Region: California > Sonoma
Grape type: Chardonnay
ST 93, WS 92, RP 91 - Steve Tanzer and Josh Raynolds, arguably the planet's most rigorous Chardonnay critics, are tough on California Chardonnay -- with a few notable exceptions. This is one of them. Raynolds described Eric Stern's 2007 Landmark Damaris Reserve Chardonnay as being "like a serious old school Chassagne Montrachet," rating it 93 points, one of the highest rated Chardonnays of that amazing, Indian Summer harvest. read more »
Region: California > Sonoma > Sonoma Coast
Grape type: Pinot Noir
ST 91 - On our trip to Sonoma last year, we discovered a small handful of absolutely ethereal Pinot Noirs from the Indian Summer of 2007. All have been featured on WineAccess -- except one. Stephen Singer sent a striking bottle to our hotel room. The 2007 Baker Lane "Ramondo Vineyard" Pinot Noir was deep ruby in color, a bright wild black cherry elixir on the palate. But the gift was a tease. All of the 690 case production had been allocated to distributors. We weren't pleased. read more »
Region: California > Napa > Howell Mountain
Grape type: Cabernet Sauvignon
CG 91 - It was at a birthday dinner three years ago that Randy Dunn's 1982 Howell Mountain Cabernet first knocked our socks off when it completely outclassed a 100pt Mouton Rothschild 1982. When all the stops are pulled out on Howell Mountain, these are some of the richest, most aromatically sophisticated Cabernets in the world. The problem? They have a tendency to set you back $100/bottle -- and up. read more »