Mike Mayer

9.4

Great Paso Robles blend. Great nose showing currants, cigar box, star anise and oak. Wonderful fruit forward flavors of dark cherry, black currant, licorice and a very subtle hint of earthiness. The tannins are extremely well integrated and lush. This is a very nicely integrated wine with lots of aging potential. This is the iconic PR wine and does not disappoint. Cheers! — 10 years ago

with Lisa

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Likely the best Artemis Stag's Leap has ever made. Ripe blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, cinnamon, dark chocolate, vanilla toasted oak and caramel finish. It's not as fresh as we've had at the winery. Starting to close down in the bottle. This entry level Stag's Leap is better at this young stage than most of their 2011's. At $40, an extreme value. Can't wait to try it again in 8-10 years! — 12 years ago

Joshua Hemingway

9.5

Superbly blended. Deep, mellow with a hint of oak. The flavor profile from the grapes are well balanced so that all the flavors compliment each other equally. Most important for me.....the tannins are not overpowering. My favorite cab so far. — 14 years ago

Michael Amoruso

9.2

This is a big Rioja. American oak notes and light vanilla. Dark red fruits. Black cherry and ripe raspberry. Good finish. — 10 years ago

Sean Trapani

Founder/Educator Wine Fluent, Consultant ABC Fine Wines & Spirits

8.9

Il Bruciato means "the burnt one" in English, and she shows black cherry cola, charcoal, and chalk out of the bottle with an assertive attack and med/med+ body; after 30 minutes, she settles down a bit, gets smoother, showing off a rounder red fruit profile along with the black. Despite the toasted oak on the nose, the roasted flavor never integrated into the palate, so the wine never really crosses into complex territory, but has lovely balance. Paired exceptionally well with penne bolognese. — 11 years ago

Ryan Stewart

9.1

Deep ruby color. Medium + aromas of dark cherries, vanilla, mint, sage, leather, and eucalyptus. Medium acidity, medium + tannins. Complex flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, cassis, and ripe black cherries. Young tannins, but nicely balanced with potential to age gracefully. A long finish. — 13 years ago

Matt

9.0

Red currants, black plums, licorice, cocoa, earth tones, and a velvety mid-palate make for a balanced and approachable Cab/Merlot blend. Love the balanced structure and light hand on the oak. Tannins are soft, modest alcohol, present fruits, and great acidity to hold it all together. Soft and silky texture. Could see this gaining lots of complexity with time. — 10 years ago

Paul Masson

9.1

Harmonious, integrated blue and black fruit, with cigar box, and toasty, spicy oak. Regal, classy tannins. Long, developing finish. A classic vintage entering into maturity. — 11 years ago

Nick Wolfe

9.5

This is astonishing. Beautiful and powerful with a smoky, oaky, black-fruity, spicy nose that won't quit. Palate is rich with loads of fruit, sweet vanilla oak, and a port-like quality. This wine has monastrell's blueberry, black fruit, iron tincture, and beef blood signature. Skip the steak and pair this with savory for foods for a fantastic contrast. Finish is long and playfully tasty. — 12 years ago

Diedra West

9.1

Diedra had this 14 years ago