Rob Brobst III

9.8

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Canon bursts from the glass with expressive notions of baked black cherries, kirsch, plum preserves and black raspberries plus hints of red roses, Ceylon tea, black olives and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate is wonderfully elegant and refined, with a soft, finely grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. The blend is 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc and it was aged for 18 months in French oak, 50% new. — 5 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.2

A New Year’s Day beauty of a wine. Rich and rounded with subtitle notions of oak surrounded by white peach, citrus and stone. Getting old but still delicious! — 5 years ago

with Kati

Ryan Vento

9.4

One word: sexy. An absolutely explosive nose of dried violet and assorted flower petals, Asian five spice, sweet licorice, succulent strawberries, rhubarb, smoke/flint. Even though Russell is my favorite winemaker I still, up until this point, had not tried any of his Pinots, nor had any pre-conceived notions as to how his Pinots should drink. As such, I kept my expectations comfortably in check. But wow...this is full-throttle, deep, suave, and downright sensual. Freakin’ love it. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Just a notch below the 16,
TRB made wines. With more air this would really shine, 2-3 hours would of been perfect.
Parkers review, he has it a 96 as well,

Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 “Regusci Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon features beautiful ripe plums, black cherries and dark chocolate with suggestions of red currants, black raspberries and spice box plus hints of Sichuan pepper, underbrush and pencil shavings. The full-bodied palate is full-on decadent, featuring rich, velvet-lined black fruit and exotic spice layers, accented by red berry and earthy notions and finishing with great length and depth. 130 cases were produced.

— 6 years ago

Michael Elmore

9.4

Rhino mags. In their youth, La Spinetta wines are just too much for my taste. Pre-conceived notions shoved aside (and w age), this wine is delicious. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

Founded in 1960 by Charles Bravay (although the property actually dates to at least 1760), Domaine de Ferrand didn’t produce its first estate wine until 1995 when Philippe Bravay took the reins from his father. It’s 90% Grenache from vines nearly a century old. It sees no oak, only a combination of stainless and concrete during fermentation followed by aging in concrete vats.

Initially austere, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape presents a rugged exterior. With time its layers start to peel back and it’s hard not to notice how intoxicatingly sexy it is.

The entire spectrum of red fruit is on display, including kirsch, supple raspberry, and even a savory, pickled strawberry. The fruit is equally matched with a mix of Provençal herbs, lavender, and mineral purity, leading you down the path to its lengthy finish. Only then do you realize how tight the grip is. I’m not the first to point out the notions of heat, but in the $30s, you’ll get nothing and like it. What an exceptional value! — 8 years ago

Joshua Chan

9.2

This bucks all notions of young Australian Shiraz. Incredibly fruity, lovely supple tannins that do not punch you in the face, nice and round mouthfeel. Excellent stuff. — 9 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.4

No one has said it better than Eric Guido. " I found silky textures with brisk acids, minerals and sweet spice adding vibrancy, as juicy notions of cherry and raspberry washed across the senses leaving a coating of fine tannin." Eric sabe vinos tintos de España. — 5 years ago

Rob Brobst III

10

It explodes from the glass with gregarious allspice and nutmeg notions over a core of warm peaches, guava, and pear tart with suggestions of gingerbread and toast. Medium-bodied, the palate is much more elegant and restrained than the nose suggests, delivering seriously minerally notes and loads of freshness, finishing long and chalky. — 5 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.8

One of the most fascinating wines I move had in recent memory. Smoke and citrus fruit on the nose. The power on those aromatics defies description. Tropical fruit and fresh, bright acid across the palate. This is the best I can do to describe it. This defies descriptors. All I can say is if you have preconceived notions about wine in general, get a bottle of this to change them. Absolutely amazing. — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.6

Rich, sappy, concentrated, fleshy, full bodied, expressive, and hedonistic with notions of dark fruit, chocolate, bacon, graphite, and wood smoke. Finishes long and saturating but smooth, showing no hard edges over the ~3 hours this bottle was consumed. A blend of 49% grenache, 25% carignan, 16% syrah, and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Drinkable now but has many more years left in it.... — 8 years ago

