Edward Nelson

9.2

Great vineyard for this wine. Better than others I have had. Soft, round, and fruity. Random Tuesday watching Brewers put Cuba back into second place. — a month ago

Edward Nelson

9.4

Turkey Day wine while at Mike’s cabin. The Boy shot a button buck this morning. Best Turkey Day ever. — 3 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

Tasting of 10 of the 2007-2011 Dehlinger Pinots. Eva Delingher was kind enough to join our tasting and answer all of our random questions. So this one seemed to have some VA which was so disappointing - my rank 10th of 10. Group also ranked it last place. — 5 years ago

Simon Weston

9.0

Translucent cherry red color. Earthy black cherry nose. Black cherry, dried fruit & pepper taste with a shot of minerals & acid. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.6

Mini wine nerd herd in NYC! Our lovely ladies in shot.
WS event brings em to town. A wonderful gift from @Shawn R. Understated, yet extravagant. Weightless, with roasted nuts and baked apples on the nose and palate - to die for! Thank you, Shawn!!! — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie, David and 1 other

Lucy Tang

8.9

Delightful almost like juice — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Much darker fruits than the Proprietary and not as floral. Dark, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, bake rhubarb, cherries, cranberries & pomegranate. Vanilla, light cinnamon & clove, caramel, dark chocolate, medium spice, anise, light graphite, tobacco leaf, herbaceous notes, a little mint, dark red and bright light red florals.

The body is beautiful, round and just full. It’s beautiful. The length, structure and balance are knitting together nicely. The florals sing and shine on the palate. Dark, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, baked rhubarb, cherries, cranberries & pomegranate. Vanilla, light cinnamon & clove, caramel, dark chocolate, medium spice, anise, light graphite, tobacco leaf, herbaceous notes, a little mint, dark red, and bright light red florals. Their 2016 vintage all possess amazing acidity. The finish on Cabernet is better earlier than the Proprietary. It’s seamless, elegant, ripe, floral, balanced fruit & earth and persistent.

One producer note, Owners - Ed and Deb Fitts are in the process of transferring ownership of the winery to Jim Bean and Christine O'Sullivan. Jim and Christine have been grape growers in the Napa Valley for many years. They also both held senior leadership positions at Apple as well. At this point and time, it is believed that Winemaker Philippe Melka will continue to make their wines.

Photos of; the winery and tasting room shot on a sunnier day than this visit, their immaculately clean barrel room, stainless steel tank room...transferring wine from tank to barrel for fermentation or from barrel to tank to be blended and their Estate vines on a beautiful Napa sunny day. — 7 years ago

A L

9.0

Standard Edition
Start - Strong / Bitter
Finish - Very smooth
Overall = Very good (Even as a shot) — 4 months ago

Tom Barras

9.0

In addition to its unique bottle shape and colorful, eye catching label, the 2023 Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, is
also known for being produced at Europe’s highest vineyard: the Valle d’Aosta region in the upper northwest of Italy, on the borders of France and Switzerland, just a chip shot from the Summit of world-famous Mont Blanc.

The clear, light straw appearance is followed by persistent lemon/lime/floral aromatics and flavors. It is sourced from pre phylloxera rootstock of the indigenous Prié Blanc grape.

It is well balanced and structured with ample fruit and acidity; Light bodied, but somewhat fleshy, with a lingering touch of skin contact (oak?) at the long mouth coating finish. A most unique wine from a singular site. Worth a try if you can find it. — 10 months ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 5 years ago

Sharon B

9.3

Thanks to the random guy at the store who recommended this one. It’s delicious! Very smooth from the beginning with notes of dark fruit. Will definitely buy again. Another great wine from Paso Robles! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our main course wine with Kentucky Bourbon chicken skewers, Rosemary potatoes in smoked olive oil with snap peas & green beans straight out of garden.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, slightly stewed plums, creamy, black raspberries, strawberries on the high nose and glass edges. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dry stones, crushed, dry rocks, medium, dark spice, savory, grilled meats, underbrush, limestone & sandstone minerals, steeped tea with beautiful florals of dark red, blue and violets.

