George Doolan

9.3

Super floral, classic Walla Walla Viognier/Syrah coferment. More elegant side of the Rocks but still big. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.

On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.

The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.

Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Medium to dark mix of garnet and ruby red. Layered nose with spices, cedar, dark fruits and black tea. Quite dark too. Medium tannins and medium plus to almost full bodied. Super extracted with lots of oaky influence. Layered with notes of cigar boxes, dark cocoa, plums, cherries, a touch of prunes and crushed rocks undertone. Long finish with quite a bit of power. Drink till 2020.

Grabbed for under $50.00 in PA. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Bret Barker

9.5

Hand me down flip-flops, hand me down socks. Hand me down drug dealers hand me down rocks.. love Ludacris and I love the dirty socks of Bordeaux. 96 pichon is in a great spot. Silky, fruit, great balance, long finish.. no complaints. Get involved! — 7 years ago

with Adam

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose, ripe dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherry cola/licorice, pepper, medium spices, leather, underbrush, stones, crush rocks, very fragrant red roses and red dark florals. On the palate; the body is lean, medium soft tannins, black raspberries, black berries, dark cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, black cherry cola, peppery, medium spice, tobacco leaf with ash, lean leather, light grilled meats, underbrush, gritty dark minerals, red roses and dark fresh florals, light presence of violets & good acidity. Nicely balanced finish and easy to drink young. Photos of their vineyard and large oak fermenters. Hard to believe you can farm anything in that terrain let alone vines, huh? 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre & 4% Cinsault. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2009, when Caymus still made wine in their traditional style. Starting with their 12 vintage, they started to let their fruit hang on the vine much longer...just before the grapes begin a shriveled phase. This raises the sugar levels(Brixs) and produces a much sweeter grape/wine. Too sweet for me. This 09 is beginning to see nice evolution but has many years ahead of it before it hits it's peak. The tannins are still very present but beginning to lose their teeth. It's classic in their old style. Dark cassis; of dry and juicy blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, olallieberries, Asian spices, touch of herbs, lots of baking spices; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, caramel, vanilla, black tea, black licorice, dry dark florals, dry crushed volcanic rocks, dark turned soil, stems, leathery, tobacco, nice acidity, strong structure & length, good balance & length. The finish is dry & juicy fruit with loads of spice and baking spices, it sticks on your palate, is round, full bodied and lasts over a minute. Two hours in the decanter and it's still improving. — 7 years ago

Matthew Burnham

8.9

Full of fruit and very smooth — 8 years ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.2

Very complex. Lime skin, almonds, and wet rocks. Long finish, with nice acidity. — 8 years ago

Ian Blessing

9.5

Spectacular as always. Started off with typical Cayuse funk that integrated pretty quickly into a kaleidoscope of rich, sweet fruit while never being cloying. Framboise, fresh raspberry, blueberry, tons of violet, and a finish that's carried by crushed black rocks. Cayuse amazes me with its intense flavors that somehow never seem overextracted or heavy. It's the domestic version of an iron fist in a velvet glove. — 8 years ago

Louis Schofield

Sommelier/Wine Merchant East End Cellars

9.6

Very youthful, high tannins, ripe but pretty red fruits. 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah amazing taste of minerals/rocks — 9 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This stunning Grenache was sourced from Monette's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks region. Prior to bottling the wine was left on the lees for 18 months in neutral French oak barriques. This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, white flowers, Mandarin orange rind and potpourri. This leads to flavors of red cherry, strawberry, orange zest and strawberry jam. This is pretty, downright sexy wine and absolutely irresistible at this juncture. While less acid-driven than the ’14 bottling, this outstanding wine is just as good and even more impossible to put down as the gorgeous aromatic and flavor range shines through. Only 103 cases made of this absolutely stunning Grenache, which is one of the best of its kind in Washington state. Drink 2019-2029- 95 — 5 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

Very mineral nose with gun powder, crushed rocks, white flowers in the end too. The palate is extra dry with a lemony layer and another mineral one with a very wide mid palate that pushes back to the a long finish with a pinch of salt. Superb, extra dry, food wine. I would recommend to pair it with slices of squid and garlic lemon and parsley made on the frying pane — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is the 08 Insignia out of magnum. This drinking beautifully.

On the nose, ripe, ruby, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices with fresh red and very dark flowers.

