Jonathan Shoup

8.9

Dark purple in color, not red. Strong tannins and very delicious. No acid. Really enjoyed — 3 years ago

with Jennifer

Paul T HB

9.6

On to this nice little cabernet,
Perfect for some bbq hanger steak 🥩
These bottles have major distance in their DNA. Had a 2001 last year and was fantastic. This will keep another 20 easy — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

I think @Jordan Mackay described this wine to a tee. While I enjoyed it, I wonder if it’s 100% Carignan. Could there possibly be an error in the identification of the variety? It is actually quite common in Californian vineyards and especially older vineyards to have a mix of varieties or believe it’s one variety because that’s how it was bought, but DNA testing can be surprising. This seems much more Gamay to me. In Paso Robles for example I know of some pretty famous winemakers and important vineyards that thought they had Mourvèdre and it turned out to be Graciano. — 5 years ago

Mike Stricoff

10

I’ll tell ya what, if you ever get promoted and your sister gives birth in the same day this is the perfect special occasion wine to celebrate with. My mouth feels like my soul feels while FaceTiming with a newborn infant that shares 50% of the same DNA as me. The baby can only hope it ages as well as this world class wine I found in a tasting room a stone’s throw away from the Sonoma town square. Pairs well with a Cosmos marathon. — 6 years ago

with Jennifer

Lewis Chester

9.4

2006 vintage. Took an hour to open up. Pale ruby hue. Distinctive Rayas DNA- crushed strawberry and raspberry, animalistic, leather and spice, white pepper - very complex. On the palate, silky smooth and textural, medium body, fine tannins and medium high alcohol. Long and delicious sweet finish. This is still too young and I would suggest not opening for another 3-5 years. Potentially amazing. — 7 years ago

Selim Batibay

9.0

The folks of Sassicia teamed up with top Sardinian vineyard to create this very interesting bottle....you can definitely pick up the Tuscan legends dna in there... — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The mid red fruits are candied on the nose with fresh violets and roses. It's glorious, ruby, candied & creamed raspberries, dark & light cherries, strawberries, just a hint of blackberries, plum, fresh perfumed violets & pink/red roses, milk & dark chocolate, cinnamon stick, vanilla, slight herbaceous quality and mid intensity volcanic minerals. She is a lush elegant beauty. Finishes fruit juicy transitioning to dry mid tannins. M+ to H acidity. I coravined a glass not sure if it would be ready but it is and will still improve over the next 5+ years. Interesting...this CA Rhone has a little Burgundian DNA. — 8 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Deceptively simple?New Zealand syrah with a cool climate DNA. Waiting for day 2. And day 2: better, fuller, lovely. Smooth & velvety texture are the bywords.
— 3 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.5

Loads of Hall DNA in this wine. To use an old 70s term, thus wine has Body and Soul. Loads of fruit and a great finish. Have it a good hour decant to really open up. — 3 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.4

To my mind, the quintessential $20 Oregon Pinot: explosive aromas of boysenberry and spice, with corresponding flavors, concentration and a superfine, acid finish. Burgundian in its lower alcohol and understatement, it’s the kind of confident, relaxed effort to be expected from a winemaker who has Burgundy in her DNA. — 4 years ago

Sarah Bushaw

9.0

Very tasty. — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

An incredible story as well a great wine. Back in the early 2000s, The Vineyard team at Feudi di San Gregorio discovered three bush vines in their Anglianico vineyards that were not Anglianico grapes. After DNA research, it was determined the vines were the ancient Sirica grape varietal. FSG propagated these vines and eventually ended up with one and a half hectares of this grape. First release of a Sirica Single varietal was back in 2009. This vintage is a terrific red wine. Aromas of dark berries, leather, herbs and violets. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry, black pepper and cloves. Velvety tannins and fresh tasting. Beautifully balanced. This one is special and will get better with age. I need to find more! — 6 years ago

with John

Bob McDonald

9.3

Notes of mulberry - even without new oak it somehow has the Penfolds DNA of chocolate malt. Brambley savoury notes. Great to have a Penfolds red with no new oak just for a change. Still with a long future as with 90% of Penfolds Reds. Amazing to think that decades ago Penfolds released Grange and St. Henri at the same price. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Certainly has the Hunter DNA even though Head Winemaker Jim Chatto said Mt Pleasant spent much of the 2000s trying to make a ripe South Australian style (see my 2005 note). Medium bodied earthy savoury and minerally. From vines planted in 1880. Another great vintage for OShea. — 8 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Great second wine...possibly the best one I've had. Drinking it with Chateau Ausone you instantly recognise the same DNA and this actually had more power. For a third of the price you are pretty much drinking the same wine... — 3 years ago

Ron from VA

9.3

So hard to believe that this was built on two year leaf grapes. Talk about a great rookie season! Mostly cab sauv , this did indeed punch far beyond it’s expected weight class. Complex yet fairly linear and sequential, this has the dna of the championship level big boy (glen manor/rdv/linden). While only a 375 mL bottle, it had aged remarkably well and would be worth another library investment if available ;) — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

It’s fair to say that every Penfolds Cuvée (possibly with the exception of the entry level Rawsons Retreat) is made to cellar. This includes this 2010 Koonunga Hill which cost $16.99. Plummy mocha chocolate notes on nose and palate - showing the Penfolds DNA. — 5 years ago

Larry Frierson

9.6

I think French merlot has a different DNA than California merlot. Now in perfect balance. Like a chocolate dipped cherry. — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.4

1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣4️⃣

🗞 DNA fingerprint, Band Aid, AIDS, 🍏 Mac
🎵 Like a Virgin, Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, I Just Called to Say I Love You, Jump
🎥 Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop, Footloose, Gremlins, 🥋 Kid
🗣 I’ll be back
🌍 4.726B

Fab drop @ £85 👍

🍷 Opaque ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Gravel, lead, flint & minerals through black berry/currant fruits w/ light mocha, herbs & liquorice

👄 Med body of mineral infused soft dark berry fruits w/ an earthy cocoa & liquorice tone

🎯 Med+ dry mineral finish of above — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

My first experience of Portuguese wine , as for most people my age was fortified Port. Amazing that the same flavour DNA is so strong with this Dry Red without the high alcohol. Savoury dry cherry with liquorice. Drink now or cellar short term. — 7 years ago

with Georgina and Hugh