Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Our trip ended with a tasting of Lewelling & Hayfork, courtesy of daughter Haley at their family home in the vineyard. Although I’m not posting pics of the Lewelling cabs (2017s and didn’t have labels yet), they are impressive, and the Wight vineyard cab is flat out delicious!

The fruit here is the same as Lewelling’s wines, but there is usually a splash of petit Verdot to give more color and structure compared to the 100% Cabernets that Lewelling bottles. Dense, ripe and chewy. Very dark in the glass showing sweet smoke, blackberry compote, baking spices, and espresso aromatics. Whereas the Lewellings have a beautiful red and black cherry liqueur type profile, this is decidedly darker, but every bit as tannic and age worthy. Added notes of graphite, currant, creme de cassis and mixed berry pie at the finish. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

More berry/cassis than leafy herbal Margaret River style - touches of capsicum though. Very enjoyable but I don’t know whether I would pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Medium bodied but M+ intensity. Nearby neighbors of some of the big name producers without the price tag. Tasted another bottle 43 weeks later on 7th February 2020 with similar notes but showing more Margaret River herbaceousness. Excellent QPR for a Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon. 92 points. Tasted another bottle on 19th March 2022 with consistent notes. Pretty much a typical Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon. 3 bottles left. Tasted another on 3rd February 2023 with consistent notes. Had this with pasta. I didn’t think that was a good food/wine match but it worked perfectly. Tasted my 2nd last bottle on 28th June 2023. Certainly not a typical herbaceous Margaret River Cabernet. More cassis and blackberry like a South Australian Cabernet. — 7 years ago

Liz O'Neal

9.2

Lovely orange wine from Umbria! 3 weeks of skin contact - acidic but round and balanced. Gorgeous amber color. Heaven! Amanda’s first orange wine on our double 30th bday celebration ✨👸🏼💕 — 7 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.3

The 2015s only arrived a few weeks ago and the 2013s are still unfolding so its a perfect time to rip the 2014s. @Benjamin Keator maybe it’s not quite a Carter BTK but it’s damn good. — 8 years ago

Jeff Loo

9.4

Another amazing showing for this vintage and Pavillon Rouge. Dare I say an even better showing than a couple weeks ago. A wine to drink today yet watch for another 10 years easily. — 9 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 9 years ago

Jose Moran

9.3

A few weeks of skin contact. Complex but still young — 10 years ago

Erica Smith

9.0

Drank this mid-week a few weeks ago. No notes but it was very good and I would drink again. — 11 years ago

Doctor No

9.1

Mag of Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill. Drank beautifully. Seamless cab, still fairly primary. Medium long finish, moderate acidity. Not overly extracted. In Ligonier a few weeks ago. — 11 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.3

Back to back weeks of the 95. Fantastic bottle. Finish was a little muted. Think a longer decant would’ve helped — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Last year Barb and I attended the annual Tasting at the Pinot Shop in Launceston. Of the 75 approx Tasmanian Pinot Noirs this one was in my Top 3. It has gone on to wow audiences at subsequent tastings around the country. Had a bottle a couple of nights ago with the following tasting note. Whole bunch stemmy notes. More floral savoury and earthy than fruity notes. Incredible depth to the palate - sumptuous and delicious. Oak perfectly judged giving a slight burnt flavour. Medium + bodied with silky ripe tannins. Low acid. Beautiful now - drink sooner rather than later. Will please “crowds” and experts alike. Opened a bottle 176 weeks later on 21st October 2022. Still very good - raspberry notes coming through. Not the absolute wow when it was young. — 7 years ago

Paul T HB

9.3

Probably opened this too soon, which is so unlike me😬
Curious how this will stack up against the Carter Hossfeld which is almost the same blend of Merlot & Cabernet.
Find out in a couple weeks when Carter ships
Same price & almost exactly same ratings from WA,
95 for this & 94+ for Hossfeld — 7 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

8.9

Juicy and delicious and very much ready to go. 4 bottles downed in the last 3 weeks pretty much says it all. — 8 years ago

Sara Murrill

9.0

Tastes great after a little aeration! Smooth and dry but not too dry. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Clear rich Crimson in colour. Whiff of wood varnish which blew off. Spicy - not as much pepper as usual. Cherries and supple savoury tannins. Medium bodied. One of my favourite Aussie Reds in the $20 to $30 category. 2nd ranked cuvée to their much vaunted "Langi" Shiraz. Tasted again 54 weeks later with totally consistent notes. Tasted beside Salo Syrah, from the much vaunted Hawkes Bay NZ District for Syrah. I preferred the Langhi. — 9 years ago

Joe Willey

9.4

Delicious. Almost more Syrah like than Sangiovese. — 9 years ago

Marcus Lancaster

9.0

Surprising! A touch of butterscotch quickly followed by Meyer lemon and lime.with chalk. — 10 years ago

Zach Cherry

Account Manager Worldwide Wine & Spirits

9.2

I loved the 2009 I tasted a few weeks ago, this showed how well it will develop. Still young, but I was even more impressed after some maturation. — 11 years ago

Aran Healy

Partner Ruby WIne, Carlotta Cellars, Thistle Cellars

8.9

Chenin, skin fermented 2 weeks — 11 years ago

Sam Bilbro

Owner/Vineyardist Idlewild Wines

9.7

Acidity, texture, stones, umami, and lemon. Yum. — 13 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Mid Lemon in colour. Stone fruits on nose and palate. The big peaches and cream style. A typical delicious Leeuwin Art Series palate of profound intensity with Oak playing a supporting role to the abundant ripe fruits. Medium minus acid. A big generous Art Series Chardonnay which went well with fresh prawns. I think I would need to drink the remaining 3 in the next 18 months. Had another bottle with friends for lunch 9 weeks later on 16th November. All agreed this was the white wine of the day marginally from the 1998 Lovedale. — 6 years ago

Rob Russell

9.0

Just had this in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Like most wines of this vintage it took a bit of imagination to fully appreciate. It is clearly time to drink this wine, it may be on the downhill side of life. Overall a good experience for what was not noted as a premium vintage, but is a very solid wine. — 7 years ago

Love You More

8.9

Silky, smooth and fruity. — 7 years ago

Mike Smith

9.2

I was very surprised with this Pinot. Darker in color than most and not much legs. Letting it set 1 hour was a good thing. A very nice wine with fruit on the front and back and finishes nicely. — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.8

Had one a few weeks ago, in a great spot. Not sure this gets any better. — 8 years ago

Adam Carroll

9.6

Coravin open 8 weeks very fresh oak comes through a bit ...bottom line it works — 8 years ago

jarred gild

Head Wine Buyer Western Market

9.6

picture from a few weeks ago, but still on my mind — 9 years ago

with Kyo, Kim and 2 others

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.6

This wine is a stand alone gem. Very difficult to read and closed and may be too light and disappointing right now but that is deceiving. I am collecting these wines and they are ridiculously good with age. Currently available only from Crush or Chambers or Winfield Flynn in New York. I also tasted the 2015 in barrel 3 weeks ago which in the barrel is a flat out 10. The 2014 is chalky and herbaceous very subdued. The power and elegance of this wine is hidden right now almost like a sleeping giant. — 10 years ago

with Lyle

Richard Young

Wine Specialist Christie's

9.6

Twice in two weeks....beautiful Sangiovese — 11 years ago

with Christy

Mark Lindzy

9.6

Open about 6 weeks. Fresh acidity, Brazil nuts, black tea tannins, salty caramel. I fucking love this wine. — 11 years ago