Mark Flesher

9.4

Chocolate covered black cherry cordial. Went really well with our dinner, but when drinking this wine with Blue Bell cherry vanilla ice cream, it was otherworldly. The wind starts off with more black cherry and cola, picks up the chocolate notes in the middle. Finishes medium-plus body and just sits there on the tongue. 30 to 40 second finish. Compared to the 2011, this one has a little more structure, definitely more polished. Per the last email, this one was held back a year, and now I understand why. Crazy thing is, it doesn't score as well as the 2012 or 2013. If that is the case, I can't wait to get to those! — 8 years ago

Rob Moose

9.0

A nice debut for my case of 2011. This is in a happy drinking place for sure. No fireworks, but a great example of an approachable Nebbiolo that you can drink during summer! — 9 years ago

Nicola Morvillo

9.7

On 31/12/16 con Roberto Voerzio — 10 years ago

Eric Floyd

9.3

Gorgeous 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape from Château du Beaucastel. Drinking very well right now. Opulent and seductive CDP displaying an elegant blend of herbs, chocolate and fruit. A lingering finish reminiscent of spice and perfume of diptyque candle that has been extinguished. This is a winner. Would someone send me a case for Xmas please? ❤️ — 10 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 10 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.0

Fake wine. Cork said 1967. Came from a case that had others that had corks with 1964 on them that were shaved off. This was a wine that was doctored by the famous Rudy Kurniwan, now in jail. — 11 years ago

Kristin wenderlich

9.1

Not my first bottle from this case... This one is not the best, but is still good. Herbal menthol nose subtle berries, nice acid. — 11 years ago

LM Segal

9.0

An oddity for me, strange at first until a stink blew off. But what emerged was neat, very different, young Nebbiolo on steroids. — 12 years ago

Jordan Salcito

Sommelier/Wine Director Momofuku, Vintner Bellus Wines

9.5

A very special opportunity to try these last night. Beautiful wines, rustic yet aristocratic. — 12 years ago

Andrew Davidoff

9.4

Unique, romantic and earthy. Opened up in 45 minutes from glass to glass. 2000 vintage still tight and can easily go another decade. — 8 years ago

Doctor No

9.1

Third bottle from a case picked up cheap because critics didn’t love it. Consistent notes though perhaps this is the best bottle yet. Medium body and depth overall but still cassis with a subtle candied note is strong on the nose, with elements of tobacco leaf and leather. Fine tannins still abundant and acidity firm. This will age for another 10-15 years but this is perhaps not structured to be a 40 year wine. — 8 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

10

Once again Orin Swift in Napa Valley does it again. Every bottle of his Machete has a different image on the bottle - 12 in all- I really like this one. This is his Machete 2015 , yes 2015!, California Red blend of Petite Sirah. Syrah, and Grenache aged in French oak for 10 months. The color is opaque black and the legs are slow. The bouquet is blueberry pie and strawberries. The initial palate is blackberry, boysenberry, vanilla, and pepper. All my favorites!!!! Yes that is a lot of fruit, but its not sweet. There is also this oaky earthy characteristic to it. No smoke or cigar or pipe tobacco. This is as good as any 100 dollar bottle of wine!!!!!!!! The finish is short and has no lingering sourness nor bitterness. It is perfection in a glass. This is a date wine if your date likes the big bold reds. Fantastic job Mr Swift! I wish I could afford a case! — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 13 is starting to soften a bit. I have a case of this and I generally do not buy more than six bottles of most wines. Just too much good wine to own. However, this has all the making of a superstar. The concentration is incredible. All beautiful dark ripe fruit, beautiful tannins and acidity. Mid red fruits pull up the rear. Nice leather, underbrush, cocoa powder, soft rich minerals and a polished long finish. This could easily end up being the best Napa Cabernet they've made. Exceeding some of their older Insignia's. Can't wait to open this in 10-15 years. — 10 years ago

Jon Fine

9.2

this one surprised me--would never ever give a second thought to Italian Syrah, but this was elegant and harmonious and damn fine all around. — 10 years ago

Nathan Reulman

9.8

This wine was so good. I thought it was going to be spent. We had two bottles from the same case. Bottle 004508 was drinking better than 004509, but I am not complaining! Strawberries, honey and cola. — 11 years ago

Marisa Reisman

10

My favorite of the week so far. Pinot noir from chianti Classico region. Gorgeous with our Italian meal — 11 years ago

with Levon

Michael Ochsner

8.9

Bursting from the glass. Showing some oak but not overly. Full and balanced. Minerality and great fruit. — 11 years ago

Mo Cherry

10

Ridiculous!!! — 12 years ago

William Allen - Two Shepherds

Owner/Winemaker Two Shepherds

9.1

Wonderful rosé of Syrah by Matthiasson. Has evolved beautifully and perfect now wish I had bought a case, my last bottle :( Wonderful tart red fruit, juicy acidity, amazing finish. — 13 years ago

Warren Grossman

9.3

Classic Amarone, well structured with expressive fruit and a long finish — 8 years ago

with Randy

Andrew Schirmer

9.1

Is there a better wine for roast chicken than Loire cabernet franc? Rhetorical question, of course. 2011 so tight, even after two hour decant. It slowly unveils its charms, like Jo Fiennes unwinds Gwen Paltrow in the otherwise forgettable "Shakespeare in Love". Unlike that film, this has staying power. Stash away a case, it will develop beautifully over the next three decades. — 9 years ago

with Alsu

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry, or do both. The 2015 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast makes a case for being the greatest value in all of wine, ever. If you'd asked me yesterday what the best value ever was I'm sure I would have said "let's start with the 2014 Rivers-Marie..." I guess it would be easy to explain if the 2015 tasted just like the 2014, but I am left dazed and confused... the 2015 is completely different than the 2014. The smoking hot orange peel note of the 2014 has been replaced in the 2015 with a mixture of beef bourguignon and some sort of euphoric strawberry pixie dust perfume. It weakens your knees and slows down time. The flavors are narcotic. It's not Burgundy, it's not North Coast Pinot, it's Rivers-Marie. Thomas Rivers Brown is the Elon Musk of wine. — 9 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.6

Wow. I had a glass of this and could still taste it two hours later (not always a good thing but in this case it was). Taste like a hike on Mount Veeder. — 10 years ago

Kyle Hailey

9.0

Not as good as the 98 but still pretty enjoyable showing lots of the qualities of an older mature wine with ripe tanins and mature fruit - good bit of richness for a Pinot — 10 years ago

Matt Beliveau

9.3

Delicious! Makes me want to run out and buy a case!! — 10 years ago

Mike Steffel

9.3

20 year old wine and beautiful. wish I had another case. — 11 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.3

Happiness is a warm gun mama. Or in this case a pair of ruby shears, berry, earthy, and ever-so-slightly herbal. — 11 years ago

Simon Haidamous

9.3

So glad I bought another case of this. — 12 years ago

Luis Carrillo

10

Loved it! Very Rich — 12 years ago

Jeffrey Taylor

9.9

Bought a case originally at $22/bottle. Still have 5 left. Knock on wood, not a bad bottle so far! — 13 years ago