Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 5 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I haven’t had a lot of experience with Napa Valley Chardonnay but this was most enjoyable. Rich and mouth filling, creamy. Stone fruit and almonds. Barb said white flowers on the nose. Apparently this was picked early and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Oak influence is totally integrated - balanced. I paid $147 AUD in Brisbane in September 2021. A lot dearer than what you might pay in the States I would guess. — 2 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.0

Nice dark color. Nose: earthy (earthworm!), something distinctly plant like or vegetal, almost a little seaweed (?), chlorine (???!?), soft cheese / ammonia - herbs - light/bright wood - a little currant. Taste: good! Good mouthfeel, nice drying tannins, dark skinned berries, herbs, all comes together in a nice weighty way. 90! Great deal for $11 on sale, $10 after discount! Definitely need to buy more. EDIT: wife strongly dislikes it, she says it tastes and smells “like a cheap hotel pool.” I know what flavor(s) she is talking about (the chlorine/earth/soft cheese element), but it worked for me. YMMV. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

One of my favourite Italian whites - this is made from the Falanghina grape which is the main grape of Campania. Harvested at full ripeness. Fermentation takes place as 70% in stainless steel and 30% in Barrique. See previous note here in April 2025. Not designed for long cellaring. Previous notes still apply. An ideal winter white wine. White flowers, herbal notes with unctuous ripe fruits on the palate. Impossible not to enjoy this. Sadly my last bottle. — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.0

Robert Sinskey Vineyards
Abraxas Vin de Terroir Scintilla Sonoma Vineyard Los Carneros 2017

Certified organic, whole cluster pressed, neutral fermentation vessels to preserve the primary aromas and flavors of the Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer.

Medium lemon hue, medium(+) aromas of lemon peel, lime, crisp pear, white peach, citrus blossom, honeysuckle, lemongrass, ginger, and crushed stone. — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Jack Hasten

9.0

Nice with Sushi — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See note on Delectable 187 weeks ago. This is my last bottle and it is superb. With age this wine has developed more stone fruit (white peach) and less citrus notes. Perfect balance with French Oak and a creamy leesy influence. As HH said “100% Malolactic fermentation but it doesn’t show “. Ticks all the boxes of an excellent modern day new world Chardonnay. Grapes are shipped in a refrigerated container from the Coal River Tasmania to the Adelaide Hills where the wine is made at Shaw and Smith (the owner of Tolpuddle). — 8 months ago

Carter White

9.4

See earlier review. — 3 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

Butter, yellow delicious apple, stone fruits, fresh mango, pineapple, sweet baking spices, med+ acidity, lovely long finish. 42 year old vines, 415-810 elevation, 92% Hanzell clone, 94% St George, 27% new barrel, 73% stainless steel fermentation. Full malo. 18 months’ aging. — 3 years ago

Carolyn Jane

9.8

Delicious. Complex but smooth. Medium tannin. — 4 years ago