Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The 2016 Delmas Syrah is a head-turning wine that takes its seat at the high table in Washington Syrah. Sourced from the highly acclaimed SJR Vineyard, the Syrah is connected with 7.25% Viognier in the co-ferment and saw limited new oak prior to bottling. This instantly impressess as it exudes heady aromas of red currant jelly, cigar ash, blood orange rind, barn floor, crushed wet gravel and Asian spices which all come together beautifully and continue to bring you back to the glass for more. On the palate this silky, smooth and seductive red is well balanced and laced with flavors of cranberries, pomegranate, Mandarin orange, red cherry candy, peat moss and Umami. This has incredible range, precision, purity and focus from start to finish. Overall, this is a completely compelling wine from winemaker, Billo Naravane, which will cellar beautifully for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2030- 96 — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

P&H, founded in 1988 by industry folks Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses and Heather Patz. Grapes were sourced from Gap's Crown and a new vineyard from winegrower Mark Sanchietti, as well as several other acclaimed vineyards. Complex aromas of stone, tropical and citrus fruit. On the palate melon, pineapple and lemon flavors, toasty & nutty notes with lively acidity, rich with great mouthfeel. Well balanced on lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Larger production allow this wine to be enjoyed now. — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.2

Part of a vertical starting with this 2005, vibrant fruit still present. Nose of smoked plum and tobacco. Rich and extracted, well defined, hailing from the acclaimed Hayne Vineyard. Very nice wine. — 7 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

Nose of mushrooms and smoke and wet wood. The palate is still very vivid with a nice acid frame that goes for a long time. Strawberry, dry petals, a hint of cherry, very round and almost disappearing tannins. Nice experience with a 30 year old wine in a not so universally acclaimed vintage — 7 years ago

Marzia Brumat

Founder, Vinous

8.9

Checking in on the acclaimed 2015. Little closed when just opened then flavors of apple and pear blossom on the palate as temperature rises. Very good entry level wine and an enjoyable reward for the hard work of the busy week. — 7 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.4

In a line up with GC burgundy, blinded. Had everyone fooled. Volcanic shallow soil and young vines. Meticulous berry sorting.
Shows Oregon can produce wines of world class potential. Still a baby. Cooler vintage less critically acclaimed, but probably more aligned with burgundy lover preferences. — 7 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.1

Hello, old friend. — 8 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.0

A real solid entry level wine from an acclaimed producer — 8 years ago

Winemoments

9.0

First time tasting #chateaudebeaucastel. Elegantly perfumed, balanced and almost totally integrated structure with retreating blackpepper notes. I believe the wine is ready to drink. Enjoyed quite much in new year's eve dinner. Looking forward to taste the more acclaimed 2009. — 8 years ago

Marcus L

9.6

Aged awesome. Don't sleep on less acclaimed vintages. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.4

From the highly acclaimed Oger region, the Jean Milan Grand Cru Grand Réserve 1864 is a blend of 100% Chardonnay from the 2003 and 2004 vintages. Add to the equation eight years of aging on the lees, and you've got a wine with both dimension and power. Lofty aromas of honey, cinnamon raisin bread, white gardenia, peach, and smoke. The attack is focused and brisk, and dare I say it—an almost laser-like focus. It's pretty spare fruit-wise, with racy lemon pith, rich texture, and a glorious, vinous finish. — 9 years ago

