Zepaltas Wines

"Score: 91 Creamy-textured, smooth and polished, with supple cranberry, blueberry and black cherry fruit that's ripe and polished, ending with a long, soothing finish that gains depth and complexity. Drink now through 2011. 103 cases made. –JL"

-Wine Spectator 2008

"90 points Light red color. Subtle redcurrant and wild strawberry aromas are complicated by musky herbs, baking spices, rose and underbrush. Pliant raspberry and cherry compote flavors offer excellent palate coverage, with an alluring weightlessness and gentle mineral lift. An understated, silky wine that finishes with sweet red berry flavors and very good persistence."

-Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"93 Zepaltas2006 Sonoma Coast La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Noir - This robust and full bodied pinot has layers of flavor, from nori to redwood to cherry plum. It’s rich and black without feeling heavy--there’s a meaty edge to the tannin, like peppery bacon, and a lot of refreshing acidity to keep it elegant. Substantial enough to take on a grilled steak, this wine’s impressive length would add its dark woodland berry flavors to the meat.”

-Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2008

"90 points Medium red, with a slight haze. Fresh red berries and pomegranate on the nose, with lavender and baking spices building with air. Zesty redcurrant and wild berry flavors are sharply focused and lithe, picking up sexy vanillin oak spice on the back end. Finishes juicy, brisk and minerally. Fans of full-throttle New World pinots are liable to be puzzled by this."

-Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Score: 87 There's lots of toasty, charry oak to work past at this stage, but also pleasant ripe cherry, currant and plum notes that will hopefully benefit from some bottle time. Best from 2009 through 2014."
137 cases made. –JL

-Wine Spectator 2008

"92 Medium ruby color;deep,spicy red cherry aromas;ripe,rich,spicy red cherry flavors; touch of earth and sweet oak;good structure and balance;long finish. Intresting, complex and yet delicate Pinot with silky red cherry flavors.”

-Pinot Report Issue #48

"90 Zepaltas 2005 Russian River Valley W.E. Bottoms Vineyard Pinot Noir - A luxurious pinot noir, this wine’s dark flavors of blackberry and black raspberry feel mellow and well proportioned. Chocolate-rich tannins and a hint of stewed fruit show its ripeness, balanced by fresher tones of violets. Serve this with venison medallions brightened with a red currant sauce.”

-Wine & Spirits Magazine, April 2008

"90 points Light, bright red. Seductively perfumed aromas of red berries, cherry, flowers and minerals, along with an intriguing Asian spice quality. Light in body and impressively pure, with fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors, a rather silky texture and no obvious tannins. Finishes with brisk mineral lift and lingering sweetness. I doubt that I would have pegged this as a New World wine. "

-Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Score: 87 Firm and fleshy, with a mix of spice, cola, cherry and berry fruit that's well-focused, elegant and well-proportioned, ending with a mix of cola and rhubarb. Drink now through 2011. 71 cases made. –JL"

-Wine Spectator Nov 30, 2007

"Score: 93 A classy Syrah, with rich, peppery wild berry and blackberry scents. Focused and tight, yet fleshy and supple, this is big and complex without being weighty. Has wonderful depth. Drink now through 2012."
60 cases made. –JL

-Wine Spectator Feb 29, 2008

"93 points From the assistant winemaker at Siduri and Novy, this beautiful 2005 Syrah Rosella-s Vineyard exhibits plenty of gamy, meaty, smoky notes intermixed with hints of asphalt, black fruits, and earth. Ripe and full-bodied, with superb suppleness and beautiful purity as well as depth, it can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years. Drink 2008 - 2015"
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 177

"91 points Bright, hazy red. Expansive, intensely floral bouquet offers redcurrant, wild strawberry, smoky minerals and dried rose. The palate shows sweeter raspberry and cherry flavors, with slow-building Asian spice and vanilla bean notes adding complexity. An elegant, focused style, with no excess fat or rough edges and good finishing snap. (JR)"

-Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

"Score: 88 Sleek and focused, with tart cherry and wild berry fruit that's fresh and lively. The excellent acidity gives this a fruity, cleansing aftertaste. Drink now through 2011."
72 cases made. –JL

-Wine Spectator May 31, 2007