R&B Cellars

Just Wine Points - 97 Points - May 2013
R&B Cellars Methode Champenoise "Chansons des Etoiles"
"Nice, fresh cherry, strawberry, stone fruit, citrus and pineapple aromas, with compliments of yeast, white pepper, floral spices and flint. Everything come through on the palate in a wonderfully balanced, fresh, crisp, sparkler that lingers on and on."

Just Wine Points - 96 Points - May 2013
R&B Cellars 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Lyric of the Vine
"Beautiful aromas of blackberry, cherry, black raspberry, plum and saddle leather, with hints of mint/eucalyptus, pepper and oak. Holding up very well for its age, this cab has a nice spicy character, is well balanced and smooth all the way through the long, round, lingering finish."

Just Wine Points - 95 Points - May 2013
R&B Cellars 2010 Zydeco Zinfandel
" Pretty raspberry, cherry, blackberry, briar and anise enveloped in pepper spice and a good dose of spicy oak. Nice character on the palate, a bit oaky but the fruit underneath is fresh and just enough to carry it through the lingering finish."

Affairs of the Vines - Cabernet Shoot-Out - Jan. 2013
Gold Medal, 90 Points. 4 Hearts=Love at First Sip: "Black currant and rhubard, French oak and black fruit on the nose. Raspberry and cassis on the entry. Complex palate, Nicely structured. Gripping tannins surround young black fruit. Cocoa back notes."

San Francisco Chronicle "Holiday Bites" Section - Dec. 2012
"Using grapes procured from the finest vineyards...R&B Cellars is a family-owned winery that produces a variety of artisanal wines celebrated by wine lovers throughout the U.S. and several countries around the world...."Making wine is a passion we've been dedicated to long before we started the business in 1997," say winemaker Kevin Brown. "My wife and I are both jazz musicians, and we make wine like we play jazz: with love and devotion to an art form. That devotion comes through in every bottle we produce." Click here to read the entire article.

Alameda Magazine / Oakland Magazine - November 2012
"In California, wine tasting was once a rural experience....Today, the East Bay is home to numerous urban wineries, but most tasting rooms still shutter at 6 p.m. and serve minimal nibbles. Alameda is changing all that...Alameda Vintners Club offers tastings from five East Bay wineries from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday...paired with small plates designed to compliment the wines..." Alameda Vintners Club at Angela's Bistro & Bar, 2301 Central Ave. in Alameda. Click here to read pg. 1. Click here for pg 2.

Touring & Tasting Magazine - 2012
"From it's very first notes, R&B Cellars has delivered premium wines infused with the musical passion of its owners, Barbara and Kevin Brown....Today, R&B Cellars creates a terrific, diversified portfolio of 12 high-quality wines that are value oriented... " Click here to read entire article.

BevEx - Ma 8, 2012
The Improviser - Brilliant - "...boysenberry, blackberry, and cherry with accents of chocolate-covered vanilla cherries...lush, juicy, jammy and as hedonistic as California wine can be..." Read entire review.
2010 Serenade in Blanc Sauvignon Blanc - Brilliant "...a subtle marriage of green grass with crisp green melon, red grapefruit, mineral, and citrus zest...a crisp citrus-driven core supported by notes of fresh herbs, lush orange and tangeriine, and subtle ginger accents." Read entire review.
2010 Swingsville Zinfandel - Brilliant "Bright ruby red color...ultra ripe berries filling the nose...Lush and vibrant..." Read entire review.
2009 Minuet in Merlot - Brilliant "...rich and intense..,blackberry, cherries, and red currants in the lead with accents of vanilla soaked oak, nutmeg, and cherry liquer...the palate echoes..with ripe, lush fruit...flanked by notes of oak, earth, and brown baking spices...lingering finish with enough acidity to add vibrancy." Read entire review.
2009 Pizzicato Petite Sirah - Exceptional - "Deep, darkest ruby red color...intensely fruity with waves of ripe, crushed blackberry, plum, raspberry, and black cherries with accents of brown baking spices, mineral and cocoa...large and jammy..." Read entire review.
2009 Zydeco Zinfandel - Brilliant - "...ripe red and blackberrys leap from the glass...scents of blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry mingle with vanilla, allspice, and raspberry jam...fruit explosion that slowly fades revealing oak, earth, and brown baking spice notes..." Read entire review.

