Cynthia Martinez

10

Needed a little #inspiration for writing an essay today. #scotch #singlemalt — 11 years ago

Sophie Collins

9.3

So impressed with this. First Croatian red I've tried. Wine has grip. 100% plavac Mali. Rich fruit. Dark berry. — 11 years ago

Aaron Pott

9.1

A little harvest inspiration — 11 years ago

Robert Stelmachuk

9.8

More like experiencing Grand Cru white Burgundy on a patio in the Mediterranean! Stunning. — 11 years ago

Bernard Rethore

Owner, Fion Wines

9.1

Back in 2006, I had the good fortune to invest in a box of the Neal vineyard designated bottlings pre-release. They have been sleeping in my cellar ever since. Last night, Tony the Fish, who is a frequent contributor to these pages, arrived with a bottle of the 2010 Neal cab sav. It was a solid effort and Mrs Fish quite enjoyed it. As we finished the bottle I remembered I had some of the 2003 vineyard designated wines in the back of the cellar and figured it was time to check in on them. We started with the Second Chance from Atlas Peak. Generally I am a mountain fruit guy, and like the volcanic soil that yields low yielding structured wines. There was plenty of stuffing left after 11 years, and a nice contrast to the 2010 cab sav blend. We then moved to Chafen. Another mountain- Howell this time, slightly lower elevation vineyard. This wine was bigger than the Second Chance with mouthfuls of ripe cassis, berry fruit and coffee- almost a cocoa powder character to it. The final wine of the night - and best of show - was the Howell Mountain Estate. Dark rich tannins with intense velvety chocolate cake flavors. This was a fun night going from the 2010 blend to the all 2003 single vineyard designates. Most of us aren't patient enough or buy them as a group so you can taste them altogether at once. Everyone should do this from to time. It reminds me at least of how different climate and soil can be in the same year. It's even better with friends. Thank you Mr Fish for the inspiration. — 11 years ago

with Susan

Brent S

9.4

Should have picked up *way* more of this. — 11 years ago

Lisa Kinnear

9.9

Wow really good for under $10 — 12 years ago

Amy Hughes

9.1

Floral notes with a sweet clean finish — 11 years ago

Brian McMahon

Sales Polaner Selections

9.4

Varietals: Gamay
Organic: Certified
Vineyard: A true clos (walled vineyard) and eight hectare monopole of Dutraive's. Vine age ranges from 30-70 years old. A true clos (walled vineyard) and eight hectare monopole of Dutraive's. Made from the oldest vines in the vineyard, planted in the 1940s.
Orientation: South, southeast-facing
Soil: Pink granite shingles
Viticulture: No herbicides or pesticides, organically farmed, certified since 2009 vintage.
Vinification: Traditional vinification without sulfur and with natural yeast at very low temperatures. Carbonic maceration and little or no filtering.
Aging: 100% in 1-5 year old french oak barrels

Rating: 92 JG
The old vine bottling from Monsieur Dutraive hails from a parcel of sixty-five to seventyfive year-old vines and is raised entirely in Burgundy barrels, ranging from one to five years of age, so there is a little wood influence to this cuvée. The 2013 is outstanding, offering up a deep and nascently complex bouquet of cherries, raspberries, coffee, gamebird, lovely soil tones, spice elements redolent of clove and mace, a bit of mustard seed and a nice touch of cedary new wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and youthfully structured, with a sappy core, fine soil signature and a bit of tannin to resolve on the long, youthful finish. This is emphatically not a classic style of Fleurie, but it is an extremely well-made wine whose inspiration seems to be as much Vosne-Romanée as it is Fleurie. The focus and balance here are impeccable and I see no reason this wine will not age superbly well, and for those who are looking for a gateway Fleurie to make the transition from the Côte d’Or to Cru Beaujolais, this is a perfect wine! 2017-2030+. - John Gilman — 11 years ago

Yann Lebout

9.7

White wine of Provence. Exotic fruit, very direct and powerful but a nice length. 14% of alcohol, a bit of bio bullshit... — 12 years ago

with Germain