DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL 95 PTS, SF Chronicle Wine Competition
90 PTS, Wine Enthusiast “This wine packs a punch and overdelivers quality for the price. This is a crowd-pleaser in its lush, soft and fruity combination of grilled meat, bacon and smoky tannin. Those big bold elements are complemented by plenty of black-cherry jam.”
92 Points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast "Impressive at any price, but especially notable at this cost, this 100% varietal red is a testament to the power and concentration of the vintage, integrated with a push of tannin on the back of the tongue. Spicy clove and pepper ride a wave of cassis, dark cherry and chocolate, needing time to unwind in the glass. It will do well in the cellar through 2028."
92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The wine hits the palate with a voluptuous texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins and a long, long finish. At $42.00 a bottle, it is a steal." - Robert Parker