Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured into red Solo cups; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black currants, mixed brambles, tobacco, Poblano pepper, purple flowers, some leather, dry organic earth and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is just exceptional, no other way to put it. While Rafanelli wines are fun when they are young, they become magical with some age. If you several, open one soon and enjoy where it’s currently at. If you have only one and you’re saving it for a special occasion, you’re in no hurry. This will drink well through 2040+. — 14 days ago

Scot Walker

8.9

Cherries in the nose with blackberry and baking spice in the palate. Paired well with Gouda. — 7 days ago

K L

9.2

Excellent as always. — 5 days ago

with Matt

J Choi

9.4

Ventura. — 2 months ago

Paul J

9.3

Always great! Subtle petrol on the nose and palate. More sweetness than acidity for this vintage. Bold flavors and nice depth. — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Ken Venezio

9.2

Twomey's 25th anniversary RRV Pinot. Expressive florals both on taste and nose. Red cherry opener and I get a bit of smoke and dusty soil. Medium mouthfeel and mild tannins. The wine is well-balanced and quite expressive through the finish. — 2 months ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Had at Kavel's: Notes of dark cherry, cola, baking spice, a touch of vanilla oak, and soft tannins. — 3 months ago

Matt Schwartz

9.1

Red fruits, turned earth, decaying leaves, leather and subtle oak. — 8 days ago

Craig Becraft

9.3

Wonderful medium body bing, cherry blackberry Indian spices, soft tannins well burnished by bottle age — a day ago

John Willison

9.1

Very green, grapefruit pith, a bit herbal. — 8 days ago

Charlie Frago

9.0

Nice Zinfandel good jammy fruit, moderate tannins, enjoyable  — 7 days ago

Maggie Harrison

9.2

lifted. hunt or red floral- lavendar? medium tannins. high acid. fuller mid palate than Sonoma Coast. — 2 months ago

Andrea Watt

8.9

Very nice and classically Californian. Oak forward with cream followed by pear and a balancing touch of citrus. A little oakier than my favorites but still nice. You’ll like more if that’s your style. — 2 months ago

Ming L

9.2

For Bordeaux blend that can age effortlessly for 10-15 years but won’t break the bank, the Mariner and the BV Tapestry are my top choices.

The nose shows blackberry, black currant, baking spices, autumn leafs, iron, and hint of cocoa. Medium to full body. Excellent balance. Supple fine tannins. More Bordeaux like than the Tapestry IMO.

18 months in French & Hungarian oak, 44% new. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Checking in on the 2018 vintage. My notes from February 2024 still apply. If anything, this is more squarely in the window of where I like Rafanelli Zinfandel. Really delicious and I suspect it will remain that way for many years. Tons of sediment. Drink now through 2043+. — 23 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.6

2021. Wow. Had no idea Australia was making such good chard. Mineral and crisp. Lots of almonds, apples green, and pear. Slight honeydew. Long finish. Captivating. — 14 days ago

Louis Martin

9.3

Excellent dry Riesling, vibrant apricot and orchard fruit accents and a silky, mineral-driven mouthfeel that paired well with an oily salmon dish at Hope Club American Wine dinner. — 17 days ago

Gladys Xiques

8.9

Exquisite. Cherry notes balanced with earth. — 2 months ago

with Karilyn

Paul J

9.7

Dark gold color. Slightly past prime. Needs 20 minutes of air. Pears, popcorn, cream, and nuts on the nose. Same on the palate with some vanilla and coconut. Super deep wine with a long finish. I love aged Napa Chard!! — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Mo

9.2

A superb Zinfandel blend that tastes great now and possesses the requisite structure to age. Ridge sets the standard in American winemaking. Their corpus of high quality wines is unmatched in America and challenges the entire industry worldwide. — 3 months ago