Just Wine Points - March 2012 (Its not just points!!)
*2010 Serenade in Blanc Sauvignon Blanc - 94 Points "Pretty grapefruit, orange and lemon aromas with hints of minerals and oak...well balanced, full-bodied, crisp and clean...a nice lingering finish." Read entire review.
*2010 Swingsville Zin - 91 Points "Aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry..pepper spice and oak...well blanced..good mouthfeel and a smooth, round finish." Read entire review.
*2009 Zydeco Zin94 Points "Deep aromas of blackberry, raspberry, black cherry and plum surrounded by chocolate, vanilla, spice and oak..." Read entire review.
*The Improviser - 96 Points "A fresh nose of raspberry, blackberry, cherry...with hints of vanilla, spice and oak. Wonderfully balanced, smooth and juicy...Buy this by the case!" Read entire review>
*2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - 90 Points " Aromas of mature blackberry, black cherry, plum and currant, with tea, chocolate and oak following....nicely blanced, well-structured, and lingers on the palate in a beautiful smooth finish." Read entire review.

Beverage Testing Institute - November 14, 2011
"Pale silvery gold color. Lightly toasted peach-kiwi custard pie, melon gelato aromas are pleasing with a soft, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy Meyer lemon granita and grassy earth finish. Stylish and tasty."
Read entire review. 88 Points

Midwest Wine Guy - Real Honest Wine Reviews and Education - September, 2011
"The 2006 Metronome Merlot from R&B Cellars is a tasty and unforgettable every day drinker for the Merlot lover....great taste and fantastic price!"
Read entire review. 89 Points

Midwest Wine Guy - September, 2011
"Another delicious wine from the music themed winery of R&B Cellars....delightful tasting experience..."
Read entire review. 92 Points

Leah Garchik - SF Chronicle - R&B co-hosts farewell dinner for Vietnamese Consul General. Click to read article.

Midwest Wine Guy - June, 2011
"The 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel from R&B Cellars is a true testament that fantasitic wine doesn't have to cost a fortune....this wine would give any Zinfandel thrice its price a run for its money...(it) has that "make you feel good" quality about it...this Zinfandel is one you won't soon forget." Click to read entire review. 92 Points

Midwest Wine Guy - June, 2011
"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from R&B Cellars is a fine example of a Napa Valley Cabernet, but at a price that is affordable for most of the drinking public.....the aromas of black cherry, blackberry, floral bouquet, tea and plum immediately grab you and pull you in....leaving you with a lingering finish and an empty bottle very quickly...a wine you can hold onto for years, but it is drinking wonderfully now." Click to read entire review. 93 Points

Tastings.com - 92 Points - R&B Cellars 2008 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley - Jan, 2011
"Elegant, polished and stylish with dark berry, creme Anglaise, peppery spice, cocoa, coconut, and mineral notes throughout. Lots of flavor and finesse. Serve with prime rib."

LODI Wine Country - blog, by Randy Caparoso, 3/4/11
"Louis Armstrong once said, "man, if you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know." If you have to ask what Zinfandel is all about, after sipping this one by Alameda's R&B Cellars, then maybe the grape will never be for you. It is one of the freshest, brightest, smoothest Zinfandels we have tasted in a long time...." Click to read entire review.

Beverage Testing Institute - 2008 Pizzicato Petite Sirah - "Elegant, polished and stylish with dark berry, creme Anglaise, peppery spice, cocoa...."
Click to read entire review. Gold Medal, 92 Points

BevX - 2008 Pizzicato Petite Sirah - 4 Stars: Exceptional!
"Deep, dark burgundy color...a rich but dry berry driven fruit core with flanking notes of spice, oak, and hints of earth...." Click here for full review.

