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Welcome to the wine notes page. The idea here is very simple. We have over 5000 ratings in our wine tasting database that we'd like to share with anyone who might find these opinions useful. The number of ratings grows weekly.

Our primary focus is on the wineries of the Sacramento region. We spend our time tasting in Lodi, Amador County, El Dorado County, the valley and the Gold Country. Of course, we attend the weekly tastings at BevMo as well, so we get a good selection of California and world-wide wines in our database as well.

Below you'll find a list of our 20 most recent ratings. But to search the whole database for what you're looking for please visit the search page. We have a total of 4994 wines in our database currently.

WinerySpecial DesignationVintageVarietalRatingDateTastedNotesBuy Again?
Trader JoesPlatinum Reserve, Paso Robles, Lot#1192024GSM+9310/3/2026Why GSM+? Well, this wine consists of 56% Grenache, 18% Syrah, 16% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault. That extra cinsault give is a +. But it is what gives this wine a bright, elusive sweetness on the palate. This has a medium intensity nose that leaves us searching for individual scents. But we do get strawberry, raspberry, red cherry, earth, pie crust and baking spices. The palate is where this wine shines. It actually explodes. Really run a half mouthful through your teeth, then suck in a little air and it goes BOOM! It has high concentration, intensity, body and a long finish. All of this is balanced with high acidity. The berry flavors almost seem sweet thanks for that cinsault. Don`t let this wine`s nose throw you off. The palate will reward you. It has beautiful spice, berry, cherry that linger is a finish that goes on and on.y
Sans LiegeWhite Hawk Vineyard, Los Alamos, Edna Ranch, Edna Valley2024Viognier9410/1/2026This wine is 100% barrel fermented on lees with native yeast. Then 9 months sur lie in barrel. And this treatment leaves this wine with an amazing texture. And the nose is creamy and dreamy. On the rich nose you get ambrosia melon, ripe pear, cream, tart loquat, honey, honeysuckle flower, toasted pine nut and green apple. But all of these notes are so harmonious. The nose is so balanced between the tart loquat, the textured cream and the honey. The palate is lush, textured, long finished, acidic, mineral and balanced. That`s it and this wine is amazing. y
Sans LiegeThe Offering, Central Coast2023GSM9410/1/202647% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre This wine leads with strawberry jam. Then it gives you cherry, raspberry, vineyard earth, baking spices galore, a touch of lime leaf and cream cheese Danish. The palate is alive with high acid, minerality, medium tannins and body. The finish is all berries and goes on and on. This has Rhone Valley written all over it with a superb Central coast twist. It is one of those wines that you say, Damn I`m glad I tried that! And then, how do I get more?!y
Sans LiegeThe Pickpocket, Paso Robles2023Grenache9510/1/2026It starts with a bright cranberry, raspberry, strawberry trifecta. It has earthy spice, rose, cardamom, nutmeg, lime leaf, tart unripe green melon and flinty minerality. The palate is med+ tannins, concentration and intensity. High acid, long finish and spicy fruit. Paso is knocking it out of the park. This wine offers the perfect balance of fresh fruit, jamminess, tart acid and minerals. y
Sans LiegeEn Gedi, Santa Barbara County2023Grenache9710/1/2026Black raspberry, strawberry, gooseberry, dry vineyard soil, watermelon and green melon, old wood, dried herbs and brioche. Very intense nose here. But the palate is explosive -- as many of the En Gedis have been in the past. The tannins are mercifully med+ so that the high acid, ample fruit, soft minerals and kick ass fruit can create one of the best finishes ever. I might not publish this until I get my order in. Just sayin.y
Sans LiegeBien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Alban Clone2023Grenache9810/1/202630% whole cluster. Oh holy heck! The nose on this thing is insane. Wet stone minerals, raspberry jam, strawberry, coriander seed, mace, red licorice, sage and chaparral. The finish on this wine is pure mineral/berry that goes on for minutes. The rest of the palate simply supports this. The concentration and intensity are high and gorgeous. Actually, this is as good as the best Chateauneufs that we`ve tried. It is like a hike in the California hills -- all those scents of native plants. And more berries than I have names for.y
Louis M MartiniSpecial Reserve, Napa Valley2023Merlot929/30/2026Blackberry, licorice, cocoa, black raspberry Danish, floral and sage. The palate has med+ concentration and intensity. The acidity is high, tannins and body are medium. The finish is long. We were told that this fruit was from Stagecoach or at least Atlas Peak. It does have some nice scents and flavors, but lacks complexity.y
Louis M MartiniSpecial Reserve, Napa Valley2023Cabernet Franc939/30/2026Plenty of black and blueberry notes, a touch of nail polish, buttermilk scone with icing, black pepper, leather, coffee, wet potting soil, medium toast oak and dried florals. On the palate we get high acid and nearly high tannins. The finish is long with med+ concentration of coffee, cocoa powder, dried cherry and dried flowers. This would be delicious with rack of lamb, cioppino, spaghetti with meat balls mid weak dinner.y
Hall WinesCoeur - St Helena, Napa Valley2023Cabernet Sauvignon949/29/2026 y
Walt WinesShea Vineyard2024Pinot Noir939/29/2026 y
Walt WinesClos Pepe Santa Rita Hills Santa Barbara County2023Pinot Noir969/29/2026 y
Platt CellarsWest Sonoma Coast2024Pinot Noir959/28/2026Gooseberry, raspberry, strawberry, red cherry, jam, lime leaf, wet tree bark, dried herbs and flowers. It has notes of coriander, cardamom and nutmeg. The nose is round and lush. The palate is medium tannins, body, but a full concentration of fruit, spices and tart lime that leaves a long finish that is fresh, bright, zesty and full of lovely minerals. This wine is alive! I loved the 2023 Platt Pinot so much, that when I was at Auteur picking up my allocations, I stopped in and purchased a bottle of this wine untasted. I do not usually do this, but the risk paid off in full. Going back for more of this!y
AuteurBolt Block Gaps Crown Vineyard2024Pinot Noir959/27/2026 y
AuteurStarkey Vineyard Russian River Valley2024Pinot Noir949/27/2026 y
AuteurSavoy Vineyard Anderson Valley2024Pinot Noir959/27/2026 y
Hall WinesNapa Valley2016Merlot979/27/2026From what we have heard this is available at Hall and Walt for about $16. It is a 375ml format (split). Talk about a wine being in the sweet spot. The 10-year old here is amazing. It has a great balance between lovely tertiary bottle age notes of raisin and dried date -- and blackberry, coffee, tar, leather, black currant, dried plum and Badabing cherry. The palate still has ample tannins, acidity and fruit to continue to carry this wine on into the next ten years. The concentration, intensity and finish are almost sweet, luscious and viscous. Wow, what a deal! y
Louis M MartiniSpecial Selection, Terra Mista2024Blend (Red Table Wine)939/27/202666% caby
Louis M MartiniCrown Collection Mountain, Napa Valley2020Cabernet Sauvignon959/27/2026 y
Louis M MartiniStagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley2022Cabernet Sauvignon979/27/2026 y
Louis M MartiniMonte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County2016Cabernet Sauvignon969/27/2026 y
        
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