Ron from VA

9.0

This was worth the 5+ years I waited and invested in this rappahannock co (?) family wine. Really sang herbal harmony with wifey’s perfect Wooloomooloo BeefStew Roast. Tannins have tempered at 7yrs+ to let the sweet red fruit sing a few solo lines. — 5 years ago

ESF

9.2

What a beauty! Discovered this little winery in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns and they make really outstanding wines... drank thru entire lineup & was struck by consistent balance, purity & density of fruit. This is a blend with beautiful structure, tons of fruit, smoke / spice / some Earth, lingering finish. Seek them out if you can! — 6 years ago

Kristen Schott

9.0

I loved the whole experience of this vineyard, including this slightly peppery cab franc — 7 years ago

ES

9.1

Wow, an excellent Syrah, well balanced, lovely bouquet, white/black pepper, fine tannins on the mid-pallet, long finish, northern Rhône in style, fruit from Shake Ridge (Anne Kramer), so well made. — 8 years ago

Nancy Canter

10

Annual gift from Shelley. Dry and delicious — 8 years ago

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.0

Blue / black fruit, with subtle herb and spice. Approachable, medium weight, unfiltered texture. — 9 years ago

Nate Miles

8.9

Black and blue fruits. Juicy, lotsa texture. — 9 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.6

There are people who will never taste this or any other verset since his last vintage was a decade ago. This is wine... Most of what else is just rated hyped bullspit. This wine got better and better over four hours and showed the bountiful blue and black fruit the region is known for. This wine has a smoky tint to it that underpinned everything.... This is a majestic effort that will love another 20 years'm — 9 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.1

It’s pretty easy to over-do Syrah in this location. Desire Lines does a phenomenal job of keeping dessert-like pleasure and seriousness of terroir in check. Lifted and fruited like a modern northern Rhône or Cru beaujolais with a little less seriousness to boot but also this is young and booming. Held straight for 5 days. Get the feeling that this will resolve very slowly over time to show more what earthy and cool characteristics it has in its hand. This wine feels extremely stable and a kaleidoscope of possibilities lay herein. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

We have been working on our South Africa and Egypt trip for months. Diligently doing research and talking about it daily.

One of our stops will be a week on the Western Cape or as many define it, Stellenbosch. It has always been on my wine region bucket list for its wines and beauty. One of my goals was to find some excellent producers of Pinotage.

This Beeslaar is the private label of the Winemaker at Kanonkop, Abrie Beeslaar. Abrie makes a black label Kanonkop that sells retail at $200. That’s right, $200! It must be deliriously good if they can get $200 for it.

I found this 2016 Beeslaar at K&L for just under $37. It’s the 1st Pinotage that has my eyes wide open as to what can’t be done with this difficult varietal in the right hands. If his private label is this good, I hope to visit Kanonkop and taste their black label.

The nose reveals; dark chocolate raisins, dark eastern spices, plum and black cherry, blueberries, baked strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black raisin currants, smokiness and grilled meats, black pepper and a touch of white, some green vegetal notes, cinnamon, dark chocolate mocha bar, dark fruit steeped tea, gravely schist, touch of coffee grounds, dark fruit roll-ups, leather, tobacco with ash with fresh, dark red & blue florals.

The body is full, thick and rich. There is a dark, tarry, dusty tannin structure. This will benefit from 3-5 years plus in bottle but, it is crazy good. Sound, firm; structure, big tension, long length and very good balance. Dark chocolate raisins, smokiness and grilled meats, dark eastern spices that brings pronounced heat to the palate, black plum, plum and black cherry, blueberries, baked strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, black raisin currants, dark berry bubblegum, black pepper and a touch of white, tree bark with a touch of sap, some green vegetal notes, cinnamon, dark chocolate mocha bar, dark fruit steeped tea, gravely schist, dry stones, touch of coffee grounds, dark fruit roll-ups, new un-smoothed leather, tobacco with ash with fresh, dark red & blue florals. The acidity is round and splendid. The elegant, rich finish runs ripe fruits to dry tannins with dusty earth and shows an even tug of war with its fruits and earthiness.

It drinks like a combination of; Grand Cru Gamay, Shiraz and Northern Rhône.

I will be getting more of this and forgetting about it for 5 more years. Can’t wait for that moment and noting the changes.

This wine raises my excitement level for our trip with each sip.

Pinotage is a grape variety made from a cross of Pinot Noir & Cinsaut that was created in South Africa in 1925 by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University...making it one of the youngest grape varietals.

Photos of; a shot of just how beautiful Cape vineyards can be, Winemaker-Abrie Beeslaar, Pinotage fruit near harvest and field-hands harvesting their very tall vines. Beeslaar has no Cellar Door currently. — 6 years ago

Scott Wren

9.3

On the blue side of blue/black fruit with a fragrant Northern Ca herbal influence. And it hits the sweet spot between mid and full bodied. Rocks with lamb chops. — 8 years ago

Christian Jauslin

9.5

Stellar expression of Hermitage. The '09 warm vintage truly manifest itself in this wine with incredibly ripe black and blue fruits, black peppercorns and smoked meat. A powerful, complex, elegant wine with persistent tannins and wonderful acidity that keeps you reaching for more. Paired wonderfully with roasted lamb. Paul Ainé is a fantastic producer of wines in the region and this bottling from La Petite Chapelle does not disappoint. Could have easily been kept for another couple years but I thoroughly enjoyed drinking it today! — 9 years ago

John Bates

9.3

Bordeaux blend from Virginia. In the blue ridge mountains. Merlot dominate. Surprisingly rich. Big extraction with huge blue and black fruits, minerals chewy soft tannins an solid acidity to give it lift. Had it half a bottle open for two days and showing much better now. Who knew! What a surprise — 9 years ago

Scott Arnold

8.9

Excellent sav blanc with fine balance, bite, and zest. Great food wine. Great winery! 2017 vintage. — 6 years ago

Steven Comfort

9.4

This is a remarkable California Merlot, easily one of the finest I've had - and it's probably the best from the Santa Cruz Mountains region. Soft, smooth and balanced with gorgeous black & blue fruit. — 6 years ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.1

Blue and black berry flavors with graphite and other mineral. — 7 years ago

with Marilea

Kavya Shankar

9.0

Best unoaked Chardonnay I’ve tried — 7 years ago

Benjamin Hall Jr

9.2

$8.49 amazing! Certain wines from Portugal like this Dao presenting the grapes and terroir of the region just blow away similar values of wines from elsewhere on price! Beautiful fully composed complex rich red wine fruit forward but with a mineralogy at the back end remind me of northern Napa flavors but without the over intensity of those primarily cab based wines. Had this with porterhouse and blue cheese broad Ted Brussels with a spritz of organic Nama Shoyu... amazing! — 8 years ago

Dr.Meandor

9.0

Tasted 09/11/2016

Colleague's farewell party wine 1.

Sonorous, charming, refreshing Roussanne originated from Anapa, Black Sea foothills.

Dense lemony yellow, greenish tint.
Delicate bouquet is woven of lemon, flowers (linden, osmanthus), tarragon, delicate mineral and spicy hint, pear, white peach, nectarine. 
Elegant palate of light-plus body, refreshing acidity. Scented by pineapple, pomelo, white currant, chalk, nectarine.
Very fresh lingering finish of citrus, ginger and ripe white currant.
Gone as apetitif. — 9 years ago

Carol McNeff

9.9

I bought the Reserve Chardonnay. It was delicious! Light and very buttery ... no acid bite. Only available at the winery. — 9 years ago