Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine. — 3 months ago
A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe jammy fruits, spice and tobacco notes, resulting from a warm dry growing season. On the palate flavors of ripe plum, blueberry and ripe cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine big rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and leather notes. Nice! — 4 months ago
The 2019 Opus One shows off the more opulent side of the vintage to great effect. Sumptuous dark fruit, spice and floral accents wrap around the palate, with a fair amount of new oak adding volume and exotic flair. This is an especially showy Opus One that will drink well with minimal cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
— 5 months ago
2001 vintage (great Napa cab year). Good, upper-shoulder fill. Dryish cork. Decanted with plenty of sed. Lots of color. Tasted immediately. Smoky plummy nose. Still medium-heavy body. Showing well with plenty of front-palate richness evident in the gums. Overt "oakiness" gone with only complimentary, flattering oak framing the composition at this point. A hint of tannins on the finish but you've got to know where to look. Summer-school hedonism. Slightly better than expected. 11.30.23. — 6 months ago
First open, used Coravin on night one. Cotton candy first hit on the nose. Blows off and you get more melon. On the palette, oak, butter, then acidity hits. Too much going on to really enjoy the wine. On night two, much more mellow and enjoyable. More of the oak/butter style while I prefer something closer to Mayacamas/Mount Eden — 7 months ago
Deep garnet in color; raisins, blackberries, and oak on the nose; medium minus acidity; medium tannins; tastes like black cherries, molasses, and a hint of chocolate with a long finish. Probably a little past prime, but still tasty. Jason says it's ok. — 2 months ago
Well-balanced. Slight hint of oak and black pepper. — 3 months ago
Medium body, smooth, low acidity, long finish — 5 months ago
A delightful wine, it’s great to serve for family and friends. You can feel the sweetness of the fruits. — 5 months ago
Mustigt och gott fylligt hög syra lagom strävt. — 6 months ago
The oak on the nose is fantastic! — 6 months ago
Total wine siesta key — 2 months ago
100% tempranillo, aged in oak for 2 years. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with notes of oak and black pepper notes. Fine soft tannins, great balance with acidity, long finish ending with fruit, vanilla, oak and slight earthy spice character. Will age short term! — 2 months ago
Dark maroon color. Jammy and fruit forward but not sweet - dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, warm spice. Medium body with smooth mouth feel and soft tannins. Paired well with homemade pizza (pepperoni, roasted mushrooms, onions and basil). Will make a very nice table wine - planning to pick up several bottles for upcoming family reunion! — 4 months ago
Gorgeous Pinot. Well-balanced fruit, tannins, vanilla and slight oak. V nice! — 4 months ago
Strong oak smell, fruity, medium body, lighter than the 2006 vintage that we had before. Dark fruit flavor. — 5 months ago
Began in 1944, Mario Incisa acquired Cab Sauv & Franc vine cuttings, planted them on San Guido estate, called Castiglioncello, Sassicaia, "the place of many stones". A blend of 85% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc. Lovely ripe fruit & spice aromas. Bold berry fruit flavors with spice, oak, leather & cacao, a powerhouse. Soft tannins allows current enjoyment. Long silky smooth fresh finish ending with fruit, oak and spice. Great now, will age, but drink now, outstanding. Little pricey at $300. Tasting Sample. — 7 months ago
Nathan Renfro
Ripe black fruit. Expected more oak, tobacco, leather but it’s really a juicy fruited lovely fruit forward wine drinking very well right now. Soft silky mouthfeel. Tannins softened very nicely. Backbone still there, would guess has 3-5 yeqrs left. Nice long finish. Holding up very well and a joy to drink now. — 2 months ago