Shengli Hu

9.3

A most beautiful ethereal Zinfandel that hearkens back to the old Napa Zins back in the 60s and 70s. A mixed black field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Sirah. Vines were first planted in 1895, 1995 was the first vineyard (as John O didn’t care for any grapes other than Pinot Noir…) Barrels passed from from the Pinot Noir program. Aged for 18 months. Medium concentration. Pale bright ruby. Red crunchy cherry, white pepper, bread dough, blueberry pie, cedar, pencil shaving, hints of stony characters. Elevated acidity and medium-grained tannins. Med++ finish. I love how light it is on its feet and I would have never called it a Zinfandel if given in a blind tasting. — 2 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Old school style of CDP. Reminds me of Burgundy. — 4 years ago

Jeff Hasmann

9.2

Beautiful old school Rioja from the master. Nose of plum, cedar, and chocolate with hints of vanilla and toast on the palate. Tannins are silky smooth. This wine is rustic and full-bodied more so than the more finessed style of the Tondonia. Love it! Note the nose was closed at first - after a 2 hour decant, the wine really opened. 2005 vintage on Feb 1, 2018. — 5 years ago

Spencer Spetnagel

9.3

Dark fruit spectrum. Herbal and spice. Earth is developing nicely. Lively acidity and velvet tannins provide a lush and generous finish. — 6 years ago

Colin Nuckolls

9.4

Prototypical old school cote rotie. Drinking well. — 7 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Stunning 90% Sangiovese! Not a super tuscan like many other reviews tell you! This is an awesome old school producer who bailed out of the Italian system. Hence he cannot call his wines Chianti. Very elegant and plenty of cherry 🍒 notes left. To bad it cost so much. From Max Kogod in North San Diego county. — 7 years ago

Hendy

9.5

Old school Napa Cab at its best in the hand of Steve Matthiasson. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.

Pretty nose of black currants, black cherries, raspberries, spices, light earth, light oak, wild flowers, tobacco leaf and black pepper.

Medium bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, sweet raspberries, earth, light oak, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Long finish with very little tannins and sour cranberries.

This 12 year old Pinot Noir from Napa Valley is delicious now. Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel.

Actually, it feels more like a Burgundy Pinot Noir. Interesting stuff.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. Nicely balanced and good by itself.

This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is peaking now. A great sipping wine.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.

I had the 2014 a year ago, and this is even better. Delicious wine.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered and unfined.

13.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$210. ($65 current vintage). — 2 years ago

with Scott

Dawn E.

9.2

This wine is really nice and represents more of an "old school" style of CS. Dark berry fruit is present but not the star! Earth and minerals mingle nicely...pencil lead..eucalyptus..leather..
Cola..Bakers chocolate..oak.& cherry compote!
90 min decant. — 4 years ago

Jo Anne B

9.2

It’s been so long I forgot how good this is. Also great at continuing to numb the tattoo pain in your leg. 🔪💉🔪💉 — 5 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.4

Beautiful old school cab.....perfectly balanced, velvety smooth — 6 years ago

Doctor No

9.1

Wow. This is young, and the nose is a bit of dark red berry suffusing a sea of resolving American Oak. The American oak is so pronounced that, had I tasted this blind, I might have taken it for Ridge... :) This has decades ahead, even if -only- a Riserva. Like La Rioja Alta 904, a fantastic value in old school Rioja... — 7 years ago

Eric

9.2

Super old school. Really nice nose of warm spices. Pickled olives, licorice (totally dig that part), tart red fruit, and wet dirt on the palate. Light body. Really good stuff that can age and age and age. — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.5

Philip Togni has been making wine the old school way on Spring Mountain for many years. Working the Napa / Sonoma wineries since the 60's. Lower in alcohol but very balanced. Tradition means a lot, and pride in product shows in their amazing wines. — 7 years ago

with Katherine and Ryan

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, cigar box and baking spices. Black fruit juices, tobacco and black tea finish. High tannins, loads of sediment. Make your teeth purple. — 3 years ago

David Nicewicz

9.3

Birth year Bordeaux and this has been excellent. Very old school nose of copious tobacco, forest floor and dark berries. Medium bodied but gaining intensity over the course of 2 h - tannins completely melted. Bricking is apparent on first pour but the color grows darker with time. Perfect bottle that is a little past it’s prime but fun to step back in time. — 3 years ago

Frank Chen

9.3

Only 2nd example of Cote route I’ve had...enticing baked fruit notes...solid concentration dark/red fruit green shah driven herbs and old school meaty undertone ...I need more!! Extremely well balanced — 5 years ago

Hernan Hernandez

9.0

Really good Zin. Went perfect with grilled food. — 6 years ago

Colin Nuckolls

9.4

A little lighter bodied than other vintages. Prototypical old school cote rotie. Took an hour to express itself, then it was gone... — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Old school! Nose is SweeTart cherry, dry gravel, and a dried floral note. Lean and crisp in the mouth, so cleansing with food. Long pure clingy finish.

Fuck McConnell, the Human Turtle. — 7 years ago