Delectable Wine

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9.4

Glistening magenta. Displays expansive, spice- and mineral-accented red/dark berry preserve scents that take on incense and lavender flourishes with air. Juicy, seamless and energetic on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, cherry liqueur and exotic spice flavors that show sharp delineation and back-end thrust. Finishes impressively long and smooth, with resonating red fruit, floral notes and velvety, harmonious tannins that make a cameo appearance. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 6 years ago

Gene Harlow

9.4

One of my favorite Kosta Pinots! Very long on the finish. — 8 years ago

Maggie Harrison

9.0

balanced. elegant. ripe, clean, complex, not jammy, long acid and tannins. nothing out of proportion here. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Wild dark berries, blueberries, huckleberries, well done toast, dark florals and coffee grounds & bacon fat on the nose. The wine has experienced beautiful bottle evolution. The tannins are nicely softened but will continue to soften further over the next 7 or so years. It's mouthfeel is round, full and elegant. The fruits are ripe & juice but dry on the longer finish. It's a nice blend of wild dark berries and an array of blue fruits. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, blueberries with an undertone of over pancakes, olallieberries, huckleberries, strawberries preserves, a bramble quality, anise, slight tarry notes, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, dark volcanic minerals with a touch of iron, dark moist soils, dry crushed rocks, violets, lavender, violets, used coffee grounds, slightly sweetened black tea, wood shavings, graphite, acidity is spot on and the balance of fruit and earth, length and structure are beginning their harmony. The finish is long, lush, round, elegant and lasts well over a minute. Looking forward to the Nickel & Nickel Entrecote in May to see how their 16 single vineyard Cabernets are developing. — 9 years ago

Alex Kegelmeyer

9.0

Citrusy with a strong aroma of orange zest, fresh coriander and sal del mar, finishing smoothly with a palate cleansing clean high acid taste. Pairs well with salmon, sautéed mushrooms, summer evenings. — 9 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Very short in the tooth but so long in the finish. I've read it described as effortless and that's spot on. I will hold onto my other bottle for 5-15 years though. — 10 years ago

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

8.9

Good berry. Nice fresh. 22.50 btb Uncorkd — 10 years ago

Justin Manni

9.1

Very young, but drinks well. Smooth with a low acidity. Will be even better in a few more years. Drink from 2016-2022 — 11 years ago

Mark Morgan

9.5

Giants sucked tonight, but the wine was great. Still has a long way to go after 6 yrs, wish I had more. — 11 years ago

Jeff Manuel

9.1

Just as I remembered...lots of black cherry. — 12 years ago

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

This is a fantastic wine that is definitely underrated — 7 years ago

with Rosita

JJ Lumia

9.0

Lemon, lime, melon, and toasty oak flavors. Fuller bodied. The finish is LONG. Got for $23, which was a steal, but I wouldn’t buy if more than that. There are better quality wines that cost less. A WS Top 100. — 8 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

Dark ruby violet. Blackberry, graphite, and a slight herbal note on the nose. Dense and concentrated red and black fruits on the palate with prominent, chunky tannins and long, gravelly finish. Blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot fermented with native yeasts then aged 19 months in 50% new French oak. Made by Diana Snowden wife of Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. Would undoubtedly benefit from more time in the bottle. 14.5% ABV. $50. — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Charlie Tapp

9.7

Phenomenal. Oldest vines at Diamond Creek and it showed. Incredible complexity, with great acidity. This one has a long life ahead of it. I hope I can resist for the next 30 years.... — 9 years ago

Daryl Calhoun

9.6

Remarkable evening last night at VHR sponsored tasting of the 2014 vintage VHR. Heather and Bruce (@Bruce Phillips) hosted a lovely evening for the VHR faithful popping a Shramsburg Champagne toast with heavy appetizers followed by comparison of the 2012 and new 2014 vintages. Notes for 2014: Obviously young, but the aromatics hitting the nose are alive and run the continuum of all the green leaves in your spice drawer mixed together. Heavy mouth feel with flavor from the darker end of the spectrum: licorice, dates, tobacco. Finish is long and constant. Will be interesting to see how this one changes over time. — 9 years ago

with Ryan

A. R.

9.5

Wow. What an explosive wine. Young but very approachable, with lots of room to grow. On the nose, dark fruits, violets, a slight herbal tinge. In the mouth a huge rush of dark fruits, rose petals, violets, tobacco, fine tannins and bright acidity. Long, long finish. IMO- an equal to some Ridge Montebellos... — 10 years ago

Caroline Bedillion

9.0

2012 vintage will be great with a little more age. — 10 years ago

with Rhydon

John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

8.9

A surprise, an array of both bright and mature flavors- what a great match for old fashion Spaghetti & Meatballs! — 11 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

My only bottle. Held off as long as I could and the reward was very high. Excellent! — 12 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Blackberry, raspberry, cassis, cherry, vanilla, chocolate and oak. Good structure and soft tannins. — 7 years ago

Brandon T

9.4

My Quivet syrahs don’t usually make it long enough to have this kind of bottle age, but I may need to hold a few back going forward. Tremendous effort here and an easy 3-5 years ahead of it. — 7 years ago

with Sam and JRM

Thomas Brenner

8.9

The best of a few Cabs I had that day. — 8 years ago

Basia Tunkis

9.5

Different Chardonnay, lime and citrus notes — 9 years ago

Rochelle

9.5

Really nice and enjoyable ! Rich plum and chocolate on the nose, also full of fruit and it's also present in the body of the wine! great integrated tannins long finish good juice! — 9 years ago

Kristen Weinstein

9.3

Solid Napa Cabernet that's very drinkable already. Raspberries and chocolate, so yummy! — 9 years ago

with Josh

Brian Ager

9.5

Usually Merlot is not among my favorites, but clearly I have been drinking the wrong wines. This wine is wonderfully smooth and balanced with medium-high tannins. Aromas of tobacco, raspberry and pomegranate fill the glass. It has a full bodied pallate of dark cherries and nutmeg, with hints of cocoa and a bit of spice that continue into a long enjoyable finish. Drank at VIC's in NE Minneapolis for mystery wine night, and paired with a Kobe beef burger! ($36) — 10 years ago

Jeffrey Mack

9.4

Love this Merlot. Happy New Years! — 10 years ago

R Howell

8.9

Light yet long on the palette. 2012 in early 2015 went down very well. Stood up to filet mignon nicely.
— 11 years ago

John D

9.4

Lovely. Blackberry, plum, tannins in balance. A deep rich wine. Maybe it's the petite sirah (4%) that smooths the Zin but there's almost a Bordeaux earthiness in the nose that isn't in many Zins and none of the black pepper notes. Deep color, nice tannin, long finish of plums and a hint of raspberry. Must find more 2009s as they are ready. — 11 years ago

Bill Ward

9.8

Plush and rich and long — 12 years ago