Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 69% Shiraz, 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from McLaren Vale, deep Ruby color with aromas of berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of vanilla, spice, licorice and tobacco. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, sweet spice and earthy notes. — 8 months ago

Victor Charcan

9.0

Always fine. The blood, iron like hint of Mencía, very mineral, fine red fruit and great acid — 9 months ago

Evelina Liljeberg

10

Mycket gott! Drack på La Ruelle. — 10 months ago

Elle Scorcho

9.2

Smoke, tar, licorice, ripe berries, plum, subtle cinnamon sticks, and mocha throughout. Thin bodied and light, but so flavorful. — a year ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Diesel/petrol, lovely Riesling fruit, I know this is way too young to drink, but the bottle looked like it wanted to be drunk today!! — a year ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.0

The light cherry red in colour belies the intensity of the palate. Cherry and raspberry flavours - some herbal notes. The Grenache grapes from a sandy terroir in McLaren Vale - most suitable. 77 year old vines. The wine was made in a natural style - fresh and young - juicy. Interesting back story: When the Rolling Stones were touring Australia in 2014 with a gig in Adelaide, Mick Jagger plus Keith’s wife and a few others decided to visit the Adelaide Hills and had lunch there with Taras Ochota and his wife. Apparently the Stones bought all of their inventory and had a memorable stay. Sadly Taras passed away a few years ago. — a year ago

ESF

8.9

i've had this off & on for the past 25 years and it reliably offers copious amounts of fruit along with cocoa, vanilla & other decadent flavors & aromas. This was no different just not as polished or balanced as I recall. Wonder if they've increased production - this is their entry level offering — 8 months ago

Tommy Harrison

8.9

Buy. Crisp with pear or apple finish. Not salty. — 9 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A rich and intense blend from Australia. Aromas of tropical fruits and oak attributes, on the palate balance of acidity and sweetness, long finish. — 10 months ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

Gold in colour. Like… really really gold. A lot going on here. Stone fruit. Some oak. Buttery as well. Muito bom! — a year ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.2

Touriga Nacional (40%), Touriga Franca (20%), Tinta Roriz (30%), Tinta Barroca (10%). Medium to deep purple. Medium body, medium tannin at most, medium acidity, dry. Some slight funk on the nose, in a very good way. Wet rocks, violets, light baking spices. Better after open for a day. Benchmark Duero for what I can find in the US so far. — a year ago

James Everhart

9.1

Outstanding value at $16. Good body and acidity with floral notes. — a year ago

Severn G

9.1

Annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine.
(Notes this year were avoided, but scores are honest.) — 3 years ago

Diederick Swagemakers

9.3

Still very fresh — 8 months ago

Bob Tomlinson

9.0

Spicy red. Nice tannins. Glad encounter. — 9 months ago

romo

9.1

Perfect w paella every time. — 9 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark purple/black color. Aromas of cooked black fruit, violets and Asian spices. Blackberry compote, huckleberry, blueberry jam and black plum fruit flavors along with notes of chocolate, black licorice, basil, tobacco, coffee and vanilla. Hint of saline on the long and drawn out finish. High, but not obvious, alcohol (16%). Velvety texture and tannin structure. Plush, bold and powerful. Thanks for sharing, James W. — a year ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.5

Super velvety, light to medium body but still very plump. Very long finish. Would drink! — a year ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

80 Old vines, 30 varieties, mainly tinta roriz, 16 months French oak. Robert Parker 93 points. Berry forward, high acid, field blends are the oldest vines, highest price points — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago