Michael Coscetta

9.1

No doubt my favorite appellation in Bordeaux. Excellent value at 38€ — 5 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Second time trying this and more time on this occasion to study it.

In short, this is an exceptional traditional style Rioja that has a long life ahead.

How it looks - deep ruby red but hints of brick orange at edge already.

How it sniffs - leaping out of the glass. This is an unmistakably traditional rioja with plenty of oxidative oaky aroma married with dried red fruit and savoury meat.

How it tastes - oddly, this tasted more youthful and vivacious on the second night, whereas on the first (with no decant) it seemed slightly more mellow and reserved. No doubt, this is more towards the traditional side of Rioja with ten years of age and not dissimilar in style to a Tondonia. I have more hope this time however for the longevity of the wine. This has acidity to last years. Tannins are fine grained and in some sense mellow, but there’s so much going on with the palate to make this well worthy of extended cellar time. It is racy, vivacious and exceptionally well put together with plenty of red fruit, dried meat, savoury and vanilla notes. The finish is long, dry and exemplary of a harmonious, perfect Rioja.

Will leave now for a few years! — 6 years ago

Christophe Aebi

10

Is there any better wine out there? I seriously doubt it. Prodigious! — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

This wine has a lot of things going on. Immediately after cork pop, this bottle seems to be a little flat with a muted nose, modest (at best) acidity, and next to no tannin. Well, 30 minutes later and this Merlot is completely different. This wine is a little more weighted than the 2011. Not calling the 2011 'thin' by any means, but this one has some torque no doubt. Pours a dusty violet to the glass. The nose is baked cherries and some darker milk chocolate. The entry of this wine has sharp acidity, dark chocolate cherry cordials with some pretty damn good liqueur here. For a split second, a little bit sweet in the middle. Finish is acidic. Tannin seems to be there, but not significantly. Allows for a beautiful finish. — 8 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.0

There is a lot going on here. Every component is still looking for a way to blend in. Quite tannic. Long finish. Clearly a bright future. I loved it already now and gave it the benefit of the doubt and pushed it into my 9.0 scoring. — 9 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

8.9

Pretty good. Definitely budget friendly. I've had a few too many stellar old world riojas lately that this doesn't compare to. Anyhow....

Baked raisin on the nose. Smells cooked but it's not cooked. Some soft dried fruits. On the palate...at first huge acid and petrol. Automotive stuff going on all around. After an hour in the decanter, the acid is dialed down to a gentle roar, demanding to be noticed but not taking over. Notes of eucalyptus, lilacs, dried bitter black cherry in the mid palate. Still very lively and certainly kicking...tannin has dissipated and the structure and flavors are quite harmonious. Definitely in a good spot now. Could go considerably longer, but I doubt it will improve beyond this. Nice value for Gran reserve rioja. — 9 years ago

with Matt

Bob McDonald

9.5

Saturday lunch with friends. Aromas of white flowers and bath talcum powder. Amazingly youthful for a 9 year old Riesling - a long future ahead of at least another 10 to 15 years. Vibrant acidity will nurture this going forward. Considered by many to be Australia’s premium Riesling. A class act which will no doubt put on weight in the coming 10 years. Had another bottle 42 weeks later on 17th April 2022 with consistent notes. Very contained and youthful. Not a hint of kerosene. Leave the remaining 2? bottles for a couple of years at least. — 5 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Arghh, wow. Staggeringly youthful. Hits you with a bright, orange zesty palate with fresh acidity and dusty tannin. Very smokey on the nose, with a hint of lavender by the second day. There’s a lot of dried red fruit. Long finish that - surely the sign of any great wine - seems to lengthen with every sip.

Rich, lively and no doubt at the early stage of a long life ahead. Completely different to the 2002 I tasted last, more so than merely the four years between them - if anything, this is somewhat less elegant and more robust. All in good time... — 6 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

8.9

Nice wine without a doubt but too much power, sun, too jammy. QPR not in balance — 7 years ago

David L

9.5

09’ Corra Cabernet.
100% Cabernet From Rutherford,Oakville, Pritchard Hill. Decant for at least an hour! Blowing off a bit of sediment.
Without a doubt one my favorite Napa 2009’s.
Color-Dark ruby red/purple.
Just quite expressive from the very fist sip. Dark black fruits, dark chocolate flavors. Violet, tobacco leaf, tar.
Medium body, with silky tannins & nice length. 10 years in it. I do love Celia Welch wines! — 8 years ago

Jose Reyes

9.5

No doubt a excellent wine🍷
Loved it👍 — 8 years ago

with Rosa

Jean Suzuki

9.3

Beautifully balanced! A classic white burgundy with just the perfect pitch in every aspect! Harmonious! Without a doubt, everyone will enjoy this one! — 9 years ago

Joakim Andersson

8.9

Concentrated fruity aromas. Not much herbs. Heaps of tannins and oak no doubt thanks to long maceration. — 9 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

Sublime. Iron fist, velvet glove and all that. Beyond doubt that this cuvée rocks when Capo not made. Decant briefly and sip away slowly. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

We opened this bottle late on Friday night and poured off a small glass to see what we were working with. As I suspected, far too young with loads of energy, rolls of baby fat and frankly, not very well behaved. So we pressed the cork back in the bottle and figured we would try our luck the next day when my parents stopped by for a socially distant glass of wine to “celebrate” Easter together. I’m so glad we waited. Twelve or so hours of slow-ox made a huge difference. While it was still very primary, it was much more enjoyable showing a strong core of dark berries, tobacco, leather, coffee and baking spices. But again, where Seavey really excels is texture and sense of place. To be expected for mountain fruit at this age, the tannins are firm but reasonable and there is such lovely acid that screams Howell Mountain. I have no doubt this will have a very bright future! In my mind, Caravina is probably the greatest “second” wine in Napa. This is Seavey’s 19th and latest vintage of Caravina. After an extended drought, 2017 began with torrential rain that flooded the valley. The fruit comes entirely from steep hillside blocks on the estate and is otherwise made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin. If you’re going to drink one now, I highly recommend a lengthy decant as these are easily 10 years away from their best. — 6 years ago

Dylan Pecchenino

9.5

If you want a wine with tannin that reels you in, this is it. Dark fruits with sharp spice and acid to back it up. Wood mellows and sweaters this wine but with out a doubt a show stopper. Howell mountain classic! — 8 years ago

Philippe Dupuis

8.9

Blind tasted. Nose is very tight; star fruit, green apple, hints of poolside vapors. First sip is intense, acidic and tight as well, a few chews revealing structure and contained complexity. A nice buttery and ripe fruit retro really shows the quality of the wine, in conclusion. Very hard to describe - a thinker - that's for sure. Still very young - a sleeper - that's no doubt, pleasure was partly intellectual. I'd recommend to carafe for half a day or to taste the bottle over a few days. Taste around 14 degrees. Impressive !@Rajat Parr — 8 years ago

with Marco

Chad Brewer

10

Without a doubt the wine of my life. Elegant, dried cranberries, cigar box, beechnut tobacco, great texture. A truly magnificent bottle. 1/100 that would be perfect. — 9 years ago

Brendan White

10

Without a doubt one of my top 10 bottles. Un. Real. — 9 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.5

Impeccable wine. On point. There is no doubt that the vineyards are great and the team was top notch. — 9 years ago