Eldon Sproule

10

So for those who don’t know, this wine is a collaboration between one of the most famous California winemakers and one of the most famous Bordeaux wine makers (the grapes are from Napa).

The young expression when I first had it 10 years ago was big bold ripe fruit, probably the quintessential Napa cab.

The aged expression had more secondary and tertiary characteristics, terroir, and represented Baron Rothschild in respects of crafting a wine that could grow and develop and express the care that goes into winemaking as opposed to simply growing good fruit.

The young version of it perfectly expresses Mondavi and Napa. The aged version captures the elegance of Bordeaux winemaking and Rothschild’s fingerprints. You cannot fully experience this wine unless you’ve had it young and old. Unbelievable experience tonight. — 4 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — 10 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Sweet. Stone fruits (apricot and peach). I would score it higher if it had a bit more acidity. Enjoyed with a pear tart. — 2 years ago

Noah Abrahamson

8.9

Faint hint of brett, rustic but still fruity, pizza friendly GSM, with nice tannin once a bit aerated. Quite enjoyable. — 5 years ago

Eric

9.4

Seductive. Leather, tar, soil, fruit is dark. Dark chocolate, very ripe black cherry. A stunner! — 6 years ago

with Lisa

Ron Siegel

8.9

I am a big fan of Rinaldi but this had a ripe, roasted fruit character that kept me from loving this. — 8 years ago

Emily Anderson

9.2

Great zin!! Big and bold, but not as fruity as many zins. Had it with a beef sausage Blue Apron dish. — 8 years ago

with Michael

Brandon Boesch

9.7

Wow! Even better than a few months ago. Olives, blueberries, game, forest, pepper, plums. It’s interesting having this a few days after storm Syrah. Very similar. Love that there are more of these us syrahs with good fruit but balance. Central coast style. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — 7 months ago

with Brenda

Eric McGann

8.9

A great drinking wine on its own- wouldn’t say it flourishes with food. Super dry, big, bold, mouth full. — 4 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

8.9

Dark, inky color. Aromas of boysenberry jam, licorice and mossy forest floor. Black and red fruit on the palate, mocha and tobacco finish. Big and bold. — 6 years ago

Phil Kessling

9.3

As good as it gets in Oregon PN. Lots of bright r fruit, spice ant the finish goes on and on. Just a great, enjoyable wine. — 7 years ago

Melissa Kingman

9.4

Sometimes you just gotta drink it! Smooth, balanced, big dark fruit. Total yum. — 8 years ago

with James

Alex

9.0

Great all around, with fried fish, clams, shrimp ACK 25 — 5 months ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

Drinking well. Big, bold and tannic. — 6 months ago

Amit Srivastava

9.4

Not super big but really well structured and so ready to drink . Opened up nicely with 30-45 mins of decanting . — a year ago

Andy Hall

8.9

This bottle was a big tease. Intoxicating nose and delightful on the front palette. Gets your mind thinking of great things for the finish like depth, complexity layers etc. It never comes. The finish is completely lacking. Such a tease. — 4 years ago

Kaitlyn Jungblut

9.1

Dry white with fruity notes — 6 years ago

Michael Sixbey

9.0

Very smooth like a cab. Great for the price. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

In 1979 John Shafer founded Shafer Vineyards in the Stags Leap District of Napa. A blend of 97% Syrah & 3% Petite Sirah, notably small PS% which varies each year. The work of Elias Fernandez, fruit from La Mesa Vineyard, a ridgetop of shallow soils & volcanic ash. Stunning red with full black fruit aromas and pepper spice with floral edge. On the palate blackberry flavors, spice, oak and earthy notes. Big fine tannins, vivid acidity, good balance on lingering finish ending with cacao tones. Will cellar well. — 8 years ago