Has Anyone Been Drinking BerserkerDay Wines Lately?

[JohnMag]

• 2018 Scherrer OMV Alexander Valley Zinfandel

First pass at Scherrer wines. Think I bought these at the VIndependence Day event but not sure. This did not suck. At all.

From CT review:

Fantastic Zin, full of dried rosemary, green stalks, light tart spice, blackberry/cranberry. Light on its feet with a beautiful resin-tinged mouthfeel. Right in the zone. Just great.

[larry_schaffer]

Hope everyone is whetting their whistle for this year’s BD

[Roger_Ouellette]

From Bday VIII.

I’m stealing this CT note as it is spot on:

9/23/2025 - VinoVibezJaNa wrote:93 Points
“Savory Elegance in a Glass”

In the glass, a dark ruby core fades to a garnet rim. The nose unfolds slowly but deliberately: violets, black and red fruits, baking spice, a smoky meatiness, tobacco leaf, cassis, and a savory olive tapenade note. On the palate, it hits that Côte-Rôtie register — blackberry, dark cherry, and raspberry wrapped in leather, game, and a touch of earth. Medium-bodied with silky, well-integrated tannins, balanced alcohol, and lifted acidity that keeps everything in motion. The finish stretches long, echoing spice and savory tones. Graceful, soulful Syrah — California terroir speaking with a Rhône accent.

[JohnMag]

Well, instead of Dryuary we for the last few years have had “Tryuary” — the month where we open all the BD wines we haven’t tried the past year before the next BD comes around.

Here are two:
• 2022 Prima Materia Negroamaro

Much more impressive than the PM Dolcetto we tried a few months ago. While the Dolcetto was certainly good, it paled by comparison with this electric and surprisingly supple Negroamaro.
From CT review:

Not at all the rustic beast I expected. Medium tannins, dark berries + a little plum, anise, cinnamon. Very user friendly, and a great pizza wine (not intending that as a backhanded compliment— this still has the stuffing to handle black olives and tomato sauce). A very pleasant surprise with more depth than I expected
Score: 92. Relative to expectations: ++

• 2023 Di Costanzo Montecillo CS

Opened by mistake, thought I was opening a Di Co. Fantastic future in store for this one.
From CT review:

Like an idiot I thought I was opening a Di Co and lo and behold — puled the cork on this infant. Beautiful classic CA cab, still wrapped up in rigid tannins but with copious cherry, spice, maybe a little mint. Heavy blast of vanilla at first opening that also is a matter of youth. Greatly enjoyed this nonetheless but kicking myself for accidentally opening this too soon.
Score: 93 (now) - 96 (maybe, later)
Relative to expectations: ++ for now.

[Terry_H_a_r_r_i_s]

Cabot, 2010 Confluence (40% Cabernet Franc, 22% Malbec, 18 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Petite Verdot). Wow. This is really nice. What a screamin’ good deal this was, BD16 (“Aged Cab and Friends” offer).

[Greg_Gardner]

Turns out paper towel rolls are a great backdrop to show wine color! Anyway, this is drinking great right now, and isn’t in any danger of going downhill soon. The stem inclusion is noticeable but not intrusive. Classic aromas of forest floor, mushroom and red fruits. Definitely more in the red fruit realm on the palate and has great acids to frame it. For my taste this is right in the zone currently.

[Max_S1]

Paper towel on the counter is my go to haha

[J_Patrick_Lynch]

In a great place.

[Matt_England]

Opened another ‘23 Goodfellow Berserker PN as well as a ‘23 Rivers-Marie Sonoma Coast PN at a family party this weekend. The Goodfellow was unanimously preferred

[Abbie_S]

One of my all time favorite BerserkerDay purchases along with the '14.

I have 2 more bottles of the '13 and a few of the '14.
The fruit has faded quite a bit, but still nice acidity and finish. I’ll have to open one of the '14’s in the next few days.

[Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w]

@Abbie_S

One of my all time favorite BerserkerDay purchases along with the '14.

Same here. I still have a few of each, so I appreciate the note.

[Brian_Gilp]

My most recent (6 months ago +/-) was wonderful, the best so far and I have consumed over a case. If not just a good bottle, would say that it is really hit its stride but one data point isn’t sufficient. I have not had good luck with the 2014. The last 3-4 bottles have all had a bitterness that wasn’t present in those I drank earlier. Have decided to just leave the rest for a few years in hopes that it passes.

[Dave_H]

I consumed two Sabelli-Frisch wines within the last week.

