John W

8.9

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry and currant. On the palate, cherry, raspberry, anise, balsamic, with a medium- long finish. Medium body. Medium and nicely balanced tannins. — 6 years ago

Harrison Watkins

9.0

First run with Pais. A touch of effervescence and delightful sour cherries. Great chilled. Good value. Delicious. Maybe lacks a bit of structure which would make it truly great. — 6 years ago

Ming L

9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Served Friday night with my Veal Bolognese. This only worked with this dish because it had enough time in bottle to soften and not overpower the dish. If this was served young with this dish, you would have mostly tasted only dark and rugged Nebbiolo tannins.

This was vacuum sealed and re-stored to allow me to write notes today as we had friends for dinner on Friday.

The reveals; blackberries, dark sweet and sour cherries, soft floral blueberries, cherries, black plum and hints of back raspberries, notes of cooked rhubarb on the glass edge, soft, dark tarry notes, leather, anise, whiff of graphite, limestone minerals, dark rich earth, dry brush, some dark spice, cedar, light bay leaf and herbaceous notes with dark fresh & withering florals and violets.

The body is near full but, not quite. The tannins have rounded and softened but, still have teeth and slightly, sticky tarriness. The structure and tension are just approaching a really good phase. Tannins show some velvetiness. The length and balance show beauty and elegance. This wine has 10–15 of good drinking ahead. Ripe; blackberries, dark sweet and sour cherries, soft floral blueberries, cherries, black plum, plum and hints of back raspberries, notes of cooked rhubarb on the glass edge. Dark tarry notes, leather, anise, graphite, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dark rich earth, dry brush, dark chocolate, some bold dark spice with palate heat, clove, nutmeg, very light vanillin notes, cedar, light bay leaf and herbaceous notes with blue flowers, dark fresh & withering florals and violets. Beautiful wine. The acidity is like a gentle rain shower. The finish is elegant, well balanced, floral and persists for minutes.

Photos of; Bartolo Mascarello, Maria Teresa Mascarello who run the business since her father’s passing in 2005, my Veal Bolognese made in the lighter style that is indicative of true Italian cooking and one of their beautiful hillside vineyards. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Celebrating Bastille Day with the spring dinner of the Confrerie St Etienne of Alsace association. Wonderful menu and perfectly paired wines.

Wow. Leave it to the dessert wine to run away with Wine of the Night! Honeyed cashews, honeyed stone fruits, guava, pineapple, caramel and honeycomb. Like a lighter version of Dolce. Insanely good! On the hunt for some of this. Thought of you @Greg Ballington since it’s a South African wine! — 8 years ago

with Dan and Weston

DAL 9000

9.2

Raspberry. aroma. Jammy flavor builds in the middle with a quick fruit burst and then finishes very dry. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

20-year tawny a personal favorite. I’m always amazed how good this is whenever I have a glass. Taylor run today from Oporto by descendants of the Yeatman & Fladgate families, both of which have been partners in the firm since 1830s. Complex aromas rich with dried fruits & nutty spice. On the palate apricot and sweet berry flavors with honey and toasted nut notes, well balanced nice acidity. Lingering finish ending smooth with oaky nutty character. Very Nice. Price keeps going up each year. Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I had this a number of times but, have never written notes. 🎶Tonight’s the Night!🎶

The nose reveals; lemon custard to candy, lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple, green apple, light stone fruits, green melon, lychees, cream, vanillin, light ginger, cream soda, mixed nuts, bread dough to baguette crust, light green herbs, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, sea shell fossils, volcanic minerals, yellow lilies, jasmine with mixed greens.

The body is; full, round, rich and slightly creamy. Lemon custard to candy, lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple, green apple, light stone fruits, green melon, lychees, cream, beeswax, vanillin, light ginger, white spice with some palate heat, cream soda, touch of caramel, toffee notes, nougat, marzipan, mixed nuts, bread dough to baguette crust, light green herbs, beautiful, powdery chalkiness, sea shell fossils, volcanic minerals, yellow lilies, jasmine with mixed greens. The acidity is crisp and sharp. The long finish is; rich, polished, elegant, nicely balanced, delicious and persists endlessly. Very good at its price point.

Photos of; the House of Piper Heidsieck, the train cave ride as Champange caves can run for miles and miles, artful cellar entrance and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 7 years ago

diana mente

10

Smooth with nice body and flavor. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

My son came over for dinner so I opened my last bottle! Beautiful Ruby red with an elegant bouquet of sweet berry fruits, subtle spice with earthy tones, a traditional Rioja. On the palate, the wine was silky smooth with layers of flavors, berry/cherry, tobacco, smoky cedar, dark fruit, vanilla spice, very well balanced with fine tannins and a clean structure ending with a nice lingering finish. Delicious! Still great with room to run. This wine shows potential aging well beyond 2020. I wish I had more! — 8 years ago

Lisa F

9.0

I was looking for a wine to pair with a spicy (but not hot spicy) chili that had just a touch of dark chocolate. This worked wonderfully with its sweetness. The cornbread had a bit too much sugar, but this wine did not bitter at all. Perfect match for the chili and sweet cornbread meal. The wine is full of berry flavors and ends with a black peppery spice. This is a wine I will love adding blueberries to. — 8 years ago

Steve Ambrusko

9.2

Well rounded balanced, long finish with fantastic nose and taste. — 6 years ago

R. David Liebers

9.0

Pleasant aroma, fruity on the tongue with a dry finish. — 6 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

The juice, the energy, the dammit I don’t want it to be so tasty but...Artemis got you. Because she’s a goddess and says so. I mean, there are other deities. Ones more powerful or whatevs but I’ll run through the woods with this for a night — 6 years ago

Jeff Clement

9.0

Nice summer wine with salmon and shrimp — 7 years ago

Forrest Trevor Henderson

9.5

Had this with a nice creamy cheese and fruit/nut crackers (slightly sweet) and it was all delicious. — 7 years ago

Sarah Young

8.9

Casino run with dad! — 8 years ago

Eric

9.5

Home Run Haber does it again. Smokin’ nose with deep blue fruit and icy mint. Palate shows the same with some nice chocolate notes on the finish. Can’t say enough about this Diamond Mountain gem! — 8 years ago

Matt Pacheco

9.0

Had this at Sip with my wife. Would definitely have again! — 8 years ago