Beyond Napa Valley by Haydn Adams: A review on our Port at the Crush Barrel Wine Market in SF. "A beautiful wine to finish off the tasting...."

Affairs of the Vine - 2010 Cabernet Shootout...A Wine Challenge - 2005 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet: 90 Points, 4 hearts = Love at First Sip "Very rich. give it time to breathe. Interesting aromatic - a blend of earth and fruit. Blackberry, cherry pie, mocha, licorice, cedar, and vanilla. Wow! Big and balanced. "It's all there!""

Beyond Napa Valley by Haydn Adams: A review on our Port at the Crush Barrel Wine Market in SF. "A beautiful wine to finish off the tasting...."

New Release: Fortissimo "Port" Dessert Wine
And here's what Haydn Adams, author of Wineries Beyond Napa Valley: Dry Creek and Alaexander Valley said of our port at the July Crush Barrel Wine Market in SF of his top 4 picks of the market: "A beautiful wine to finish off the wine tasting..... Tobacco, leather and plum can easily be found in this wine. It's thick and leathery; simply beautiful."

Wine and Jazz Magazine: R&B Cellars: Music in the Barrels by Bob Ecker. For the complete article, click here.

Alameda Magazine: Secret Eats - Kevin and Barbara's favorite foodie picks - in the May/June issue

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: 2005 Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. TRIPLE Gold Medal, "Best in Class" "Judges Choice"

Beverage Tasting Institute: 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel
91 pts - Gold Medal - "Best Buy"
"Aromas of black raspberries, honey ice cream and clay follow through on a supple, juicy entry.....Finishes with a long, spicy, jammy soft tannin fade. A tasty crowd pleaser..."

Houston Lifestyles and Homes: Denman Moody. "R&B Cellars Syrah North Coast 2006 - Another incredible value in a serious red.....Blackberry jam, blueberries and spice. $13

TheWineBuzz (Sept/Oct 2009 issue): R&B Cellars Saxy Syrah 2006 $13 "Very appealing warm, spicy aromas of clove and cinnamon with notes of leather, earth and spiced berries; viscous, with deep blueberry flavor and top notes of rasppberry; good grip, good length, good flavors."

TheWineBuzz (Jan/Feb 2010 issue): R&B Cellars Swingsville Zindandel (Lodi); $12 "Rich, ripe black plum and cassis aroma with a hint of dark cocoa and black licorice; juicy concentrated ripe black fruit - loads of flavor - with a peppery backbone. Excellent value."

Beverage Tasting Institute's World Wine Championships -2007 Zydeco Zinfandel: "Pure, focused aroma of creamy, warm cherry custard and delicate baking spices follow through on a soft, silky entry to a dry-yet fruity medium-to-full body with excellent poise, smoothness, and depth. Finishes with a long, mineral and caramelized roasted nut fade. A delicious and vibrant zin for the table or sipping."

Beverage Tasting Institute's World Wine Championships
- R&B Cellars 2005 Bingham Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: 90 pts.
"Deep garnet violet color. Aromas of melted honeycomb, berry pie, and spiced chocolate follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry- to-fruity medium-to-full body with good depth and nice tangy cranberry and orange relish notes. Finished with a firm, powdery tannin fade. Tasty; pair with rib-eye steak. (Tasted on Jan. 25, 2010)

Beverage Tasting Institute -2007 Swingsville Zinfandel: 89 pts "Cellar selection" "Best Buy"
"Deep Garnet color. Aromas of chocolate, raspberries....Finishes with a crisp, roasted almond, rainsin, and pepper accented fade. Solid" (Tasted on 5/7/09)"

Under the Grape Tree "...On the palate, black cherries, black current and blackberry notes are intermingled wiwth mocha, black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, truffle and creamy oak. It finishes long and lush...."

