Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

No matter how many times I have this wines, I'm always impressed and always surprised — 9 years ago

with Matthew and David

Ryan Brazell

Rise Over Run

9.6

Was once again scolded by my spouse for only ever wanting white wine, no matter what we're having for dinner. Was vindicated by serving this wine with hanger steak and chimichurri, and it "worked". She swooned and deemed me heroic, so I declined to mention that I only picked it because we're out of Muscadet, which is what I was really in the mood for. — 9 years ago

Will Clinton

9.0

Fantastic with grilled oysters...or any seafood for that matter — 10 years ago

Erin Hollrah

9.2

Marcel Lapierre Morgon… I smell it in the breeze, the warm kind that makes my head float above the leaves and just flutter down to the ground below — no matter if that ground be sand, snow, concrete or dirt. It doesn’t matter, for this wine personifies my favourite wine descriptor: high toned.

Medium garnet in colour, a generous nose of fully ripened strawberries; red and dark cherries; and warm, granite-rich earth leaves room for no other aroma to interfere. For a daydreaming stint, I become sweet sixteen. Everything is deep pink and love is such an easy red. Life is silky and breezy and good. I could live forever in the slipsteam.

The wine is dry but its fruits are gushingly sweet. A soothing mouthfeel and supple tannins offer too lovely an experience. It is so tempting to bite into the bitter little seeds inside the berries, but instead Marcel Lapierre Morgon begs you to roll with the black cherry skin and enjoy the simplicity before harsh aspects of life are unavoidable. The cover of YM magazine will never be interesting again, so why not enjoy it while it lasts?

Alas, the heartier-skinned wines and those unbathed in hippie funk; the awkward intrigues as well as dangerous lusts inevitably called my attention. Life may never be that raw and pristine again, but the beauty I can always recapture in this unforgettable bottle.

— 10 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.2

Fuck. I can't stop drinking this. This wine bar across from my kitchen is draining my wallet on getting in bed with this girl. Pure relaxation, so silky, so balanced...the minerals, the cherries, the mysteries of every sip. Open for 10 minutes, open for 2 hours, doesn't matter, she's tight, she's loose, she's so gorgeous and quiet. Fuck. I gotta get out of here. — 11 years ago

with Arturo

Thomas Hughes

9.5

2 years in oak barrels, followed by 2 years of bottle age, then released in the 5th year. Montalcino has made Brunello both a science and passion. In the most recent vintages, 2001, 2004, 2006, it didn't matter the vineyard ... Most are outstanding. But some stick out and this wine does just that. The fruit that initially hits the palate is mind blowing. How can this not be a Bordeaux blend? How can this just be Sangiovese? But it continues with the grace and balance of an old world red. Unfortunately, I haven't seen this bottle in at least a few years and I only have 1 bottle left. But for under $50, this definitely stands out! Cheers! — 12 years ago

Oliver Brown

8.9

I think ball bag birr(!), is a wine innuendo too far for a classy wine producer. However, Château Potensac, does intrinsically have a certain 'potency' and 'hardihood' to it.

Many say 2003 is oft-over extracted. With much already passed its peak even, by the very nature of the year's excessive heat. But I found this bottle to be in a good (midlife) state. With the vintage's, most criticised, low acidity, still lively... a solid backbone as such, very much still on display; for many a fine wine for that matter, especially a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

Its primary and secondary aromas are very much alive too and its tertiary ones just hinting at what hands they will ultimately show. It benefitted from a good 1/2 hour decant too #wine — 9 years ago

Daniel March

9.3

A Clio is not for the faint of heart. If you are a six shooter, this is a shotgun. Heavily extracted, big oak, sweet flavors of cherry, vanilla, licorice, blueberry, with mild heat on the nose. It almost doesn't matter, this wine just has a presence. The beauty is that the mouth feel is not overwhelming, it's rich but still lively, the acidity keeps it fresh. The finish is long lasting, leaving a wonderful chalkiness that leaves me licking my lips for the next sip. This wine had shut down for a while, but boy is it back. — 10 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.0

Anti-fruit. Organic matter, spices, and all that. — 10 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Schäfer Fröhlich always makes great wine no matter what level. This Qualitätswein from a tough vintage does not disappoint a winner in my recent Club W tasting. Slightly bitter like many wines I like very slight petrol notes. Close to fermented pineapple according to Mimi our host at our dinner potluck. Here you go the women knows how to describe wine and has had fermented pineapple in past. — 10 years ago

Tom Riley

9.2

Twelve years in and this wine is so damn perky. Let me get back to you in another hour. Maybe it will be a tad less exuberant and a bit more relaxed. No matter what happens it's still gonna be delicious. These folks are so delightfully reliable. 13.0 abv — 11 years ago

Nate Rose

Wine Director Specs

8.9

Come on. Watch out for this one. 2011 Cabernet — 11 years ago

Michelle Moser

9.8

In this case size does matter... Huge! Big chocolate and chewy with tar, flowers and loaded with licorice. Silky tannins. Guests who chose to drink the white wine...well they will remember the meal... For those who selected the Barolo... Well the food was negated as nothing at the party was more opulent than this! Fantastic! — 12 years ago

Quinn Peebles

10

Smoothest rye I have every had the esteemed pleasure of enjoying. Remarkable flavoring and impeccable finish. Buy it. It does not matter what your taste is, you will enjoy it. — 9 years ago

Norman

9.7

Sine Qua Non tasting at Matter of Taste — 9 years ago

with Jay

Jerry Raphael

9.4

Opaque in color and chock-full of deep red fruits and berries with a touch of tar and cedar spice. Fully intergraded wine and so pleasurable to drink. I get their Zin and Cab from the winery ever year and have been doing so for 15 or so years. I drink them chronologically no matter what the vintage charts say and these wine never fail to please. — 10 years ago

with Barbara

Dana Thompson

9.1

Had this terrific Tempranillo at an otherwise average steakhouse at the suggestion of my waiter and wasn't disappointed with his claims of its characteristics. Lots of midrange cherry and wood with lower acidity than I expected. Hard to figure what the retail price would be as in a high end (if average) steakhouse all logic and reason goes out the window no matter what. I'd still say "get you some" though. — 10 years ago

Landon Sutherland

10

This is just one of the best wines! No matter what I try I always come back here and get blown away at every sip. Very bold, very dry! Perfect! — 11 years ago

Matt Wilson

8.9

Hands down my favorite producer of Zin...of any wine in California for that matter... Entry level and only non single vineyard wine from Ridge. It kills me that this wine is half the price south of the border. Positively delicious, juicy California fruit handled with old-world sensibility. — 11 years ago

with Nadia

William Allen - Two Shepherds

Owner/Winemaker Two Shepherds

9.3

Not warm weather, but I love Bandol rosé no matter when! :) — 12 years ago