TheSkip

9.3

My now-annual mid-January sampling of Rivers-Marie Pinot noir in anticipation of the forthcoming release.

Incredible how far this has come in a year. Singing! — 5 years ago

Paul K

9.1

Nose is cedar, herb, and leather. Medium body. Raspberry, red currant, and dark chocolate with really nice tannin throughout. Long finish is currant and cranberry. This wine is delicate. Overpowered by aged Gouda. Drink with Brie and French bread.
I pulled a classic and was just a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, still great, but for the anticipation... I have one more bottle that I’ll wait a long time and hope there’s a big payoff.
Interesting note, the 2013 Heitz Cellar in the background was remarkably similar in fruit, weight, and profile. 1/3 the price and I’m giving it a 92. — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s common to hear wine drinkers use the colloquialisms like “a good Tuesday night bottle” or “an excellent everyday drinker.” Well, this is a spectacular Saturday night wine; deserved of the spotlight and worthy of much anticipation.

Blue and black fruit compete for who’s more pure, while the savory creosote and cedar intertwine, and the acid and tannin do their dance. There’s timing and choreography... it’s wine in HD and Surround Sound. Extraordinary. — 7 years ago

leon egozi

9.6

In anticipation of the upcoming fall allocation — 8 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.4

Visited the beautiful Woodenhead winery today, a spectacular day near the Russian River. I've always liked this wine, and sought it today with anticipation. In terms of style, it generally matches what the label implies, that is, a perfect pairing with seafood, especially oysters. This 2015 though, wow! Unlike previous vintages I've had, this is meatier and spicier, with higher alc (13.8%). In spite of zero oak, there is richness in both texture and flavor. Aromas and flavors of passion fruit, yellow apple, brioche, lemon thyme, wet concrete. Oysters? Yes, but also hearty fish dishes and or cream sauces. — 8 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

It's a savory wine, the way I like it and the way Randall Grahm usually makes it. Dark and mysterious, it smells of meat and olives and earth, with a little black fruit thrown in just to make it palatable for everybody else. There is, however, a “cleanliness” to it that is often obscured by oak. It's just the same way on the palate, with flavors mimicking the aromas. The finish lingers comfortably and provides plenty of anticipation for the next sip. Meditate on a piece of dark chocolate while sipping this. — 9 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Wow. I’ve waited a long time to try my first Tondonia (surely this is a milestone for any budding wine collector, no?), having held onto this 2002 for a while and having a case or two of Heredia’s more recent vintages downstairs.

Such was the anticipation for trying this Rioja stalwart that I was almost nervous that it wouldn’t live up to it - especially with 2002 being such a rotten vintage for Spain’s flagship wine region. But this was staggeringly youthful, piercingly savoury with a gentle balance of tannin & acidity but all the supple features of an old school, aged Rioja. This is really special stuff. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Brought from our cellar. I stopped off at the house to pull the cork over my lunch break in anticipation of this requiring some air. Tight, as I suspected. Decanted five hours before returning it to the bottle for transport to the restaurant. At Monarch, they returned it to a swan decanter and it sat another two hours. Ultimately it was poured to accompany the 45-day dry-aged Wagyu Prime Rib-Eye. Hell yeah! This was snappy red and dark fruits, black tea, dried herbs, crushed gravel...awesome body...sexy structure. The finish lasts for over a minute. Exquisite! Give these time. — 6 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.5

1997 Paradigm Estate Cab. Well worth the wait for this 21 year old beauty. Bold, inky, cloud-covered appearance (similar to that of Rivers Marie Pinot). I won’t wait another 21 years to drink the next bottle. 💓 Took my time with the decant and the fruit showed it’s appreciation through an immense 1st sip. Reminiscent of anticipation and desire of a 1st kiss. Breathe deep... move slowly... come a little closer. — 7 years ago

with Isaac and Kate

Kathy Takayama

9.5

Beautiful earthy, currants and mocha. Typical Musar finish, which subtly unfolds across the palate to keep you in anticipation for the next sip. It is a fabulous cousin to Musar's flagship wine, but a star in its own right. — 7 years ago

Robert McCall

9.3

Ask and I shall receive. 4hr decant delivers. Classic BdM notes of sweet oak, earth funk, dark cherry, old leather. I'm getting about 30 seconds of palate costing pleasure too. Plush acid/tannin structure around an earthy dark cherry, tobacco complexity. Oh Lisini you surpassed my anticipation. — 8 years ago

Sonia Ross

9.0

April bubbles, Spanish in anticipation of our upcoming trip — 8 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.8

The 2012 is still holding so damn tight. Definitely more approachable than a year ago but please full decant for 1.5 hours otherwise you are just wasting the best Chardonnay made in America. Everytime I open a bottle it reminds me of the excitement of losing my virginity...the anticipation is killer, but the actual event is magic! — 9 years ago

with David

Bob McDonald

9.5

Popped this in anticipation of an Australian victory over England in the Rugby World Cup quarter final when we trailed 17-16 in the 2nd half. However we ended up getting trounced 40-16. This Champers was mid Lemon Gold with an ultra fine bead. Funky lemon mineral notes with apple pie pastry. Even at 17 years good tension with possibly another 10 years of cellaring. Although pretty irresistible right now. As Churchill said You deserve Champagne in victory and you need it in defeat! — 6 years ago

Chris B.

9.1

Really quite nice now and will get even better as it unwinds. A big bouquet of violets and licorice root made me drool in anticipation of a fat, beefy Syrah. But this was surprisingly light and smooth, with juicy red fruit and green olives popping out on the first taste. We had it with beef stroganoff at Wally’s. — 7 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.4

Celebratory wine... with eager anticipation to visit the winery in a few weeks. Toasty oak notes, vanilla bean, cherry flambé, pipe tobacco, white pepper, and anise. Supple on the palate, with fresh black cherry fruit and pops of leather and cedar. Finish persists and tannins are well integrated. Drink now or over the next 5 years. 30 minute decant on this one. — 7 years ago

Anne Carman

9.3

Gorgeous dark spice on the nose with a vanilla bark wrap. Deep draughts are richly rewarded and heighten anticipation of the old world earthiness balanced with new world dark fruit and spices. Evident tannins belie the soft dark smooth finish. Everything we love in an Italian wine. Rich, earthy, elegant not fussy. We had the 2008 vintage. — 7 years ago

David Witsken

8.9

This is a full bodied red that hits your taste buds fast and hard. My mouth is salivating in anticipation of pairing it with a juicy tri-tip steak. My better half says "Smooth, crisp, clean finish." — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.0

More like Pinot noir than a cab but still left us with smiles on Wednesday which is better than a frown ion any day

Just drinking stuff to get my anticipation up for WNH and FL

Just like the Monkees - here we come - 😀😀 — 8 years ago

Kari Pierce Ashley

9.0

Lovely Sangiovese blend had in anticipation of our trip to Italy. Dried cherry and cranberry on the nose with subtle tobacco scent, with a much more complex pallet. Old world taste, medium body, dried cherry, licorice and tobacco with bright acidity. — 9 years ago