Tom Casagrande

9.4

With a little air, this gets fragrant fast. A focused beam of dark, sappy cherry and a very clean note of stony minerality. In the mouth it's soft, balanced, and really clingy. Perfectly integrated acids. The color is about one shade darker than a rose. This is going fast. Might not have night 2 notes!

UPDATE: Two night later, nose is explosively sappy floral mossy. Deep flavors contrasting with a delicate texture and great acids. Upping to 9.4. Terrific, unique wine. — 10 years ago

with Lyle

Kristi

9.3

One of my favorite NV AVAs. This is drinking very well. Much better than my last sampling in August. In fact, I would give it several more years this time around. — 11 years ago

Cody Short

9.8

Everything great Bordeaux should be. Cork crumbled in the Durand but first sniff and I knew it was on. Waves of saddle leather, tobacco, cedar, forrest floor and cherries. The wine was intense but more feminine than I expected, a great balance. Truly one of the best and most memorable bottles I've had the last few years. This is what drinking wine is all about, experiences that shake you to your core. — 11 years ago

Paul Barnes

9.0

Have always liked this one. Rustic with just enough fruit. More alcohol than I remembered. — 10 years ago

Joe Pea

9.1

This the third time I've had this in the last year and it shows beautifully right out of the gate. The wood and fruit are so interestingly and well melded at this point. Oak moves to cedar on the palate. Definite alcohol lift in the nose still and you can feel it the nostrils but not obtrusive...indeed it's actually a promising hint of what's to come on the palate. Dried cherry and stone fruit tastes on right away. Slightly mentholated. Definitely picking up distinct vanilla undertones on the nose and palate but not over the top. Satisfying medium tannins. Soft mouth feel but with really good/balanced structure. Perfect finish in line with what preceded it. Just a great fucking wine. And for the price? Getcha some! Can't believe this is still just around and available (not telling where!). Not for those who don't want wood in their wine but even here what you think will finish moderately chalky moves to soft-ish tannins at the perfect time. So many riojas are over top in the wood category or just so out of balance one way or the other. Everyone has heard of Rioja but have you really had a good one? Here's your chance without breaking the bank. I'd put this one up against the best or at least those considered the best. Maybe lacking a LITTLE finesse to be world class but damn close (can you use the word finesse with Rioja??). Drank in gulps with parmesan dusted NY style mushroom meatball mozzarella pizza from Peppino's in Athens, GA while watching Parenthood with my 17 YO daughter (who also pronounced the wine delicious). What a Tuesday night...thank you sir may I have another. Anyone really disappointed with this wine has WAY more money than me and is a spoiled brat. Geek out. — 10 years ago

Jackson Rohrbaugh

10

White pepper and stuff. One of the best I've had. Very different than young Rayas. — 11 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Warm up wine for Howell Mountain vs Stags Leap District. Clear pale yellow. Nose started out with some creamed pears, honey, sweet citrus and some light hay. As it had some time to open up it added more aromas of white and tropical fruit. Sharp moderate acidity (7/10) with a moderate body. Definitely needs to integrate further. Thinner than expected and not buttery at all. Crisp finish with a little metallic feel in the finish. Loved that it was not a butter explosion but the metallic notes in the finish and sharpness of the acidity knocked this wine down a few points. Drink till 2019. — 10 years ago

Keith Murphy

9.4

Was saving this one for a special occasion. And what better occasion than to share this with family today when we all gathered for Eleanor's first Thanksgiving... — 11 years ago

Josh Weinstein

9.3

Opening up well and better than I remember from a tasting last year. — 11 years ago

with Kristen

Sasha Agapov

10

This is still one of the best everyday wines you can ever get. It's truly wonderful and a bottle never lasts for more than 15 minutes. Every sip is a miracle. — 13 years ago