Willie Carter

9.1

When was the last time you had a 100% Petit Verdot? Or have you ever? It’s a grape that can stand on its own. If done right. Deep dark inky black, maybe the darkest wine I can recall, with quite a sheen to it and a purple rim. A nice mix of soft and more muscular notes on the nose. Dried cherries and cedar burst forth with violets, warm spices, and lavender along for the ride. The floral aspects balance out some of the rougher edges.

It goes without saying that this needs plenty of air and time in the decanter. You certainly feel that 15.0 but it blows away after a while. Full bodied and girthy, the delicate balance of huge yet elegant is played well here. Chewy and juicy, very velvety on the tongue. Hefty tannins and a rich streak of tobacco throughout.

On the palate, there’s an initial shout of smoked meat and more cedar. Stewed plums and blackberries abound. There’s a touch of vanilla and cigar there, as well. Spice on the medium to long finish. Yes this a big wine but it ain’t too big. Beautiful fruit and craftsmanship. Outstanding stuff. — 5 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

This afternoon a good friend and I shared the 2011 Domaine Berrien Cellars Crown of Cab. The wine is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Your classic Bordeaux blend and again from my favorite winery in Southwest Michigan.

On the nose you will find black cherry, black raspberry, black currant, licorice, herbs, spice and a nice earth component.

The palate brings forth the dark fruit, black cherry, black raspberry, black currant, green bell pepper, menthol, black licorice, spice, an herbal note and a nice earthy loam.

The wine is full bodied with medium + acidity and medium + sandy tannins that leads to a long clean dark fruit finish. What a pleasant and surprising experience we enjoyed this afternoon. I loved how this wine has developed over time and given another 5 to 10 years it will continue to gracefully age. This is Domaine Barrien's flagship wine and for the price you can't beat it. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a great week ahead. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Thought it was time to try another bottle of their “The Cutrer” Chardonnay, I noticed aromas of fresh fruits and notes of sweet spice. Aged for 13 months in French oak (25% new), flavors of apple, pear and citrus come forth, with a creamy texture. Vivid acidity, well balanced with slight oak on the finish, ending with vanilla spice tones. Consistent notes overall wine was more developed. Enjoy! — 7 years ago

Andrew Scherer

9.3

One of the best Vinho Verdes I've had. Classic style but it brings forth some extra layers that most others don't have. Playful citrus and minerality. — 8 years ago

Tom Burke

9.1

Soft, delicate, a faint effervescence on the tongue before the cherries burst forth. Consistently this wine maker produces memorable bottles. — 8 years ago

Jeffrey Cole

9.3

I love this wine, for as incredibly tannic and rippy as it is, there's so much delicacy. The truffle and plum notes juggle back and forth with a herbaceous character woven through. — 9 years ago

Matt Trader

9.2

If I had one sentence to describe this wine, it is this: "Ca' Togni is the definition of desire." The vintage was a 2006, and let me tell ya, have the years been great to this mistress! Showing a deep brick red color, and a wine still showing all its wonderful fruits, with an expected maturity thrusting forth delightful complexity, this wine will make you love Black Hamburg! (Black Muscat) On the nose, notes of dried figs, dried rose petals, old leather, strawberry-rubarb jam, followed by a pallet of racy dark maraschino cherries, brown spices, and a vanilla finish. Phillip Togni is a hell of a wine maker out of Spring Mountain! I highly recommend trying one of these, even if it is $50, it was most certainly worth it! On top of that, it is 1 of only three wines he crafts, still in his 80's, still the king of the mountain. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Partnership w/Jim Clendenen at Au Bon Climat. Barbara Barham & Richard Mendelsohn planted 5 acres of Pinot on Lala Panzi Ranch in the RRV. They had similar visions on Pinot’s & thus led to this partnership. Aged in predominately new Allier & Vosges wood. Aromas of berry fruits with dusty earthy nose. On the palate, berry flavors come forth with hints of tea & spice. Medium+ length, fine tannins, ending with earthy mushroom character, it was good, lost its luster, at its prime now! — 5 years ago

Charlie C

8.9

Was a weird one for me. Musty barnyard on the nose. Ripe raspberry and and an orange citrus thing. High acid. Hints of VA. Kept going back and forth. Not hard to see why people are divided. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Day 2 of Napa in the books!

Seavey’s flagship offering. This is close to 7yrs young and it’s still so youthful! At this point, it’s a back and forth battle between fruit and secondary/herbal notes. Powerful red fruit to the core with cassis & plum with minerality, new leather, and tobacco. A wonderful Napa example of Bordeaux. Long life. — 6 years ago

V M

9.7

Sunday funday this wine is a perfect elegant pair to burgers and Cajun shrimp to eat and drink outdoors. This 2012 is drinking beautifully. Elegant yet expressive it brings forth the best of 2012 pomerol. Flowers and summer BBQ smoke on the nose it has bright red and purple fruit on the palate that while not overwhelming holds its own against spice and meat. It’s light enough to enjoy outside but formidable enough to linger without overwhelming a summer afternoon. Bravo to this wine. — 7 years ago

Taylor Ahlborg

9.6

Old wine. I can smell the earthy barnyard if success when all goes right. We decanted it at the table and it kept growing with each glass. Paired with a Waugh beef NY it brought forth floral and fruit tones, but cut through the fat in the steak to finish strong with acid and tannins! — 7 years ago

with Nathan, Garrett and 1 other

Joni Hedgpeth

9.8

Absolutely Amazing! Spice and Earth burst forth from big black beauty — 8 years ago

Michael Adelman

9.2

Wow... Always overlooked because it's not from Napa... Lovely mountain fruit with cocoa and cedar. Lots of love was put forth and it shows. Such a treat to have! — 9 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

Besides its acidity, this Sardinian wine is an especially good pair with seafood because it carries the smell of the ocean. Salinity bursts forth with citrus in tow, both on the nose and the palate. It’s a savory wine with loads of character, and it’s a Vermentino from Sardegna. That’s really all you need to know.
— 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Today was an absolutely fantastic Friday hosting at the City Club by @Dan Fitzgerald. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine. Great job Dan!

The first of four Colgin’s served blind. Youthful notes abound here. More herbal on the nose when compared to the more fruit driven palate. Mostly a mix of black cherries, pomegranate, rhubarb tart and black pepper spice at the finish. I went back and forth with my guesses from Grenache, to pinot, to Syrah and couldn’t land on one. Delicious right now. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 3 others

Brandon T

9.5

Now I know what the fuss was all about. This was well worth the effort put forth in trying to find it. Whoa! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Best known for its Sparkling Wines, which have been served at the White House since 1985, beginning with the historic U.S.-Russian Summit Meetings ending the Cold War. A blend of 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay & aged 3 years prior to release, showing aromas of red fruit, citrus and spice. Raspberry and cherry flavors come forth with orange zest, earthy spice and tiny flowing bubbles. The wine is well balanced, gentle acidity, some yeast and minerality on the lingering finish. Celebrate! Tasting Sample — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

On our recent CA trip, we tasted wine from The Hilt, their 2013 Vanguard Pinot Noir. Aged 40% new French oak and 60% neutral French oak, dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits with a touch of smoky spice notes. The palate is complex brings forth concentrated black cherry and slightly tart strawberry fruit, spice, with bold dusty tannins. The finish had earthy and smoky tones and lingered through the ending. Very Nice, small production, 1400 cases. Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago

Rebecca Robison

9.1

Really good, decently priced, California cab — 9 years ago