Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2017 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir is absolutely singing even in its youth. Shades of blood orange zest and peat moss combine with the core of red fruits on the nose. The palate is vibrant showing a great combination of tension and weight. This has a prettier fruit profile certainly than the 2015 edition, with pomegranate seed and Tangerine zest that mingle with minerals and the earthy undertones of the wine. This is highly elegant Pinot Noir. Bright and very pretty now at the three year mark, the 2017 Toil Pinot Noir will show beautifully for two decades. Drink 2020-2038- 95 — 5 years ago

Betsy Kitchens

10

Classic Gamay. Eating a bowl of dried plots whilst sitting on a moss-laden log in a quiet forrest. — 6 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.4

Cajeta nose. On the palate more caramel, mulled fruit, spice, mole sauce, and tobacco on the back end. Light tannins for a cab. Medium plus acid and body. Smooth throughout. — 6 years ago

with Susan

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

Sourced from the steeply sloped Alpine Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this Pinot Noir begins with gorgeous aromas of smoke, forest floor, mulberry and cherry cola. The silky texture and elegance is simply outstanding, as is the wonderful astringency and tension. Red currant jelly, red cherry cordial, cola and peat moss flavors captivate the senses. This is a truly outstanding Pinot Noir that will age gracefully for the next two plus decades. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

A stunning wine, the 1997 Valbuena 5° is a simply outstanding Ribera del Duero which is incredible at more than twenty years of age. This has turned out to be a complete success from a challenging vintage in Ribera and is evolving beautifully. This has great earthy character with wild mushroom, peat moss, black cherry compote and coffee grounds and cassis which all come to mind as the aromatics are absolutely seductive. The palate is plush and gorgeously textured, showing polished black tea, leather, black fruits and truffles which all marvelously combine with a bright minerality . This is a stunning wine which is showing remarkably well and will continue to evolve into the next decade. Drink 2019-2033- 96 — 6 years ago

Brian Wentworth

9.8

Absolutely delicious high end red blend from Moss. Super smooth, pairs well with red meats. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Notes of sinewy sappy stewed fruit - Burgundian nuances. A jubey influence on the palate. A very good Pinot showing Moss Woods decision to make a Pinot on the Mornington Peninsula to be a good one. — 8 years ago

Rease Kirchner

9.5

Perfect summer wine! — 5 years ago

Scott Clawson

9.0

Really good inexpensive zin. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2016 ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is another gorgeous bottling from this storied estate in the Anderson Valley. This Anderson Valley Vineyard is known for its steady coastal fog and is planted to eight different clones of Pinot Noir. The wine opens with good range on the nose with milk chocolate and sassafras to wild blackberry cobbler and red currant with earthy undertones that all connect in the glass. The soft mouthfeel entices here as orange rind melds with red and dark berry flavors alongside shades of peat moss and exotic spices. This is seriously good now but will only build as it ages over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
— 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This is the 30th anniversary of this iconic Pinot Noir bottling. This particular edition was aged for sixteen months in 65% new French oak prior to bottling. The nose here is simply sensational ranging from cardamon accents to peat moss and black truffle shavings to bright red fruits and citrus zest that all amalgamate marvelously. The texture is beautiful as this silky wine effortlessly dances across the mid-palate. The seamlessness of this wine really entices. Dense dark and red fruits pack this incredible new release. I realize that I have written this before but this 2016 ‘Evenstad’ is up there with the best of its kind ever produced. If enjoying in its youth I beseech you to afford at least a two hour decant prior to enjoying this seductive, hedonistic Oregon Pinot Noir. Drink 2020-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

aisforalan

9.1

yummy. nice acid. cherries. some leather. granite. black berries. a little moss. from flatiron. but again. — 7 years ago

Mandi Lovasz

9.5

Can’t go wrong with Aalto! Aromas of oak, dark forest fruits, moss, and tobacco. Deep jammy flavors make this full bodied Tempranillo fantastic and dependable. — 7 years ago

with Alex

Al Clark

8.9

Great . Could go another 5-10 yrs — 8 years ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.8

Dark ruby with a narrow caramel colored edge. Moss and strawberries on nose. Medium body, dry, perfectly balanced. Raspberries, cola, and clove on palate. Spectacular! One of the two or three best Pinot Noirs I’ve had. 98/100. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Joe

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2010 ‘Vina Cubillo’ Crianza Rioja is a compelling blend of 65% Tempranillo, and 25% Garnacho, with equal parts Mazuelo and Graciano. This single vineyard Rioja opens with an intense bouquet of sandalwood with pipe tobacco, leather and red fruits that align with the citrus zest and peat moss undertones. The palate revels in its silky texture and soft mouthfeel. Generous red fruits dance with exotic spices, and shades of orange infused black truffle on this exotic palate. Marvelous now at the nine year mark, the 2010 ‘Vina Cubillo’ will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92 — 6 years ago

Nozomu Takase

8.9

Nicely matured wine(20 years old), prune colour, all warm spice notes and complexity on palette — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The nose here is considerably more powerful than on the ’04 or ’06. This has evolved nicely showing a darker fruit profile than the other two wines with wild blackberry cordial, peat moss, cigar ash and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is both refined and shows a good texture and viscosity. Mocha, anise, creme de cassis, and hucklbebery flavors come to mind. I love the combination of tension and richness on the mid-palate. The Merlot in this wine seems to be shining particularly brightly. This will cellar well for another decade or more, but it is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2018-2033- 93 — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Continuing with the Langtons Classification tasting of the Best Australian Wines in the Outstanding Category. This Woodlands Cuvée always named after a Family member is their best expression of Cabernet. I have been buying 6 bottles every year since 2007. In the Wilyabrup dress circle over the road from Moss Wood and close to Cullen and Vasse Felix. Always one of the best in Margaret River. Just noticed @Delect Able that the 2010 is Heather Jean not ShelleyAnne. — 7 years ago

Ryan M

9.1

2nd bottle - sticking with 91. Didn’t open up that well. Pine, moss, slight chocolate, color like a bunch of smashed blackberries - dark purple with rust. — 7 years ago

with Larissa