From My Palate To Yours
The Collection
2018 Wise Decision Chardonnay
Napa Valley
$55
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2018 WISE DECISION CHARDONNAY
Napa Valley
$55
Sold Out
About The Wine
Brian David’s Wise Decision Chardonnay comes from the cooler Oak Knoll subregion of Napa Valley. The wine opens up with classic Chardonnay notes of green and yellow apples, with a touch of lemon oil and oak. On the palate the wine shines with minerality and the right amount of weight with a long, lingering finish. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and saw around 10% neutral oak for about 8 months. Only 300 cases made.
Technical Data
Winemaker
Brian David
Alcohol
13.5%
AVA
Napa Valley
Varietal
100% Chardonnay
94
Points
Tasting Panel
2020 Brian David
Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
$55
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2020 Brian David Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
$55
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94 Points: The Tasting Panel Magazine, Dec. 2022
Wedged between Rochioli and DuMOL, this producer has crafted a red with true estate pedigree and inherent finesse. Savory scents of roses growing amid briar intertwine with cinammon on the delicate and juicy palate, which is sheathed in a gossamer layer of cranberry, incense, forest floor, and black cherry. Rose petal glistens in balance with fine acidity.
Tasting Notes from Wine Spies
An elegant cool-climate Pinot Noir from an area wedged between Rochioli and DuMOL of Russian River Valley. Fruit-forward aromas of The wine has a bounty of black cherry flavors with intricate notes of forest floor, truffle, kola nut, and cinnamon spice, and for its deep and complex palate. Notes of strawberry pie, this is a lively and fresh wine with cool-climate acidity that keeps it vibrant in contrast to the underlying richness of ripe fruit. Fills out a fleshy midpalate that is lightly spiced in nutmeg and rose with a medium to long finish.
The 2020 Brian David Pinot Noir Russian River packs so much quality into the bottle, drinking it makes you feel like you’re getting away with something. The result is a wine so delicious, generous, and brimming with red fruit that it’s already going on the lists at Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco and Charlie Palmer Steakhouse in Napa.
Technical Data
Winemaker
Brian David
Alcohol
13.9%
Aging
18 months, 50% new French oak
AVA
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Varietal
100% Pinot Noir
95
Points
Tasting Panel
Publisher’s Picks
2021 Wise Decision
Pinot Noir
Santa Barbara County
Same Wine. Two Different Labels.
$55
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2021 Wise Decision Pinot Noir
Santa Barbara County
Same Wine. Two Different labels.
$55
Sold Out
95 Points: Tasting Panel Publisher’s Picks, Jan. 2024
Meaty notes, with an onslaught of red fruits and a core of tobacco leaf. Background notes arise, with dried roses leading the fray. Raisins and soy sauce follow, matched with a front line of acidity. Well-structured with a complexity that keeps it fresh. Outstanding.
About The Wine
The 2021 Brian David Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is a delightful wine that seduces the senses with its multifaceted character. On the nose, it exudes tantalizing aromas of just-ripe strawberries and raspberries, embodying the quintessential brightness of young berries. The classic Santa Barbara sandalwood notes provide a backdrop that exudes warmth and complexity. On the palate, it continues to surprise and delight. A whisper of oak, bestowed by 20% new French oak barrel aging for 10 months, imparts structure and depth. To round out the sensory experience, a beautiful bouquet of coastal garrigue brings an element of freshness, evoking images of the verdant Santa Barbara landscape. Truly, this is a wine that tells a story – a story of terroir, tradition, and meticulous craftsmanship. The grapes are pulled from multiple sites throughout Santa Barbara County with an emphasis on Sta. Rita Hills.
Behind the exceptional character of the 2021 Brian David Santa Barbara Pinot Noir is the vision and acumen of Advanced Sommelier Brian Kulich. With a keen eye for diamonds in the rough, Kulich scours the diverse landscape of California in pursuit of the finest vineyards. His mission, to offer wines that not only captivate the palate but also embody integrity, quality, and outstanding value. Brian David Wines are not merely products of the vine; they are expressions of Kulich’s unwavering dedication to taste profile excellence and his profound understanding of guests’ palates. Each bottle tells a distinct story, a narrative of the region’s unique terroir intertwined with the passion and precision of a knowledgeable sommelier.
Technical Data
Winemaker
Brian David
Alcohol
14.5%
Aging
20% New French oak (10 months), 80% Neutral oak
AVA
Santa Barbara County
Varietal
100% Pinot Noir
Bottling
August 1, 2023
93
Points
Tasting Panel
2020 Wise Decision Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Coast
$55
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2020 WISE DECISION Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Coast
$55
Sold Out
93 POINTS: THE TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE, PUBLISHER’S CHOICE
An extended oak treatment of 20 months in new and neutral French oak resulted in a big red with finesse. Notes of black tea, balsamic, and plum skin engage the palate with a determined grip. Ripe blackberry, walnut, and smoked cedar are shadowed and bold.
About the Wine
As fires tore through Napa Valley destroying much of the harvest with high amounts of smoke taint we at Brian David Wines looked towards other regions to create our 2020 Wise Decision Cabernet Sauvignon. We did not have to look far as the larger Central Coast appellation stretches well into Northern California and in its northern stretches, a mere 40 miles southeast of Napa we found some incredible Cabernet that was free and clear of any smoke taint.
