Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

What I didn’t realize until this week is when I bought this 2013, Sofia & I tasted this with Roger in his cellar before it received the label shown in this post in 2015.

This was $25 on release and it is beautiful tonight as it was last weekend.

Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, purple fruits, blueberries & some dark cherries. Grilled meats, light black pepper, dry galet stones, spice, dry top soil, dry tobacco, used leather, slightly moist volcanic mineral mixed w/ clay, sandalwood, dry & withering dark, red & purple florals, rainfall acidity, a well balanced, nicely structured, beautifully tensioned, balanced, elegant finish that last two-minutes and lands on minerality and florals.

Photos that Sofia & I took in 2015, wood vats, my backside looking at cement tanks, estate vineyard and their facility building. — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Sofia’s favorite vineyard plot. A “smoke show” we called it. Generally the 19s were the standouts — beautifully balanced and giving all of the dried herb and earthy notes typical of great Chianti Classico — but this was an exception, opulent and spicey (allspice, cinnamon, cedar) and so so fragrant. Stay in the look out for these wines — Sofia (the estate manager) and Giocomo (vineyard manger and cellar master, most recently of Isole & Olena) are making some really intentional and pretty wines here. — 3 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.5

Fantastic! Probably the one of the best roses I have had. — 4 years ago

Juan Pablo Perez

9.0

Nariz: Pasas, ciruela, higo, chocolate, cuero, tierra. Nariz muestra bastante evolución, algo como un oloroso.

Boca: Tanino M, Acidez M-, Alcohol Alto pero no se nota.

A tomar ahora. — 5 years ago

Kayla Krammes

9.5

a wonderful white wine that we had in italy. will probably never find it again sadly — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

After a long afternoon in the yard of cleaning up and replenishing flowers, for the dog days of summer, it’s just Sofia, me and the Baron before BBQ’ing.

Still absolutely one of the best Champagnes at $24.99 and slightly higher price points.

Bright lemon, lemon curd, lime zest, pineapple, bruised pear, cream soda, notes of wood, brioche, light herbaceous notes, volcanic minerals, sea shells & spray, jasmine, spring flowers, Juniper, very lively acidity and a delicious, well polished finish.

As a digestif after a night of nice red wine; golden apple, golden raisins, pineapple, bruised Bosc pear, Juniper, brioche, cream soda, touch of caramel, gray volcanic minerals, sea spray & fossils.

If you start with Champagne, save some for the end of the night after red wine. You’ll be glad you did. Changes the profile, intensity and pleasure dramatically. Night & day!!!

Photos of, Baron Fuentes, bottle labeling machine, Chardonnay grapes freshly harvested and our chilling spot in the D & S Lounge. — 7 years ago

O Podadera

9.8

Excellent. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

93 that leans into 94 and will see another point or two with 10 years in bottle.

Sofia and I used to go to their futures luncheon for many years. This vineyard consistently yields fruit that makes one of their best Cabernet’s.

It’s lush as it enters and falls onto dry, meaty tannins. Blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum with skin, dark cherries & purple fruits. Dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, limestone & volcanic minerals, moist clay, dry tobacco, new, raw leather, still very woody, mixed mid & dark berry cola, plenty of baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark spices with some heat, some dry herbs, dark melted, chocolate, cocoa powder, caramel notes, bright, fresh & candied florals that are dark, red, blue and framed in violets & lavender, ver nice round acidity with a highly structured, tensioned, well balanced and polished finish that lasts 90 seconds but still lands squarely on wood. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Happy birthday Honey. 🥳🎂🎉 🌹

This is absolutely as exquisite as when we had it for Christina’s birthday March 1, 2023. The benefit tonight is time & attention to focus on it. Delicious.

Green apple, lime, lemon pineapple, stone fruits, slightly bruised golden apple and pear, leans into apple cider, cream, ginger ale, nuts w/ skin, very fine powdery chalkiness, limestone, saline, biscuit dough, sea fossils. Amazing body and acidity, fruit blossoms, jasmine, yellow florals and well; structured knitted, balanced, extremely well polished finish that lasts two-minutes. Drinking beautiful now & with time & life for 10 yrs or more. Love you Sofia.

#MaxwellThisWomansWork — 3 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.4

Very much a contemporary style of Amarone this is an elegant wine with finesse without sacrificing it punch. 15.5%abv, just 3.6 g/L residual sugar. Deep Ruby and loaded with fruit - black cherry, plum and prunes, blackberry, cassis, chocolate and seductive hints of Chinese Five Spice, including star anise and cinnamon. Elegantly poised, this feels light on the palate despite its full body. Very long finish, excellent with hearty food (I had it with boeuf Bourguignone). — 3 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.0

Opened for sofia bday 2005. Cherry tobacco on nose. Very nice barolo at good drinking window. Cherry acid tobacco tart. Nice . Long length. 1 left drink over 1-2 years. 2005 peaking. — 5 years ago

with Ania

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our favorite Spring day is when we get plant the yard. Especially, during Covid-19 lockdown. Never more enjoyable.

Flowers by Sofia. Garden is me.

A great weather day and worthwhile doing a cheers with of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne’s.

With the lockdown, I am running dangerously low on Rosé Champange. I might have to Soda Stream some Rosé wine soon.

All my many, many notes still apply.

Cheers all and Happy Easter if you celebrate it. 🍾🥂🍷 🐣 🐰 — 6 years ago

Jonathon

8.9

Full bodied red, absolutely fantastic. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Amazing pair w/ my Braised Short Ribs. Savory meets savory fruits.

Photos of; Pierre, staff and Sofia & I in La Landonne Vineyard, the process of Short Ribs.

The one mineral you see in this vineyard with some prevalence that I’ve not seen in others is quartz. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Straight up my wheel house for Old World Syrah.

It is called Cote-Rotie or translation roasted slope for a reason.

The nose has beautifully, lightly floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in amazing violets.

The body is smooth as silk. The fruits are ripe & juicy; blackberries, dark cherries, plums for days, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, shades of lightly, grilled meats, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, crushed rock powder, river stone, dry top soil, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in a. amazing field of violets. Rainfall acidity, soft structure & tension, well balanced and an elegant, beautiful, lush finish. Damn beautiful wine.

Sofia & I walked the La Landonne vineyard with Pierre and tasted in the cellar w/ Rene & Pierre.

Excellent with both Tri-tip’s…rubbed & marinated. — 2 years ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.3

My Sofia Loren… classy and always a beauty — 4 years ago

Gil Castro

9.0

I really liked this. Crisp and refreshing!!! Good to start the New Year. — 4 years ago

eugenia Cal

9.1

Barbacue at home — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a great day hanging out with my love & best friend for Valentines Day. If I could give anyone young enough advise on selecting partner, marry your best friend you love. Greater degree of happiness & success. ❤️😍😘🥰

Love you Sofia and raise a glass of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Bubbles in celebration. Cheers! 🍾🥂

Happy Valentines Days everyone. Hope you are with the wine & one you love the most.

@Oswald — 6 years ago

Allyson Vaccaro-Pelton

9.5

Good dry rose from MIL — 7 years ago