Jay Kline

9.3

Over the last few years, I’ve grown quite fond of Raul Pérez’s wines. The challenge is, some of them can be rather elusive. “La Penitencia” is one of those wines. So I was pretty excited to try this. Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Wine pours deep ruby bordering purple and slightly turbid with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity. There does appear to be a small amount of fine sediment clinging to the side of the glass. On the nose, the wine is intense. There’s obvious presence of VA and overall, comes across natty; more than any other Raul Pérez wine I’ve had before. That being said, it is remarkably fresh with notes of cherry and blackberry; the pits, seeds, stems and all. There’s also spices, cinder block, and un-excavated basement. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+, bordering on high acid. Again, bright red and dark fruits along with pomegranate, grapefruit, and basil. The finish is a touch mousey with a biscuity sort of thing happening but it’s tolerable and I’m pretty sensitive. This would be too wild for many. Reminds me a bit of Fabio Gea’s “Onde Gravitational”. Plenty of life ahead for these. As it stands, I have another bottle and I won’t be in any particular rush to drink it. Lovely stuff. — 3 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Beautiful dark rubi robe, nose of asian spices, licorice, crushed flowers and leather. Fresh, medium bodied and spicy in the mouth, with good length and amazingly good for a 46 year old. Great stuff and no rush to drink. — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Joe Gillies

9.4

Wow, amazingly good right now. Decanted for a hour. Beautiful aromas of plum and violet. BlackBerry, cedar, graphite, and cigar on the palate. Tannins showing some and just coming into its prime drinking window...no rush and excellent! — 5 years ago

Martin Sher

9.4

I’ve never had an aged Sequel, fascinating to see where the end up. After 45 min this turned into a lovely glass of dark fruits - blackberries and spice. Beautiful opaque - I guess nearing the end of its best window but no rush. — 6 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.3

The nose is a lead in to an incredibly balanced red with marvelous tannins and a lingering mid pallet red fruit rush. Lovely 🍷 — 6 years ago

Daniel Steilen

9.3

Just a delicious bottle of wine. Medium bodied, balanced fruit, with good acidity. Great now, but no rush to drink. — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.0

Scored this for 30 bucks. Success. I don't know if I'd rush to buy at the 60 dollar pricepoint. Not enough complexity. Actually have been digging 3 day old murrieta's well cab franc next to it — 8 years ago

Michael D

9.4

Well here we are over a year since we uncorked this beauty from Spain..As usual the rush of aroma as soon as you uncork this fine wine was very evident. Poured into a decanter and sitting idle for more than 90 mins was excruciating hard to say the least but we'll worth it...Dark rich Garnet ... Slight acidity up front. ..well balanced Tannins and subtle acidity make this a perfect starter to an overall successful dinner party...the 1st of 6 that evening with Insalata Caprese (sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes,fresh basil salt olive oil with a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar), more assorted cheeses...A great way to start the evening!!!😊 — 9 years ago

Todd W

9.3

Medium-bodied with silky mouthfeel. Classic Medoc profile of currants, tobacco and some cedar. Elegance expected from a Saint Julien. Very enjoyable with a beef stew. No rush to drink ... several years of tastiness ahead. — 9 years ago

Peter 0'Neill

9.3

Ready to drink but still on the young side, bright notes of eucalyptus and blue/black fruits on the nose. tannins are still apparent but not overly-obtrusive, the palate is anchored by a spine of acidity that holds it all together and keeps it restrained yet beautifully balanced. No rush on this one. Wish I had some of this to age further. — 10 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Dark garnet robe, nose of blackcurrant and anise, then dark fruits, violettes and spices together with tobacco and tar, pepper. Medium bodied, elegant, long, its opening now but no rush. We liked it a great deal, its a very fine wine. — 3 years ago

with Adriana

Alexandre Pagliano

9.1

A very balanced wine in his late secondary evolution. Lots of fruit left, civilized tannins, medium bodied and much better than most 88s we had. Good now but really no rush. Excellent bottle !! — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

Great showing for one of our preferred wines. There is no rush as the underlying material is barely showing evolution now. Wonderful notes of dark berries, cherries and flowers. Please decant. Has a lot to it with great acidity and tanins and again no rush. Highly recommended !! — 5 years ago

with Adriana

Steve Pollack

9.3

Classic and in a great spot. No rush. — 6 years ago

Max Schector

9.5

Ridiculously smooth. The charred vanilla flavor is as advertised. Legs for days. Great wine! — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2016 Pinot Noir Bloom's Field is stellar. A powerful wine built on a core of vertical structure, the 2016 dazzles from the very first taste. Lavender, sage, menthol, licorice and a rush of inky blue/purplish berry fruit develop in the glass, but it is the wine's virile power that differentiates it in this stellar lineup. I would prefer to give the 2016 a few years in the cellar to come into its own. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2018) — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.1

