Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

There is an origins story for me w/ this producer. You can read about it by clicking my post from 55 weeks ago.

This bottle fazed between 92-94 while enjoying. I opened it and let it breathe in bottle for 45 minutes and then decanted it in stages…a 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3. I believe that was the right decision.

This 97 still has not ridden off into the sunset, it is just the other side of its peak. 28 yrs from creation & 26 yrs in bottle. I look at a Cabernet/reds from when it went into bottle vs its birth yr. All my opening decisions are made from that point. Humans don’t count their time in womb, I see wine similarly.

The fruits are still beautiful & its evolution is amazing. There is a core of dark currants surrounded by cassis. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with heavy skin, black cherries, secondary; raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Cherry cola/licorice. Dark spices w/ a touch of heat-hard to find better, moist clays, soft, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark chocolate baking bar, mocha powder, caramel, anise to black licorice, dryish tobacco with ash, used leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone powder, volcanic ash, fire ambers, saline, some black pepper, tumbleweed, dry river stone, black tea, very lightly grilled pork, florals for days that are; dark, red, blue, lavender framed in violets, perfect acidity with a great balance, well structured/tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on dry earth & spice as it long sets. Wonderful style!

To quote Robert Lewis Stevenson, “Wine is Bottled Poetry!” — 2 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruits, oak and floral spice notes on this Joe Wagner creation. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and cherry with hints of cacao, cedar and leather, adding some herb spice notes. Fine tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and sweet mineral notes. Nice! Grab a Rib-eye! Well done Joe! — 7 months ago

Z. R.G.

9.4

Smells blackberry, oak & spices. Well balanced, smooth drink. Beautiful Creation! Impressed. — 4 years ago

David White

9.3

5 years in since my last tasting in 2020 and this has matured nicely with subtle nuanced flavours and more complex notes than earlier tasting
Good stuff! — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Inky, dark purple color. Aromas of blackberries, boysenberry, mocha and graphite. Black fruit on the palate, plum with coffee and dark chocolate finish.

🍇 51% Cab Franc & 49% Merlot

🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast — 3 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

Garnet verging on brick.
I smell very earthy aromas; horse farm, camp fire and soot.
A real stranger on the pallete. First I'm hit with a red fruit, not cherry or any of the common fruit notes- something more natural and tart, not as tart as a cranberry but I'm thinking of mixed dried currants with fresh goose berries and the Sirah comes through with a touch of black pepper and there is just a touch of effervescence from this natural creation.

35% niellucciu 30% grenache 15% sciaccarellu 15% sirah 5% mouvedre
Thank you Kermit Lynch for bringing in this taste of Corsica! — 4 years ago

Ted Holland

9.1

Very nice right bank creation!! Fresh floral nose is very delicate with hints of violets and strawberry flowers! This wine is about finesse and a balanced palate! Delicious, fine tannins, drink now and enjoy!!! — 3 months ago

Neal

9.4

2016 vintage, aged well and tastes fresh and still has the Chardonnay butteryness. — 5 months ago

David White

9.4

Complex on the palate displaying layers of cherry and plum with earthy flavours of forrest floor and spice. A somewhat masculine and flavourful Pinot but silky smooth tannins. The fruit is balanced well with the 14% ABV as well as good acidity.
UK wine critics Tim Atkin and Jamie Goode scored the 2015 95pts. — a year ago

Jerry Farinola

9.5

Outstanding California creation! Treat from Jay W. Had it with charcuteries and could have drank it all night. Great out of the bottle and spectacular as it opened up. — 4 years ago