W. Blake Grey on ZAP's top ten wines: "R&B makes a very nice $12 Zin from Lodi, the 2007 Swingsville, an old Bargain Wines favorite of mine..."give me that single-vineyard Napa Zin."

W. Blake Grey on top ten Napa Zins at ZAP: 2007 Zydeco Zinfandel "Nice ripe cherry fruit with an interesting smoky note; long finish. 91"

gjsentinal.com The Buzz @ R&B Cellars - Wine of the Week

BevX - 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel - 4 Stars - "Exceptional" "Wine of the Week" 9/28/09

AlaWine.com: 94 Points "R&B Cellars Reserve 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon stands in the glass as a dark, ruby-garnet color. A beautiful aroma, revealing ripe dark fruits...."

Vinikits Vinterviews: rhythm in blue...an interview with R&B's winemaker, Kevin Brown

Tastings.com 89 - R&B Cellars 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel, Lodi $12, "Cellar Selection" "Best Buy" "Deep garnet color. Aromas of chocolate, raspberries, lilac and earth follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a touch of spice and graphite. Finishes with a crisp, roasted almond, raisin, and pepper accented fade. Solid." (Tasted May, 2009)

Brokeass Gourmet 2009 - R&B Cellars Lodi Zin: "...the wine is a fantastic value...The wine hits you with its distinct cherry and red licorice flavors...with prominent flavors and aromas of pomegranate and mint."

Total Beverage Blog
I LOVE THIS WINE. . . a zinfandel that is music to the palate!..This is a rockstar zinfandel that deserves for more people to be drinking it!

East Bay Express
Favorite bargain Zins from the ZAP tasting.
February 06, 2008

USA Today Review
Music To My Tongue
December 08,2006

Dining Out Magazine
"The wine hits you with its distinct cherry and red licorice flavors . . .with prominent flavors and aromas of pomegranate and mint."

Savannah Now - 2006 Sauvignon Blanc
"This blend of all Sauvignon Blanc is crisp with a note of minerality"

Savannah Now - 2004 Saxy Syrah
"The wine is complex, intense and a big, luxurious example of Syrah . . ."

Savannah Now - 2006 Swingsville Zinfandel
". . .this Zin..... is a glam rocker alive with color, flavor and smell. . ."

Savannah Now - Counterpoint Cabernet Franc
"I tasted R&B Cellars 2006 Cabernet Franc from California, shich, to my taste, epitomizes the characteristics of a Cab Franc."

Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes
Moody's Hot 10,
November 30, 2006

Connoisseurs Guide To California Wines
R&B Cellars Reserve Napa Valley 2003
Cabernet Sauvignon, April 01,2007

Alameda Magazine
R&B Cellars Featured in the December issue
Saxy Syrah and Sauvignon Serenades

Moody's Wine Review
Moody's Hot 10
November 30, 2006

San Francisco Chronicle
Great gift wines that won't reveal your tight fists
November 24, 2006

San Francisco Chronicle
Fine Wines to Please Elves, Dwarves and Men
October 27, 2006

San Francisco Chronicle
Food & Wine Newsletter "Wine of the Week"
October 11,2006

San Francisco Chronicle
Sauvignon Blancs Fit For A King
July 27, 2006

OvaHere
Best Zinfandels Under $20
February 01, 2006

Arizona Republic
Value Vintages for Family Meals
November 02, 2005

Click here to watch Kevin & Barbara's interview at ZAP 2008:

San Francisco Cuisine
The Premier Culinary and Winery Guide

Wine Country Getaways
Quick Getaways

Beverage Journal
Maryland & Washington DC
April 2007

Wealth Manager
Liqued Assets,
December 01, 2006

Elements Magazinge
Message On A Bottle Wine Labels as Fine Art
Fall Issue 2006

Beverage Journal
From the Vineyard, July 01,2006
Available in: Southern Carolina, Florida,
Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas

Piedmont Post
Zinfandel In All It's Glory
February 16,2005