Mike Beltran

9.3

Tastes way younger than 16 years from the vintage. Quite dark and extracted flavor that kept opening up. Has many years of life left. A complement to the entire evening. Top flight Napa Cabernet. — 5 years ago

with Joe and Ray

Paul T HB

9.5

Warehouse wine, mmmm,,
Great grigio from Oakville.
See @Shawn R ‘s review for full details, he sums it up better than I can, — 7 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.5

Simply the best domestic Syrah I’ve encountered in 30 years of wine! 12% ABV... brilliant black pepper and dark fruit intensity... but so frigging light. A-R is/are fast becoming one of my top three producers. — 7 years ago

Randy P

9.0

A 12 year old Syrah that could have gracefully gone another 4-6 seasons in bottle. Tannins were harsh and gripping initially, but after the first half of Bachelor in Paradise, the wine opened up and flowered. Nailed the acids. Smoke, Clove, aged tobacco and balanced oak work their way out of the glass. More gritty earth, clove and soft, worn lederhosen fill the mouth. This wine was very tasty. — 8 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.7

"Bad Ass in a Glass" is quite accurate here. Poured from a double magnum, this was a big wine that had people smiling and buzzing (in every sense of the word!). Globs of dark fruit, silky smooth, a touch sweet, but so well integrated.

Thank you @Martin G Rivard and @Christine for an epic 48 hours and for opening your home last night for the Super Bowl of wine tastings (and for the four different types of grilled cheese sandwiches that magically appeared toward the end of the night!).

While the wines shared last night literally were the best of the best, so too were the folks I had the pleasure of seeing again and meeting for the first time. Thank you all for making last night so memorable. I look forward to staying in touch and sharing a glass (bottle?) with you all again in the near future.

@David L @Mike R @Ron R @Joe Lucca @Shawn R @Bill Bender @Daryl Calhoun @Ryan M @leon egozi @David Goldfinger @David From The 504 @Monica O @Ira Shapiro @Jeffrey Lew @Mo Salem @"Odedi" @Kirk Alexander @Gina Sabean (tag anyone I may have missed!). Your generosity and enthusiasm in sharing wine was greatly appreciated. — 8 years ago

Bart Bartlett

9.0

Incredibly smooth, juicy peach flavors with hints of lemony citrus. A tinge of pepper on the finish. Great wine! — 9 years ago

with Jennifer

Jared Mayron

9.5

Great minerality, red fruit, floral, great finish, SF international double gold — 9 years ago

Roy Goble

9.5

The big bottle - double magnum of the 2014. Beautiful right now. — 5 years ago

with Rachel and D'Aun

Rob Sternthal

9.5

The Bear is out of hibernation. If you don’t own/buy this, then you’re just ignorant. @Anthony Biagi crushes his private label wines. Q. P. R. This is just luscious. — 7 years ago

Justin Wittkopf

9.8

Double decanted for 8 hours prior to drinking. Absolutely stunning! Blew us away. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

After my first sip, my words were “I wish I had more of this.” Holy smokes. This is hands down one of the best rosés I’ve had out of Cali (alongside the Arnyca rosé). The acidity is so sharp out of the bottle. Love that! So many rosés are flabby and creamy. Kiwi and strawberry in the nose. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and plum skin on the finish. This is the epitome of refreshing rosé. I need to give credit to @Shawn R for gifting me this bottle from when we were together at his house a few months ago. Loved it, brother! Perfect by the fire pit. 👌 — 8 years ago

TheSkip

10

So, I came home yesterday and there was a package at the door. I wasn't expecting anything and looked at the sender. @Martin G Rivard ! Well then! I knew santa was over, but perhaps Easter Bunny Rivard had struck?

I opened the box with haste. Surely anything from @Martin G Rivard would be of high quality. I saw a flash of orange and though, oh my! But there was only one bottle and it was oddly shaped. This must be the limited edition, double magnum of @Jason Chang's Nine Suns cuvée! I ripped open as if it were Christmas and out came Carlo Rossi.

