Fabio Franchella

8.9

Auch wenn es der beste bisher ist….Es ist und bleibt ein primitivo klon. — 9 days ago

with Zollinger

Matthew Cohen

9.3

12% petit syrah.

Nose: candid lilac. Very fresh. Clean. Mint. Very complex. Hint of herbs.

Palate: taut. Very precise cherry fruit. A hint of bitterness. Long. Grippy.

The source $35 ship from winery. 1 case. — 18 days ago

Brian Lenich

9.1

Dinner at 1894 Alexander Drive — 13 days ago

Ali Aboudaya

8.9

Tasteful and delicious — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Splash decanted prior to service and presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving towards a light orange garnet rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and slightly dried red and black fruits: plum, blackberry, raspberry, dried flowers, leather, cocoa, earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend or a Merlot-based blend from the United States or France. Due to the appearance and secondary characteristics, I think this has 15+ years of age. And, because this was leaning heavily towards its fruit, rather than its structure, I’m calling this being from the United States. Final conclusion, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Napa, valley floor, from a warm vintage like 2009. Dammit, I should have clued into the softer tannins from Alexander Valley. Scoring significant points though. Drink now through 2029. — a month ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose: soft elegant plum. Hint of herbs. Florals.

Palate elegant plum. Some cocoa. So elegant. Seamless.

Very Burgundian.

*

25% list OC.

The source 43.50. Can ship one case . — 18 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2008 vintage. Yeah, some wackoid(s) gave this 100 points. Whatevs. Arrived at 70-72 degrees. Zero chill. Immediately plunged into an ice bath. Used a Durand to open but the über-dry cork just laughed at it and decided to pixelate into small, broken safety glass-styled fragments. Not the sign I was looking for. Here comes the funnel + screen + decanter to save the day. That screen needs a raise come review time. Put the decanter atop the ice bath with a protective serviette between and gave it another 5-6 mins in the chill. Color not quite yellow Chartreuse but pretty close. Tasted at approx 58-59 degrees. Like a trip to the confectionery + bakery. Whoa! Medium/medium-heavy body and this was popping. Splashes and suggestions of fruits, bread products and baking spices without an overriding, final boss. Phenomenal. Can’t give it a Wilt but it did not suck and should drink as such for at least another half-decade. Have had plenty of Marcassin whites and reds and this was the best of the lot. Transcendent. For all that…? 9.6. Soviet…er…Russian judge mode deployed. 3.6.25. — 2 days ago

J B

9.2

Christmas gift from vendor. Eileen looked it up $55 — 12 days ago

Meredith Moody

9.4

Pale yellow color. Smells very citrusy and tropical, with a hint of some creaminess. On the first taste it was very bright, but had a richness on the finish. Definitely fruit forward, leans heavily towards tropical fruits like pineapple in the beginning. Has mineral/earthy notes towards the end. Very clean and dry. I really like this wine. Had it with spanish iberico ham, great combo. — 15 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.3

Really well crafted Zinfandel-based blend, clearly reads as Zin without being too overbearingly fruity or jammy. Finish has a lot of nice subtle complexity — a month ago