Had at thanksgiving 2014 with Fam. Everyone but Lisette really liked it. $21 at Urban Grape (5R).
Dried cherry on the nose. Licorice, funkiness/ mushrooms, earthiness, with a finish of black cherries. Smooth and lovely old-world drinking — 11 years ago
1886 vines from the great Monte Rosso vineyard. This was a very nice cherry fruit red zinfandel. — 3 years ago

Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 9 years ago
Wonderful balance. Merlot and Tempranillo counterweight the heavy Tanat. Still, a meaty wine for read meats. Velvety and round tho. Some blackberries and forest fruits - little tanine. — 10 years ago
Any wine that can shine from a plastic cup deserves extra kudos. Mistook for a Northern nebbiolo with its structure, detail, & balance, but the fruit is pure southern, pomegranate & black currants. Eye opener (esp for 30$ list). Want to re taste in proper stemware. I think 80% nero di trioa 20% montulpiciano — 10 years ago
A little rounder than I remember but still very solid. — 10 years ago
My go to house wine. Love it with pasta and steak — 11 years ago
Very good, consistent amarone. Review from 30 weeks ago is accurate. — 4 years ago
The 2016 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Lena di Mezzo mixes crushed blackberries with plum sauce, wild exotic spices and dark chocolate. It’s remarkably fresh for an Amarone, casting silky textures across a medium-bodied frame, but it’s supported by vibrant acidity and a mix of tart wild berry fruits and minerals that saturate the palate. Notes of spiced orange peel, medicinal cherry and sweet herbs linger long over a bed of rounded tannins. There’s just the slightest hint of heat here, but the balance is otherwise perfect. I’m loving the savory-over-sweet persona as well. (Eric Guido, Vinous, February 2021)
— 5 years ago
Listening to fado in Lisbon — 7 years ago
True Biale wine...pronounced Moon Mountain fruit without question. Strong and dense as you would expect from Biale/Moon Mt. Black raspberry, hints of molasses and pepper on the mid palette. Finishing with a zingy cherry, mocha and baking spice. Recommend another year in the bottle. — 9 years ago
1973: Beautiful bottle. Wines like this make everyone stop and take notice. The color was clear and light. Arresting nose full of plums and roasted beets. The depth of flavor and long finish was in contrast with the appearance. Really a fine experience, only second to the few times I had the 1952 Mont Real. — 10 years ago
Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 10 years ago
2011, MastroJanni, Rosso Di Montalcino, Montalcino, Sangiovese. Ruby with a wide garnet rim. Black fruit and red fruit, with violets, pepper, anise and wet leather. Finishes with mushroom and wet clay. Med plus acid and tannins; medium alcohol. Really well balanced with layers of fruit and savory flavors. Good pair with Korean short ribs. — 11 years ago
Ray Vanderhoff
Medium ruby color. Aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Touches of tomato leaf, rose petals and violets. Hints of wet stones and freshly turned soil on the bright finish. Silky texture. Rich and elegant. Punches well above its price. Thank You Chris B! — 3 years ago