This is for a great cause supporting the U of M Children’s Hospital and the food at this event was amazing. The wines were fine but nothing special. Too many corporate wines you could try at an in-store tasting. Here were some of the wines I was able to capture as it was way too crowded for my liking.
CellarTracker! 2026 Winefest Fundraiser
- 2023 Dutcher Crossing Chardonnay Chenoweth Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Good overall with lemon, floral, wood and spice. Medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2021 Dutcher Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon Dutchess Reserve – USA, California, Napa Valley
Nice wine overall with dark berries, floral, earth, menthol and wood. Medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2023 The Calling Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Terra de Promissio – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Good but nothing special. Cola, earth, darker fruits and spices. Medium finish. Acidity is lower than I like. (88 pts.) - 2021 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Not too ripe which I like with cherry, plum, earth, floral and spices. Medium finish. Good overall. (90 pts.) - 2023 Fantesca Chardonnay Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Wow this is $90. Way overpriced. Light wood influence from the neutral oak with lemon, white flowers and mild spice. Not really feeling the Burg style but they are trying. Good wine overall if at $40. (90 pts.) - 2021 Fantesca Pinot Noir King Richard’s Reserve – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
They said this is Cab Lovers Pinot. Well that makes no sense. Too heavy and sweet. Big fruits, color is too dark and floral notes. Not quite like Belle Glos but more that style. Hard to believe this is $140. (84 pts.) - 2019 Fantesca All Great Things – USA, California, Napa Valley
Of the 3 wines Fantesca poured by far the best. Again all of their wines are overpriced and mainly for the high maintenance crowd that pretend they know wine. Dark fruits, wood, vanilla, spice, earth and floral notes. Big but balanced overall. (92 pts.) - 2023 The Calling Pinot Noir – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Good overall but nothing special. Riper fruit featuring strawberries and cherry. Floral and spice. Medium finish. Fine. (88 pts.) - 2023 Dutcher Crossing Pinot Noir Terra de Promissio Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Fine overall but overpriced. Strawberries, floral, spices, dust and earth. (89 pts.) - 2023 The Calling Chardonnay Dutton Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Fine overall with candied fruit, spices, floral, wood and lemon. Fine overall. Love these users that throw down a 78 and can’t take a comment. Way better than that. (88 pts.) - 2022 The Calling Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
So trying this compared to the Sonoma is like night and day. This is awful. Sweet and ripe. Paso Wines are just not for me. Blackberries, ripe cherries, slight chemical taste and spices. Not balanced and hardly drinkable. (68 pts.) - 2021 The Calling Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Drinkable and good overall value. Dust, cherry, wood, minerals, earth and floral notes. Medium finish. Way better than the Paso. (87 pts.) - 2022 The Calling Chardonnay – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Very drinkable with lemon, floral, spices and minerals. I like their Chardonnays. (87 pts.) - 2023 Repris Mélange Blanc Moon Mountain Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District
Good overall with orchard fruits, floral, citrus, spice and saline. Medium fiinish and fun wine. (91 pts.) - 2022 Repris Merlot – USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District
Good overall but a bit pricy. Dark currants, coffee beans, floral, cherry and dust. Medium plus finish. (90 pts.) - 2023 Repris Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County
Fine overall but at $100 too expensive. Cherry, earth, tobacco, plum and spices. Medium finish. Fine at $35. (90 pts.) - 2025 Cline Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Shifting Tides – USA, California, Sonoma County
Very commercial stuff with lemon, slight chemical taste and spice. Nothing I would want to drink. - 2024 Cline Cellars Chardonnay Hat Strap – USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Cline wines are just below average for sure. Lemon, thin and floral notes. No thanks. - 2023 Cline Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Carved – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Wineries like this are hard to believe they are still in business. So boring with ripe fruits, spices and floral notes. (80 pts.) - 2023 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Eight Spur Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
The best of the clines. Love Ben’s normal note in 2025 and then AI note in 202t6. Dark currants, spices, floral and earth. A touch of pepper on the finish. Ok but nothing I would buy. (84 pts.) - 2024 Pazo Cilleiro Albariño Rías Baixas Villa Dauga – Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Floral notes with minerals, chalk, grapefruit, white flowers and tropical fruits. I like it again. (91 pts.) - 2022 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Very nice Rioja and good value. Cherry, spices, earth, wood and leather. Medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2020 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Viña Muriel Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
2020 is a great vintage and this is better than their 16 gran reserva. Wood, cherry, floral, earth, funk and minerals. Like it a lot and good value. (91 pts.) - 2016 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Gran Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Kind of boring overall. Leather, dust, spice and light fruit. Hard to believe Gran Reserva is on the label here. (87 pts.) - 2023 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon California – USA, California
Glasvin Universal. Well to say this is not good would be an understatement. Not sure why anyone drinks these. Sweet fruits, chemical taste, artificial sweeteners and oak chips. Had to go to a slider to get rid of the taste. Love these bigger events as they always allow for wines for my top 20 worst of the year. (60 pts.)
