Sam Hara

9.1

Solid cab. Nothing too special but enjoyable none the less. — 6 years ago

Ganesh

9.4

Bold but velvety — 7 years ago

Mike Evans

9.3

More savory and primal than the 2008, a little herbal with a little pyrazine and a lot more black pepper, smoked meat, and more obvious complexity, it is drinking great now but no need to be in any hurry to consume them. — 7 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.1

Very primal and young, but the stuffing is there for a great wine in another 5-10 years — 8 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

This has transformed with age. Stunning nose of saddle leather, spices, deep blackberry fruit, loamy minerals, so urgent, so primal. A tiny bit of Brett just makes it that so much more appealing. Almost a bit more Northern Rhone like but also like a fine Bandol because it is 38% Mourvèdre. The nose is one of the best so far this year. Take that 2016! Palate is classic l'ebrescade. Huge yet fresh. Inky and with serious extract but again it is utterly fresh. Very ripe and juicy but this is still a big boy and can go 20 more years. Big tannins and needs a 2 hours decant but a thrilling wine in every way. — 9 years ago

David Lincoln

9.0

Front palate has primal, blood, animal notes. Finishes with cherry and smoke. Pleasant. — 9 years ago

Mike Viscosi

9.6

Fruity and smooth. Nice for a dinner wine — 9 years ago

Fraser McKinley

9.3

Still primal and offering the promise of a long life ahead. Delicious too - 2011 — 6 years ago

Alex Jones

Marketing/Development Kunni/Westerly Wines

8.9

Needs time and primal for now, bacon fat, crushed dark fruit, lots of acid. — 7 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.8

Brilliant stuff here. Deep, seriously fruity and still very young, but this vintage has some serious stuffing hidden beneath its primal expression. Best from 2020 thru 2035+ — 8 years ago

Allison Heilman

9.5

Meaty and primal, lean and mean in the best possible way. — 9 years ago

TheWineStalker

9.0

Brick red. The nose gives a loud, primal scream if hazelnut, cassis, black olive and sweat. The palate is pretty straight forward with flavors of cassis, plum, hazelnut and just a drip of soy sauce. Medium to full bodied, finishes with an earthy quality, and has a long lasting, salute stripping tannin. — 9 years ago

Michel Ayer

9.5

Hard to believe this is 14 years old. The fruit is still so pronounced and primal and the tannins integrated yet still providing solid grip. Absolutely perfect with dry aged ribeye and stuffed mushrooms. — 9 years ago

Rahul Mukherjee

9.0

Herb, dirt, pepper, spice on nose, primal, unusual for a 2012 cab. Medium fruit, followthrough of the nose, smooth, good, unusual. This is quite enjoyable and interesting. Now strawberry and jammy (too much--hold to see if it mellows out). — 9 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

Dark purple in color with aromas of blackberry, black pepper, and a hint of mint. Soft but very dense on the palate with dark berry fruit and bit of heat coming in at 15.1% alcohol. Blend of 61% Syrah and 39% Grenache. $60. — 7 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.2

The Mullins family made their first vintage of Balo in 2009, after several years of selling their fruit. Following a string of all-star winemakers (Jason Drew and Anthony Filiberti, Alex Crangle is now at the helm, crafting tremendous Pinots from their estate property. The 2015 offers a juicy and broad expression of this middle sector of the Anderson Valley. Concentrated and pliant black fruit flavor - huckleberry, ginger, black cherry, sarsaparilla, and tarragon - it tastes medieval in its primal, earthen tones. — 7 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.7

Dark ruby/black in color. Dark berries, earth, and smoked meat on the nose. Complex and multilayered on the palate with rich dark berry fruit, cinnamon, licorice, and primal, gamy notes. Fine grained tannins give a lovely texture leading to a long finish. Blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 5% Cinsault with all the remaining permitted red Rhône varieties rounding out the balance. Just about a perfect wine which seems to be at the top of it's game now. — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Justin Brilman

9.3

Still primal but already drinking so nicely. 75% cab 25% cab franc. This has a long life ahead of it if I can keep my hands off it. — 9 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.2

Still primal and all fruit. Olivier have this to me in Beaune and Uniates I try it. Much more potential in the years to come — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.6

Goddamn this wine is positively Shakespearean in its mud covered grunting crushed forest berries and dried flowers floating on a cloud. At once primal and ethereal. Conjures twisted visions of some crazy dirt-fairy having a good fight with fresh berries. — 9 years ago