Shay A

9.6

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

And the hits just keep coming. A total monster. I found this to be the most extracted of the 5 reds. Could smell it five feet away. Dark chocolate dipped blueberries and blackberries, graham cracker, mocha, violets all jump from the glass. Velvet like texture revealing a streak of ripe red fruits and an herbal/mineral like note down the middle of the palate. Dusty. So much beautiful freshness but commanding power here...longest finish of the day. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab (specifically Shafer Hillside Select). — 5 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Shay A

9.6

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

Everyone in the room knew this was something spectacular from first whiff. It was one of those wines where every aspect felt perfect as not one thing stood out. It was slightly yeasty but also fresh and citrus driven. Rich, but racy. Baked lemon pastries, caramel dipped golden delicious apple, classic chalk and limestone. Incredible mousse. I called this late ‘90s Dom Oenotechque/P2. — 5 years ago

with Jeff, Jid and 3 others

Jill Schuchardt

9.7

Minerals, cream, acid, long finish — 6 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.0

From a very recent disgorgement after a couple of years hiatus for this wine. Still extremely fresh in the bottle and tastes slightly sweeter than the 9gl/liter dosage at this stage. White cherry and almond along with the darker fruit profile from the 100% pinot noir (although this is completely pale). Nice now, but a couple years to chill in the bottle will help improve. — 7 years ago

Aaron Means

9.2

Ripe and moderately sweet. Tropical fruits with botrytis. Silky, round finish with medium+ acid. Tasty but not mind blowing. Great wine to begin with after a two week hiatus from drinking. — 7 years ago

Bryan Florendo

9.0

Possibly tasted batter than it is due to wine hiatus — 8 years ago

Monica O

9.6

Great wine to come back from hiatus!!
For those who love Spain this one's for you. What a wine — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.6

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

Compared to the 2012 Quella it was next to, this was much darker in style. Scorched blue and black fruit, sandalwood, plums and mocha on the nose. Copious amounts of dark chocolate and fresh squeezed dark fruits on the palate wrapped in a silky and slightly dusty profile. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab. — 5 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Shay A

9.5

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

I was somewhat surprised to see this was a Marcassin, mostly because it seemed more elegant than my normal experience. It didn’t have that roasted marshmallow note I seem to associate with Marcassin. This was my favorite of the two whites...extremely aromatic with chamomile, honeysuckle, powdered lemon tart and orange blossom. Massive amounts of juicy fruit (which I associate with Peter Michael) on the palate...frosted guava, sea salt and lemon meringue. I called this 8-10yr old Cali chard (specifically Peter Michael Point Rouge). — 5 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Lauren Baldwin

9.5

I found this to be delicious after about a year-long hiatus from Cabernet Sauvignon. Would purchase again. — 5 years ago

Victoria Ferguson

10

A great way to break a nine month drinking hiatus;-) 🤩👶 — 6 years ago

Aaron Means

9.3

Great first wine to break a two week drinking hiatus. Delivers the goods in a elegant package. Red and black currant, fine herb, tobacco, bay leaf. Explosive nose. Spot on delicious somewhere between old world and new world. — 7 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.6

Talk about sexy! And the wine was great as well. My first post after a bit of a hiatus from Delectable. In San Diego for a meeting and was able to sneak away for a few sips. Thanks so much to @Bill Bender for generously making time to host me at his lair, perched high above the city looking down on the harbor, for great friendship, conversation, and of course, killer juice. The initial notes of stewed plums and spice blew off after a bit of time in the decanter, revealing layers of deep, rich voluptuous fruit and earthy minerals. Almost surprisingly youthful and powerful at 15, this will continue to evolve for a long time. One of my favorite Burgs. Thanks again, Bill!!! — 8 years ago

with Bill

Christopher Bettler

9.0

First Red after a nine month hiatus! — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.5

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

The first of a monster lineup of 5 incredible red wines. For the first 10-15mins, this was actually my favorite. Very high toned and lifted. Bright. Rich red fruits, spicy black fruits, kirsch, sage and potpourri jump from the glass. On the palate, it was the most elegant of the five with Black Forest cake, mulberries, cedar, dark chocolate shavings and baking spices. I called this 7-10yr old Napa cab (but it certainly seemed a bit of an outlier compared to the next 4!) — 5 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Shay A

9.4

After a couple months of hiatus, the Friday City Club group was able to get back together (albeit a smaller, more spread out group) for an epic hosting by @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine, all served blind.

I had this same vintage a little over a year ago and my note is very similar. I got a distinct hay note aromatically that I really haven’t come across much. It wasn’t herbal, but slightly more green and unique. Honeysuckle and honeyed stone fruits on the nose as well. Big and commanding on the palate and slightly more savory...lemon oil, sea salt and almond croissant. I called this 8-10yr old Cali chard. — 5 years ago

with Jid, joe and 3 others

Arden Barnett

9.5

Make Merlot great again! After a little hiatus from the wine world, I’m back with a banger. Thanks @Shay A for introducing me to Arietta! Saw this gem for a killer price on a wine list and had to pull the trigger. To be honest this wine still needs a few more years. Big bold red fruit but a subtle amount of acid and a tannic structure that’s built for aging. After an hour decant the wine became richer and richer. Very impressive stuff. Really would like to snag a few bottle of Arietta’s Merlots for my cellar — 5 years ago

Ken Venezio

8.9

A staple in our house for many years. I quit buying it when the price point went North and did not justify the quality. But after a long hiatus, we tried it again. It's a good one. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

After a little bit of a hiatus with my wife suffering from GI issues, I have been a little bit off my delectable game. This wine sort of re-centered me and brought me back into the game! First one in a while that I have wanted to post! What an incredibly rich and robust Cabernet. Oakville fruit, and you can taste the oak, blackberry, cinnamon, still extremely tannic. I cannot imagine rating a 2013 or 14 version of this wine, because I just don't think it's possible at this point. This one still needs an hour or two to open up, but is a 94 even after immediately pouring — 7 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.2

Paraiso is back! After a brief hiatus the Paraiso SLH is back, which for years was our go to mid-priced Pinot. Tart and spicy as always, you get dark cherry, strawberry, oak, and white pepper with a hint of the central coast minerals. Burnt notes and moderate acid linger through a long finish. Medium to light bodied, this is not the most complex SLH, but well balanced, smooth, and very approachable. — 8 years ago

with Susan