- 2016 Blackbird Vineyards Paramour – USA, California, Napa Valley
Glasvin Universal. By far the top wine at Wine Fest Charity Event. Really drinking well with floral, funk, spices, minerals, cherry and a touch of pepper. Medium plus finish and need to get some. (94 pts.) - 2022 Argyle Vintage Brut – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
This is for sure not at the level of the Roederer Anderson Valley Sparkling but good overall. Dough, sour apple, spices lemon and dust. Good acidity overall. (88 pts.) - 2024 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Villages Cuvée – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Well fine overall and as Brian Glas said 90 points. Well not quite Ben’s AI note and for sure not 94 this is easy drinking with cherry, strawberries, minerals, dust and floral notes. Medium finish. Drink now to 2028. (90 pts.) - 2023 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley
Glasvin Universal. Well there goes the Tracker Average. This garbage is in the same category as Caymus. Sweet, lacks acidity, riper fruit and not much more. Some chemical taste in there. Quilt, Caymus, Bella Glos and Prisoner are all made in the same style. A top 20 worst wine of the year candidate. (59 pts.)
- 2024 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Glasvin Universal. Well the Tracker average is about to go down. I like trying these at big event so I don’t waste money buying them. Well this is terrible. Muted fruit, some spice, water, floral and sugar cubes. The whole drink what you like crowd can still believe that but this is not Pinot Noir. Sorry it is terrible. (60 pts.)
- 2023 Famille Perrin / Perrin & Fils Côtes du Rhône – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
Fine overall with earth, pepper, spices and floral notes. Simple but tasty overall. (87 pts.) - 2020 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Agree with Tom on this one. Good overall with spices, floral, underbrush, mushrooms, cherry and wood. Medium finish. Solid 89 pointer (89 pts.) - N.V. Warre Porto Otima 10 Year Old Tawny – Portugal, Douro, Porto
Solid again with Carmel, soy, spices, blackberries and maple syrup. A little of this now and again is fun but could not drink a full glass that is for sure. (89 pts.) - 2025 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Grass, floral, citrus, spice and lemon. Medium finish and refreshing. Nice acidity. One of the better vintages of Dog Point as for a while they were slipping in quality. Hard to believe that some critic on the pro scene gave this 94. Not that good. (89 pts.) - 2023 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Laurelwood District – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Laurelwood District
One of the better Pinots from Oregon for under $45. Not sure if the other user had a typo on the 82 but this is a solid 92. Strawberries, floral, earth, underbrush, violets and minerals. Very nice concentration and medium plus finish. Easy drinking Pinot. (92 pts.) - 2022 Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico – Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
Very nice and rustic in nature. Clay, earth, raspberries, wood, leather and floral notes. Medium finish. Should drink well over the next decade. (90 pts.) - 2022 Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Rutherford – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Classic Old School Napa. Not the over the top and high alcohol crap that sells for $200 plus. Leather, wood, cherry, plum, spices, dust and earth. Medium plus finish. Always a solid producer. (92 pts.) - 2023 Northstar Merlot Polaris – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills
This winery used to be much better and now just mass producing drinkable wines. Cherry, oak, vanilla, chocolate and spices. A bit hot for me. (87 pts.) - 2024 Bonny Doon Vineyard Picpoul – USA, California, Central Coast
Chill agree with you. Bonny Doon used to be solid 90 plus pointers but not anymore. Lemon, spices, white flowers and a touch of honey. Very generic tasting white overall that you would find on a grocery store shelf. (85 pts.) - 2024 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Blanc – USA, California
The 60 pointer is harsh. This is better than wines like Belle Glos, Prisoner and Caymus which are in the 60s. While not a wine I would enjoy it is drinkable with spices, lemon, floral and orange peel. Short finish. (80 pts.) - 2023 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant – USA, California, Central Coast
