Anthony Kluska

9.2

This is what new world should be. Pepper fruit oak. — 4 months ago

Steve Rura

9.3

Broc is really great at Chardonnay! Bright and acidic. Elegantly balanced. Nowhere near your typical old school oaky Cali chard — 4 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.2

Really nice starting to get some secondary flavors. Overall enjoyed it. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A blend of 90% Sauv Blanc and 10% Semillon. Pale yellow color with aromas of citrus, floral, wet stone and tropical fruit. On the palate rich fruits of mango and peach flavors with citrus zest and earthy mineral notes on a balanced structure with lively fresh acidity. Long finish, pleasant ending with pronounced mineral character. Leave this in the cellar for a few years. Nice. Tasting Sample. — 3 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.2

An old standard in our household. Velvety smooth, rich juicy berries. Glad we can purchase Freakshow even at Costco in TX and have a solid, boozy Cab at the ready. — 5 years ago

with Tim

joe mama

9.4

Weeknight treat. Medium body, creme brulee on nose and some custardy finish but great acid. Just so many great things to love in this chardonnay. I still prefer Ma Belle Fille — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175. — 4 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Nose is faint, fully resolving into the body. Body is soft and supple but wonderful experience on the palate with medium finish. Great wine. Tannins are still there, but holding the body with gossamer gloves. — 7 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on July 26, 2025 at l’Ete du Vin with Ned and Beth]

Lemon, apple, mango and mandarin orange, with ginger and almonds. — 10 months ago

CA Haynam

9.3

Fruit forward and jammy with light tannins — 4 years ago

Norma Normington

9.5

Beautiful Zin all around. I find it a bit earthy but absolutely stunning. Wow, when I think “Zin” this is the taste, and I got it on sale for only $35! It’s pairing perfectly with my spicy Chinese food dinner. I’m imagining about 10 other dishes this will pair wonderfully with as well. — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.0

Mfdz y tad — 7 years ago

Paul J

9.0

Can’t rate. Maybe the wine is in a weird spot or my palate was affected by the 4 sessions of snow shoveling, but if I had a blindfold on I would have thought this was a red. Somewhat restrained on the palate with lots of steel elements and some earth. Color was great, as was the cork, so must be me. Usually one of my favorites! — 4 months ago

with Brooke

Mark Osmers

8.9

The 2020 vintage of Michael David Freak Show is a blend for everyday drinking. A blend of Syrah (appx 54%), Petite Sirah (appx 42%) and Souzao (appx 4%), it is a balanced, fruit-forward red wine with notes of dark berries and plum. Although it does not provide the complexity and tannic structure of a Napa or Sonoma Cabernet, neither does it come with the same price tag.

I recommend this wine, but just find the circus-themed bottle label a little freaky. — 5 months ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Always reliable. — 5 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.0

This is enjoyable in a massive CA overripe wine style! There’s a good amount of all the peppers, bell, jalapeños, white, cracked black, huge amount of purple/black fruit. Jan. Vanilla and some woodsy notes. I’d drink again. — 9 months ago

Janet Coleman

9.0

So big and bold but fruity nonetheless. Loved it with a steak. — 2 years ago

Helen Anderson

9.3

Special production of the Michael Mondavi collection. “Showcases the depth and complexity that high altitude can provide.” — 4 years ago

Greg Smith

9.1

Dark and fruity from my favourite region. We don’t get many varieties from MD Winery in Canada and this one tops what we get. Fruit forward and a solid finish. Will be adding a case or two to my cellar. Yup. It has legs and it worth the buy. — 5 years ago