Stephen Tam Loo

9.6

Mike Officer- highly acclaimed producer of Zinfandel today. — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In the 17 published editions of Gambero Rosso, Italy’s acclaimed wine rating guide, this Tuscan estate has won the coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award 17 times. Ruby with complex berry and elegant spice aromas. On the palate rich ripe cherry and blackberry flavors with sweet spice, cedar, cacao and tobacco enhance the berry fruit. Graceful tannins, savory with good acidity balance, lingering ending with earthy mineral character. Nice! — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, liqueured dark cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, dark raisins, plums, dates, figs, baking spices, chocolate, dark rich soils, light spice and decayed dark florals. The mouthfeel is thick, rich and nicely resolved. Although it's nearly 20 years from inception, it's quite fresh and somewhere just the other side of it's peak. Dark cherries, plum, raisins, figs, dates, prunes, cherries, poached strawberries, somewhere between black raspberries & raspberries, dark & milk chocolate, light spice, rich, dark, moist soil, dry loamy top soil, violets, decayed, dark florals, light baking spices and caramel with nice round acidity. The finish is thick, rich 50-50 fruit and earth and lasts nearly a minute. This 98 is drinking nicely tonight with our Burrata, olive oil, Tondo balsamic, roasted garlic, garden cherries tomatoes and pesto sauce. Photos of; their beautiful villa estate, straw mats in warm rooms for drying the grapes to make this wine, Owner/Ambassador-Marilisa Allegrini, one of their vineyards and our charcuterie. Producer history & notes...Allegrini is one of the most acclaimed wineries in Veneto and a benchmark producer of Amarone. Their owner Marilisa Allegrini is a global ambassador for the region and internationally. Many in the industry considered her, "the voice of Amarone.” The Allegrini legacy spans six generations of wine growers. The Allegrinis have played a leading role in Valpolicella since the 16th century. Giovanni Allegrini is the patriarch of the modern estate. Today, his children, led by owner Marilisa, carry his legacy forward as one of the Veneto’s most acclaimed estates. Marilisa is the Ambassador for the estate while her brother, Franco, is internationally praised as one of Italy’s finest winemakers. They have 247 acres of vineyards in the Valpolicella Classico, the Allegrinis nurture a collection of remarkable sites. Each with its own personality, soils and focused microclimate. All seven vineyards range from the steep hillsides of La Grola to the plateau of La Poja and offer uniquely special expressions that make up their truly amazing wines. Allegrini has earned many accolades. In 2016, they were named Winery of the Year by Gambero Rosso, Italy’s definitive wine and food magazine. Parker called Allegrini the “reference point for fine Amarone.” Tonight this 98 was a nice example of those accolades.
— 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Thriving under the second generation for more than 2 decades, this family owned and operated winery is internationally acclaimed for crafting some of the world's finest cool climate wines. Aromas of complex fruit and enticing spice, aged for 12 months on 30% New French oak. On the palate flavors of cherry and cranberry with cacao and pepper spice. Lingering finish with expressive tannins should give thus wine a few years to run. Nice, trying their reserve next! — 7 years ago

John Kanellopoulos

9.2

Santorini is best known as a honeymoon destination and recently acclaimed Asyrtiko white vintage Mavrotragano is a rare, elitist vine that can flourish in the volcano soil of Santorini and become the base of this unique red. Nothing like I have ever experienced among big red vines: unique depth, color, mixed flavors, color — 7 years ago

Katherine Blatz

8.9

Peju is always a crowd pleaser. 2012 is a regionally acclaimed vintage. — 7 years ago

Mark Quezada

9.1

I enjoyed this wine! Definitely drank way above another "critically acclaimed" Washington Cabernet also from Red Mountain. Black and blue fruit, mocha, cinnamon and a touch of pencil lead. Balanced. — 8 years ago

with Adam

Christine Havens

9.0

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler growing conditions have endowed this Cab with tart, high-pitched red berries, underpinned by savory notes. Dried herbs a mineral vein linger on a persistent finish. — 8 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.9

One of my SQN guilty pleasures. Not one of the acclaimed and beloved SQNs, but has never failed to make me smile. Smokey, spicy, black fruit potpourri with a hint of that Alban tar. Licorice and violets. Opulent. Elegant. Leisurely finish. Are there better Syrahs? Yeah. I've had a few. But they all say SQN on the label. Are there better winemakers? I think you know my answer. — 9 years ago

Adam Crane

9.3

Newish vineyard site for Conterno. A little more accessible in its youth than the acclaimed Cascina Francia. Come get it at Prato. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Cassis and Dust - Dusty dark fruit. Only medium weight- restrained, dare I say elegant. Correct to drink the first of the 6 I bought now / from the acclaimed 2009 vintage. Not as rich and full bodied as expected. A merlot dominant blend usually around 70%. This Vineyard sits next to Cheval Blanc. Post script - I found out that in 2009 the wine was 100% Merlot. — 7 years ago

