Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2012 vintage. Medium body. Subdued nose with just some slightly tart, dark cherry afoot. Some frontal spice box married to that tart, dark cherry and a light muddiness (¿word?). Back end/finishing richness makes an appearance for a spell. Nicely made. Not overwhelming (nor underwhelming) for CA but should go forth and prosper for another 5-7 years at this level. 02.09.25. — 10 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

8.9

Zesty, floral, thirstquenching, clean. Not too complex nor long. — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

Just rock-solid Châteauneuf, this is exemplary and for me personally my exact sweet-spot in terms of the varied styles from this region. The nose takes a little coaxing, but has a great yin / yang profile of pure, fresh blue fruit, liquorice, violets, and garrigue, versus seared meat, iron and loamy earth. This all puts it square in the middle of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ schools, broadly speaking, and it’s a wine that has the best of both worlds as a result.

The palate is huge, an iron fist in a glove of velvet and so much more, but in no way imbalanced or over-extracted - not overtly alcoholic, at a modest 14%. It spreads out in waves across the palate, ripples which are felt long after the finish. This is clearly a baby now, but it drinks well and will see its 20th birthday in damn fine fettle. Excited to have a case in the cellar.

Decanting not required nor recommended. — 3 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.3

Opens up very slowly, keeping a very youthful appearance. Shy black currant leaf, fresh black currants, a bit tobacco leaf, a smoky, earthy note, a faint whiff of orange peel. All interwoven, subtle, and yet, a bit underwhelming.
The wow happens on the palate - smooth and so polished… more silk than velvet.
Cool black currant, a touch of 100% cocoa chocolate, a bit of espresso savouriness
Not really rich nor broad… but the precision & depth are amazing. Harmonious, self assured, elegant. A finish that goes on forever
If only the nose would be as magical as the palate - what a grand wine this would be — a year ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Green reflexes . Quite open and easy at first yellow fruits , lemon confit , touch of roasted nuts . After a while a bit more chalky . Quite round on the palate, good concentration , mineral on the end . Doesn’t have the razor like intensity or length of the 2012 , nor the minerality . However very enjoyable now and for the next 20 years — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Alas, my last bottle of this wine…
Rich but cool in texture. Not hot nor jammy. Wonderful balance. Fresh black fruit, touches of black olive, damp earth, dark chocolate and black pepper.
Have followed this particular wine and vintage for over 12 years now, and I loved every bottle for its balance, complexity, hedonism and ability to deliver FUN!
Excellent QPR, as well.
Shafer’s Relentless, SQN, Bedrock and Lillian were my introduction to, and jumpstarted my fascination for, American Syrah back then…. and I am so glad to say that many more bottles and labels have found their way into my cellar. 🖤 — 3 years ago

romo

9.0

Neither Journaries nor Chavarotes, and that’s too bad. — a year ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2020 Crianza is 100% Tempranillo from Pedrosa del Duero in Ribera del Duero. Garnet-red with a purple sheen. The nose presents blackcurrant and sour cherry notes along with wild herbs and hints of blood. Dry and juicy, the well-calibrated tannins are neither overly extractive nor too rigid, establishing an energetic, fluid palate with a gentle, long-lasting, lactic mouthfeel. This is an elegant take on Ribera. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, November 2023)
— 2 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

Alpine Nebbiolo from Valle D'Aosta. Medium bodied and blood red. Creosote, cigar leaf, and red fruits. Fine tannins still working their in-never a polished wine nor should it be, and the way I prefer. Plenty of road left to develop in the glass or cellar. — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Perfectly mature. Soft pruney fruit, gingerbread spice, mellow chocolatey tannines. Dashes of oak, mocha and smoke, as well. Not overly complex, nor complicated. A fun wine.
Very good QPR. — 3 years ago