David Vielhauer

9.4

Another long decant, can understand the love for Alban. Beast of a Syrah — 4 years ago

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... — 5 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

An absolute beast despite an hour decant. Nose of volcanic earth, brilliant tannic structure supporting black and dark red fruit. Animale of the Malbec comes through with dense oak. Find a deep dark place in your cellar and forget for 10+ years this could be 99+. — 6 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. — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

9.5

Beast of a wine at 14 years. After two hours it really opened up. Dark cherry , tobacco some licorice. Long finish. Excellent — 7 years ago

Barry Evans

10

The best description that I can find of this wine is that it is massively glorious. Born and raised in and around the Napa Valley I have been able to enjoy a lot of great Cabs. But this one is literally now in my all-time top 10. The more air you give this fine 11 year old beast, the better. We are pairing it with the bay area's Best version of Chicago deep dish pizza. — 8 years ago

with Kristin

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

Adam Beasley

9.3

So I jumped the gun a little on this one. It’s tight and will be much better in time, but after a few hours in the decanter is started to unfurl. The nose is all ripe, roasted plum, blackberry, currant, and blueberry with notes of leather, thyme, underbrush, mud, and a touch of cinnamon. This is subtle on the entry but really explodes on the mid-palate and never ending finish. All of the aromas come through on the palate with the addition of tar and wet concrete. The tannins here are substantial, and it was a little much until the steaks came off the grill. Big wine with big flavors. Will sit on the next bottle for at least a few years, but no regrets - beautiful beast of a wine. — 4 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. — 5 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 — 6 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. — 7 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! — 7 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.8

A silky beast and very enjoyable at the moment. Will improve in future. 98+/100 — 8 years ago

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

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. — 6 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

This wine is amazing. A beast, with intensity of fruit, spice and herb, but not tannin. Healthy dose of wood. Really good, going to be great in 2028. Perfect balance. — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Just a lovely beast - please decant for two hours - one word description- intoxicating — 7 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

Ian Blackburn

9.6

1993 has the grip of a much younger wine - after two hours in the decanter - this beast, cut like a professional athlete starting to show some charm. hard to drink because we did not want to stop smelling the glass - exotic, punctuated and defined.... 23 years young I recommend waiting till 2025... but I will gladly open your bottle with you anytime. Tasted side-by-side with J-F-Mugnier Musigny 1996; 15 out of 16 of us got the wines backwards. Gwen restaurant at the best bottle dinner hosted by WineLA
— 8 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.3

Still a big beast. Needs time to shine. — 9 years ago

with Eric and Kim