Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Tasted at the producer, this is a primeur / pleasure to drink young vintage. 100% Cabernet-Franc. Light purple color, clear and limpid. Raspberry and herbaceous nose. Supple mouth blending raspberry, notes of cedar, cypress.
Slightly acidity, but the typical Touraine mineral structure, reminiscent of slate, pencil lead, or charcoal, bringing a refreshing salivating tension. On salads, aperitif-dinners, cold meats, cheese pastas, it's easy to drink, and pleasant.

Goûté chez le producteur, c’est une cuvée primeur/plaisir à boire jeune. 100% Cabernet-Franc. Robe pourpre légère, claire et limpide. Nez framboise et herbacé. Bouche souple mêlant, framboise, notes de cèdres, cyprès.
Acidité peu marquée mais la trame minérales typique de la Touraine, évoquant l’ardoise, la mine de crayon, ou le charbon, apportant une tension salivante rafraîchissante. Sur des salades, apéro-dînatoire, charcuterie, pastas fromage, c’est facile à boire, et plaisant. — 5 years ago

Cindy Cammack

9.3

Enjoyed this with brats and peppers. Held up well. Surprisingly soft when drunk on its own. Fascinated by the blending. I will look for these in the future! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Opened 375ml bottle. Made from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca by blending wines that are matured for a minimum of 10 years. Nice topaz color with gentle sweet aromas of spice and almonds. On the palate dried red fruit flavors, well balanced with lively acidity, very fresh taste. Lingering finish ending with pleasant oak and honey tones. One of the best 10 year Tawny's I have tasted. The 375ml was a perfect size. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s usually a good sign when the winemaker can articulate what the wine is about like this: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest.”

Her 2013 Ceras is yet another example of Maggie Harrison’s sorcery over the vines at Antica Terra. The focus and intensity of flavor is off the charts, yet it maintains an almost ethereal weightlessness, only emphasizing the layer of silk that separates you from the wine. The pungent rock is so on point and distinctive it instantly reminded me of the scent of lichen growing on rocks, which I experienced in Colorado when I was 7 or 8 years old. This sets the stage for the level of complexity exhibited. The fruit has both an extraordinarily high level of purity and yet the woven tapestry of herbs and spices and even fruit blending are impossible not to notice. The key being that nothing is forced.

The nuance of complexity only being noticed when desired is nearly an impossible feat. I can’t help but recall James Conaway quoting Andy Beckstoffer in his recently released book: Napa at Last Light: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity. “If a wine was a model with a chipped tooth, you’d have to give her something to compensate with. If she needs better shoulders, better breasts, give her some. But her real charm is in how she carries the defect.”

After reading his book, I can tell you I’m definitely not certain whether you can accept his quotes verbatim. One thing is certain, though, Maggie Harrison’s Antica Terra wines carry the defect like no other. — 8 years ago

Oscar Rosales

9.1

Great red, complexity, elegance, bold!
— 9 years ago

with Celia

Friday Hill

10

Got a bunch of awesome rappers and kids in to wine.

Blending grape.

Almost like a baby light and chilled port.

$23 — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Not your typical Rioja. 100% Graciano, a varietal that is normally used as a blending grape. Zesty and tight, but in a good way. (Well structured). Cherry, plum and red flowers on the nose. Same fruits on the pallet with a pleasant toasted oaky finish. Deep red color. Well crafted and interesting. Going to continue to look for this single varietal. — 6 years ago

Nick Ferrall

9.2

Tasted blind. Eventually got to Super Tuscan, but it was a long road working through the Cab blending. Very young, but very beautiful. — 7 years ago

with Pietro and Brad

Bill Belanger

9.0

Deep, dark cab, with a bit of blending. NEEDS to open, then works wonderfully with meat courses. — 8 years ago

E & K G

9.2

Keep the 2006 train rolling! Lively fruit and acidity blending so well. — 8 years ago

David Devan

9.7

Love it! Great job Heidi. Blending at its best. Perfect party wine. — 9 years ago

Mike Leach

8.9

Soft, creamy mouth feel. Chardonnay is evident in this blend by Prisoner (known for being experts at blending). Goes well with a salad. — 9 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.1

Strong persimmon on the nose, blending more to a rhubarb on the palate. Highly fragrant. A powerful rosé with a very long finish. Hello Cinsault! — 10 years ago

Clive McNish

9.1

Second time I’ve had Cantemerle, this time the 2004. I think this was a great choice and I found this one a bit more refined and mature than the 05 which is probably a few years from fully settling down. This one has plenty of cassis, vanilla and wood on the nose. The palate is smooth with a medium finish that is very nicely balanced. I would describe this as a masculine wine, with leather, tobacco and ash blending with the fruit, it is not floral or overly delicate. Probably approaching it’s peak but visually no real significant signs of ageing. Worth a try if you have the chance. — 6 years ago

DCH

9.2

Solid super Tuscan. 80-20 Sangiovese/Cab blend. This wine makes a damn good case for blending Sangiovese. #AcquaAl2 — 6 years ago

Seth Timen

9.0

Eddy Abigail Lisa — 8 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.2

Let me be clear. I feel very strongly about several things in life. Such as The Godfather is the greatest movie ever made. The designated hitter should be outlawed. And Cabernet franc is a blending grape. This is making me rethink my position. Medium- bodied, silky smooth, lots of olive and funk with cigar box and iron on the finish. Im not a convert yet. Yet. A WS Top 100. — 8 years ago

B

8.9

In situ. "A blending grape." Smells just like angel food cake. — 9 years ago

John Kanellopoulos

9.2

By far the best US wine I have ever enjoyed. Maybe due to my passion for blend d reds.i feel blending reds in the Bordeaux fashion enriches the shortcomings of single vine products. Moderate body, multiple aromas from earth, slight oak, slight berry almost like a cross of left and right bank Bordeaux. If you find this wine and do not want to try me please notify me, I want it! :) — 9 years ago

Adam Jacobs

10

To me always a classic cru Alsatian blend. Riesling, gris, Pinot beurrot, muscat & Pinot noir. Baked apples, sprinkled cinnamon and dry river stones make this seemless beauty text book blending. The finish seems to just keep going. Engelgarten=angels garden. Bio d farming and winemaking. It's all about this famous terroir. — 9 years ago