Gilbert Van Hassel

9.7

It is a beast of a wine and yet it is approachable. Tannic but sweet tannins, full bodied, black fruits, mineral with a super long finish. The leather, gamey, Forrest floor undercurrent is starting to develop but will need another 5 years. A hedonistic bomb. Will give you pleasure for another 10 to 15 years easy. — 4 years ago

Marcus Pollack

9.5

Very peaty, campfire smoke hits the nose immediately. There’s a hint of raisin and some tar, then a long saline finish. One of the best Islay’s I’ve had. It is a beast; consider yourself warned if you prefer a lighter or fruitier flavor profile. — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Just a lovely beast - please decant for two hours - one word description- intoxicating — 6 years ago

Bret Barker

9.4

Holiday party: ok 2007 was light. This is a beast. Still tannic with deep dark fruit, chewy, wow wish I had a steak. Great wine but wish we had decanted it a little more. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.9

WOTN:
A truly spectacular and special treat which was so graciously provided by Shawn and Jennifer Rose 🌹. What a complex and gorgeous beast this was. The nose was hey little subdued but you quickly forgot that it was upon your first sip. Easley a minute and a half to two minute finish. This was firing on all cylinders. Beautiful, complex in as I mentioned before what a complex finish.
Minerality, dark fruit, berry and cherry. The fruit showed itself after two hours plus of decanting. This was just beginning to be in full stride. I'm thinking it's in its prime for the next 10 years. Truly a wine for the ages. Thank you so much for sharing this epic wine with us!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 @Shawn R — 7 years ago

with Christine and Shawn

John Ruvolo

9.4

Whoa. Crazy good. Beast of a wine. Deep pomegranate, dry, earth. — 8 years ago

with Lauren

LM Segal

9.4

Even more of a beast than the last one in June but if you like the style it’s outstanding. You know I like the style... — 4 years ago

Nick H

9.4

What a beast of a young Syrah! Dark berry, red meat, leather, and dark spice all punching hard, but not inappropriately for its age. I see this one only getting even better in the coming years. Looking forward to pouring a few bottles along with some of Washington’s other best next week for a local event. — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Rich and intense, red currant, black cherries, violets, lavender hints of savory herbs with supple tannins. A beast of a Tempranillo. — 6 years ago

Eric

9.2

Total beast. Oak dominates at this point with brown sugar and vanilla on the nose and palate. Edges out some really nice dark blue fruit. Bigger fruit would really help IMO. Will be way better in a couple of years when things balance out. Very good deal for $90ish. Should have bought the -13 last week when my local store had it! — 6 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.9

A beast of a wine. Dense, complex with dark and red fruit soil and spice. Incredible finish. Best wine I ever had. (Drank on 06/27) — 7 years ago

Eric L.

9.3

A very different beast from the Schrader, but also lovely in its own way. Redder fruit and lighter in body. Lovely baking spices and a silky texture. Very nice. — 7 years ago

David Hale Smith

9.3

A beast indeed! Fabulous with chef's fancy Brunswick stew! — 8 years ago

Joe Loughran

9.6

Man I forgot what a beast this wine is. Amazing fruit, beginning as dried and prunish but w air turns brambly, then more reddish. A bit of heat on the backend is tempered well by food. This wine is still showing young, I’d say entering prime drinking window. Wow. — 4 years ago

Mace Hughes

9.4

Still a big muscular beast with oakville dust on the nose, blackberry and other dark fruits, leather and chewy tannins — 5 years ago

Julianne Gabert

9.0

Easy to pair with food, wallet friendly. — 6 years ago

Justin Wilson

9.5

Birthday Dinner @Bern's Steakhouse

Tannic Son of a Beast! I'm too impatient to wait for these most recent GREAT Cali vintages to mature. If that makes me immature I don't wanna grow up...Will love to taste this in 10 years — 6 years ago

Gerardo Suro

9.1

Pure and focused concentration of black cherry fruit with a mineral undertone adding depth of flavor and style. Oak presence is very well integrated after some bottle age. Keeps evolving on the glass with notes of menthol and tobacco. This beast of a wine shows enough restraint to keep you interested and seduced. — 7 years ago

Anthony Pro

9.5

Quiet beast. On the nose, you think it's going to punch you in the face like a 1999s Mike Tyson jab... once you actually try the wine, it's equivalent to Michaelangelo's sculpture of David: masterpiece. Soft. Velvety. Memorable. — 7 years ago

Jon Tam

9.5

Hints of pine mixed with black licorice and chocolate. The perfect combination of sweet and robust flavor with a kick. This is a strong, hearty number - get ready to take on the beast. — 8 years ago

with Randy