Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 Zinfandel pours a ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: black berries, black cherries, raspberries, fig, green herbs, a touch of rubber pool toy, black pepper, dry earth and some gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From my experience, this is the most youthful expression of Rafanelli Zinfandel I can recall. Good, but to my palate this will probably be better after 2028. — 9 months ago

Sharon B

9.6

One of my favorite wines! Dark purple in color, full bodied, silky smooth with lots of dark fruit on the palate. Never disappoints! — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.0

45+ decant but needed closer to 2 hours. Dark purple in color. Nose was all over the place - US, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy. Wine had minimal fruit, plenty of wood, and lots of Portuguese elements. Would have guessed California or Portugal if having blind. Depth was medium as well as the finish. Ample tannins. Expected more from the label and vintage. — 5 years ago

with Brooke

Hailey Bouchard

9.3

Beautiful purple color — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

10

To me Shafer is among the worlds best wineries. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. Vivid deep purple color, and outstanding aromas of red/black fruits, cherries and blackberries, with hints of cedar, floral oak & spice. Tasting this wine was absolutely magnificent, concentrated dark berry fruit flavors, spices, leather and oak, exploding on my palate. Soft velvety subtle tannins provide a nice deep lingering finish. Truly an outstanding Cab, one of the best. If you can find yourself a bottle, do not hesitate. Should last at least 10 more yrs. — 7 years ago

Andrew Savaloja

9.0

I sure like this one. Dark purple, big jammy dark fruit, cocoa and coffee flavors. A real treat — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark purple plum skin color from center to the rim’s edge where some scarlet also appears. Opaque. Great fruit forward nose that grabs your attention. Notes of blackberries, ripe plums, violets, tobacco, forest floor and some crushed walnuts. Rich and silky in the mouth. Great balance and texture. Tannins perfectly integrated. Long finish. If a Cal Cab can be seductive, this is it. Still youthful but in a great zone tonight. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mostly Petite Sirah with small amounts of Syrah, Grenache and other mixed Rhône varieties, aged 14 months in American oak, 19% new, very dark Ruby-purple with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to full spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory grippy tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. A powerhouse! Decant first! — 10 months ago

Leo Gentile

9.5

Inky purple without the slightest hint of oxidation. Subdued nose despite the rich ripe fruitiness on the palate. No cooked fruit just gobs of blackberry and black raspberry. One of my favorite sins from Ridge and the 2914 is drinking near its peak. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of fresh berry fruits, cigar box spice and earthy mineral notes. On the palate rich ripe fruit, blackberry & black cherry with hints of dried spices. Good balance with slightly firm tannins, opened quickly, and lively acidity. Long finish, complex ending with oak, herb, mineral and earthy character. Will improve with short term aging, but don’t wait too long as you might be disappointed! Very nice Shiraz! — 5 years ago

Taylor Burnside

9.1

Light-bodied and delicious. Perfect for socializing! — 6 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Purple, concentrated color. Slow-moving, viscous tears with noticeable extraction. Candied black fruit, ripe raspberry and plum, cedar and oak on the nose, delicate anise notes. Silky, smooth tannins on the palate. Kicking off the Birthday weekend with some early Birthday Cakebread — cheers to you, @Deked1 ! — 6 years ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Winery is owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others and located in the Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark almost purple with floral fruit aromas & gentle spice. On the palate blueberry & sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great velvet mouthfeel. 24 months aging on French & American oak, the 70% Monastrell and 30% Cab Sauvignon has fine tannins with earthy mineral tones on a lingering finish. A Fav! The ‘15 is drinking great now! — 7 years ago

Jess

9.5

Deep purple color.
Aromas of blackberry jam on buttered toast, cassis, vanilla.
Dry. Flavors of cassis, vanilla, buttered toast, licorice, raspberry jam. Delicious!

Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5 — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I suppose since this is Castello di Ama I shouldn’t be surprised it’s very good. Gobs of ripe fruit and freshness on the nose, with a nice crushed rock background. In the mouth, it’s dry, fresh as heck, and has good concentration and balance. Totally dry. Phenomenal with Chinese takeout on a warm evening. — 3 years ago

CookDrinkFeast

9.0

#Tannat

Inky purple. Notes of eucalyptus on the nose at first but it blows off with time in the glass. The palate is juicy with blackberries, plums and spices. It is very dry. The tannins are smooth. Hold this wine in your mouth for a while to get the full effect. This wine is delicious. — 5 years ago

John Singer

9.2

Clear, deep purple color. Clean, pronounced nose of red fruit, rhubarb, and tobacco. Dry with medium acidity. High tannin and full body. Tobacco, blackberry, and hint of tobacco. Long finish. Very good quality. — 6 years ago

with Diane

Keith Lite

9.5

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 6 years ago

with Bruce

Lee Richey

9.3

2016 vintage, very reliable fun wine for the budget. Easy drinking yet flavorful. — 7 years ago

Suzanne Hulsey

9.0

Nice light and a bit fruity. Deep cherry undertones with a nice smooth finish! 2015 vintage — 7 years ago

with Amanda and Leisha