Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Posting my review from a few months back as my experience was the exact same.

Very ripe and integrated. Full spectrum of red and black fruit, cassis, pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather on the nose. Structure was still very solid with plenty of tannins at the finish to keep this upright. Round on the palate...dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, cardamom and muddled raspberries. Drinking really well but will probably hold in this window for a few years. — 5 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others

Shay A

9.5

This is one of the best Italian wines I’ve had, and it’s coming on the heels of trying the ‘11 vintage of this a few months back. Lots of similarities. A more ripe/modern/New World style. Super ripe dark fruits, cocoa dusted dates, sweet pipe tobacco, and a powerfully tannic finish. Mid palate is dense and seductive with outrageous texture and flavor. This could be a monster in a few years. What a wine, @joe leatherwood ! — 5 years ago

with Dan, Mark and 3 others

Severn Goodwin

9.0

100% Pineau d’Aunis, Pét-Nat.

Interesting light strawberry/salmon color.

Nose is faint strawberry, dusted with white pepper.

Palate has light strawberry/cranberry mash with white pepper. Finish is medium.

Solid bottle for under $13 which I will buy again!!! — 5 years ago

Danielle Lawrence

9.0

Great year although the 2012 is better. — 6 years ago

Stephen Pierron

9.4

This has got to be my favorite Syrah from Washington! I want more!! Juicy and dark fruit jam with herbs and fresh cracked pepper. Paired PERFECTLY with Chinois Grilled Lamb Chops with a Cilantro Mint Vinaigrette! — 6 years ago

Justin Hart

9.2

Pretty intense tannins (it has 7% petit sirah too), full, ripe red berry, a generous blast of white pepper, and lingering leathery notes round it out. Yumo-o!! — 6 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Justin Hart

9.2

2012 is still jammy, but profound, a great "notter botter". Unfortunately, there are no more DV Grenaches after the 2014 vintage. But if you like Grenache, new world especially, this is the bomb. For DV and Grenache now, go to the Squirrel Tooth Alice, which is even more yum! — 7 years ago

with Jen

Shay A

9.4

Another Wednesday Wine Committee in the books. Great hosting by @Bill Makens . 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine all served blind.

My co-red WOTD. Perfumed with sweet oak, candied black cherries and cocoa dusted dates. Youthful. Big structure in place but not overly gripping. Dusty covered blackberries, plum and peppercorn, showing a hint of leather. Gorgeous. I called this late ‘00s/early 2010 Napa Cab. — 5 years ago

with Colby, Bill and 1 other

Justin Hart

9.2

Light, sweet and refreshing. Beautiful notes of ruby red grapefruit, strawberries, and res plum. Supple tannins make for an elegant, medium grip. Yum! — 5 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Ryan Hare

9.3

Robust, complex, and rich. Notes of dark chocolate, dry herbs, and cherry on the nose. Full bodied: peppery with cherry and blackberries. Long and intetesting finish carried by supple tannins. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Drinking so well and was improving the longer it was open. So fragrant and aromatic...crushed potpourri, cherry pipe tobacco and baked blackberry pie. Dusty on the palate and still youthful. Dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, blackberry and raspberry pie with strong acidity and tannin. A great drinking window. Thanks @Keith Fisher — 5 years ago

with Weston

Shay A

9.4

Wow! High octane, but at the same time, balanced. Red, blue and black fruit on the nose. Violet too. Nutmeg and some cocoa dusted bay leaf. Palate is young. Licorice and cassis. Blueberry driven finish that is both powerful and refined at the same time. Plenty of time ahead for this. — 6 years ago

with Dan

Bryce Wiatrak

9.4

Herbal and still rather tannic and youthful. Leather, mushroom, tobacco, thyme, rosemary, dusted plum. Some redder tones emerge from the black fruit core - strawberry even. A pleasant rusty patina with some gentle, welcome bitterness on the finish. — 6 years ago

Fran Barker

9.1

Very nice wine for the price. Smooth tannins — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.6

July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!

Such a treat to compare this against the ‘08 Schrader To Kalon and the ‘09 Chappellet Pritchard Hill. This was decidedly more dusty. Dark cocoa dusted dates, cassis, and black cherry compote over toasted graham crackers. This was decanted about an hour+ before we got to it and it was still powering through hours later. Thanks, @joe leatherwood . — 5 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others

Shay A

9.4

Happy Father’s Day! Wonderful pull by my father in law.

I’m a big fan of this winery as you don’t see them around very much. Such high quality with impeccable wine making. Slow ox for 1-2hrs. 95 merlot/5 CabFranc. Espresso and dark cocoa dusted black cherry, ripe blackberry and currant aromatics...intoxicating. So soft, yet ripe fruit, on the palate. Cherry swisher sweets, baked mixed berry figs, and still tart red and black fruit. Can’t believe how tart and ripe the fruit is even at 13yrs. Outstanding. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Always a reliable restaurant pick. My first ‘15 from any of Chappellet’s wines, and I was astounded at how approachable this was at pop and pour! Wow. The aromatics were just sensational...blueberry and blackberry medley, baked pie, very small hint of smoked meat, and plum. Extremely lush on the palate from start to finish...black cherry cordial, mixed berry, and cocoa dusted dates. Phenomenal value! — 5 years ago

Matt Tinnon

9.7

Amazing wine! — 6 years ago

with Dennise

Maggie Harrison

9.0

mm. meaty, savory, black cherry. raw meat. in the best way possible of course. solid on day 3. btg!! — 6 years ago

Justin Hart

9.3

This is not a Syrah dominant blend anymore, it is Mourvedre dominant now, and so much better for it. Big, spicy, gamey and intense. Tastes like it just came home from tromping through the sagebrush. Grab it and loooove it! Yum! — 7 years ago

with Cherish and Jen