Again Bonny Doon used to be good overall but now just looking to fill space on the grocery store shelves. A party style wine with red currants, light pepper and floral notes. Nothing complex here but nothing offensive either. (86 pts.) - 2022 Rombauer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Second note on this one. Again nothing off the charts but very drinkable. Wood, spices, cherry, plum and floral notes. Drink now to 2030. (90 pts.) - 2023 Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay – USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
While not my style this vintage is dialed back on the over the top oak and buttery notes. Lemon, spices, wood, white flowers, minerals and apple. Very drinkable. (89 pts.) - 2023 Rombauer Vineyards Pinot Noir – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
Good overall with cherry, plum, floral and light spices. Nothing complex and easy drinking wine. (89 pts.) - 2022 Rombauer Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc – USA, California, North Coast
Many California Sauvignon Blancs fail and this is another one I would pasts on. Very light and almost like drinking water. Lemon, flowers and lime. Not much going on here. (82 pts.) - 2022 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California – USA, California
Not bad if not a little jammy. Blackberries, floral, spices and earth. Medium finish. Well made overall. (88 pts.) - N.V. Bonanza Chardonnay Lot 1 – USA, California
Should be more like Bozzo the clown Chardonnay. This stuff is terrible. Sweet and chemical taste. Oak chips thrown in the mix as well. NO! (63 pts.) - 2024 Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon The Vinekeeper Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
If you had a blind tasting of these, 1858 Cab, Caymus Napa, etc. not many would be able to tell the difference. Garbage wine with sweet fruits, spice and a chemical tasting finish. Man call me a snob but I am not drinking this junk. Smell, swish and spit and then get some meat to get rid of the taste. (75 pts.) - 2020 K Vintners Syrah Powerline Vineyard – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Well probably the only one at WineFest that can detect smoke taint. Well trying to dump this on all the drunk people that attended. Ash finish. Lacks fruit, pepper and some spice. Just can’t believe people give this a good score. Proud to be the top caller out of 2020 smoke taint. Just google it. (62 pts.) - 2021 Charles Smith Cabernet Sauvignon Real Wine – USA, Washington
Not bad and for sure better than the 2020 smoked tainted Powerline Syrah. Cherry, spices, floral and minerals. Simple but tasty. (85 pts.) - 2023 Michael-David Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Freakshow – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
Man is this garbage. Chemicals, sweet fruits and sugar cubes. What is this stuff. What is from Lodi which you can count on one hand the good wines from there. (63 pts.) - 2024 Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Morning Fog – USA, California, Central Coast
This is one of the better inexpensive Chardonnays on the market. Lemon, spice, floral and minerals. Always good. (88 pts.) - 2023 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Katherine Goldschmidt Stonemason Hill – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (5/8/2026)
Glasvin Universal. This is very nice for the price point. Red currants, spices, a touch of wood, floral and minerals. Very smooth overall and a crowd pleaser. Great QPR. (91 points)
- 2023 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Glasvin Universal. Tasted at Winefest 2026 in Minneapolis. Very good wine. Plum, blueberries, floral, dust, wood, earth and minerals. Complex offering and medium plus finish. (93 pts.)
- 2023 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Plus Game Ranch Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
My favorite of the Goldschmidt wines at Winefest and by far the best table. Earth, oak, a touch of vanilla, floral, cherry, blueberries, minerals and earth. Love the finish on this one. Long! (94 pts.)
- 2023 Goldschmidt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Yoeman Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Glasvin Universal. Very solid effort with blueberries, cherry, floral, earth, wood and dust. Medium plus finish. Really good wines. (93 pts.)
