Anthony De Blasi

9.1

Difficult, where I found this wine terrific 1,5 years ago it wasn’t that good yesterday. Very tannic and bitter. Apparently yesterday was an off day to drink wine biodynamically seen. I’m starting to believe this approach more and more — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A rather vivid ruby red color with a wide brim upon opening. After an hour decant the nose displays classic Brunello notes of dried cherries, violets, and smoked tobacco. A bit beefy and meaty with more smoke and grilled meats also show. The plethora of eastern spices compliment the black tea.

Classic, old school Brunello. Can’t beat it. Not modern in its approach, this is more austere than many of the newer models. But that doesn’t mean it’s not inviting. Elegant gets thrown around far too often in wine but it’s appropriate here. Lush and ethereal with that certain something going on.

The fruit on the palate is still lovely and lively. Long, deep notes of cherries and plums. Sandalwood and roasted nuts to go with the cigar box. Leather and dusty earth to die for. Wonderful acidity on the long finish. This is still just a baby so keep waiting but it’s so pretty right now. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

Remarkable Langhe Nebbiolo from Cavalotto that would outshine most Barolos in terms of quality. To young but there is no denying of its inherent quality. Classical in its approach with a high concentration of red slightly tart fruit, roses, smoke, spice and stones with a slight volatile finish. High acidity and gum coating tannins dominate the palate, strong mid palate and a long finish. An impressive invitation to Cavalottos arsenal. From younger vines in the Barolo zone, 20-35 days submerged cap maceration with 15-18 months in Slavonian casks. — 5 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.1

Purchased on a recent trip to Idaho. Aromas are true to an old world sangiovese. On the palate, it is more of a new world approach to sangiovese vs chianti. Black cherry, and leather flavors that matched with nice smooth tannins. Love to try these local small wineries. This hangs right there with most young chianti. — 6 years ago

Bill Belanger

9.1

“The Liar” tastes like an Amarone, but is not produced like it. In fact, the full sour cherry and slight raisin character were lighter than Amarone — and easier to approach — 7 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.2

The '13 vintage was a boon to the entire west-coast, and the Dominio "Love Lies Bleeding" makes that clear from sip numero uno. Even from the first glass (sans decant) the "Love Lies Bleeding" gently wraps its way around the palate with a delightfully soft approach that's backed with a real substance of juicy cherry and extremely fine tannins to frame it.

Between the subtlety and softness of the nose and the vibrant fruit that's un-wrapped right upon touching the tongue- I would have been fooled into thinking this an example of something from California if poured blind.
— 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Gosh dang. Wish I had gotten another bottle. I saved this from last October at The Wine House's Antinori fest...another coming up so maybe I should go. Anyway I adore a good Barbaresco. More quickly sip-able than Barolo. This is all the fresh roses and dried orange peel you can imagine. The tannins are a smidgen rough still. I opened this early I now know, hence my desire for another bottle to age. But there are those backnotes of violet, frankincense (or myrrh? They run together in my memory), angry earth (not yet tar and yet!) and blueberry that are hiding there in the very back. This is a tasty wine that could use another year or so to knit together. The acid is decent but the tannins need to get their act together. I say this even after "decanting" into my Zalto Burgundy glass for a lil' while...but maybe I still need a real decanter, and maybe more than an hour of wine relaxation . And patience. — 8 years ago

Matt

9.4

The last 3 or 4 btls of VT Have been very disappointing. This ‘05 has restored my faith. In general, I can find the winemaking to lack some soul, and I do believe bottle variation is an issue, but when VT hits it totally hits. This is firing on all cylinders, I would argue about to approach or at peak. Balanced, complex, depth and elegance, soulful! Crazy how persistent tannins have been in 2005 CNDPs, so ripe yet incredibly upright, granular, and muscular. May have to start opening more of them. Strawberry confit, roast plum, fig and prune, herbs, mint, cinnamon, saddle leather, stones. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

As the summer is slipping out of our hands, its time to to pop those complex reds that we’ve been lastning for. Produttori del Barbaresco is considered one of the best cooperatives in the world and its 2016 Barbaresco is a solid proof of that statement.
Restrained at first and needs a couple of hours in the decanter to reach its climax. True to its provenance its clasically crafted, and puts up complex profile of red cherries, rose hip, strawberries, spice, bitter orange and a volatile dried floral lift over a canvas of wet soil.
An offensive approach on the palate with a high acidity and a generous portion of mouth coating tannins that is well accompanied by a pronounced fruit profile with an evolving finish. Very good indeed, but is a couple of level behind to reach the higher tiers. — 5 years ago

Kevin

8.9

Rose buds and grapes, purple fruits; beaten against the rocks, suffocated at high altitude and fed a thin diet of air and cool sun. An up-front approach, not much to linger. Fleeting and delicious. — 5 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.2

Before anything I’m compelled to admit my bias and admiration for Veritas Vineyards. I love the place. And with that out of the way, I’m going to describe my experience with the ‘15 Viognier as I experienced it. No fancy words or “miraculously subtle” sorts of “mandatory praise” that one often comes across when they like what they try. The nose of the ‘15 Veritas Viognier brings about that warm feeling on your shoulders of a sunny day, out in the meadow. The exquisite approach and palate imbue the very essence of spring water in summer- round, lush and satisfying for a long, long way. The juicy finish succinctly acts as a juicy, last look and reflection of that gorgeous, borderline resplendent day in the sun that you NEEDED. As a proper & fitting coda, and as an element that only further drew me into this gorgeously-simple experience- it was a twist-off... which truly and most genuinely completed this wine’s perfection, for tonight. — 5 years ago

with Beth

Severn Goodwin

9.1

Getting some air before we approach... To be paired with a beautiful piece of Halibut poaching in the oven now.

