Victor Hsu

9.1

This IS Santa Barbara County Pinot! First taste was a big burst of fruit. Not too sweet, not simple and unsophisticated, not a jammy Zin bomb, mind you. Instead, more like a zing of bright, pure, winey fruit. Remarkable and memorable. We had the 2022 vintage in a magnum bottle so perhaps that helped preserve its freshness and purity. We enjoyed this Big Mama at the Palm Restaurant in downtown LA, celebrating my daughter Rachel’s graduation from UCLA Law School. Congratulations, Rachel! — 13 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

When Jamet with age is on it’s really on. ‘98 is showing beautifully tonight, fully open and giving wafting seductive and perfumed aromatics of ripe blackberry fruit, smoked meats, camphor and exotic spices with an elegant, satiny palate with melting tannins and a stunningly long finale. Beautiful wine, and for my tastes at its peak. — 14 days ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

Smoooth! Beautifully balanced. Not green at all. — 2 days ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Initially this was incredibly closed, but after 2 hours in the decanter it’s starting to open, tannic, very structured, very 1986 in its leanness, but incredible depth and length, not perfect, but still outstanding!! — a month ago

with Jim

Daniel Akers

9.2

Less complex than the 904, but just as enjoyable, and way more approachable — 3 months ago

with Peter

Jenks

9.5

Decanted this four hours and drank over the next two and it just kept delivering. Easily the best Rioja I’ve had and showed considerably better than the ‘17 CVNE a couple nights before. Looking forward to tasting this vintage again in a few years. — 18 days ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Lived up to their reputation. Tannins were prominent but fine and integrated and not overbearing due to the fruit intensity. Balanced and long once it breathed for 1+ hr — 4 days ago

John Malcolm

9.6

I felt guilty drinking such a young wine, but it was exceptional. Beautifully balanced and fresh right out of the bottle (no time to decant since we were in a restaurant). Tasted a lot of raspberries and blackberries. — 15 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Drinking well can’t see this getting better with a long life ahead showing red fruit, graphite, spice, earth, mint & tobacco — 24 days ago

Justin Sun

9.2

Nose was divine. Tannins seem to indicate past its prime — a month ago

Mike Evans

9.1

A little muted even after having been double decanted 4 hours earlier, it really needs more cellar time to unfurl. — 17 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 16 days ago

Craig Jenest

9.3

May 25, 2024 - Amy, Vicki, Renee
With Nancy’s spinach pizza — 5 hours ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Youthful and filled with promise of a great wine for decades to come. Benefits from generous decant to bring the lavender and dark berry together. — a day ago

with Logan

Steven Heydemann

9.1

The 99 is a favorite vintage for the sweetness of the fruit and the intense Mediterranean notes but this bottle was a little short on the finish. — 23 days ago

Norman Gennaro

9.4

This one was up there for me. — 18 days ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice for a steak dinner at a restaurant for a reasonable price. Pop and pour Zinfandel blend. Deep color, fruit and spice aroma. Palate is heavily red Zinfandel with dark berries, plum, and spice - pepper with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla. Balanced tannins and acidity. Short but pleasant finish. — 3 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Wifes birth year wine was so impressive. Smoke and leather, very polished. Reminded me of a great Pinot. Great experience — a month ago

Veronica S

9.6

After 20 years, it still took extensive decanting to soften the initially gripping tannins. Once it did, beautiful dark fruits came through. Black currants, stewed prunes, delicious and full on the palate. Outstanding. Paired well with Brie and beef chow fun!!  — 12 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Garnet. Forest berries, orange peel, oak, and earth. In a great place. — 3 hours ago