Hugely fruited nose at this point. Big deep cassis. Some smoke and tobacco underneath. Bing cherry as well. Nice nose. Round. Vivid. Palate is ripe and juicy with terrific freshness and thrust. Very pure and clean. Lovey note of tobacco leaf on the finish with some nice minerality. Very well made. No rush. Can last and improve 10 years. — 7 years ago

Todd Alexander

9.5

Terrific. No rush. — 8 years ago

DrinkBordeaux

9.3

1995 Château l'Evangile from a half bottle. Still has that nice ripe red fruit, menthol, tobacco, truffle, wet leaves, and dustiness on the nose. Medium bodied, rustic, and at time austere. A medium length finish. Could benefit from a bit more acidity, but otherwise the balance is there. Still has tannins to resolve. Based on experience from half and standard bottles, this is a great time to drink this wine as it's definitely in its drinking window. My only concern is that as its fruit fades, it may become austere to the point that some may not enjoy it. But right now, there is a lot of old style charm that is easy to like. There's also no rush to drink this, as I'll bet the fruit stays ripe and in the forefront for a least a few more years. — 9 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.3

Beautiful aromas of black cherry, tobacco and a hint of oak. A very polished texture that allows a wine to be big and elegant at the same time. No rush to drink. — 10 years ago

Michael Brown

9.0

Very ripe apple flavored, full-bodied English cider made by coop of Thomas Oliver and Virtue. Strong barn notes--horses, yeast and wood, mixed with honey and cheese. Medium dry with tons of tannin. — 12 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

Licorice, tobacco, dark fruits, crushed violets, on a medium bodied wrap. Long, elegant and very accessible but no rush. Oh so good this one. Enthusiastically recommended. — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

Oh, so good. Elegant, fresh, complex, more Barsac than Sauternes. Very exotic too with flowers and spices.
If you are into Sauternes or Barsac buy a case or two, it does not get much better than this. Fantastic now but no rush. — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Great dark rubi robe that does not betray the 18 years. As always reticent in the nose, its in the palate you recognize Lafite. Incredibly elegant tannins, notes of blackcurrant, mint, cedar and flowers, its mature, dense, elegant and with a long finish. This is probably the wine of the vintage. Now drinking great but really no rush. Enthusiastically recommended ! — 5 years ago

with Adriana

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Hello everyone, I have gone back tonight to a wine that I have liked for a long time. I have opened the 2015 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the nose there are notes of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, cedar, vanilla, rose petals, pencil lead, forest floor and a bit of minerality.

At first sip brings back a rush of memories of the first Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon and floods my mind to over flowing. The notes on the palate are of black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant, cedar, herbs, a bit of oak and a good earthiness.

This wine is full bodied that is well balanced with medium + acidity and medium + mouth gripping tannins that lead to a long dusty earth and dark fruit finish. I am very happy with this wine and at the price point I bought this at.plan on purchasing a few more. Have a great week, be safe and enjoy wine. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Love this epic Monthelie. Nose is maturing nicely. Dead leaves, dead souls, big damson cherrie, big mineral, mushroom, gorgeous aromas. Palate is very elegant, rich and ripe. Velvety tannins and lovely sweetness. Really maturing on the palate and has that integration I do yearn for. So fresh and wonderful purity. Long. Drink them if you have then but no rush. — 6 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.3

Not much of a sweet tooth, but with a Sauternes of this caliber you’ll see me giggling like a school girl on a sugar rush á la Oompa Loompa. Laughingly good, yet so broad and philosophical deep, a concentration that is far beyond and with a high and vibrant acidity that is keeping the lusciously sweet palate in check throughout the lengthy finish. Youthful, tight and needs time in the glass to show
Show its true complexity. A grand vin indeed. Judged on todays performance rather than future the potential. — 7 years ago

Jason Jones

9.3

In a great place but no rush. — 9 years ago

with Erin

Zach Castagnola

9.4

Super clean nose with a hint of dainty white flower. Rush of lemon-lime and chalk immediately brightens up the mouth with a slightly effervescent zing, then a continuing waltz of elegant acid and minerals dances through the mid-palate, finishing with the trademark Etna ashiness and a touch of Mediterranean salinity. — 9 years ago

Duane Mason

9.1

Very nice wine. No rush to drink Great with a steak but no rush. Give it another 2 to 3 years. — 10 years ago