admiral von schnauzer

9.3

Not my personal fave but still pretty darn good. — 8 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.7

2012 CIRQ Estate Treehouse Pinot Noir. Michael Browne’s (of Kosta Browne) personal project which as I understand is an homage to the Summers he spent at a ‘Circus Camp’ in his youth. Treehouse is an amazing hilltop (stunning elevation) property in west Sonoma County with red, iron-rich soil surrounded by (say what?) coastal cypress trees. I had the pleasure of visiting, hosted by Damon Wong, and it's an amazing Vineyard. Unlike anything else I've ever seen. I can understand Michael's fascination with it. The wine: On the nose, red fruits, cedarbox, with notes of rhubarb and fennel. On the palate, pomegranate, kirsch, black tea, spices, roasted herbs along with hints of black truffles and white pepper. Beautiful texture. Lengthy finish. Classic expression of Pinot Noir. If I had to distinguish it from Kosta Browne from a flavor-perspective, I would say higher acidity and a bit of tannin give it a quality more accustom to Grand Cru Burgundy which is not bad company. I'm a fan. Congrats to Michael as well as his partner in this project, my friend Kenny Rochford, one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. — 8 years ago

Glen Digwood

9.5

Personal favorite. Never disappoints. Bold with dark fruit. — 10 years ago

Craig Wallace

9.1

Personal favourite — 10 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.7

Is this the best cab I've ever tasted? Intensity, balance, and (this is my personal taste) darkness, it's all there. This is from their west-facing vineyard and is full of chocolate and coffee and blue fruits; their east-facing vineyard was full of orange zest and strawberries and raspberries and pine, and was just as good. Really cool tasting experience to compare terroirs on Howell mountain. — 11 years ago

Paco Suro

9.6

Gorgeous wine. Small producer in Rioja. Had this at El Portal which is a two star. Price.... 40eur so think less than 30eur retail. Come on at a two star! — 11 years ago

Chris Scanlan

Sales Amy Atwood Imports

9.3

Jou Jou Vin 2011 Mossik Cabernet Franc from White Rock Vineyard, Napa Valley. It's always difficult when tasting friends wines to remain objective, and while I want to shout this wine from the hilltops (Radio-Coteau style!) I also want to be I also aspire to eliminate personal biases - positive or negative. Jou Jou you should know your wine received much conversation towards a mostly positive frame. The touch of brettanomyces was dually noted, there were comments on carbonic maceration, but I found balance throughout. I jested about the wine being topped with Baudry La Croix Boissée but the fact is, this wine has a strain of brett that works well with the fruit. The brett adds a spicy, wet earth, or mulchy wet tobacco leaf component that lends itself to wines of Chinon or Bordeaux. Is that replicable? Future vintages will tell. Will it grow in bottle? I plan to drink many more for my own recognizance. First day had some notes of carbonic maceration and brighter red fruits, along with that leafy Cab Franc character, fine dense tannins and moderate acidity with a slight sour note likely a proponent of brett. Day 2: I'll be damned. This is some damn good shit. It's worth that $250 dollar price tag! ;) But truly, the leaf/mulch quality is intact and integral, the darker berry fruits come out but there is still a pleasant sour cherry mid-palate that combines with the albeit softer yet still dense/fine mouth filling tannins. I realize part of the reason this wine was the talk of the blind tasting was that the brett, while in balance, set it apart from every other wine tasted. It was unique, it spoke of an older world style, it crept up in conversation because it lent something else to talk about. Kudos Jou Jou. The wine was made from 12 year old CF vines farmed organically (uncertified) grown in a layer of white volcanic ash. Grapes are fermented WC with ambient yeast in open top macro-bins, gently foot tread, native ML, pressed dry into 75% neutral FO and 25% Stainless Steel. 50 ppm SO2 added post ML, 10-15ppm added before bottling, racked once to bottle in June 2012. 25 cases produced. Good luck finding some! — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Est. in 1987 and belongs to Champagne Taittinger (a personal favorite) considered the concept in 1947 in the mind of Claude Taittinger. The 138 acre estate is situated in the Carneros appellation of CA. A blend of 58% Chard & 42% Pinot Noir, crisp aromas of stone fruit and floral scents. Apple and pear flavors with citrus notes in a fine mousse with good bubble flow. Creamy texture, well structured, lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Will age well! The 2012 is a bit young now, but Time will reward! — 8 years ago

Kieran Roberts

9.1

Excellent depth of palate, robust fruit and loads of white pepper. — 9 years ago

Tyler Durham

9.5

Amazing family and cellar tour. A wine extremely well rated by Decanter, Wine Spectator and Parker all for good reason. Breathes of the live oaks and spices that are found on the property. — 9 years ago

with Anne

Henrik Poulsen

9.2

Typically "Napa cult" that should please all fans of the Bob-style (Foley and Parker).
Well-chilled I can appreciate it but served at room temperature it has "too much of everything" for my personal preference.
A solid wine nonetheless. — 10 years ago

with Kurt-Inge

Matt Baker

10

Z-Best!!! My personal fav of all time!!!! — 10 years ago

Michael Hildbold

9.5

Almost Pinot-like Grenache. Lovely effort from this Rayas-owned property. — 11 years ago

with Kathy

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.6

a great historic estate where the marquis Segur who owned lafite and latour loved this property hence the heart soft and elegant drinking beautiful timeless tasted at the home in monaco of Arqana vp the Aga Kahn horse breeding and racing business — 12 years ago

Linda Lamb

9.2

LL Birthday dinner at Bouche in Carmel....from our personal cellar! — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Block 5 is now considered to be the equal of the fabled Block 3. I know Block 3 will cellar for 10 plus years from personal experience but have not done this with Block 5 yet, but am sure it will age effortlessly. — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.6

Mia Klein knocked this out of the park!
#howellmountain fruit at its best, a superb expression of terroir in Napa which to me is usually oversold (and over-oaked). #miaklein #cimarossa #rivadiponente
Vivid red currants, cassis, a touch of mint and graphite, the palate is juicy, loaded with perfect balance, acidity and ripe, firm tannins that have started to mellow. This is from the western facing terraced slope of the property and was my favorite of the tasting way back in 2012. The cooler effect of a western exposure seems perfect in this vintage. — 9 years ago

James Pendergrass

9.3

A personal favorite. Mike Brown and team make a great wine. Bright berry flavor. Could lay down a bit longer. Great none the less — 10 years ago

with Peter and Peter

Pedro Rusk

Wine Educator Kendall Jackson

9.5

Out of mag from my personal stash — 11 years ago

Kristin Taylor

8.9

Love this one. It's easy for a date night, just something to unwind with. A personal favorite for the boyfriend and I. — 11 years ago