Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Ranges of New South Wales Australia. Winemaker pays homage to his Great Great Grandfather, who was one of Australia’s early convict settlers. Dark/Black fruit aromas and flavors. Hint of a green quality and spice on the bitter finish. Tannins are a bit harsh. Revisited in July 2022. This bottle is not as bitter as the last time we had this one. Upgrading my rating. Thanks for bringing this one again Ron B. — 4 years ago

Martinez

9.0

Blend of Grenache (80%) and Mourvedre (20%) from 6 parcels in the Palastor, Bois Dauphin and Cabrières lieux-dits, located around the road to Orange in the cooler, northern part of the Châteauneuf du Pape AOC. From 60-80 years old vines Gradassi inherited from his grandfather rooted on sandy and clay soils, with few galets roulés (round river stones). Whole-bunch fermentation in cement vats. Aged for 10 months in older barriques. Intense, complex and fabulously aromatic, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, licorice and an edge of graphite/gunpowder. Big and powerful (14.5%) yet balanced. Earthy, leathery qualities and some chewy tannins. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Had this in a restaurant! Founded in 1902 with a vineyard farmed by Giacomo's grandfather, located in Pedemonte village in NW part of Verona, now run by 4th generation of Tommasi family. A blend of 50% Corvina Veronese, 15% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella & 5% Oseleta. Aromas of dried fruits with savory spice notes. On the palate sweet plum and sweet cherry flavors with pepper & cacao. Soft tannins, chewy on lingering finish ending with an oak character. Nice! — 7 years ago

Sarah Rudolph

8.9

Savory, rich, and familiar. The wood-panneled restaurant where you’d sit at the counter and order club sandwiches with your grandfather.
Opening a desk drawer to find an old note from an even older friend. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Light app tonight for dinner. Burrata, roasted garlic, two different cherry tomatoes picked tonight from the garden, pesto sauce, olive oil and Tondo balsamic vinegar. The only balsamic to use. Found it in Tuscany years ago and it’s all we use. You can order it on Amazon but, not inexpensive. All over, crostini’s drizzled with smoked olive oil. Soooo good!

The nose reveals, sweet & sour dark cherries, dark berry mix, stewed dark plum, blue fruit hues, touch of baked strawberries, tomato with leaf, sweet tarry notes, limestone minerals, dark rich soil, light baking spices and dark & blue fresh florals.

The body is medium full. Soft, round, tannins 70% resolved. The structure, length, tension has hit a high point. Ripe; sweet & sour dark cherries, dark berry mix, stewed dark plum, blue fruit hues and a touch of baked strawberries. Tomato with leaf, sweet tarry notes, on the long decant, add malt & light caramel, used leather, saddle-wood/cedar, limestone minerals, dark rich soil, medium dark spice, light baking spices and dark & blue fresh florals. The acidity is nice. The finish is good, balanced and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the tasting room at Produttori which is just under and to the right of the clock tower in the arial photo, arial view of the hilltop town of Barbaresco and our delicious small plate.

Producer note...Produttori is the third largest co-op in all of Europe. Be that they are a co-op, they still make some exceptional wines as well as great QPR wines. 🇮🇹 — 8 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.2

Wha wha weeee waaah. Teleportation straight back to burgundy - escargot under the clock tower, lunch on a bike ride of the country. Beast. Doesn’t get much better. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Firm tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! Tasting Sample. Has lots of room to bottle evolve. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Recently had ‘16. Royal St. Robert Cuvee named in honor of Dante and Carlo Mondavi's grandfather who taught them to be committed to excellence. Medium Ruby with layered aromas of fresh berry fruits with floral and smoky spice notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and raspberry with cigar box, oak and herb floral notes. Well balanced, savory fine tannins, long finish ending with oaky earthy notes. Very nice! Has ample room to age. Nice! — 6 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

NV. 19% Alcohol.Tawny Port from Penfolds in Barossa, Australia. Our go to tawny. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him, and expanded the appellations in his domaine either through inheritance, purchase, or a system of leasing called "fermage." Aromas of stone and citrus fruits. The palate shows lemons with crisp apple, mineral & oak notes. This medium-body wine has good balance with integrated acidity, lingering, finishing smooth with a citrus mineral ending. Very Nice! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Deep Purple (with a little smoke on the water), 100% Grenache with aromas of dark fruit and complex exotic spice. Plum, berry & current flavors with nutty tobacco develops into sweet licorice. Tannins a bit grippy but will soften, lingering, balance ending with fruit and spice. Nice!
— 7 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Beautiful. Soft oak, pears, nectarines, peaches. Thanksgiving too fast. Someone please slow the clock. Thank you — 8 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Much too young but ... when paired with red meat it unveils its potential : superb nose of sour cherry, blood, a bit of térébenthine too. Some spices. A profound, intense nose that makes us think and reflect on the wine. The palate is much too young but the sour cherry little song plays again among subtle tannins and along a long acid backbone that wants to go the extra mile. Red berries play a little part in this piece and raspberry comes at last. Very nice work. Would love to come to it again in 5-7 years. Fun fact : we are currently spending Christmas time with the in laws in Warsaw, Poland. This winemaker is of polish descent. His great grandfather came to France in the early years of the 20th century to make wine in burgundy. It's quite consistent with our life story that we open this wine during our Christmas diner! — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Jean-Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin craft wines, inspired by the memory of their grandfather, Pierre Perrin. Mostly Grenache, this is a classic Châteauneuf du Pape. Vivid Ruby with dark fruit and spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of herb pepper and leathery character. Soft tannins, good balance, long finish ending with fruit and spice, very nice! — 5 years ago

Jory ZG

9.2

Very smooth and easy to drink — 5 years ago

Nick Livingston

9.5

1993 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru - From my grandfather “Hoff”’s wine cellar. Enjoyed with my wife, mother and step-father. — 6 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.6

Wow. This is a small production offering from John Alban (usually 1-2 barrels at most). Mourvedre-dominated, this wine is spectacular (and very approachable for its age). Intense fruit, great balance, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. One of the great things about this wine - other than the wine itself - is the bottle. According to Lorraine Alban, the photo on the front shows a hat and cane that belonged to her grandfather. Better still is the font, a recreation of her grandfather’s handwriting from a letter he wrote to his future wife during The Great War. Just awesome. — 6 years ago

with Vanessa

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Vincent Girardin continues the winemaking tradition of his father and grandfather before him. Aromas of crisp stone fruits with citrus notes, complex. On the palate apple and citrus flavors, lively with honey and spice. Well balanced, lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Nice! Put this in the cellar for a few years. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Named after the winery owners’ grandfather, Scott produces wines from Dijon Clones grown on the estate in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, CA. Ruby with red berry fruit aromas and subtlr spice. On the palate cherry, cranberry and strawberry flavors come through with earthy herb spice, some vanilla notes. Lively acidity and smooth tannins, good balance. Medium+ finish, soft oak, rich texture, Very Nice. — 8 years ago