- 2024 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Glasvin Universal. Well the average is going down on this one. What a ordinary offering. Lemon, spice and floral notes. Really lacks personality. (84 pts.) - 2022 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Good but not great. Cliff Lede used to be a favorite base bottling but has slipped. Cherry, spices, floral and some wood. Nothing to write home about. (88 pts.) - 2022 Hartford / Hartford Court Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
These continue to impress and around $22 on sale at Haskell’s. Strawberries, cherry, cola, minerals and floral notes. Nice overall. (91 pts.) - 2025 Caves d’Esclans The Beach by Whispering Angel – France, Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence
This has always been a cheaply made Rose with little to offer. Boring with floral, watermelon and light spice. Short finish. (83 pts.) - 2022 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Not very good. Harsh and astringent. Lacks fruit and is wood, spices and earth. Easy pass on this one. The Tapestry is way better. (82 pts.) - 2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve – USA, California, Napa Valley
Very good and reminds me of the 13 vintage which was a winner. Cherry, plum, spices, floral, dark chocolate and minerals. Very balanced and good on a pop and pour. (91 pts.)
- 2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Right there with the 21 Tapestry. Very nice with oak, spices, floral, blueberries, dark cherries and menthol. A touch of dust on the medium plus finish. (92 pts.) - 2024 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Maybe the worst SB in a while. So boring with water, lemon and floral notes. Almost like a sparkling water. (77 pts.) - 2023 Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc – USA, California, Napa Valley
Well not quite at a 60 on this one but only tried it on day 1. Melon, spices, floral and minerals. Light overall and while I would not buy a bottle enjoyable at a charity event. (87 pts.) - 2022 Grgich Hills Chardonnay – USA, California, Napa Valley
Good again with oak, pear, apples, spices, floral and flint. Medium plus finish. Solid. (91 pts.) - 2020 Grgich Hills Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley
Again enjoying this one. Solid overall with blackberries, spices, floral and earth. Medium finish. Quick notes at a pack event. (91 pts.) - 2019 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Very ordinary for sure. Wood, cherry, floral and spices. Nothing to get excited about. (88 pts.) - 2023 Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay – USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Jut not a fan of this wine. Riper fruit, spices and floral notes. Not really getting a Pinot vibe on this. (88 pts.) - 2023 Walt Chardonnay – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Similar to the Pinot just not a big fan here. Carmel, spices, floral and apple. Nothing to write home about. Sorry not up to Ben’s AI note but straight to the point. (87 pts.) - 2022 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Chris’s Cuvée – USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga
Liked this overall. Probably better in a few years. Cherry, minerals, spices, blueberries and earth. Medium plus finish. (91 pts.) - 2022 Kenefick Ranch Merlot Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga
Not as good as the Cab and Cab Franc. Simple overall with cherry, plum, spices, menthol and dust. Shorter finish. (87 pts.) - 2022 Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Franc Caitlin’s Select – USA, California, Napa Valley
Ok at best. Floral, bright fruits and spices. Just not balanced and not a fan. (82 pts.) - 2024 Matanzas Creek Winery Sauvignon Blanc – USA, California, Sonoma County
Better than the last time sampled but not stellar. Grass, lemon, grapefruit and minerals. Fine overall. (88 pts.)
- 2024 Blackbird Vineyards Rosé – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Ok not bad. Got some bite here with cherry, floral, spices, minerals and earth. Medium plus finish. (90 pts.) - 2021 Blackbird Vineyards Chardonnay Muir-Hannah Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District
Complex and solid effort with oak, lemon, spices, floral and orange peel. Like it overall. (92 pts.) - 2016 Blackbird Vineyards Paramour – USA, California, Napa Valley (5/8/2026)
2026 Winefest Fundraiser (Depot Minneapolis): Glasvin Universal. By far the top wine at Wine Fest Charity Event. Really drinking well with floral, funk, spices, minerals, cherry and a touch of pepper. Medium plus finish and need to get some. (94 points)
- 2022 Blackbird Vineyards Arise – USA, California, Napa Valley
Little overrated on Tracker so 90 is more accurate. A bit hot with spices, blackberries, wood, dust and chocolate. Good but not off the charts like some think. (90 pts.)