Kristen McCreary

10

More full-bodied than the Apothic Inferno and the bourbon barrel influence is not only evident after you take a sip, you can also see it on the inside of the glass! 👍🏻 This wine is my favorite so far in this “bourbon barrel-aged reds”. It’s fabulous! — 7 years ago

Bryan Scott

9.4

Loved the influence of bourbon barrel — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Quite pale in appearance which belies the power of the palate. Lovely nose showing mainly strawberry notes and some raspberry. Very fruit driven with no apparent whole bunch influence. A cool airey wine. I would love to put this up against some 2015 Burgundies- I think it would compare well. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

The fruit for this Pinot comes from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of this appellation, linked by the influence of the Pacific’s cool marine air, which delays ripening. Bright Ruby with berry fruit, citrus and warm spice. On the palate, raspberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes and earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, lingering finish ending with woody spice. Very nice, has room to age. — 8 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.1

A meaty and mineral aromatic influence on the core of dried cherry and blackberry. This definitely has some interesting tannins with a great amount of coffee and earth coming in. Drinking well now and will improve over the next few years! — 9 years ago

Peter Yeung

9.9

Unbelievably rich, honeyed, and vibrant at 30 years old. This wine had limited release initially due to too much oak influence, but has balanced it out after 30 years... — 10 years ago

Andrew Stover

Sommelier/Wine Director Oya & Sei, Wine Blogger ChiefWino, Founder Vino50

9.0

A nice example of Finger Lakes #FLXwine #Riesling from winemaker Eric Bilka. Racy with lime zest, grapefruit, peach blossom & yellow apple with a zesty, wet stone finish. Just a hint of residual sugar. #wine #sommelier #nywine — 11 years ago

Craiggy Weggs

9.1

Soft. Not sharp. Not too sweet. — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals, black & bing sour cherries, blackberries, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, whiffs of other baking spices, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals.

The body is round & full. The tannins just starting to hit a good point of softening and rounding, yet have 10 plus years ahead. The structure, tension are hitting their stride. The length and balance are just getting to near perfect form. Two years ago, this wine was not ready and is now at the place I was hoping to get. I have two bottles left and I will have another in five years. Based on that performance, another in three to five plus years more. It’s the evolution that is so much fun to follow.

Black & bing sour cherries, blackberries show more on the palate and the pork pasta bring them out more deeply, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract, cranberries and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, nuances of volcanic minerals, soft baking spices, dark medium intensity of spice, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals. The acidy is like a fresh water river. The long finish is unbelievably elegant, well balanced with a touch more fruit than earth, polished and persists seamlessly for several minutes.

I look forward to trying this wine again as it continues to evolve and improve over the next five to ten years...should be stunning! Well made Brunello’s simply take more than ten years in bottle to even begin to amaze.

Photos of, a wide hilltop shot of Casanuova, field hand harvesting their Sangiovese, large oak fermentation cask so there is less noticeable oak influence on the wine and their sloping vines on a sunny beautiful day.

@Oenotri Napa — 7 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

Spicy gingerbread notes from the oak influence, but well integrated, and finishing dry. Good length and structure for Bourgogne level. — 9 years ago

with Amanda

Matt

9.0

Crushed rocks, snow, white leaches, peach skin, lime zest, verbena, lime blossom, slight kiss of barrel influence, slight nuttiness coupled with some leesy notes. A touch plush on the attack but racy mineral driven finish follows. Crumbly/spritzy texture. Great value. — 9 years ago

John Willison

9.0

Pale color. Subdued white flower and mineral nose. White stone and almonds. Definitely influence of oak. Especially on the finish. Balanced, well made. Not necessarily my style, but good. — 10 years ago

with dmoore61

Christanna Honer

9.6

Classic rustic Rioja. Dried cherry, shoe leather, anise with underlying subtle vanilla and pine straw. Subdued cherry fruit with definite oak influence on palate, dry, dusty, lingering finish. — 12 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Gorgeous perfume - I could smell this for hours. Medium weight on the palate with those trade mark silky tannins. Noticeable whole bunch influence. Coal River in Tasmania is hot right now for the production of top class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Interestingly the grapes are taken in refrigerated containers to the Adelaide Hills for vinification at Shaw and Smith. — 7 years ago

Jan van de Ree

9.0

Smoother then usual Etna Rosso with Mascalese. Basket of red fruit, clear volcanic influence. Long finish. — 7 years ago

Heather Doyle Meyer

9.4

I definitely taste the viognier influence.... there is a crispness, and yet roundness, I know it's counterintuitive. There's cotton and pineapple, lemon and complexity that is just entertaining. I will drink this bottle lovingly with my friends... lots of thanks involved here... xoxo — 8 years ago

Alina sol

9.4

Very fruit forward with a bright finish. Slight effervescent feeling with light colored red fruit jammy taste. Medium weight for a Syrah with no noticeable tobacco influence. — 9 years ago

S Butterfield

Sommelier Flask Fine Wines

9.7

Very concentrated. Perfumed and layered with all the influence 100+ year old vines have to offer. Exceptional. Special. — 9 years ago

Megan Wolleben

9.0

Not usually a Malbec fan but like this one — 10 years ago

with Dan

Grayson Hartley

Winemaker David Girard Vineyards

9.2

Ever under its influence — 11 years ago