On the palate, the body is near full. The tannins are beautifully rounded. It guides across the palate. So fresh and beautiful! blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices, river stone, crushed rocks, cedar, with fresh red and very dark flowers. Beautiful round acidity and an elegantly polished finish. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Always love these Petite Sirahs from Mike Dunn, and this 2012 seems to be especially special. Dark purplish red. Overall lots of dark characteristics on the nose with tight bramble berries, black currants, spices, dried violets, a little cinnamon and even coriander. Even got a little gamey and savory with an hour or two in the glass. Heavy tannins (7/10) but smooth and full bodied. Kept beefing up as it sat open, currants on the attack, iron, smokey and a bit meaty. Larger in the mid-palate with some dark crushed rocks. Dark fruits coming through at the end after day one. Insanely dry and long with a nice little spice kick in the finish. Will drink well for the next decade or so. Drink till 2027. — 7 years ago

with India

Matt Trader

9.2

What a great wine for $30. It's concentrated, but velvety soft on the edges. Oiled leather, crushed rocks, dried flower petals, clove, and black currant are all ingredients to the inviting, yet soft perfume. The wine has a concentrated dark purple hue, and firm, yet forgiving tannins - a medley of red and blue fruits, Earl Grey Tea, vanilla, and green coffee bean to the finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this wine and wouldn't mind having a stash of this.. yum! 75% Merlot 25% Cabernet Franc. — 7 years ago

Chris England

8.9

Bargain quality Chablis @ £12 & it's hard to beat on price - 88-90 every vintage & my go to @ this price 👍 a true ☀️ glugger 😎

🍷 Light golden yellow w/ lime hue

👃 Fresh wet rock mineral mist, citrus, green tart & sweet apples, melon & white flowers with a touch of fuel, grapefruit & pear

👄 Crisp refreshing med bodied full fruit palate of slight creamy sour green apples, citrus & touch grapefruit w/ medium tart acidity

🎯 Long dry finish of citrus & sour green apples smashed over wet mineral rocks — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Dark tary cassis, blueberries, stewed plums, black raspberries, dry floral bouquet, herbs, milk & dark chocolate, coffee grounds and underbrush on the nose. The fruits melt in your mouth upon entry. The fruits are full and round. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, dry plum and ripe slightly juicy raspberries. There is a strong sense of dark barrel toast as I taste a fair amount of sawdust & baking spices. This couldn't have been in bottle very long. Mocha power & milk chocolate follow. Then, herbs dominated by sage, dry coffee grounds, dry dusty brown soil with crushed volcanic rocks, graphite, leather, dry florals. Tannins are still chewy. It's such a baby. This wine has all makings of a cult Cabernet. It's has great structure, length balance and nice acidly. However, It shouldn't be opened for 10+ years. Its so young, It's hard to score this wine higher than 95 but certainly has the all makings of a 95+. Sodhani's winemaker is Thomas River Brown has made 8x 100 point wines in his career. He's made wine for; Outpost, Turley, Schrader, Maybach, Aston Estate, Vieux-Os & Double Diamond. It's certainly worth keeping an on this very young estate. 2013 was their first vintage. Notes from a Coravin tasting.
— 8 years ago

Matt Trader

9.1

One of Delon family's finest, this is one of 3 main labels they own, next to Chateau Nenin in Pomerol, and the famed Leoville Las Cases in St. Julien. It is a beautiful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, delicate, but bright and youthful, and beautifully colored. There is an abundance of black fruits and earth on the nose, and a bit of barnyard in the form of what reminds me of the rind of cheese, or mushrooms, followed by dry crushed rocks. The pallet is balanced and elegant, exhibiting intensity in blackberries,red apple skin, dark cherries, dried herbs, and a gorgeous finish. This was a wonderful wine to be enjoyed, and one that will attest time. I can't wait to have a 2010 in another 5-10 years.

Cheers!

$29.99 — 8 years ago

Alex Powell

9.1

From taste: classically styled, rock, bell pepper and lead in front, backed by tobacco and pine lumber. Fruit is way at the back of this bus, which is pleasing. Concentrated palate, full mouth, tobacco tinged cassis and mint in front with a long finish wracked with rocks, lead and assertive tannin. Shows typicity, power and polish well, well-priced at $64. Can be tucked up to 20 years for sure. — 9 years ago

Mark Kulpins

9.3

Wow. Basket of apples and pears along with a brioche bun and a mouthful of rocks all in a really really good way with a nice pucker on the finish to boot. — 9 years ago

Perry Riddle

9.0

A basket of salty herbs and rocks. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is the second wine of Cos d’ Estournel, Les Pagodes De Cos. I find it’s a good idea not only to buy first wines of Bordeaux in good vintages but, also buy the hell out of 2nd wines of good producers as it’s a close relative of their first wine for a lot less money 💰. 2005 was a marquee vintage in Bordeaux.

On the nose, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, limestone minerals, graphite, crushed, dry rocks, stones, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers.

