Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright and deep ruby purple with quickly dissipating magenta mousse. Black cherry and tarry patent leather on the inviting nose and medium full palate. Medium acidity and medium tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate and extends the tannins. Wonderful dry red sparkler suitable for brunch, dinner, or just sipping (though the tannins do call for food of some type). Drink it when you buy it. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark but clear ruby. Black cherry and patent leather nose portends the medium full, leathery black cherry palate. Medium acidity from entry wrapped in supple medium tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate. Rosso di Montalcino — the “Prince” red of Tuscany — is the bellwether for Brunello and Val di Suga’s entry predicts great things for the “King” in the 2019 vintage. Enjoy this with all classic fare from pizza to pork loin to Osso Bucco. Drink now and imagine what’s four years down the line. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Douro Reserva Port Barrel finish. Deep, near black hazy purple. Abundant, port-like nose of dark berries and patent leather. Dark fruit, vanilla, and patent leather reign on the full-bodied palate. Medium tannins. Medium minus acidity. Tastes like a light Port, which is understandable given the varieties and production method. Best with hearty neat stews or roasts, but a nice lighter cigar will work, too. Drink now through 2030. Yes, that’s what I wrote. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark garnet purple in the glass. Shy (at first) nose of cassis and dark plum. Echoed on the medium full palate with slight patent leather notes and medium acidity. Low(ish) tannins mean that lighter cuts of beef (Filets, petite sirloin) will be its friend, especially with a flavorful rub. Drink now to 2021. — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark ruby purple with magenta mousse. Nose and dark palate of blackberries and patent leather. Fine bubbles and velvety tannins precede the lengthy, dark finish. — 9 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Deep ruby purple in the glass. Dark red to blue-black fruit on the nose. Blackberry and patent leather on the palate with finessed tannins. Medium plus tannins and medium plus acidity. Ready for that steak on the grill. — 9 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark purple in the glass. Nose of black raspberry and white lilies, echoed on the palate with hint of patent leather. Medium plus acidity and medium body. Light tannins on the dark berry finish. — 11 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark glass-clinging purple. Dark fruit and patent leather on the blousy nose, echoed on the medium full palate. Medium plus acidity and medium plus tannins mark this as an archetypical Washington Syrah, with full, New World fruit buttressed by structure that calls to mind the Northern Rhône. Medium long finish continues the palate. An excellent NW US Syrah that will represent Yakima well on the dinner table with roasted or grilled meats and accompanying fall/winter fare. Drink now through 2027 or so. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose of black cranberry and patent leather. Medium full palate echoes the nose adding a hintnn by of black olive and licorice on the finish. Medium plus tannins. Medium plus acidity. Classic Rhône with a slightly New World sheen. Great with beef or rustic pork dishes. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark, glass-clinging red purple. Abundant and inviting nose yields blackberry, cassis, and birch. Full palate gives up blackberry cobbler and patent leather wrapped in firm, dusty tannins (decanting recommended). Medium acidity. Lengthy dark finish. A great intro to Bolgheri in this blend of the Cabernets. Serve with hearty meat dishes. Drink now through 2025. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Dark but clear red. Wonderfully inviting nose of black cherry and balsam. Medium full body with a nose-marching palate of black cherry and other dark fruits, balsam, patent leather, and anise herb (in that order). Medium acidity. Medium plus, velvety tannins. This is a fully Italian take on the Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) that calls out for food (medium to light cuts of beef would be great… Osso bucco?), but would fare just as well by the glass. Drink now through 2028. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright ruby garnet. Bosomy nose of tart black cherry and patent leather. This is echoed on the palate with firm medium plus tannins and bright medium plus acidity… perfect for food. Cherry tar finish. Such a solid example and it's not even a Riserva. — 8 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.1

Remarkably pure for a scotch whiskey. Hint of alcohol on the nose. Nice flavors. Well done. — 10 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Clear garnet red. Big bosomy nose of musty cherry. Medium-bodied palate of black cherry and patent leather with juicy acidity. Black rubber on the finish. In a good place right now. 2010 vintage. — 11 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose of black berry and black currant. Echoed on the medium full palate with hints of graphite and patent leather. Medium non-assertive tannins most present on the back palate leads to the medium long finish. Medium acidity and silky oak makes this second label a nice entry point into Bordeaux for the New World enthusiast. Fine cuts of beef with Bordelaise is a natural of course. Drink now through 2028 while waiting for Calon-Segur to ripen. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark garnet with blackish purple core. Inviting nose of black cherry, red apple, and cola. Full-bodied palate yields black cherry, raspberry, red apple peel, anise, and light patent leather. Supple medium plus tannins mid-palate to finish. Medium plus acidity. An excellent Rhône red that’s ready for any “red wine” situation from American steak dinners to medium and hard cheeses to cigars. Drinking wonderfully now, but will satisfy and develop through at least 2030. — 5 years ago

Christy

9.5

Somm - patent pending celebration. One of my favs — 5 years ago

Christy

9.8

Somm. Patent pending celebration wine! Such a special treat! Plum, dark berries, currant, earthy mineral flavor, and subtle oak flavor. Smooooth and violet — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Deep glass-clinging purple in the glass. Heady black fruit on the nose. Full-bodied palate of black plum, cassis, patent leather. Medium acidity, medium tannins on the mid-length finish. Good California representative with just enough Old World underneath. — 8 years ago

Cameron Etezadi

9.7

Holy cow. This has to be the most beautiful amber Chardonnay I have ever seen. Gorgeous to look at. Floral, pear, and hints of vanilla fill the Nose. Low to medium low acidity and rich citrus fill a body resplendent with heavy oak. Some butter notes with out the patent offense of a heavily ML wine. Stunning. — 9 years ago

with Jenn