Brad Prescott

4 weeks ago | intowine.com | Michael Cervin |Loren Sonkin |Brad Prescott

True to the region, there is an enviable earthiness to Santa Cruz Pinot Noirs; a slightly rough brambly character that differentiates this AVA from all others in California. Calera has been sourcing Santa Cruz fruit since 2015 and this high elevation vineyards procures stellar fruit. This offers red raspberry, mild black cherry, earthy wet stone notes, dried wildflowers, a touch of lavender and cracked black pepper. The acidity and tannic structure work well together to support the darker fruit.

1 month ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Brad Prescott |Nancy Parode

Pym Rae is the former vineyard home of Robin Williams.  In 2016, the property  was purchased by the Tesserson family (the owner's of Bordeaux's Pontet Canet).  This is a big wine and one of the riper 2017's I can remember trying.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with cassis, cedar, tobacco, baking spice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this has cassis, dust, roasted earth and spice.  Long finish.  This is deep but needs air/time to show some complexity.

2 months ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Brad Prescott |Erin Brooks

It was nice to be able to try a Roy Piper wine with some age on it.  The only other time I was able to try one was just after release and while impressed, it needed time.  This time, the bottle was mature and signing and despite being from a "lesser" vintage, the wine showed impressively.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, "purple floral" notes, slight graphite and char.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.

2 months ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Nancy Parode |Brad Prescott

One of the best 2017 Napa Cabs that I have tried.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, cedar, blueberries, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is not as big as expected in good way.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  In much the same way Screaming Eagle is restrained yet still of Napa, that is how this wine comes across.  Delicious, deep and complex.

2 months ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin |Amy Beaudine |Brad Prescott

I am a big fan of Tench wines, but this is the first Sauvignon Blanc of theirs that I can recall tasting.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit quiet but has  some tropical fruits along with a slight pear note.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is a bit more expressive.  Flavors of Guava and pair with just the slightest grassiness.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and  should continue for another three to five years.