Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry, with notes of herb pepper, licorice and herb spice notes. Fine grippy tannins, medium finish ending with fruit, cacao and spice. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

A pretty color of ruby, with a wide brick/ reddish rim.

Full bodied and elegant.

Dry on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing red currants, plums, cherries, wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.

Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 15 year old Rioja Reserva is drinking very nicely now. Showing nice complexity at this point.

Still young and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. A very tasty aged Rioja, and a good food wine.

Robert Parker 95 points.

I Had this vintage a year ago, and it feels pretty much the same.

A blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano. Aged in used American oak barrels for 6 years.

13% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55. — 2 years ago

Tenmu Arakawa

9.0

Rich tropical fruit intertwines with grapefruit, lemon and candied lime peel. — 3 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.1

Smells like chemguard 🔥 — 6 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.6

High point of the evening. No bubbles here - just beautifully layered jasmine tea, orange blossom .....1983 vintage. Last of two bottles in the store cellar — 8 years ago

Jay Miner

9.0

The 2015, the other half of the night's comparison. Less subtle, more floral. Jasmine, rose petal, honey. All powerful, but all a bit separate and distinct. I think this could lie down for a good while. Will be pleased to try another bottle in a few years. — 8 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on May 25, 2025 at The Optimist in Nashville with Jay]

73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 16% Malbec; and 11% Merlot. Red plum, black raspberry and cherry fruit, with mocha, chocolate and baking spices. Creamy and well balanced. Philippe Melka is the consulting winemaker — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2001 vintage (great Napa cab year). Good, upper-shoulder fill. Dryish cork. Decanted with plenty of sed. Lots of color. Tasted immediately. Smoky plummy nose. Still medium-heavy body. Showing well with plenty of front-palate richness evident in the gums. Overt "oakiness" gone with only complimentary, flattering oak framing the composition at this point. A hint of tannins on the finish but you've got to know where to look. Summer-school hedonism. Slightly better than expected. 11.30.23. — 2 years ago

AC Fiedler

9.2

Crisp and not overly dry or fruity. Very tasty and reasonable — 3 years ago

Jenn Hagan

9.5

One of my favorite French pinots — 6 years ago

Jake Rubash

9.6

Interesting comparison between the Fulldraw and Tynan wine. Both were opened about 2hrs. The flavor profile is somewhat similar between the two, showing chocolate and dark blue fruit for the Tynan and red fruit for the Fulldraw. Great spice and pepper with each. The main difference is with the tannins and finish. The tannins on the Tynan are fairly noticeable (in addition to some heat) while the Hard Point’s are already integrated. The finish on the Hard Point is incredibly long and luxurious. @Connor McMahon exceptional wine — 7 years ago

Hanif Perry

9.3

Plou plou goodness. — 9 years ago

Michelle Gracia

8.9

Very interesting, super sweet — 9 years ago

David Ferguson

10

Great from first sip — 8 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Love the special character of these South African Chards — 10 months ago

Michael F

8.9

Delicious Chardonnay. Went perfectly with our scallops and snow peas — 2 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.3

Le nez prend un peu de temps à se placer, nez assez classique de rive-gauche par la suite, ne montre aucune fatigue, superbe texture, une finale longue et savoureuse, très beau. 92-93

The nose needs some air, the cork was wet with some aromas of wet cardboard at first but things got for the better after with no apparent defect and a classic left bank nose. Gorgeous balanced Cos, not the most powerful at this point but gracious, showing no fatigue also with a long delicious finish.

— 4 years ago

Peggy Hadley

8.9

Reunion with Iowa friends in Des Moines. Iowa lost. 😩 — 7 years ago

with Jim

Natalya Pemberton

9.0

A little too much vanilla for me, but it was beautifully balanced by the acidity. Very delicious wine. — 8 years ago

Steven Mendes

9.1

Outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. — 9 years ago