The body is not quite full. The tannins are round, soft and well resolved, 65%. The structure, tension, length and balance are peaking. Ripe & slight ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, dark spice, dry stems, mint, limestone minerals, slightly moist clay, graphite, charcoal ash, crushed, dry rocks, stones, tobacco with ash, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers. The acidity is quite nice. The long finish is; ripe & ruby, elegant, well polished & balanced and lasts minutes.

It’s just short of its peak and will drink well for another 8–10 years.

Photos of; the majesty of Chateau Cos d’ Estournel, library cellar, see through floor barrel room and the back terrace and grounds of the Chateau.
— 6 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.2

Dried apricots, lemon zest, grapefruit pith, gardenias, wet rocks, marjoram. Vibrant acidity, light-medium bodied, juicy-rich texture, lengthy floral-citrus pulp-slightly briny finish. Mineral forward, delicate aromatics revealed more on palate, lends itself to an array of dishes. — 6 years ago

Victor Hwang

9.0

2005 magnum!! Lots of hot rocks and minerals but a bit thin on the fruit and clipped on the finish. Still yummy but not outstanding. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Alban Vineyards as they state in their label "The first American winery & vineyard established exclusively for Rhone varieties." This Syrah has settled in nicely after 10 years in bottle. I would say it's peaking. On the nose; scorched earth, sweet & slowly baked; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries and dark cherries. Mint, eucalyptus, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed rocks, loamy top soil and lilacs, violets and lavender. The palate is rich and nicely resolved. The body medium-medium plus. The fruits are ripe, creamy and juicy; blackberries, blueberries, black raspberries, plum, huckleberries, dark cherries and strawberries haunt the long fruit set. Mint, eucalyptus, sage, smoked meat, milk chocolate, black olive, notes of liqueur, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, scorched earth, a little bacon fat, underbrush, a whiff of black pepper, lilacs, violets and lavender, great rich, round, fresh acidity with a very good, long, balanced, well structured, finish with length and staying power. I prefer this over the Cayuse I had a couple of weeks ago. Much better balance of fruit, earth, etc.. photos of their Edna Valley vineyard, fruit that needs netting to protect it from the birds, John Alban and the Alban barrel room. Producer notes and history...In 1985, John Alban planted grapes for other people until he bought an estate in 1989. He focused on wines made from Rhône Valley varietals. Alban is one of the pioneers of the Rhone Rangers movement. They are considered to one of the more influential American Rhone producers. In beginning to grow Viognier, Alban said, "I almost single-handedly doubled the world's acreage," referring to a time when its cultivation was reduced to 50 acres or 20 ha in two areas of the Rhône Valley, Condrieu and Château-Grillet. Alban's work, along with that of Josh Jensen of Calera Wine Company (just sold to Duckhorn, ugh!) in San Benito County, helped to significantly expand plantings of Viognier in California at a time when the variety was near extinction. Alban has 250-acre or 100 ha under vine. Their vineyard area extends 60 acres or 24 ha, planted with Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne. The Alban wines produced are; Lorraine Vineyard, Reva Vineyard Syrah, Seymour's Vineyard Syrah, Patrina Alban Estate Syrah and Pandora, a blend of Grenache and Syrah. They also used to produce a dessert wine from 5% botrytis grapes and aged in 50% new oak, called Rotten Luck. You can still find past vintages on Wine-Searcher. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Fruits are very ripe due the heat of 2003. Fruits are creamy; blackberries, dark cherry, black raspberries, stewed strawberries. Tobacco leaf, steeped tea, round rich moist black earth, dry pebbles, crushed rocks, dry roses, soft leather, underbrush, high acid, tannin fairly well resolved, finish is a juicy ripe fruit blend. Drink now and for the next 10-15 years. — 7 years ago

Jose Zaragoza

9.7

Barrel taste. The nose is insane, nice light funk with violets. Mouthfeel was velvety and the finish went on for a couple of mins. — 8 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.1

Always terrific. Always Gamay and always shows the terroir of St. Joseph so well, where these vines are grown. Huge granitic nose, spice, mineral and and overall impression of rocks. Palate is so juicy on this darker interpretation of Gamay. Big, ripe, fiercely tannic, yet fresh deep and balanced. Terrific tannic bite full of granite and fruit. Great wine. — 8 years ago

Justin Lock

9.3

My first gamay from the USA, pretty good stuff! Lots of crushed rocks, flowers and liquorice. — 8 years ago

Daniel Porter

9.6

I love this Syrah from the Rocks of Walla Walla. Great depth of dark fruit with a very special mineral finish and undertones of vanilla bean. — 9 years ago