Jeff Hasmann

9.0

Pleasant surprise! I wasn’t familiar with Jerry Riener or his boutique Washington state winery until today. This one is a Cab/Syrah/Merlot/Petit Verdot blend from some of Columbia Valley’s best vineyards. This is a big red with plenty of structure, luscious dark fruit, smokiness, and muscle. Notes of blackberry, black cherry, savory mocha, and hints of chocolate. Tannins are smooth and the wine is well balanced. Really good! I’ll definitely be trying some of Jerry’s other wines in the near future. Pair with a steak or spiced rack of lamb now and enjoy! Or, cellar some for 5 - 6 yrs. 2016 vintage on Nov 5, 2018 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

As much as I like older wines with more evolution to them, I really enjoyed the 07, but this 2012 really grabbed my, mind, palate & body. Something special with this bottling that I look forward to trying again in another 8-10 years plus.

On the nose; brighter perfumed florals than 07. Beautiful violets & lavender. Black licorice, dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, smoke, scorched earth, dark moist soil, nice soft spice, light baking spices, leather and dry stones.

The body is full. The tannins are big, chewy & sticky. The structure is huge, the length beautiful, nice tension and excellent balance. The fruits are ripe & slightly ruby; dark currant/cassis, blackberries, black plum, blue fruits, black raspberries, raspberries with strawberries pulling up lightly on the rear. Leather, stones, dark moist soils, black licorice, vanilla, light spice, crushed rock powder, stems, lovely violets, beautiful acidity and well balanced, polished finish that lasts minute. The 12 far exceed the 07 in time. Drink 2020-33.

Photos of, Viña Almaviva, ancient wooded, Chilean Guardian statues, our tasting there today and their first barrel room with the 2017 vintage. — 7 years ago

Rachel

9.1

Smooth light fruit flavor. — 8 years ago

with Rebecca

Molly Dermond

9.0

Lush, fruit forward with raspberry and pomegranate notes, with just enough structure to set up for some aging. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte was created in 1976 as an exclusive Reserve Champagne that today remains the guardian of their quality and style. A blend of 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Meunier. Pale yellow with plenty of tiny bubbles and aromas of stone fruits. On the palate peach, apple and pear with generous mineral tones. Lingering finish ending with citrus and chalky notes. — 8 years ago

Clare Davies

9.5

bold, punchy, tannic — 9 years ago

Earle Dutton

9.4

The 2016 was just released on October 1, 2018 and should enjoy a long shelf life — 7 years ago

Barb Anderson

9.7

This is an absolutely amazing Merlot! De-li-cious! My taste buds are exploding with pleasure. — 7 years ago

Nenad Kesin

9.1

Requires decanting for at least an hour. Thick, rich, powerful, fruity, medium aftertaste. Rather expensive, but worth of trying. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

From The Guardian... "'You think, has the world gone mad?' says Sam Harrop. 'We're spending thousands on cases of en primeur Bordeaux when a few hundred miles up the road there's a region producing red wines showing better terroir, and with more vibrancy for a fraction of the price.' He's talking about the Loire. Specifically, about Loire cabernet franc. Harrop's a New Zealander and master of wine, who's just spent four years advising Loire wine-makers on how they might improve their wines for the British palate, so he's not unbiased. But he does have a point. Cabernet franc is under-valued, not just at the top level, but all the way down to the supermarket shelf."
While no one should be comparing cabernet franc from Loire Valley to cabernet franc from the Right Bank, I can't dispute the quality nor the value. If modern gamay from Beaujolais is considered fresh and bright, then modern cabernet franc from Loire is fresh and dark. Wet cement, juicy raspberry, vibrant blueberry, and roasted red pepper, with some faint cocoa powder and floral undertones. — 8 years ago

Geoffrey Turnbull

8.9

Value priced rioja. Was popular with Dad and Mel. — 8 years ago

Ann Marie

9.4

Such delightful stuff! Pineapple, alfalfa, lemon, great acidity... My better half says it reminds him of retsina, which cracks me up, but I can kind of see why his brain goes there. It's super interesting stuff. I don't drink it and go yum, I go "wow" and keep trying out of pure interest and secondarily because I like it. — 9 years ago

Dilshad

9.9

Best wine I've had in a while. Hint of cranberries. Finish of plum. Verrrry smooth. — 9 years ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

9.3

Loosing your debit card on the street=meeting your guardian angel and drinking Greek wine in Greektown. OPA!!!!!!!! — 7 years ago

with Bradley

David Shaw

9.2

Blueberry Pomegranate Cider. Light carbonated head. Fresh blueberry note in nose. Blueberry seed, pomegranate tartness, perfumed apple followed by fresh blueberry flavor with length. Slight apple malic aftertaste, including tiny chunks of blueberry pulp. Very tasty, fresh but not at all apple dominant. Probably off dry. Alcohol 6.5% but tastes lower. Label promises "hard cider with a focus on nuance, delicacy and depth"; promise delivered — 7 years ago

Matt Tinnon

8.9

2014. Solid wine that got better after opened for about 30 minutes. — 7 years ago

with Dennise

T.Sean McKean

9.0

Smooth medium bodied red blend. Dark fruit and spice that combine well — 8 years ago

Grant Badura

8.9

Excellent with venison — 8 years ago

Adam Panzer

10

Very good. Received in my glassful shipment. — 9 years ago

Tania LaCaria

9.0

Went great with flank steak and olive platter. Tried it at Lake Road restaurant in Hamilton JSN. — 9 years ago