Devin Brown

9.0

The Description: Dense deep red color. Complex and true to House Style and brimming with mocha/coffee ground aromatics, heightened by tar/bitumen "black" notes. Appealing char and creamy, vanillin oak detected ever-so-subtly in the background. Naturally, a flurry of fruits, spice and varietal markers abound. The palate, in a couple of words, voluminous and powerful. A sensory stratification of layers of taste – separated via time-of-detection and unravelling of flavors. At first, Christmas pudding with roasted nuts, then rare lamb and black olives, then sarsaparilla spice. Tannins awashed, oak absorbed, fruit awakened.
The opinion: agree with above, excellent — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Winery located in Alba, Piedmont region founded in 1881. Great Grandson, Pio Boffa, continues the tradition of innovative wine making. Ruby with red fruit aromas and herb floral scents. On the palate tart cherry, dried berries, cinnamon, licorice and tobacco notes. Full soft tannins bring fruit to long finish ending with earthy mineral oak. Wonderful, Nebbiolo at its best! Starting to drink now! — 10 months ago

Brett Emerson

9.5

Leather, smoke. Drinking perfectly. Pairing with grilled lamb, fresh cranberry beans and roasted peppers. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Just love this wine, great value, can’t get enough! Belle Pente (bell-pont') means "beautiful slope" - for their 70 acre hillside vineyard & winery site in Willamette Valley. Bright Ruby red with aromas of red fruits, herb spices and hints of blossom notes. On the palate strawberry and cherry flavors, slight sweet undertones, herb notes and smooth tannins. Well balanced on a long finish ending with mineral herb notes. Nice!! Great value. — 4 years ago

L Bram

10

Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Velvety smooth, beautiful rounded fruity flavour balancing the earth but subtle smokey flavour. I would drink this ever single week if I could. The most beautiful Rioja I will probably ever have. Served it NYE with Lamb. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

While not the highest scoring wine of the weekend, it was my favorite. The 99 Palmer is gorgeously textured, sexy, velvet in the mouth, nicely rounded subtle dark red cassis, mint, menthol, dry stones, dark florals, forest floor, smoke, soft leather, iodine, fresh floral bouquet, beautiful round acidity and a well balanced elegant finish. Paired nicely with our Ribeye and rack of lamb. Still needed a two hour decant. If you have the 99, I’d hold it another 10 years if you have the patience. — 6 years ago

Matt Waring

9.3

Absolutely lovely -- incredible herb profile -- peppy, in the best sense — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

The Antinori family, one of the world's oldest and most distinguished wine producers, lived in Tuscany since the 14th century. Blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cab Sauv & 5% Cab Franc, less maceration than prior vintages. Deep Ruby, aromas of black berry fruit aromas with herb, mint and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with cacao, vanilla and tobacco spice. Fine tannins, long finish, well balanced, ending with oak, juicy fruit and earthy mineral tones. Very Nice! — 8 months ago

Michael Curley

9.1

Crisp light — 9 months ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.5

Excellent! — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of fresh berry fruits, cigar box spice and earthy mineral notes. On the palate rich ripe fruit, blackberry & black cherry with hints of dried spices. Good balance with slightly firm tannins, opened quickly, and lively acidity. Long finish, complex ending with oak, herb, mineral and earthy character. Will improve with short term aging, but don’t wait too long as you might be disappointed! Very nice Shiraz! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Family-owned and operated artisan producer of wine, started in 1999 by Dr John and Karen Bergstrom. Had a bottle year ago, dark red with fresh berry fruit flavors with a bit of earthy spice notes. On the palate, cherry and raspberry flavors with complex herb spice notes. Fine tannins on lingering finish ending with enticing earthy character. Aged well, very nice Pinot. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Compared to the 13 Sojourn, this pinot just didn't compare. By far, the 09 KB and the 13 Sojourn outdrank it. Poured a little translucent. The nose was red cherry. Some herb. Finishes rather unidimensional. I think this one will be better in a couple of years. What this one needs is two years of bottle age. Just doesn't have the depth....now. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Keith and 2 others

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby color with aromas of red and black fruits with notes of floral, spice and herbs, grapes from 23 parcels. On the palate flavors of blackberry, raspberry and figs with licorice and herb spice. Fine dusty tannins, nice texture, long finish ending with fruit and mineral spice character. Nice! — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 92% Cab Sauv, 6% Cab Franc, 1% of each Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with currants, herb, tobacco, fig and smoky oak spice notes. Firm tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao and toasty spice, needs time to develop, cellar a while, try in 2025! — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale straw with green edges and aromas of citrus and tropical fruits with floral herb notes. On the palate juicy apricot, peach and grapefruit with lemon zest, classic New Zealand SB. Vivid acidity and spice complement this well balanced wine to a medium finish. — 2 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.2

2007. Decanted and it opened nicely. Cranberry preserves, sweet fruit, fruit cake, wild spice, cured meats, incense, prune and nice acid. Great with lamb lollipops. — 4 years ago

Paul K

9.1

Nose is cedar, herb, and leather. Medium body. Raspberry, red currant, and dark chocolate with really nice tannin throughout. Long finish is currant and cranberry. This wine is delicate. Overpowered by aged Gouda. Drink with Brie and French bread.
I pulled a classic and was just a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, still great, but for the anticipation... I have one more bottle that I’ll wait a long time and hope there’s a big payoff.
Interesting note, the 2013 Heitz Cellar in the background was remarkably similar in fruit, weight, and profile. 1/3 the price and I’m giving it a 92. — 5 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

8.9

Not much fruit. Forest floor, mushroom, graphite, bell pepper and dried herb. Tannins are still grippy, slight green on the palate, lean and hollow on mid-palate. Long, bitter finish. — 6 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.4

Polished (decanted for 1 hour) with a floral nose and smooth black fruits finish. Paired well with braised lamb shanks ala Rajat Par. SS — 7 years ago