The body is round, lush and medium full. The tannins are rounded & well resolved with baby teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are somewhere around the top of the bell curve with another five years of life ahead. It’s gorgeous as it slides over the palate. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, slightly stewed plums, creamy, black raspberries, raspberries & strawberries. Mid red cola, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dry stones, crushed, dry rocks, medium, dark spice with just a touch of heat, savory, smoked, grilled meats, dry tobacco, well worn, softened leather, underbrush, limestone & sandstone minerals, steeped tea with beautiful florals fields of dark, red, blue, violets and soft lavender. The acidity is like a warm, river palate dip. The ripe, juicy, elegant, well balanced finish is delicious and persists a few minutes with excellent florals on the long set.

Photos of; Aerial shot of Domaine De La Janasse, the Galet stones that are a signature of Rhône, Founder of Domaine De La Janasse - Aimé Sabon and their staff at harvest time. — 7 years ago

Sam Agami

10

Wow, old school perfection! California wine from a forgotten age. Pure Italian-American greatness. Reminds me of the wine my childhood landlord would make from the vines that grew behind our house just upstate from NYC. Dark fruits abundant, soft acidity and tanins, nice touch of oak, without obscuring the graps as so many California wineries are obsessed with doing for some reason these days. Found this at a random liquor store on a road trip, will seek it out now. Even better than the Cribari Chianti or Coppola Rosso, which were my previous favorite in this genre, the wonderfully underappreciated "backyard" wine... — 8 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

Well I kind of trashed this wine with a 9.1 - 9.2 upon opening. As mentioned corks are shot drink up. But as this stayed under my Argon line for a good week it came around. Cannot beat the Buntsandstein. But still really a hell of a wine and a showcase for German Pinot. Cherry 🍒 nose, crushed stone. Touch cedar. Herbs. This is like Burghs used to be decades ago / the wine maker took a hell of a risk. — 4 months ago

Steve Somermeyer

9.3

Lots of great complexity on nose and huge dark cherry on palate & finish. Really enjoyable wine! — 2 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2022 fall. Digoine has become very hard to find here, so when I had the chance to try it for the first time In years (even at near-double what it once was) I figured I would give it a shot. Darker, deeper, more brooding and primary than de Villaine tends to be - good but too young for a wine this style and my palate. It’ll be interesting to see how other 2020 de Villaines are...it would make me a little sad if the style changed to accompany the higher prices... — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Tasting of 10 of the 2007-2011 Dehlinger Pinots. Eva Delingher was kind enough to join our tasting and answer all of our random questions. I found this one to be a bit restrained and the group agreed. My #7 of 10. — 5 years ago

Rob

9.1

Good bottle under $20 — 7 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂

What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals, black & bing sour cherries, blackberries, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, whiffs of other baking spices, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals.

The body is round & full. The tannins just starting to hit a good point of softening and rounding, yet have 10 plus years ahead. The structure, tension are hitting their stride. The length and balance are just getting to near perfect form. Two years ago, this wine was not ready and is now at the place I was hoping to get. I have two bottles left and I will have another in five years. Based on that performance, another in three to five plus years more. It’s the evolution that is so much fun to follow.

Black & bing sour cherries, blackberries show more on the palate and the pork pasta bring them out more deeply, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract, cranberries and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, nuances of volcanic minerals, soft baking spices, dark medium intensity of spice, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals. The acidy is like a fresh water river. The long finish is unbelievably elegant, well balanced with a touch more fruit than earth, polished and persists seamlessly for several minutes.

I look forward to trying this wine again as it continues to evolve and improve over the next five to ten years...should be stunning! Well made Brunello’s simply take more than ten years in bottle to even begin to amaze.

Photos of, a wide hilltop shot of Casanuova, field hand harvesting their Sangiovese, large oak fermentation cask so there is less noticeable oak influence on the wine and their sloping vines on a sunny beautiful day.

@Oenotri Napa — 7 years ago