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

9.2

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

Roman Sukley

9.5

2013 SQN "...And An Eight Track" Rose'. I look at these as Manfred's in your face, over the top, hedonistic homage to life wines. Throw all of your preconceived notions of what a Rose' should be right out the window. These wines celebrate life. No review today. Happy Memorial Day. Don't think. Enjoy. Recently, I've had a little back and forth with a non-SQN believer who shall remain nameless. You know the type. "I just don't get SQN" (And man, do I ever hate that phrase. Surprisingly, don't think I've ever heard "I just don't get DRC"). Anyway, I let it upset me more than it should have. To each his own. Drink what you love, but for my money, give me Mr Krankl anytime! — 9 years ago

Clayton R Strong

9.2

This is never going to make Wine Spectator top 100, never going to get 95 points either. If you tasted this wine blind though and took VA wine preconceived notions out you'd be quite impressed. Not a big wine by any means, smoky, cherry, tobacco, with some herbs to this wine. Very good wine though, long finish represents the high quality. — 9 years ago

with Tiffany

Clayton R Strong

9.0

9.0 for the $$$$$, if you drink as much wine as I do you need a decent cheap wine and I am afraid that I might have to put my preconceived notions of boxed wine aside. — 10 years ago

Rachel Gendreau

9.1

Breaking with all kinds of preconceived notions. Damn delicious. — 10 years ago

Kevin Wardell

9.3

This guy Gitton just keeps wowing me beyond me pre-existing notions about sauvy b — 11 years ago

Courtney Cochran

Sommelier/Host hiptastes.com

9.3

On nose, starts with burned bacon crust - the part you fight for with your tablemates. Then: Blueberry coulis chased with a handful of Big League Chew-marinated black olives. Fine dust of cracked black pepper. Black fig and bacon suggestion. Inky color and intriguing, soy-like texture. FLORAL notes pushing thru, rosemary/herbal essence jockies for attention: you don't mind. Med-full bodied and closes beautifully with notions of - natch - pie strawberries finished with Balsamic glaze. YES — 11 years ago

with Mary-Colleen and Suzanne

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

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

Causeway Bay

9.5

Swirls in the glass with deep red silkiness. Roasted herbs, chocolate and vanilla slowly reveal themselves with some air and time. Long palette is still somewhat closed with only notions of mocha, cherries and thyme. Best after 2021. — 9 years ago

Causeway Bay

8.9

Still closed with notions of forest floor, olives and tobacco. Dense graphite and lanolin with a long finish. — 9 years ago

Frances Lathrop

9.2

Nice surprise with no pre-conceived notions. Sharp blackberries, with warm following.
— 10 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Notions of 1st growth are all over this!
There is an uncommon density and purity of fruit on the nose. Spice box, oak and strawberries are evident. Palette is wonderful with texture and layers. The mouthfeel is plush and rich with cinnamon, cardamom and sandalwood. Finishes sweet - wonderful.
😃 — 10 years ago

with Mo

p w

9.3

1940 DRC RC - recorked in 1986 - evolved over a couple hours - wildly oscillated between notions of dark fruit & floral/wood tones — 11 years ago

with Mark

Panos Kakaviatos

9.0

Bravo Tarlant! First from a case of 12. Equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. Zero dosage, lime and grapefruit, precise yet rich with light notions of peach. Thirst quenching finish. Mainly from 2007 vintage with reserve wines aged in oak. Bottled in May 2008, disgorged in September 2013. Went well with seared tuna. — 11 years ago

Cassandra Scholte

9.8

Surprised by crispness not sweet - challenging my rosé per conceived notions — 13 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

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

Jay Murrie

9.0

A wide spectrum of delicious. A complex wine we sucked down. Throws tired notions of north/south in the trash. — 9 years ago

Kaitlin Ohlinger

9.4

The one Pinot that will change any preconceived notions of Chilean Pinot. So bright and so expressive, stunner. — 9 years ago

Shawn Paul

9.0

Defies common notions of 09 whites. This is rich but racy, lively acidity that refreshes. Very precise minerality. — 9 years ago

Mark Salinas

Owner World and Wine Getaways

8.9

A nice surprise! A smooth and balanced red wine blend. — 10 years ago

with Tina

Erik Sjolund

9.5

What a wonderfully complex drink! Mushroom n almost gravlax in nose n taste gives notions of maturity. Fine acidity n a little yellow apple behind. — 10 years ago

Nick Lobaccaro

10

Normally the most exotic aromatically and with a firm tannin structure, the 2011 Syrah En Chamberlin doesn’t disappoint! Offering up notions of liquid herbs, bacon fat, exotic flowers and grilled meat, as well as a knockout core of sweet Syrah fruit, it possesses a full-bodied, structured mouthfeel that carries awesome purity of fruit, excellent mid-palate depth and chewy, firm tannin on the finish. — 11 years ago

Eric Hwang

9.0

Delicious spicy earthy goodness that dispels any preconceived notions of NZ Pinots. — 13 years ago

with Thea