Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Kongsgaard Chardonnay is a sensational wine that is showing its full-throttle decadence now at the four year mark. Once on the nose this takes on layers of vanilla Creme brûlée and butterscotch woven together with mango and pineapple upside down cake that all meld together in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and wonderfully viscous. Ripe banana and roasted pineapple intermingle with baking spice infused challah bread, and Meyer lemon creme brûlée flavors. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful Chardonnay will cellar well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2020-2035- 95 — 6 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

One of the outstanding values in grower champagne. Tasted from 375 ml, disgorged 6/4/17. Excellent balance between richness and linearity. Floral and chalk elements intermingle wonderfully with brioche and hazelnut. — 8 years ago

Nicholas Franklin

9.0

Manly comes to mind first, with incense smoke, palo santo, and sandalwood up front. Toasty dusty earth notes, graphite and sage intermingle too, while some rose petal pokes out as the only thing feminine in a very masculine wine. Tannins are firm and fine, giving clench and virility throughout a moderately long finish. Could use a bit more color but I'm not complaining... — 9 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.2

Very cool! Alcohol hits the nostrils in a negative fashion initially but once settled down (and brought down on temperature), it blossoms. Aged fudge, honey, molasses and candied dark fruits intermingle with dried figs, white raisins and dates; nuttiness too. Lots going on, but lacks subtlety considering its age. — 9 years ago

with Lasse

Devin Bray

9.5

A rare vintage where the Americans and the Europeans were in agreement that it was a five star year. Powerful yet elegant made in a neo-classical style that's pleasing from the first sip. Typical aromas of dried morello cherry, black tea, rosemary, plum, soy intermingle into a palate layered with delicious, refined cooperage that tastes decadent with every sip. Tons of complexity and character without any bitter bite or over assertive ripe fruit. 2 plants to make one bottle of this world class riserva. A beautiful testament to applied effort and viticultural knowledge. — 10 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Dark Ruby, with gentle aromas of red fruits layered with floral spice. On the palate cherry and cranberry intermingle with spices, herbs, cacao and coffee notes. Fine grained tannins were noted, well balanced on the long, mineral finish. Very Nice! — 10 years ago

Leslie

9.5

I shared this amazing gem with my friend on her birthday in front of the vino Bello at the onset of Covid isolation. This wine delivered (as it should for the price) on all fronts. Med + body and acid. Tannins were so smooth and integrated they just wrapped your tongue in velvet. Ripe berries on the nose and palate intermingle with soft lilac and a hint of herbaceousness. Nice long finish. The only thing wrong was we didn't have a second bottle because the one went down so easy. — 6 years ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Undeniably delicious and juicy, but still has plenty going on beneath the surface. Throughout the course of the bottle, secondary aromas of stem and herbs intermingle with sweet florals, funky mineral and dusty earth. Ridiculous value at $20 and an absolute standard bearer for Bay Area natty juice. I wish this was just available everywhere, any time. — 8 years ago

Cory Fierro

9.3

Just ripe, if not slightly over, red berries and cherries leap out of the bowl along with earthy elements of potting and damp leaves. Hibiscus flower, black tea leaves and baking spice round out the nose. On the palate, sweet bell pepper notes intermingle with more florality for a layered mouth feel that goes perfectly with charred meats. A very special cab franc from a damn fine Yakima winery. — 8 years ago

with Liz

Crystal Anne

9.8

Amazing. (The following is taken from website and it's so perfectly worded that I copied and pasted). "A vibrant mix of kaffir lime, lemon zest and nectarine aromatics intermingle with the bright perfume of orange blossom. Brimming with ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours that are framed by sleek and succulent acid architecture." My new favorite Sauvignon Blanc. — 9 years ago

Chris DeBarr

9.0

Sharing a sentimental favorita with my babe on Xmas Eve, 2016. The musky perfume of Carignan old vines intermingle with the violets, thorns, and garrigue of Grenache-- all of it grown on a limestone cliff that clings to the old pagan culture of the Cathars. Wishing everyone such timeless succor of family & vino! — 9 years ago

with Christie

Devin Bray

9.3

Black and white pepper intermingle with dark black cherry and leather, with just a hint of dried flowers there to remind you you're drinking an Italian, not a Bordeaux. Very nice. — 10 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.0

Subtle, subdued and downright awesome. Fruit, earth, acidity and alcohol all intermingle perfectly. — 10 years ago

with Erin, Andrew and 2 others

Roger Ray

9.1

"intense cherry color and with purple glints. Complex nose, with supple oak notes that intermingle with ripe fruit. Long and remarkably toasty finish. Best decanted" — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Pine-lined pond and glass factory notes intermingle with spearmint, red plum, and blackberry-grape that injects itself into the forest and emerges black currant, while pulling all the aforementioned behind her. Natural and clean aromatics here with cinnamon the only oak influence. Smooth but dense opening, bringing dark chocolate, black Darjeeling, intense graphite behind cassis, mint-pencil, vanilla infused tobacco, burnt raisin, walnut, and black sesame. Liquid, astral beauty in a bottle. Magnificent. #cornerstonecellars #napavalley2012 #Napa #wine #cab #cabernetsauvignon #cabsauv4life #cawine #2012vintage — 8 years ago

with Courtney

Jordan Wardlaw

9.3

Serious and gorgeous Syrah from Eric Texier. Silky black fruits, bacon fat and bursting with fresh violets sense and elegance you might associate with far more famous appellations, but in fact this is from a rather rare and under appreciated corner of the Ardéche 30 miles from Hermitage. Very soft, low alcohol, great purity of fruit. Black pepper and minerals intermingle with very fine tannins. This is actually made from the ancient Vieille Serine varietal, generally recognized as Syrah. Zero sulfur added before bottling, so it is on the natural side- some bottles will show some brett influence. My favorite Texier wine thus far. Unique and lovely wine. — 8 years ago

Jack Suckling

10

This shows so much candied yet subtle grapefruit, orange and guava peel; yet the tertiary character is also deliciously prominent in the form of flint and straw box. The body is ridiculously intense given the reserved nose, uplifted by beautiful acidity and a seemingly everlasting finish. The flavors on the palate are even more impressive: passion fruit and chalk intermingle amid a very phenolic texture, playing off layers of dense white fruit. A white that's remarkable now but one that will age for still many years to come. — 9 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Such a wonderful spiciness and richness in this wine. Minerals starting to show, some petrol, pepper and outdoorsey funk intermingle beautifully. Not completely dry and that suits this wine very well. — 10 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Tremendous mixture of autumnal, rustic, tertiairy components and mature dark fruit notes wafts from the glass. Cured ham, mocca, warm chestnuts, cocoa, sandalwood and dried plummy, figgy fruit intermingle on the gentle and friendly palate. Reminds me of mid-nineties Bdx-wines, but its acidity and tannines are much softer. Or have integrated better.
A treat, and a bargain. — 10 years ago

Andrew Stover

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

9.0

2011 Liz Chambers 'Shea' #PinotNoir #Oregonwine #sommelier #sommlife. In a year shunned by many, great winemakers made great wine. This Shea is really strutting right now. Notes of violet, pomegranate, tart cherry intermingle with a romp through a fall forest with a whiff of vanilla spice hanging in the air. Soft and elegant; very long finish. — 10 years ago