Ok, this is an interesting bottle...For certain appears oxidized in the glass, but it's not (really). The nose has some sort of clementine/tangerine thing happening with citrus pith and white flowers, maybe a touch on the oxidative but the bottle is still recently opened. The palate has acidity, almonds, pear and honey, medium-short finish. A very intriguing bottle...Go seek one out! — 7 years ago

Craig Williams

9.3

Disgorged August ‘13; an absolutely unique Champagne experience with its solera approach to assembling the base wine. Complex, layered, oxidative and long. — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.8

2008 Sine Qua Non "The Duel" Grenache. "Two Losers, Two Winners." 15.8% alcohol. Yet another less than perfect Wine Advocate scorer, but if that's not perfection screaming from my glass right now, it's mighty close. Expressive nose of lilacs, dark fruits, anise and fresh baked blueberry pie. On the palate, a potpourri of liquefied purple flowers and sweet kirsch. Typical SQN satisfying and lengthy finish. I think I would have to be tasting all these barrel aged wines side by side by side before I might be able to rank them, and even then, I expect it would be difficult to distinguish a 10 from a 9.8. I've not found much that can approach Manfred's barrel aged wines for shear opulence. Maybe @justinsmith and @saxumvineyards Bone Rock in a great year, or perhaps @philippecambie with his Clos Saint Jean Sanctus Sanctorum. Let's face it, my followers know I'm perhaps Manfred's biggest fan. Would I let ya'll know if I tasted an SQN that was anything less than great? So far, we haven't had to worry as we've not even been close. — 8 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.7

Raul Perez, Mencia wizard and human garden gnome, makes some of the most innovative and highly allocated wines from anywhere. I don’t often drink stuff this good. Sometimes you need to be reminded that average and good wines are made for relaxation and enjoyment and that extraordinary wines are art.

La penitencia could be the best thing I’ve ever opened at home. It’s elegant and bootlegged. The front label probably designed in an Internet cafe, the back label looks like it was cut and glued by a five year old. These things make it lovable because it’s so bad and it’s so good.

Pours a browned purple motor oil. The aromas fly. Perfumes of red and blue colored berries, clove, spice, leather. Like a brand new catchers mitt that needs some oil and some love. Feels of plush berry fruit and flavors of prunes and macerated strawberries and boxed raisins that seem to hang around for about as many years as I waited to open this thing. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

One of the 2015s I opened to celebrate my 5yr wedding anniversary. In these early years, fruit forward/approachable wines from Napa are ideal while the other wines from the vintage rest and approach maturity.

After having the 2017 with Will at Mending Wall earlier this year (totally open and accessible), I expected this to be similar, but true to 2015 cabs, this was crazy coiled and tightly compact. The mid palate here is really dense with an extremely gripping and tannic finish. As I find a signature of TRB’s winemaking style, when the site allows it, he has a way of pulling the entire fruit spectrum...this wine showed red (black cherries) blue (crisp blueberries) and black fruits (tart blackberries and currant). The fruit is amazingly fresh, as though it was freshly squeezed. Oak is noticeable but definitely not a detractor. Floral, baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla, sandalwood, and a homemade mixed berry pie straight out of the oven. There is a lasting herbal/graphite type note toward the finish. I followed this over two days and it stayed strong. I’d hold for another 2-3yrs and see if it unfurls further. — 5 years ago

P A

9.2

Not easy to approach at first but once you get into this wine it’s a stunner. Dark ruby in presentation it offers delicious aromas of raspberry and black wild cherries. Lingering sublime layered taste of wild mushroom, cedar, earth and beautiful leather it has an enticing full mouth feel. It’s long legs and refined tannins highlight the masculine structure of its terroir. Paired perfectly with Braised Veal Cheeks, cauliflower purée and black truffle. Cheers 🍷 — 7 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

A truly surprising, rich and rounded experience. Cedar on the nose with an approach the velvety-but-well underpinned with tannins that are pronounced but born naturally into the rhythm of the wine. There’s an unusual rhythm here that leads to a memorable, cherry-smoked finish. — 7 years ago

with Beth

Steve Martinelli

9.4

Drinking well right now with a good hard decant. She opens up over an hour or so. Still will age. Nicely balanced between firm tannins and acidity. Plenty of red fruit and flowers. Seems like a more old school approach to this one. — 7 years ago

Matt

9.3

This went straight to all the pleasure centers in my brain. Like seeing an image of brain activity of someone on cocaine. This is overt, juicy, and unyielding in its approach. Like drinking your favorite tiki drink on the beach, it demands that you smile, laugh a little, and just enjoy what's in your glass. Blown away by the balance at 70g/l RS, and very curious what some bottle age will do. — 8 years ago