Inseon Hwang

9.1

Not as oaky as many Cali chardonnays. Smokey. Pleasant tart. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.6

We pulled this from our cellar and brought it to V. Mertz for dinner. We enjoyed a couple of other wines as aperitifs and then ultimately did what anyone given the opportunity should do: pair it with lamb chops. We poured it into a decanter while we enjoyed the conversation and opening courses. Given the setting, there were no formal notes however, I can confidently report that the 2015 “Tintot” absolutely slaps. From the first sip to the last, it was all balance, power and class. It was also a spectacular showcase for Mourvèdre. It was hard to fully judge color because the lighting was so low but it appeared to be nearly opaque. A touch feral with a slightly gamey element to it but there’s a great big ol’ basket of black and blue fruits with red and purple flowers, garrigue, some black pepper and cedar chest. Structure is still quite firm but totally enjoyable. While this is an unusual assemblage for the region, it still comes across as a wine from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This was my first “Tintot” and it has left quite the impression. Drink now with an hour decant or over the next 7-10 years. P.S. it probably goes without saying, but the pairing with lamb chops was sublime. — 2 years ago

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Celebrating with Angela great cab — 3 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.4

citrus, yummy 😋 — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Solid on the pop and pour but best on Day 2. The 2018 “Judge Family Vineyard” pours a deep ruby/purpleish color with medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fresh, dark brambles, blueberries, lavender, black pepper, some herb encrusted salami, slate-like minerals, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tart and full of love. There is that wonderful texture too; something that I have come to expect from Christopher Tynan. The 2018 is amongst the most elegant versions of the Judge Family Vineyard Syrahs that I can recall. A very pretty expression indeed. Drink now with patience and through 2035. — 6 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Juicy and bight with some good depth. Pairs well with dessert, fruit and pirates booty! — 3 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Wine 6/12 (Pinot Noir aka 'Peanut of the Night')

Nose has ripe cherry, tree bark, roses, blood orange slice, minor cedar notes, molasses cookie and fresh blackberry.

Palate has dried strawberry, ripe cherry, dried citrus, tart cherry, molasses, baking spices with notable tannins/acidity, a very long finish.

A perfect wine for any party, if you don't like this there might be something wrong with you. Are you a dyed-in-the-wool White Zinfandel fan, maybe this isn't your game then.

Once again it is notable that I have made one full trip around the Sun earlier this week. We had our small, social bubble team to the house for celebrating my getting older and somewhat less flexible in advancing age...Whatever will be done when I creast 50? Well, at least it's several years until needing manage that concern.

We enjoyed well-salted Ribeyes (Kinderhook Farm - Valatie, NY, prepared 48h in advance), turning to a beautiful medium-rare after a mere 12m of grill time and smashed, small red potatoes with capers (yeah try it, don't judge me yet). None of the bottles were particularly planned as 'steak wines'; we didn't care as it really was a wine nerd-fest of grapes/regions, from Burgenland, Austria to Brittany, France. Wine and food were on individual plateaux today. This was the vom Boden Spring Experience case, expertly curated by Stephen Bitterolf, and well received by our tasting crew. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; enjoyed over an hour period. The 2017 “Judge Family Vineyard” leaps right out of the gate and stands with proud, unwavering confidence. It pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, a lovely, powerful mix of ripe black and blue fruits: dark brambles, blueberries, deli-case, black pepper, lavender, new leather, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. There is deft balance here. The fruit is so beautiful, so pure and the structure plays the equitable supporting role, no pun intended. The finish is long and there is sublime texture. This is a statement wine from Tynan and consistent with my previous experience from 18 months ago. Drink now through 2037. — 4 months ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

Blind tasting of six pinots - or pinot “impostors”. @delectable, this is the Grenache, not the Syrah. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous notes. Classic Coonawarra mint, black fruits, dark chocolate and cigar box. Singing at 11 years but will go for another decade at least. Barb and I are flying to Adelaide today. Hire Car tomorrow for the 4 1/2 hours drive south to Coonawarra where we will be doing vintage at Bellwether for a week. Should be illuminating, hard work and rewarding with a great tutor in Sue Bell, owner and winemaker. Sue was lucky enough to be one of 12 in the annual Len Evans Tutorial a few years ago where they taste wines most of us can only dream of including flights of DRC, Rousseau etc. Sue was the Dux of her year and is in demand around Australia as a Show Judge. Should be a great week. — 3 years ago