Kurt Krueger

8.9

Nice, not as heavy as some cabs. Pleasant red and black fruit prominence with a good finish. This is a 2014 vintage. — 6 years ago

Septentrio Winery

9.2

Great Rioja Reserva! The Grenache and prominence of new American oak are the highlight. Aromas of toasted almond, soft leather and summer plum. Pomegranate, late summer cherry and spice on the palate with a hint of brown spice. Tannins are soft. Best if you’re looking for a white meat pairing as it seems like about 30-50% garnache. Nice little break from all the Tempranillo tannins — 7 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

Heated cherry plum spice nose complimentary to the palate. A bit of oiliness and an astringent abrupt finish. — 7 years ago

Ken Rogers

9.3

Aged to perfection for our taste--dark berries, cassis, some hickory smoke and cocoa on the nose. Palate initially opened full of supple dark fruit--boysenberry--but as the bottle has continued to open, earthy notes have come to prominence. Beautiful, supple, complex, and paired beautifully with a grass-fed steak, grilled asparagus and baked potato. — 8 years ago

with Michael

Mvon Higgins

8.9

Deep ruby glass with pink translucent rim. Medium nose of cassis, tobacco, blackberry, black cherry, and hint of cedar. Light to medium body brings a pronounced tart acid of red cherry to the palate. This gives way rapidly to medium chalky tannins that lead to a long finish of dark chocolate, cassis, tobacco and black pepper. Seemed a little green at first and needed 45 minutes to open somewhat. Acid and tannins made for good steak companion. Balance shifted to the finish and decent structure suggest wine is fairly valued at $18.98. May improve in bottle after two to three more years. — 9 years ago

Jeremy Bowen

8.9

Pours a deep ruby. Fruit forward bouquet with prominence of cherries and blackberries. Bold and earthy on the palate. Quite a lot going on for a low price. — 9 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.0

Blend of Noiret & Cabernet Franc.

Nose has mashed ripe cherry, but mostly dominated by dusty-chalky red fruits.
Palate has cherry, fresh plum, peppery forest floor with medium tannins.

The wine continues to evolve with air, the longer it's open the more the CF aspects start showing prominence in the blend. Nice effort for a sub $15 bottle. — 6 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.4

This is an SLH Pinot from the winemaker who brought Wrath to prominence. The nose is lovely charred fruit. On the palate dark cherry, cooked strawberry, rhubarb and dark fruit. In the finish moderate-plus acid with some tannins to boot. Well done. — 7 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.2

Purple black in color. Hints of musty basement on the nose upon opening. Blew off to reveal lavender, blackberry and a smokiness. Blackberry, spice and hints of leather. Long, plush finish. — 8 years ago

with Chad

Dewet Bisschoff

9.2

Excellent rhone type Syrah. Swartland in South Africa showing real prominence. — 8 years ago

Blake Engleman

9.1

Cab Franc shows its prominence. — 9 years ago

with Matt and James

Mike Blom

9.0

Cypress bark, cranberry and nutmeg. Buoyant acidity elevates the fine tannins to prominence. Cedar and bright red raspberry with all spice in the long finish.
Needs air and more time. — 9 years ago

Mike Evans

9.7

Stunning. Translucent ruby color, offering technicolor waves of leather, red fruiit, earth, and a bit of brett to keep it interesting, bound by well-integrated acidity and silky tannin. This is one of the best 1989s I've had, though the prominence of the red fruit is more reminiscent of the 1990. — 11 years ago

Austin Tabbone

9.2

Lively and bright with a nice yeasty prominence. Overall a fresher style. A nice moderate style of champagne. — 7 years ago

Ian Staub

8.9

Wanted to drink more Sangiovese, and here I am. Doesn’t scream Sangiovese but there is some nice ripe cherry fruit and savory herbs as expected on the nose. Pretty substantial Brett aromas are present and some slightly astringent VA appears but oddly enough only after 40-60 minutes of decanting. Palate is clean and fruit-driven. Acid and tannins are both relatively soft, and the finish is clean but short. Despite the prominence of its “flaws” this was quite enjoyable with Marcella Hazan’s super simple red sauce. On its own, less compelling. Day 2-3: revising my rating upwards. Aggressive VA has dissipated and the length is somehow extended, acid-driven. The bretty nose is fun and engaging. A big hit! — 7 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This has a level of complexity unusual for a rose. Very clean earthy minerality vies for prominence with cherry, nectarine, and passion fruit. Dry and full, with great purity and refreshing acids. Top notch! — 8 years ago

Jeremy Bowen

8.9

Apricot, lemon, and vanilla. Oak is very mild; wouldn't mind a bit more prominence. — 8 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.3

1990 vintage in magnum. Veuve Cliquot Cave Privee Rose at Mark's Club Veuve Clicquot dinner - Pale peach in colour with good radiance. Constant stream of small bubbles. Lovely concentrated nose of red fruits and freshly cut figs. As the wine gradually opens in the glass, candied strawberries with freshly baked cherry tart rise to prominence. Very elegant across the palate with good weight and a long lingering finish. This is a big, sexy, voluptuous wine. There is nothing subtle here. Think Sophia Lauren in a sable bolero over Deborah Kerr in a lily white dress. This magnum was disgorged in 2011. 93/100. Drink now to 2030.
— 9 years ago

Jonathan Steeves

9.1

The 2013 vintage Sauvignon Blanc from stag's leap cellars weighs in at 14.5% alc. The reference to Aveta on the label references "water goddess often carrying fruit". The Napa valley terroir from which the fruit was sourced is primarily alluvial origin which provides minerality to accompany the citrus Mandarin Orange, hint of lime and plump gooseberry and honeysuckle. Mouthwatering, crisp and refreshing mouthfeel. No doubt about the water goddess of glacial origins having nurtured this wonderful Cali white. Brilliant platinum and crystal clear, the high acidity and medium body complements the prominence of the fruit giving a well balanced, well structured accompaniment to many white fish, vegetarian dishes or lightly roasted or broiled herbed chicken. Enjoy now or hold for upto 5 years. — 10 years ago