Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s usually a good sign when the winemaker can articulate what the wine is about like this: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest.”

Her 2013 Ceras is yet another example of Maggie Harrison’s sorcery over the vines at Antica Terra. The focus and intensity of flavor is off the charts, yet it maintains an almost ethereal weightlessness, only emphasizing the layer of silk that separates you from the wine. The pungent rock is so on point and distinctive it instantly reminded me of the scent of lichen growing on rocks, which I experienced in Colorado when I was 7 or 8 years old. This sets the stage for the level of complexity exhibited. The fruit has both an extraordinarily high level of purity and yet the woven tapestry of herbs and spices and even fruit blending are impossible not to notice. The key being that nothing is forced.

The nuance of complexity only being noticed when desired is nearly an impossible feat. I can’t help but recall James Conaway quoting Andy Beckstoffer in his recently released book: Napa at Last Light: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity. “If a wine was a model with a chipped tooth, you’d have to give her something to compensate with. If she needs better shoulders, better breasts, give her some. But her real charm is in how she carries the defect.”

After reading his book, I can tell you I’m definitely not certain whether you can accept his quotes verbatim. One thing is certain, though, Maggie Harrison’s Antica Terra wines carry the defect like no other. — 7 years ago

Matt Duncan

8.9

Light color. Lacking attack. Black licorice. — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.3

White Port and an exceptional one that comes across like a Madeira as this 100% Malvasia is dry, a touch sweet, with salty caramel, lightly roasted nuts and plenty of orange citrus in the form of fruit, peel and zest. This is a model of where white Port can stand on its own. — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

8.9

Blind, no one would know this is Aussie. If they made those little root beer barrels in a cream soda flavor, this would be the model for them. The penetrating acidity keeps this interesting, but only just enough. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.5

What an unbelievable treat to get to attend a private tasting with Aonair Wines along with founder and winemaker Grant Long Jr. Heard from friends, and confirmed by Grant his self, that wines can only be attained if he has met you in person. Love that philosophy. Grant is a larger than life personality...bearded, boisterous and a hearty laugh. His wines represent him well and though they are young (tasted '13s and 14s) they feel well aged already, which is his goal. His Grenache is the best I've ever had, and his cab (100% cab) and mountain blend are so enjoyable that we joined the wine club due to a waiting list about to be formed. Exquisite wines, along with a unique and personable business model, make this a can't miss. Hello new favorite winery. — 9 years ago

speedy duncan

9.0

The vintage model adds a real creaminess lacking in the nv great view mediocre food with the fam — 9 years ago

with Laura, Eli and 2 others

Samuel James

9.1

Just got punched in the mouth. This wine is the equivalent of a Victoria secret model.. Stunningly beautiful but seemingly unapproachable at this point. Can't wait to revisit in like 10 years. #veneto #indigenous #blend — 10 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.4

Ohhh, so good. I messed up dinner but this made up for it. I wonder if the dog is annoyed by being my wine model yet? — 10 years ago

with Dave

Adam Plotkin

9.4

One of the best #Austrian #Rieslings I have ever tried. But hey...it is only day 1 of the trip! :-) To me, this wine is like a bridge between Alsatian and Model Rieslings. Crisp, dry, juicy fruits with petrol notes. Truly a beautiful wine. — 10 years ago

Max Kogod

Owner Kogod Wine Merchant

8.9

"Riesling is the model for me." - PYCM. Je suis d'accord. — 11 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2015 Proprietary Red is a model of total elegance and finesse. Lifted and aromatically expressive, but also quite deep, the 2015 is another wine that is surprisingly fresh and vibrant. Aromatically expressive and nuanced, the 2015 is silky and plush on the palate, yet also remains remarkably tight on its feet. This is one of the most exquisitely beautiful, riveting wines I have tasted from Claude and Katherine Blankiet. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

Super-sappy and sinewy, and loaded with cherry and lavender. If there was a forest floor flavor of hard candy, this wine would be the model. I love how Beaux Freres manages to be both crowd-pleasing and wine nerd stimulating. Also, Wine Spectator scored this wine 89 points, which is kind of sad and makes me embarrassed for them. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

What a beautiful person inside and out! I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to call him "Dad". Words can't adequately express how much I Love him. We opened a few bottles last night that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. We are celebrating his completion of 6 rounds of chemo therapy in his battle against Prostate cancer. This is his 3rd time in the ring against this opponent and it appears that he's won with a unanimous decision by knockout at this time!!!!!! Love you dad!!!!! So proud of your strength through this process. My Father was born in 1940. A difficult year to say the least:
Germans entered Bordeaux in June of 1940. As dictated by Hitler himself, it was the sworn duty of each and every commander to search and seize whatever could be used for the advancement of the German cause. Bedlam broke out. Chateaux' were ransacked, wine cellars were looted if not used for target practice. The Chateauxs were forced to continue producing wines. It's poetic justice that Mother Nature provided the Germans with the worst growing season from 1940 to 1944!!!! The Germans left Bordeaux in 1944 to the cheers of the residents "Au Revoir Les Allemands"!!!! The 1940 bottle that we enjoyed this evening survived World War II. It Survived the ransacking, pillaging & plunder of countless German soldiers. It's outer capsule showed evident signs of its struggle but it's inner beauty was unblemished and glorious. I've had many, many vintages of Latour from 1928 and on but none have ever tasted as perfect as the one we enjoyed tonight. This 1940 was perfect. It was a fighter, it never gave up, it never relinquished in the face of adversity. That's my Father, that my role model. He's a beautiful person inside & out. I think 1940 is the best vintage that I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Special thanks to my good friends Michael Troise whom provided me with much of the insights in regards to the incredibly difficult vintage and David Page whom gifted this bottle to me for our celebration this evening. I will never forget your generosity. It was a glorious evening to say the least!!! Wine has a way of bringing people together and encapsulating an evening and event. I couldn't think of a better way to rejoice in his victory than to open a Father & Son birth year wine. — 8 years ago

with Ryan, Christine and 1 other

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Sometimes I just want a plus-size model . . . er, I mean an Aussie old vines Grenache.

