Gabriel Ramsey

9.5

1985. Synth laden moment. Depeche mode. Tears for fears. But I digress. Just opened this. It’s quite a structured wine. The nose is a little muddled right now but that’s because I didn’t decant. That said, after 15 minutes of opening in the glass the nose is indeed tannic cherry skin. Musty and such, but that fruit profile is obvs right up front. I would say that the same is true on the front palate. Cherries with immediacy and extremely full fruit. That is what drives my initial rating here. So rich and definitive fruit. Finish not real refined but it’s only been 15 minutes and this wine has just had the wires jacked out of it Matrix style. It doesn’t know itself yet. Will post some notes in a few hours to see if the landscape has changed. Cheers! — 2 years ago

Dutchbastard

9.1

I don’t like Pinos but I love this one — 3 years ago

with Jim and Craig

Victor Hsu

8.9

Surprising amount of stuffing left in this 14-year old bottle, but then California Zins are always super sturdy. Still fruity and tannic, with enough acidity to pair with food (barbecued brisket, in my case). After this much time I had hoped the tannins would be softer but no such luck. Once a big bruiser, always a big bruiser, it seems. Had the 2007 vintage. — 3 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

Probably my favorite non grand cru left bank wine. The nose is made of tar, black currant, meat juice, cedar, cigar... This is very complex and intoxicating. The palate is, as always, very well made. Superb acid frame that's like a matrix on which every every other element will come into place. Great width, silky mouthfeel, superb black currant shining along, a massive, spherical mid palate with tannins that started to integrate, but sitll leaving a good drying layer, and a very long black currant, meat juice finish that lasts for ages. What a wine... More of that please! — 2 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

Back in the office wine!! And it was good. 50/50 zin and petite sirah. Spicy and big but well balanced. — 3 years ago

Devin Bostick

9.3

Cherry leather smell, meaty tarragon, rusty red magenta color, meaty finishing tannin that is leather cherry, wet and together at end, almost tobacco but not quite — 4 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.2

Bright cheery up front with long smooth finish — 2 years ago

Jason Budd

9.0

Concentrated blue fruits with crush clay pot, black tea, cocoa powder and baking spice. Delivers some big, lush tannins and a long finish. Paired wonderfully with some solo dad time and the 4th installment of the Matrix. — 2 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

8.9

Way higher if considered on a price-to-value matrix. What a great value for a rather layered 12-year-old and really food-friendly wine. — 3 years ago

Rose’s Cafe

9.6

Just the thing for a warm summer afternoon! Chardonnay & muscat Blend...a little oak, a little sweet 😊🍷 — 5 years ago