Walt M Britt

9.2

Baker Lane Vineyard(Field Guide 05), Bottle Numbers 1874 and 1879, Harvested 10/02/2014. Paired with a roast Alaskan Cod with Cannellini Beans and Castelvetrano olives, Roasted Broccoli, and Chocolate Gourmet Cannoli Cupcake. The food and wine complimented each, and the strong body of the wine brought out the hidden flavors and spices of the fish. Has a strong finish. Never ever adhere to old wives’ tale that only white goes with fish, as this meal clearly disapproves any notions. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Under their Janzen label, Bacio Divino produces three vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignons from the Cloudy’s Vineyard, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, and Beckstoffer To Kalon. They also produce this Napa Cab which blends fruit from these vineyards with other select Napa vineyards. Kirk Venge is the consulting winemaker and viticulturist. Parker nails it with “intense notes of crushed plums, black cherries and mulberries plus notions of cedar chest, dried Provence herbs, underbrush and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives a very refreshing acid line, lifting the youthful black fruit, finishing long and chewy.” While the fruit is immediately evident and approachable, there’s still a fair amount of tannin. The acid provides an impression of citrus brightness atypical of many of its peers. And while I prefer Venge’s Silencieux, I’m not sure a comparison is relevant as this is completely different stylistically, and quite enjoyable because of that. — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

10

6 bottles... Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Screaming Eagle soars out of the glass with vibrant notions of ripe blackberries, black cherries and fresh red and black currants plus wafts of licorice, candied violets, cedar chest and clove oil with a beguiling touch of sea spray. Medium-bodied with jaw-dropping elegance, the palate is finely textured and yet built like a brick house with a super taut backbone and exquisitely knit acidity. The intense black and red fruit flavors are accented by layers of mineral and floral notions, finishing with incredible length and depth. Undeniably stunning. — 5 years ago

Martin Sher

9.5

Stunner - complex earthy notions. — 6 years ago

Deborah M

9.3

Continuing with my summer of exploring whites. FRESH and tangy. Grapefruit and lemon zest. Nice acidity, but well balanced and some depth. Not anything like my preconceived notions of what a Chardonnay should be. Just wonderful. — 6 years ago

Bromento Mori

9.3

What a Grand Olde Horse this must-have was: even on the down-stroke it was throwing up layers & notions & gems. Cranberries then cherries & al soft, soft, soft. Lovely, this. — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Another wine I was introduced to by Monica Stevens of 750 wines. The Shifflett Ranch and Vineyards is situated at the end of Darms Lane in the Oak Knoll AVA of Napa Valley.

William & Mary Wine Co. is the creation of Will Segui and his wife Mary. The fruit is sourced from the Shifflett Vineyard, where Will’s mother-in-law is a Shifflett and the family has owned the property since the late 1940s. It’s worth noting that Will has been the only employee of @riversmariewines for many years. He has long run the operations there along with being an understudy of Thomas Rivers Brown. Needless to say, I was excited to finally taste the wine.

The 2016 William & Mary Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Vineyard displays enveloping aromatics of cassis, blueberry, tobacco, earth, pen ink, and meat. There’s a beautiful interplay between its juxtaposition of vibrant flavor intensity and mellow demeanor, which exemplifies just how balanced the wine is. After several hours decanted the darker, secondary notions of graphite, cocoa powder, creosote, and espresso continue encroachment on the palate in an almost infectious manner. There’s a tightness to the wine that almost surprises because of how immediately approachable it is. Have no doubt it will benefit from years in the cellar, but damn, if it’s not delicious now. — 7 years ago

TheSkip

9.3

Great! Really enjoyed the notions of mocha and dark fruits. — 8 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.0

A crisp bright nose with notes of lemon pith and a touch of pineapple underlined with notions of dry stone. The palate is light, bright and crisp with bright, zesty acidity. The palate is very dry with notes of citrus followed by waxy notes of touches of stone and acidity. The finish is lingering with softening acidity and touches of lemon. A wonderful picnic wine! — 9 years ago

with Kati