The wine underwent extended oak treatment, hence the reason we are releasing this now instead of fall of 2022 and has supple red fruit notes of red plum and strawberry with toasty oak hints of nutmeg and cedar bark. Across the palate, the wine shows finesse with a drink me now attitude and perfectly tuned tannins.
Technical Data
Winemaker
Brian David
Alcohol
14.7%
Aging
20 months, 70% mixture of new and neutral French oak
AVA
Central Coast
Varietal
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
96
Points
Tasting Panel
2018 Cana Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
$175
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2018 CANA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
$175
Sold Out
96 POINTS: THE TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE, JUL./AUG. 2022
This structured red is made with fruit sourced from a single vineyard high atop Mt. Veeder and aged in (60% new) French oak. Firm, gripping tannins latch on to slate, spiced cedar, and espresso within a shadowed mosaic of terroir-driven flavors — tilled soil, mountain vegetation, and a coating of anise. Blackberry and plum skin appear on the finish.
Technical Data
Winemaker
Brian David
Alcohol
14.9%
AVA
Napa Valley
Aging
60% new French Oak
For purchase inquiries, please contact brian@briandavidwines.com
About Us
Brian David Kulich
Owner + Advanced Sommelier
Brian Kulich, an Advanced Sommelier CMS, has curated wine lists for top restaurants throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. His work also includes beverage Director for the Omakase Restaurant group which boasts two Michelin Star restaurants along with multiple Wine Spectator wine list awards.
After cutting his teeth in San Francisco at two Michelin AQUA and 2012 James Beard Best Restaurant in the Country Award winner Boulevard Restaurant, he went on to open OSO in the town of Sonoma, reaching SF Chronicle’s Top 100 restaurants within its first year. Subsequently, he went on to become Senior Captain at three Michelin The Restaurant at Meadwood. Brian departed to design an award winning wine list for Kenzo Restaurant in downtown Napa. In addition to designing the wine list, Brian also created the service standards which SF Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer described as, “a choreographed routine.”
Today, he turns his attention to utilizing his knowledge of guest palates while bringing wine lovers flavors of integrity and approachability.
The Regions
Napa Valley
Located just 45 miles north of San Francisco, in a valley stretching up to 30 miles in length and 5 miles wide at its widest point, the Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in all of North America. Despite its popularity, it only accounts for just 4% of California’s grape harvest and has only been recognized as an American Viticultural Area since 1981. It is home to a multitude of soil types and microclimates. There are also several peaks along its western mountain range, the Mayacamas mountains such as; Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain. The eastern side is home to the Vaca mountain range of which the famous Stag’s Leap District is nestled against its southern stretches. Howell Mountain is further to the North and Calistoga as its most Northern point. The Napa Valley produces acclaimed wines produced from varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.
Russian River Valley
The Russian River Valley lies in the heart of Sonoma County just east of the coastal mountain range that separates it from the Pacific Ocean. It is home to some of the best Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes in all of the new world. Old vine Zinfandel along with a multitude of Italian and Bordeaux varieties call it home as well. The most famous of soils located here are that of sandy Goldridge, which provide excellent drainage formed when the Russian River Valley laid at the bottom of the ocean. The temperatures are kept at bay by cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean, flowing into the valley through the Petaluma Gap, all with a mixed landscape of rolling hills, steep mountainsides and dense forests.
Central Coast
The Central Coast American Viticultural Area spans South from Santa Barbara County to the North San Francisco Bay Area. As one could imagine, the southern stretches near the Pacific Ocean remain very cool and are great for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. However, the northern and inland areas of the region can be very warm and even hot during the growing months, as they are nearly 60 miles from the Pacific Ocean. This is perfect for Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In fact, some of the best examples of Cabernet Sauvignon outside of Napa can be found throughout this AVA and for a more approachable price point. The Central Coast AVA touches portions of 6 counties in California. It is a total of 300 miles long with an almost endless diversity of soils, topography, microclimates and grape varieties.
Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara County wine region located in the southern stretches of the Central Coast AVA is most widely known for wines produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, however, this wildly diverse growing region is more than capable of producing elite Syrahs, Carignane, Cabernet Franc, Grenache and some more esoteric varieties like Gruner Veltliner and Gewürztraminer. The county is home to such sub-AVA’s as Santa Rita Hills, Sant Ynez and Santa Maria Valley, the latter made famous by the legendary wines of Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat and Stephen & Bob Miller of Bien Nacido Winery and Vineyard.
The east and west running valleys that make up Santa Barbara County’s growing areas are very rare on the west coast and create a pathway for cool coastal breezes. And with a medley of diverse soils, Santa Barbara County is still exploring its potential. With just under 300 wineries the area never feels overrun with tourists and the ability to escape is one the most alluring characteristics of this great region. Despite not being as well known as some of its neighbors to the north the county as a whole contributes 1.7 billion dollars towards wines economic impact annually. And it is one of our most favorite regions to visit, explore and make wine from.