Andrew Peek

9.7

This took a little bit of coaxing to come out. It was very reluctant.
Originally in the decanter for 4 hours. Then Decanted twice more and put through the aerator twice.
Raisins, Pastry, biscuit, brioche, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, coconut, chocolate, coffee, fig, prune, cooked blackberry, dried raspberry, cooked black plum, tar, forest floor, earthy, tobacco, game, vegetal, wet leaves, savoury, meaty.
Dry, medium plus acid, medium tannin, high alcohol, medium plus intensity, medium body, medium plus finish.
Outstanding quality
Drink now, potential for ageing, under 10 years. — 6 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.7

Sami-Odi Baby Tui 2012. Here it is folks. The one that sold me on Mr. Fraser McKinley. The bottle that confirmed the greatness. Every time I open Baby Tui, I say the same thing: “Best showing to date.” And its true! It just keeps getting better. Makes me reluctant to open another one because I’m running out! Years to go. But it’s so great RIGHT NOW! 4 hour decant. 14.9% alcohol. Room-filing aromatics. Cherries, raspberries, black pepper, grilled/charred meats and lavender. Same notes on the palate with powdery tannins. Wonderful texture. Dark and brooding yet rather lithe. Bold and well-structured. Classy and elegant. Long finish. Keep ‘em coming @Fraser McKinley — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.1

A dense and chewy Clos De Vougeot. Black cherry, underbrush, damp soil and truffle. The fruit came through with some coaxing but it is very reluctant. It’s either a hold or a never will be. — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

This is undoubtedly next level but still in its larval stage. The youngest Togni I’ve opened and I consumed it solo over 2 days of the weekend. Much more expressive on day 2. Black cherry, cacao and saddle leather are there but it is reluctant right now. I’m not a score guy but I believe AG or RP gave this 100 points. Hold for a minimum of 10 years if you have the patience and space. Don’t get me wrong it is very good, it just hasn’t developed yet in to what makes his wines so damn special. — 8 years ago

Aaron Means

9.0

Deep, dark, tannic. Reluctant to open up but got drank anyways. There is nice stuffing in there but will need several years to come out. — 8 years ago

Tom Riley

9.5

2010. Opens brawny, even after a good decant. But soon thereafter there appears a wine that is cool, sleek, elegant all the while being powerful, concentrated, and balanced. Seven years in it clings to its primary self, reluctant to age. Tannins are soft and I imagine will only get softer. Long, long finish. This is a special wine. — 9 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.2

Really cool beer. Super smoky, malty, yeasty, vanilla, malt balls, almost peaty on the palate with a finish of smoked oysters(strange, I know). I was reluctant to spend $16 on a 4-pack, but have to say, it’s worth it. Could honestly have used more descriptors, so complex.. Doug, you’d love this. — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.1

The Judge has few domestic Chard equals but this was reluctant and wee bit fat in SA. Give it a minute. — 7 years ago

Dion Ysus

8.9

Was reluctant to buy this because it’s a mega-production wine. The WE 91 point review caught my attention and changed my mind. Saw it on sale for $11 and thought it was worth a try. Glad I did. This follows the typical CA Chardonnay profile of buttery with oak and vanilla, but it has a juicy quality with some nice acid to balance things out. Very creamy with pineapple and green apple notes. This would be a great crowd pleaser party wine. Would buy again — 7 years ago

Justin Hurst

9.5

Young and reluctant, but beautiful. — 8 years ago

David Shaw

8.9

My last bottle of the 2012. Dense purple red. Plum, red fruit and a little earth/funk in the nose. Raspberry, boysenberry, plum and cola in mouth, tart, mild skin astringency on finish with lemon, plum and cola in aftertaste. A nice Central Coast Pinot with character, produced by Reluctant Wine Co. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.5

The 13 was absolutely spectacular so the 15 had big shoes to fill...I was reluctant to opening thinking it needs more bottle time. Not the case, wet rock honeysuckle and white peach 🍑 fill the nose. Lemon, quince and pineapple coat the palate. Finish is rich and layered with a sense of tannins. Serve at room temp is a must. — 8 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

The Burgundy magic is reluctant but emerging. — 9 years ago

Allison Bryan

9.1

First reluctant adventure into icewine, but I’m feeling it. Sweetness not overpowering, balanced fruit. — 7 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.5

Tasted blind out of a decanter, this was not budging initially and felt lean, maybe stilted, and angular next to a plush 2015 Voge St. Jo. After an hour or two, the wine started to expand, and impress. Of course, after revealing, we were all present to the majesty of Thierry’s touch. This was not as brooding and dense as I remember it, rather, it felt like the wine was reluctant to strut its stuff until we required it to. Forget about the 2010’s for awhile. — 7 years ago

Rebecca Connolly

10

Yum, yum, yum. Pink perfection. I have only drank heavy reds and was reluctant to try rose. However, with 8 days over 90 degrees, I relented. Glad I did. — 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Testing on a gazillion other grapes but fuck. Why the not cru Beaujolais. This is like someone who is not sure if they are blackberry or cherry but is berry undecided and goes to the dance with you. You are reluctant (still undeclared) acid. Y’all have a beautiful night.It’s a beautiful night time wine full of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, vanilla beans and conundrums. — 8 years ago

speedy duncan

9.2

A little tight and reluctant nose but oh so fresh. The match with reverses seared ongelet de veau was heavenly. Finally the veal that made France famous. A true master chef at work here. — 8 years ago

Matt Trader

9.5

Did a little Coravin training for my team with one of their reps, Taylor. I have to say, Melka is almost always kickin', but 2013 was a bit monstrous for me. The 15.5% ABV wasn't well hidden, and the wine isn't going to be ready to drink for another 5-10 years once it has calmed down.
This made me sad. Also, made me reluctant to try the equally high alcohol, 2014, also with a 94 Advocate critique. Boy was I wrong..

MELKA'S BACK, BABY! This was so elegant, like, stupid smooth and you wouldn't believe a minute that the alcohol was that high. The oak was perfect, the fruit, the tannin, all on point. This has to be the best CJ yet. Dark plum, blackberry cobbler, smoke, leather, tobacco, mocha, dark chocolate, pepper, and just a smoooooth finish. This is one that everyone needs to buy up while it is available. It will cellar very well, but it is already a WOW wine. This is the kind of wine that got me hooked on this wine maker, great job Philippe! — 8 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.1

Tightly coiled and reluctant still, this benefited from air and patience. It probably needs a few more years to come around. — 9 years ago

with Marta, Federico and 4 others