Shay A

9.4

My contribution for a massive Grenache theme wine tasting (being as socially distanced as possible). This was alongside Cayuse God Only Knows, a 2011 No Girls Grenache, SQN Female, Saxum Terry Hogue, Lillian Grenache, 06 and 07 Beaucastel, and others.

Broken record, I know, but these wines are insanely delicious and so well crafted. Very much in the “love it or hate it” style, as typical with Cayuse wines. Much more spice and herbal lift here compared to the 2011. Stemmy, black peppercorn dusted rhubarb, olive, and smoked cherry jerky aromatics. Vibrant, almost nervy, on the palate with beautiful acidity. On the palate, it’s a back and forth between saline, iron driven savory notes and underripe fleshy red fruits. Compared to their Syrah, this is always a bit lighter and more bright. Seems to be drinking at peak. — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

One of the oldest wine brands on record. Lots of volatile acidity on the nose and ripe plums, raisins, chocolate, and hints of maple on the nose. Ripe and creamy on the palate. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A Pomerol that drinks well young, what??? Ripe blackberries, nice menthol, dark earth and broken record on acidity and finish. — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.7

The 2014 Mouton is midweight but packs a punch. Great intensity of fruit, particularly blackberries, but also great freshness too. Mint, minerality pop up just before a spicy finish through which the vibrancy is maintained with the wine's attractive acidity. This wine is pure class. (It's also worth mentioning that the label is by David Hockney, whose Pool just set a record for the most expensive painting ever sold by a living artist, at a mere $90.2m at Christie's in NYC!) — 7 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.2

Drinking very nicely for a vintage that has not had great record of compliments. Nice blend that has silky flow of currant. — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.1

Things which are painfully underrated. One of New Zealand’s best bands, The Brunettes with their best record, Mars Loves Venus and a 2013 Collio Cab Franc. So many rocks to turn over in this world for great stuff. — 8 years ago

Christine Goettl Maslan

10

Amazing! So many complex and delicious flavors! — 5 years ago

Peter Collins

9.3

The 2015 vintage set a record for perfect 100 Point wines from Wine Enthusiast, and around half of those were from Saint Émilion. At $40/bottle buy this one!

Not as layered or deep as the best Bordeaux’s, this is earthy and smooth with a satisfying finish that just leaves you wanting a bit more. Again, at $40, I think the “bit more” would likely cost you 3-4 multiples at least. — 5 years ago

Aloke Mukherjee

9.0

For the record ... Excellent! — 6 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

Fathers Day in style. One of my very favorite wines from anywhere. Clos Canarelli Corse Figare Rose. It’s simply exuberant, but has a fresh, thirst quenching character to it as well. It takes a special bottle to pair with this album which I received as a Father’s Day present. The one and only recording from Michael O’Shea who played a self made 17 strong dulcimer of sorts and was encouraged by members of The The and Wire to record this in the early 80’s. Both have a soulful mystery to them which make for a wonderfully introspective time on an introspective day. I love that my family humors these little obsessions and shares them with me. — 6 years ago

Lauren Dickson

8.9

Easy drinking bordeaux, st emilion produces great reds with a lovely minerality and this one will trend towards the less mineral side. Drank on its own with an indie folk record (Houndmouth) — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.3

2014 Amiot Chassagnes-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Caillerets”. Fresh floral aromatics. The palate is a little boiled up, but once open it has a shimmering freshness that creates the danger of guzzling. This record is a fantastic document of a pious artist feeling the spirit. Impossible to engage these without seeing your mood improve. — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

This is a nice, youthful St Emilion that has not had the chance to develop the manure, bretty side. Still quite a bit of raspberry on the nose, black cherry on the entry. Wine is medium bodied. There was a 95 St Emilion that I was not able to record, and compared to that wine, this one was much more complicated and intricate. Tannins still rather present, but don't really mute the finish of the wine all that much. Not too sure that this one is worth the price tag. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

Very old world and very Italian. Authentic. Potent aromatics. Plum and sour cherry, tobacco, worn leather, fennel seed, and decaying flowers. Barbera d'Asti and d'Alba receive a lot of attention for the value provided, and this is certainly no exception. Not to mention Monferrato is Barbera's origin, or at least its earliest record. — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Mid crimson in colour. Notes of plum , raspberry and stalky notes. Ripe and fulsome on the palate Sweet Plums and Rhubarb flavours with earthy notes. Medium palate weight with medium plus intensity. From Australia’s most southerly vineyard in the Huon Valley of Tasmania. Has become somewhat of a cult boutique wine with a prolific record of medals and Trophies on the Australian Show Circuit. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.0

The 2015 Matthews ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a really good effort from this highly challenging vintage for white wine that saw both heat spikes and a record early August harvest. Gooseberry and shades of green bell pepper with Japanese pear aromatics take shape in the glass. Showing good verve and a soft texture, the wine unveils nice nutty and damp earth tones that combine with the Gravenstein apple, kumquat and nutmeg infused sourdough bread flavors. Now at the five year mark the 2015 ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc needs to be consumed over the next several years. Kudos to the talented Aryn Morell. Drink 2020-2023- 90 — 6 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.1

2017 La Staffa Verdicchio with pesto pasta & veggies. Pretty much perfection in dinner right there. This was a little shy on the nose, but is opening up beautifully. This is a nuanced, beautiful wine that I’m fighting a battle not to to drink too quickly as I want to savor & enjoy it. The record finds Damien Jurado delivering some of his finest work. He tells great stories in his songs, but the arrangements are irresistible that accompany his brilliant words. Hope everyone’s Saturday is ending as nicely as ours. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Aromas of white pepper and spice leap out of the glass. Also transferred on to the medium weight palate. Soft mild tannins- not for cellaring but very good now. This wine has an amazing Show Record at the Royal Queensland Wine Show in 2014 winning the Stodart Trophy for Best One Year old Red; the Trophy for Best Shiraz and then the big one the Best Wine of Show! Made all the more amazing with a price of only $27.95! From a small maker so unlikely to find outside of Australia. — 7 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

2010 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir & Harold Alexander’s Soul Jazz masterpiece Sunshine Man. New Zealand Pinot continues to be a revelation, and this one is terrific. This record is layered and detailed, yet remains exuberant and easy to love. The wine fits the exact same description. — 8 years ago

Michael Sobota

9.1

Pretty solid for the low price tag — 8 years ago