The 2023 YF2 Pinot remains eccentric for a pinot, but no less tasty. This was a very nice deal and a potential one-off IIRC.

I’d have thought the 2021 Eserra white Zinfandel would be at bit tired, but it’s not only rock solid but 1/3 of the bottle held up in the fridge with little deterioration Sunday to Thursday. I really like this.

[ChrisJames]

2017 Goodfellow Berserker Cuvee. Drinking nicely with years of life left in it.

[Zachary_Mancini]

Agreed. I had one a few weeks ago.

[Corey_N]

I wanted to post additional notes in anticipation of BerserkerDay. I have some additional wines I’m going to try to pull out before the BD arrives and will post notes if I get to them. Overall, quite an enjoyable group of wines. I feel like I gave the Goodfellow sparkling the short shrift because I didn’t get to follow it closely. I will try resolve that mistake soon.

• NV Briceland Vineyards Noir D'Orleans Ishi Pishi Ranch - USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County (1/22/2026)
  Red/dark red fruited with white floral notes, Band-Aid, talcum powder and faint herbal notes. The body is medium-, with medium+ acidity and a medium+ finish. Tannins are well-integrated.
  
  My notes have been consistent among several experiences with this wine. It's an unusual take on a Bdx blend, both lighter in body/higher in acid than what you'd typically find in California or Bordeaux. Delicious and food friendly. (91 points)
• 2019 Sabelli-Frisch Petit Manseng Milk Fed 2 Saureel Vineyard - USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado (1/21/2026)
  Visually this looks a lot like Mott’s apple juice. The nose is indistinct sweet yellow fruit. The sweetness of the nose does not translate to the palate. The taste is pineapple with some bitter notes. Medium bodied with high acidity.
  
  I had this wine for a while because I didn’t know what to expect. Glad that I did.
• 2021 Sabelli-Frisch Milk Fed 10 Sparkling Wine Extra Brut - USA, California (1/18/2026)
  Fairly pale with a nose dominated by synthetic green apple with grape bubble gum in the background. The palate is green apple, lemon and light yeast notes. Quite dry with good acidity and abundant bubbles.
  
  70/30 Mission/Riesling, but somehow the Riesling dominates the palate. Very good value for a California sparkling.
• 2022 Sun Break Wines Pinot Noir Ariane Cortell-Rose Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (1/16/2026)
  Cherries and raspberries on the nose. The palate reflects the nose, the red fruits are at once lightly sweet and bitter. There is sufficient tannins and acid to suggest that the wine should age well for several years. Left half a bottle overnight and the flavors became more muddled. Enjoyable and fairly priced.
• 2019 Metrick Pinot Noir Rancho la Viña Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (1/8/2026)
  Cranberry, strawberry, baking spice, and some green notes. There's some bitterness on the finish that detracts. Good acidity and well integrated tannins. I've had several bottles and there's some significant bottle variation, but overall this was pleasurable. (87 points)
• 2022 Sabelli-Frisch Riesling Bund Mokelumne Glen Vineyard - USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi Mokelumne River (1/5/2026)
  Lime and pear with copious acidity. Lightiy rounded on the tongue with a medium body and medium finish. Bone dry. Enjoyable.
• 2017 Vincent Pinot Noir Bjornson Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills (1/3/2026)
  A burst of spice layered over black cherry on the nose. The palate is red fruits and spice with floral notes on the swallow. There's great depth here, but it still profiles young. Delicious now, but will be better if you bury them for 5 years. Just great. (92 points)
• 2017 Our Wines Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon (1/3/2026)
  Cranberry, baking spices and earth. Good acid and balance. Will drink well for 5+ years. An absolute gem for the price.
• NV Goodfellow Family Cellars Extra Brut - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (12/25/2025)
  Definitely on the citrus end of the spectrum rather than yeasty. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, lots of acid, somewhat lean. Enjoyable now, but see upside with more time in bottle.

[Marcus_Goodfellow]

Thanks Corey,

These early releases definitely have more citrus than the yeasty character. As the reserve wines get older and the time on leese

In bottle gets longer there is definitely more nuttiness and yeasty notes.

[JulesD]

We opened @Adam_Frisch 2023 PicPoul tonight. My husband loved it and declared it one of his favorites. It was delicious! The bottle didn’t last long

I’m looking forward to Beserker Day

[JonathanG]

Pretty sure none of us had “Amazing White Zin" on our bingo cards before SF came out with this one!

[Brian_Tuite]

I’ve been drinking eating Berserker Day Steaks making room in the freezer for more Berserker Day steaks.