I'd never heard of this producer but I trusted Martin. This bottle came with a very handy pour handle at the top. I was excited. Although it was only 4pm, I remembered what @Bill Bender said about 3pm so, I thought to myself, why not?

Hurriedly, I came into the kitchen and got my favorite Zalto glass, as inspired first by @Roman Sukley. I retrieved my corkscrew and opened the knife only to discover that this was a convenient screw cap! How thoughtful of Martin!

Open it went and the room filled with a lovely sweet grape must. I knew this would be special. I grabbed my winestop given to me by @Ron R and inserted to to insure there would be not a drop wasted.

Into the glass and my excitement prevented any thought of a decant.

What a wine! Those Concord grapes - what has Welch's been thinking? They've missed out on one of the finest varietals I've ever encountered. I knew I was truly lucky to try this rare wine.

But something felt...off. And I realized, I had nothing to pair with this! Thankfully there was a full 4L in this bad boy. And the screw cap allowed for prompt resealing.

Away I went in the car. What oh what to have? Aih! Exactly! @Paul T told me about the heaven of pairing McNuggets. Off to Ol' McDonalds I went.

Twenty McNuggets and sweet and sour sauce please!

I scurried to the back, and carefully withdrew my Zalto from my backpack. Opening the McNuggets, I knew this would be special. And indeed, I am with words to describe the experience. Yet, again, I knew something just wasn't right. The wine wasn't presenting itself. So I thought, how can I classy this up? And then I remembered all of @David L's posts with the classy silver wine coaster.

I had to have one. I asked the chap at the counter of McDonalds, but the response I received was less than satisfactory. I had to solve this issue myself. Thankfully , while returning to my table, I spotted a HomeGoods store immediately next door. I ran across and found a lovely silver charger.

And finally, returning to my table, I was now all smiles! More smiles than @Mike R !

What a special evening. I really wanted to end this off right. I grabbed a dozen roses and rushed home to the wife. Half a bottle Rossi still intact!

I showed her the bottle and wow! You should have see her eyes. I then suggested we retire to the bedroom and this was met with prompt approval.

And with such a great night, I wanted a lovely memento. I gently placed the bottle against her and snapped a lovely shot that is sure to be on the cover of the next issue of BBB with @Bill Bender !

Thanks for thinking of me @Martin G Rivard ! — 8 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Ripe, juicy berry notes... with s hint of smoke and spice on the nose. Medium to med-light on the palate... delightful acid/fruit balance. Perfect for a summer night outside in Chicago with a double smash burger and wagau...Chill this bad boy down if it’s warm. — 6 years ago

David L

9.3

Great bottle! Better in a year. @Shawn R Thank you so very much for this bottle. Love you buddy. See you soon! — 7 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

Maybe it’s just me being on Chateauneuf overload, but this N. Rhône style Syrah is hitting the spot. Excellent QPR as expected from Anthill. Did a quick double decant and this wine paired very well to Indian food. — 7 years ago

Jon Nichols

9.4

Excellent with calamari and steak. Double eagle del Friscos Dallas — 8 years ago

Jeff

9.0

Jammy and bold! — 8 years ago

Rocky Fagioli

8.9

Great for the price — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.3

This is a good wine with ripe fruit, flowers and a BEAUTIFUL NOSE. Well done for $20 bucks. I'm so glad Patrick Chapman (Screaming Eagle) has landed here. Call him and stock up now for spring. This one doesn't disappoint. @Paul T @Ron R @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @Jim Trobaugh @Eric Shanks @David L @TheSkip @Jade Moore @Warren Sapp — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

Made in an oxidative style like the Jura Blanc, but much more so. Rich, saline, nutty. May not be for everyone, but I really like this style. Double post as Mrs A and I shared a bottle the day prior, before opening this one for guests. — 9 years ago

with Max and Albert