Sergio Licea

9.5

Brandied cherries, incense, dried thyme, dried marjoram, iron, dried roses, charcoal, graphite, allspice, pine needles, pencil shavings, cigar box, cinder. Mellow rounded acid, wide smooth velvet tannins, full bodied, juicy satin texture, long smoky-cedar-slightly bitter finish. Evolved secondary aromatics, mature Châteauneuf-like weight, tannins display a balanced, non-intrusive presence. Just starting its prime drinking window. Pop and pour, no decanting/aeration required. — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.3

Chewy. Let it have some air to mellow the fruit but a great value — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.8

Mulled blackberries, maitake mushrooms, pottery soil, clay, cigar, cinder, leather, figs, cassis, allspice. Perfectly balanced rounded acidity/soft savory tannins, medium bodied, plush silky texture, incredibly long complex earthy-smoky-spicy finish. Beautiful mature aromatics and tannins balanced by youthful acid and developed texture. Unfolded beautifully after 1 hour decanting, evolved considerably in glass. Eleganza! — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

Frederick Corkrum played football for Whitman College in Walla Walla where he graduated in 1921. And apparently Whitman was the last undefeated college basketball team this year until their loss a few hours ago in the DIII Final Four. So there's that...

As for the wine, it's 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec. Opens with a rustic nose of leather, cigar box, cinder block, dry earth, and cocoa powder, with muted cherry ever-present, but in the background. The Cab Franc really comes though on the palate, showing an herbaceous, grilled pepper edge. A classically styled representation of Bordeaux, but slender by comparison for Walla Walla. — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.4

Plum, blackberry compote, black peppercorns, iron, cinder, pottery soil, violets, clay. Snapping rounded acidity, minimal narrow velvet tannins, light-medium bodied, juicy-slightly silly texture, long smoky peppery finish. Mineral driven, dark and aromatic. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Caught this just before the precipice. Cherry pit, wet clay, and damp cinder block. Salty and savory with some secondary cacao nibs. Surprisingly still has some grip, but it won't last long. Distinctive, but notably natural. — 9 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.3

Stewed blackberries, plum, currants, olives, cinder, balsamic, hazelnuts, tobacco, forrest floor, black pepper, iron. Rounded acid, minimal smooth velvet tannins, medium bodied, satin texture, long smoky-earthy-peppery finish. Texture-mineral driven, beautifully smokiness, aromatics rather muted, better on palate. Decanting recommended. — 7 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.0

Brandied cherries, plums, cassis, cola, star anise, dried thyme, dried oregano, graphite, iron, cinder. Rounded acid, satin texture, medium bodied, minimal smooth velvet tannin balance, herbal-smoky finish. Texture forward, nice mature notes with great finish. Fun to taste the complexity of a table wine with age. — 7 years ago

Lori Sullivan

9.0

2011 Cabernet blend. Cinder/cigar box, muted black fruit, dark spices, silky tannins. Low alcohol with lots of finesse. Lovely wine from Mexico. — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.2

Blackberry compote, blueberries, cinder, violets, garrigue, wet rocks, marjoram, white pepper. Rounded acid/minimal smooth velvet tannins, juicy-silk texture, medium bodied, smoky-earthy-peppery finish. Highly aromatic, mineral driven, excels way beyond price point. — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.3

Pomegranate, cherry cola, artificial watermelon, copper, roses. Rounded acidity, oily-juicy texture, light-medium bodied, long cinder-smoky finish. Never had a rosé this structured and interesting. Wine geeks unite! — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.3

Fresh blackberries, blueberry frosting, black raspberry, game, pencil shavings, menthol, iron, cinder. Vibrant acidity, minimal narrow smooth velvet tannins, silky texture, light-medium bodied, complex tangy, earthy, smoky finish. Mineral driven, bright dark aromatics, balanced. — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.2

Fresh Blackberries, pomegranate, graphite, sun dried tomatoes, cinder, dried thyme, black peppercorns, violet liqueur. Fresh sharp acidity, mellow smooth velvet tannins, juicy-slightly silky texture, medium bodied, long smoky fruity finish. Highly aromatic with near perfect balanced structure. Shy at first, decanting recommended. — 9 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.8

Kirsch, cassis, dried figs, crushed dried roses, leather, cinder, cigar box, iron, dried oregano, graphite, thyme, mint, rosemary, forest floor. Rounded acidity, smooth firm velvet tannins, full bodied, satin texture, incredibly long smoky-herbal-slightly floral finish. Highly aromatic, perfect weight/texture, drinking at its peak. Harmonious in every way, decant for at least one hour. Superb! — 7 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.4

Blackberries, pomegranates, roasted red peppers, dried thyme, cinder, wet rocks, graphite, green peppercorns, sage. Excellent lively acid/wide smooth velvet tannin balance, medium-full bodied, juicy slightly concentrated texture, long herbal-smoky slightly bitter finish. Aromatics perfectly aligned with assertive texture. Refined while maintaining its rusticity. — 8 years ago

Michael Tao

9.0

Really nice blend. Enjoying at La Ginestra — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.7

Black cherries, plum sauce, olives, jerky, cinder, black peppercorns, anise, tobacco, pine needles, iron, bay leaf, game. Vibrant rounded acid/minimal smooth velvet tannin balance, medium bodied, juicy texture, long herbal-smoky finish. Polished, yet gritty. Herbal notes enhanced with red meat dishes. Beautiful on its own, excels with food. — 8 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.4

Blackberry compote, lavendar, eucalyptus, cinder, juniper berries, garrigue, pottery soil. Rounded acidity, minimal tannins, silky texture, medium bodied, smooth fruity-earthy-slightly peppery finish. Mineral driven, fruity, elegant, and chuggable. — 8 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Fantastic Bordeaux blend. Is fruit forward with dark cherries, some jam qualities, vanilla on the finish but nice tannins and acidity to keep it very interesting. — 8 years ago

Brandon Boesch

8.9

Much better on second night. Full bodied with nice dark fruit and some vanilla. Nice smokiness and a hint of herbal that gives the sense of Spain, but obviously new world. I really like it. — 9 years ago

with Randy