Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar. — 9 years ago

Andy Hartwick

10

Time and place have a huge effect on one's wine tasting experience. Cracking this bottle and drinking it while watching the Hip's Kingston concert (8-20-16), I felt like I was properly toasting a band that has meant a lot to me and so many other fans. For that, I'm giving this wine the biggest rating. — 10 years ago

with Tracy

Daniel Holmay

9.3

An excellent, well priced white! I don't say this about whites a lot but this has a place in my Arsenal when cooking/grilling pork or chicken!
— 10 years ago

Michael Elmore

8.9

In an awkward place. Very muted on the nose, pretty disjointed on the palate. After a tough night 1, tasted it over a week. Day 8 it started really showing. Crazy.. — 11 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Foradori Fontanasanta – Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2014

New year, a new grape (Nosiola)!

Nosiola is an ancient varietal only found in these parts of Trentino. This wine is made from a tiny 2 hectares planted in calcareous clay and farmed biodynamically. Fermentation and aging take place on the skins in clay amphora for a total time of 8 months.

The color is an elegant straw gold color with a green tint. The nose and palate show floral, chiseled rock minerality and the fruit runs in the fresh but subtle spectrum of pear, citrus and kiwi. A gorgeous purity and elegance flows over the palate. There are zero traces upon appearance, aroma or taste that hint to typical amphora (orange) wines.
#Foradori #ElisabettaForadori #ForadoriWine — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

Opened at 2pm and I was scared when I sipped it to make sure the bottle was ok. It was wound tight and I was afraid that it would not show well for dinner. 8 hours later it was PERFECT. It was in full stride and amazed everyone. My 1st Maybach!!! Baby., where have you been all my life!! 😍🍷🍷🍷🍷😍.
This was the runner up WOTN since we have to respect the 61 Musigny and how incredibly well structured it has to be to stand up after 55 years & show as impeccably as it did. However, This is the 2nd place finisher by only .0000000001 point!!!! Lol — 10 years ago

Alexander Motola

9.4

The '06 is in a really nice place, modest oakiness, strawberry nose, but clean and balanced. I am a fan. Hard to believe this was a WTSO purchase 8 years ago, amazing QPR. Probablt won't get any better from here. — 11 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

While I love the undeniable sense of place that Cayuse, Horsepower and No Girls provide....I always struggle to catch these prodigious wines in the right drinking window. This was big to be sure but after an 8 hour audouze and 2 hours in the decanter it was a powerful polished and nuanced Syrah like few others I've tried. The fox fur, raw hot dog and saline on the nose are so different than the taste of bramble, deep purple fruit, blackberry compote and volcanic ash that develop on the entry and mid-palate. The last glass was silky smooth on the finish with a substantial and uniquely earthy mouthfeel. Ready to drink now with time and air. Best paired with food but oh so tasty and fun. — 10 years ago

William Feinstein

9.1

Raspberries, cherry cordial and dates. Still singing at 8 years old. Plenty of time left. In good place. — 10 years ago

with Maryalice

Rob Guimaraes

9.3

In a magnificent place right now. Hasn't lost anything in 8 years whereas the edges have softened, making for a great mouthfeel. Still singing with vegetal, sanguine earthiness but even the fruit is holding up underneath. Gorgeous. — 11 years ago

with Sam