Mike R

9.4

What a deal what a deal what a deal - I will put this napa cab up against wines twice it's price - 2 hour decant and it's sings -

Taste is incredible fruit - dark blue and red fruit - highly structured tannins with density and complexity galore - smell works but it will get more aromatic in 2-3 years - If drinking now as I did then please decant

This comes from Tench vineyards - same as the acclaimed bevan - well I say drink this at half the price then you tell me the difference

This is big bold beautiful and I am smiling
— 7 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.3

If you are rating this any lower than 9.0 you are an unsophiscated feable-minded moron still wondering why you spent over $50 on something labeled just Bourgogne. Clive Coates' acclaimed 3 star producer doesn't even care what you have to say about this. 3 star producer, that's what you have to say about it. Yep, Bachelet's trash is still worth more than 96% of any bottle with the label Bourgogne. That's what the hell is up. You want 3 star? All the way to the trash, orchestras of Soul music. Merely practice lines of a genius' composition as he gets ready to consider his single holding on grand Cru land. Don't even bother letting us know what you have to say if it's not 9.2 or higher. — 7 years ago

Dan Liu

9.4

The Calf and the Bull

A fitting title as I reviewed these two whilst dining on a beef roast.
A bit of yin and yang here as the older 2012 Paringa Estate Shiraz stands shoulder to shoulder with the youthful and equally acclaimed 2015 Norfolk Rise, Mount Benson's Shiraz.

Paringa - in comparison a much softer/smoother Shiraz than the Norfolk Rise, to be expected with the age comparison. A more balanced and (obviously) mature nose of darker fruits. Finer tannins on the palate and a ballsy (for cooler climate Shiraz) peppery-tobacco finish that is still smooth enough that you ponder its length until it finally reaches the end of your tongue. Leaving the thought of 'the old bull who still has it'.

Norfolk Rise - it's jammy! Sticky sweetness on the nose but far from sickening. Tobacco and pepper playing hide-and-seek with the dark fruits. The palate; pepper is extracted from its hiding place and lands smack-bang on your tongue presenting a big hit rearward and mid palate but is a bit shy to come forward. The calf.

The Surmise
If I had a cellar, I'd arrange it laterally by variety/region and vertically by vintage. The 2012 Paringa Estate Shiraz may very well sit alongside the Norfolk Rise Shiraz. However, the Norfolk Rise would definitely delineate itself a few notches south of the Paringa Estate due to its youth. For now I'd be reaching for the Paringa every day of the week with the excitement of what's to come from the Norfolk Rise.
These two wines are yin and yang. Separated by three years. Almost incomparable. I'd like to line up the 2014 or 2015 Paringa Peninsula Shiraz against the 2015 Norfolk Rise Shiraz. But for now, the old bull is the one to watch. — 7 years ago

Jason Pesaro

9.4

Glossy golden magic.  Nose of caramel, spices and dried apricot.  Tasted of baked honey pineapple custard laced with botrytis.  Acid was so balanced this was not cloying at all.  Aged Chenin showing why its so highly acclaimed.  Just great. — 8 years ago

with Brian

Chris DeBarr

9.4

A breathtaking beauty holding up with passion, finesse! From the semi-frequent library releases of this acclaimed vigneron! — 8 years ago

with Christie

Bob McDonald

9.4

From the acclaimed 2005 vintage this burgundy shows cherry overtones. A fragile palate which seems to change minute by minute. A vibrant enjoyable wine travelling with ease. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

From the acclaimed Durell Vineyard, the 2009 TOR Chardonnay is all from the Wente Clone fruit, grown in a mix of Goulding clay loam and diatomaceous earth, the effect of which is startling. This is a big, brooding Chardonnay, with complex aromas of hazelnuts, vanilla, coffee bean, chocolate liquor, and praline. Silky on entry, quite compact, with mouth-coating glycerol and seductive, weighty notes of smoky poached pear, candied orange peel and unsalted butter. Imagine draping yourself in gold velvet. — 9 years ago

Olivier

9.8

Acclaimed top Sauvignon blanc 2014. Delicious.
— 9 years ago