This is a classic rendition. Rich nose of oozingly ripe raspberry and warm sandstone. Large framed, with rich raspberry fruit, intense salty minerality, very good acids, and still some tannins to shed. Excellent length. It was good with my pizza but would be great with a rich winter stew. — 9 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Just what I wanted tonight.
The nose is a model of restraint, with redcurrants, raspberries with superb sandalwood undertones.
The palette is precise and nuanced . Acidity tilts it towards being nervy. It still has a firm structure with polished tannins. The finish persists and expands with black cherries, prominent minerailty and a touch of sweetness.
This is why burgs are a reference point when it comes to Pinot - outstanding. — 9 years ago

Charles Hetzel

9.0

Model to the max! Petrol everywhere — 10 years ago

Katherine Dougall

9.3

Like a plus sized model this white is comfortable and confident — 10 years ago

with Cameron

Roger Cabrera

9.2

This one is like the model who doesn't need to acknowledge the years that've passed because they've done nothing to her figure. Fantastic structure, finesse, and complexity. The pyrazine action is contained and the fruit aromas are beginning to phase towards the savory spectrum. — 10 years ago

Craig Mitchell

9.5

Wow. This is absolutely singing for a 12yo red. The very model of terroir. Great palate, everything in the right spot. Kudos. — 11 years ago

with Troy

JohnQ Boxler

Sales Berkeley Wine Company

9.3

This year's model. Relative to 2011 this seems more fruit-dominated. This is not say over-ripe or blowsy. There is plenty of mineral tension and loamy goodness to balance out the wild berry notes and raspberry palate. Served cool with chicken in a mustard tarragon sauce. This is just silly inexpensive-not to mention Bio-and great for a daily red. — 11 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

Gun powder, cat piss, lemon, crushed rocks, chalk... what a complex nose ! The palate is a model of balance and tension. Lemon at first, a sheer acid backbone that is backed by fruit and matter with a nice density around the end of the palate. The finish is fresh, thirst quenching and lovely with flowery notes. Very good Sancerre ! — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Well today it’s a day after being on set with gorgeous drag ladies and an insta-model so I’m making myself feel better with the bottom level of my favorite grocery store wine. I fucking love Ravenswood. So this is entry level...but it is more than most top level grocery wines in my opinion. Less than ten bucks and so light for a zin which makes me like it because I don’t love over-oaked or over-ripe zins. It is not nuanced but has berries--and cherries!-- and dried cranberry and a whiff of black pepper. And a hint of raisin. Damn I love Ravenswood. I need to investigate if they have a wine club—oh! And I found out another Cali winemaker I love (Bedrock) was started by the son of Joel Peterson aka Ravenswood. The wine rocks on. — 8 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

GPS stands for gamay blanc (which is actually chardonnay's local name) poulsard savagnin. It's a white made partly with red grapes processed as white ones. The nose is very joyful and soulful: white flowers, white fruits, grape. The palate is a model of balance between the fruits (white fruits, white flowers, grape, lime) and the acid backbone that takes every single other element of the palate on tour. The finish is long , refreshing, fruity. You don't want it to end anyway! — 8 years ago

Jason Gallo-Gaffner

9.3

Outstanding! The homie Harley acting as a Riesling model lol — 9 years ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Fun model but she's wasn't down to pose for the Delectable community and ducked away when I started to snap the pic haha....so this is for the elbow and shoulder lovers. The Core is a treat. Mocha and full blue/black fruits. A bit of bite when it warms up but a very nice wine. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.4

This 2011 mountain fruit is ROCKIN. Gorgeous juice. It only took about 15mins to really open up. Dark berry medley on the nose with a touch of vanilla. Legs were model-esque long and the combo of earthiness, dark cherries enhanced the super well balanced and lovely mouth feel perfectly. Buying up whatever else I can find. 300 cases produced. — 9 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

10

2008 vintage, scheduled for release in October 2016. A complete wine which manages to be at once opulent and wonderfully fruity, severely structured, fresh as melting snow, broad shouldered AND elegant like a catwalk model. Still young but already magnificent, this is beyond belief. A true treat. — 9 years ago

David Kline

9.0

With a head somewhere between cappuccino and fine rosé champagne both in color and bubble. And a dark Amber body bordering on red, this powerful Sphinx tempts you near its maw. A mallard appears in my glass in the foam voids. There is a sweet cinnamon and cherry candy present, but also a marinated mushroom quality to the nose. You sense the granite jaw, and await the iron fist. But the gloves come off, and this model is lithe after a spin around the sun, exhibiting honey and tea, leather touches, finesse and power seamlessly mesh with a vanilla bean and sweet tobacco, cinnamon and toast component. Your tongue has a new friend! #northcoastbrewing #oldstock #agedbeer — 10 years ago

with Courtney

Robert oldenkamp

9.2

What a surprise! Big flavors with a finish that lasts forever. Great with home made pizza! Sangiovese role model! — 10 years ago

Tom Portet

10

Seamless. It's a model. Nut blonde. Silk. Oh yes. — 11 years ago