94 points

2019 Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc

James Suckling, James Suckling, September 2022

“Creamy nose with lots of vanilla, lemon curd, melon, quince and spiced pineapples. A hint of mineral, too. Full-bodied, flavorful yet tangy and fresh, with a long, creamy finish, but not lacking verve. Vitality found amid the oak spices. Drink now or hold.”

93 points

2018 Dutton-Goldfield Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, February 2021

“A linear expression of the grape, this wine is textured and mineral-driven. Focused, it offers crunchy red fruit, cinnamon-cola notes and a tang of orange peel, the body balanced in weight and ripeness.”

95 points

2017 Dutton-Goldfield Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2019

“Tones of grapefruit, strawberry and red cherry kick off this immensely textured, expressive wine from a site along Stoetz Ridge above Occidental. Warm spice dots the landscape of lively freshness and supple tannins, with depths of flavor and balanced richness.”

95 points

2017 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Emerald Ridge Pinot Noir

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, April 2019

“Tangy and compelling, this is a complex, intensely earthy wine, with wisps of dried herb and fresh sea air. The palate offers a mix of orange, blueberry and raspberry, with persistent acidity. Baking spice, dried herb and forest floor accents meld with the rounded, supple tannins.”

90 points

Piper Sonoma Brut

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, March 2022

“Blending 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 3% Pinot Blanc, with a small percentage of aged reserve wine, this sparkler is crisp in peach, orange and brioche. Densely layered, it offers a medium-bodied, rich texture and integrated acidity.”

Double Gold medal

Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé

San Francisco International Wine Competition, October 2020

“Best of Show”

92 points

Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé

Meredith May, Tasting Panel, September 2020

“Aromas of cherry and vanilla show clarity and charm, leading to notes of persimmon, rose petals, and guava along with a cherry-skin texture. Bubbles are soft and gentle.”

96 points

2016 M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2019

“Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants and black licorice. Lavender and sage, too. Medium to full body and firm, really fine tannins that are well crafted and pretty, giving a refined and thorough finish. Dialed-in. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot and a dash of petit verdot and malbec. Better in 2021, but already beautiful.”

95 points

2016 M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

James Suckling, James Suckling, May 2019

“Although this is very ripe and deep and there is a hint of bitter chocolate, the fresh plum and blackberry character reigns supreme in the nose. Rich and concentrated, but with full, plush tannins that carry this extravagance beautifully. It gently builds to a long and discreetly dry finish with plenty of chocolate and some mineral notes. A blend of 58 percent cabernet sauvignon, 30 percent cabernet franc, five percent merlot, five percent petit verdot and two percent malbec. Drink now or hold.”

91 points

Piper Sonoma Brut

Meredith May, Tasting Panel, May 2020

“A well-constructed wine, with grapes sourced from more than 20 Sonoma County growers. The blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Blanc and some from an aged reserve blend are tasted in separate components. Winemaker Keith Hock places the cuvée en tirage for secondary fermentation in the bottle prior to disgorgement. The nose is clean, fresh and blessed with pear blossom and lemon peel. On the palate, floral powdery notes come in, with lemon rind and brioche. A lean acidity leads the fray”

95 points

2018 Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc

James Suckling, James Suckling, February 2020

“A fantastic white with sliced pears, melon, white pear blossom and honeysuckle. Full-to medium-bodied, subtle and flavorful with a nod to great Bordeaux white. Complex and beautiful. Drink or hold.”

96 points

2016 M by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

Lisa Perotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2018

“A barrel sample, the 2016 M by Michael Mondavi is a final blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec—this is no longer a Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of fresh blackcurrants, black cherries and red and black plums with hints of cigar boxes, incense, truffles and cardamom with a touch of cloves. Medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and lively, with bags of elegance and finesse. To be bottled in January 2019.”

91 points

Piper Sonoma Brut

Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast, December 2020

“70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and small amounts of both Pinot Blanc and wine from an aged reserve blend, this sparkler is fleshy and lush in an expansive mouthfeel of fruit and texture. Gravenstein apple, pear and a touch of honey highlight the midpalate, building to a finish of toast and brioche.”

92-95 points

2017 Puech-Haut La Closerie

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2019

“The 2017 Pic Saint Loup Chateau Lavabre La Closerie dials up the oak component, adding cedar and baking spices to a blend of cracked pepper and ripe blueberries. Full-bodied and supple, almost creamy in texture, this is long and plush, while retaining a welcome sense of freshness.”

90-92 points

2020 M. Chapoutier La Combe Pilate Viognier

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

“From decomposed granite soils near Michel Chapoutier's private residence, the 2020 IGP Collines Rhodaniennes La Combe Pilate Viognier boasts lovely florals and beguiling apricot notes. Vinified and matured in used demi-muids, it's a wonderful expression of Viognier that won't break the bank. Medium to full-bodied, this vintage looks to be one of the best yet, featuring ample concentration and length. Drink Date: 2022-2024.”

89-91 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Blanc

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

“Pear, melon, citrus and hints of white paste appear on the nose of the 2020 Crozes Hermitage Blanc Les Meysonniers. It's medium to full-bodied, clean, zesty and fresh, yet perhaps could use a bit more breadth and richness. My recollection is that the 2018 and 2019 were bigger, richer, more pleasure-giving wines at this stage of their evolution. Drink it over the next few years.”

88-90 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Les Meysonniers Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

“The 2020 Crozes Hermitage les Meysonniers feature gorgeous blueberries and florals on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky textured. It does appear to lack a bit of the richness shown by the 2019, with the flavors falling away quickly on the finish.”

87-89 points

2020 M. Chapoutier Petite Ruche Rouge

Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2022

“Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes is the 2020 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. It's peppery and fresh, marked by pretty raspberry and cherry aromas on the nose. In the mouth, it's medium-bodied and silky but lacking the richness of the preceding vintage. However, it shows fine delineation and purity. Drink it young.”

97 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, December 2022

“Cellar Selection”

96 points

2007 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires

Decanter, March 2022

“Seven up for Charles Heidsieck; the seventh release of their magnificent Blanc des Millénaires Champagne, the 2007. Their charismatic chef de caves, Cyril Brun, describes the wine as ‘dangerous’, as in dangerously good, and it is hard not to concur. The legendary Daniel Thibault, who made the first Blanc des Millénaires in 1983, was aspiring to make a very specific style of Chardonnay, rich and indulgent at the same time as being classical and rigorous of construction, a deft paradox in other words. The 2007, child of a cooler, more linear vintage than the rather heady 2006, has achieved this ambition with great aplomb. Cyril is confident that stylistically the 2007 will be closest to the 2004 and the 1995, both greatly lauded and both of which have had an unfailing capacity to win virtually every competition into which they are entered. The pale gold shimmers invitingly, its mousse discreet yet persistent, its aromatics hitherto dominated by notes of grapefruit, yuzu, citrus and quince, behind that sourdough, flint-stone and intimations of toast and honey, both of which will become more pronounced over the splendours of a long life. 20% each of five great villages, all but Vertus ranked as Grand Cru, have provided the raw materials for this most magisterial of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes. Dosed at 7.3g/L (the lowest ever at Charles) and disgorged in July 2021, with a smart new bottle design.”