Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Bright and dark rubi robe, asian spices, dark cherries and violettes followed by a dense and structured mouth that is opening up. Mme Tremblay does some of the very finest burgundies these days and this one is top notch. — 3 years ago

with Adriana

Aaron Tan

9.0

Enjoyed this, though it does comes off a little harsh, which can perhaps be attributed to its youth. A NAS, but as I understand, the blend is at least as old as the standard 10 year old. It definitely has a pretty similar profile - pepper, brine, peat smoke, and citrus. Would be good to taste them side-by-side given the general consensus that the Storm's essentially the 10 taken up a notch. There's a really "sweet" inner core that pushes through to peaty, somewhat-medicinal finish. Medium length. Really liking this profile (particularly the saline character) so I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of the range. — 3 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

This is very good but not as good as the 14 lechet or the 15 montmains from the critically hated vintage. Go figure. It’s very good and perfectly balanced. But it lacks the density of the 14 Lechet. Still a eellnmade wine and a lovely drink with scallops.

After an hour this has this almost sweet tartness. Lovely. And the internal aromatics are very good. Lingering acidity. Still a notch below the other two wines but very good and Fabian worthy.

Bought from fass selections — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This is absolutely one of my top three favorite producers from Barossa. Dan Standish marches to his own drum when it comes to his Winemaking. He doesn’t follow trends or fashion in winemaking. Before he started his own Winery, he was the Winemaker for Torbreck and also traveled to other world wine regions before settling back in Barossa. I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours last April with him. What a joy to listen, learn and laugh with him. This wine comes from 100 year old vines. While it is excellent, keeps getting better and puts on weight in the glass, its just a notch under his “Relic.” He has no US importer as he sells out to his mailing list. He’ll ship it to you, but shipping charges from Australia are simply stupid. You’ll find some of his wines on the secondary market. On the nose; smoldering ambers, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, olallieberries, huckleberries, blueberries, loamy dry soils, crushed rocks, spice, sour dark liqueur notes, dry stones, light baking spices, dark turned earth, well done toast, dry lavender, lilacs and fresh violets. The body is rich, lush and beautiful. The tannins are about a year or two farther along than I’m used to tasting, 80% resolved. The palate is simply and flat out amazing. The fruits are; juicy, ruby, ripe and stun the senses. Black plum, plum, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, olallieberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, blueberries with a mid red fruit mix haunting the background of the palate here & there. The dark medium spices are more refined than the “Relic” and have a perfect heat lifting intensifying quality off the palate. Loamy soils, black licorice, anise, cracked pepper, crushed rocks, dark turned earth, tarry notes, dry stems, an amazing blend of baking spices-clove, nutmeg & a whiff of vanilla, dry herbaceous quality, dry lavender & lilacs and fresh violets for days. Perfect round acidity, excellent; structure, length, tension and balance. Long beautiful finish that doesn’t end. This is First Growth Shiraz! Photos of his Winery and those 100 year old vines. @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher — 6 years ago

Justin Hart

9.1

This is a solid Syrah that reaches above its price point by a notch. Big fruit and leather on the nose, juicy blackberries and bacon fat notes on the pallet. Lingers well, and great grip on the tongue. Yum! — 7 years ago

with Cherish

Glen Shikunov

9.0

Dark fruit, coffee and spice. Great on the nose, mediocre finish by otherwise top notch. Would buy again. — 3 years ago

Eric L.

9.5

Really terrific, top-notch Syrah blend. Concentrated, but executed with perfect balance. I’m not always a big Paso fan, but Fulldraw is always great. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.5

Just a top notch Napa CF. — 4 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.3

The 2016 is out. It’s real and it’s spectacular. The past couple vintages have been enjoyable but a notch below. This one knocks it out of the park but it has to be your thing. Shows TONS of leather, mushroom, bacon fat. Lingering finish of iron. There quite simply is no better value out there than Pontificis - even in down years. Period. $7 at Trader Joe’s. Stock up! — 5 years ago

Bill Bender

9.0

A notch or two below the Kistler. Harmless but uninspiring. — 6 years ago

Aaron Means

9.7

THE. BEST. DOMESTIC. CHARD!!!!!! Yes, yes, yes. I'm blown away. This is the best domestic chard I've ever drank. This particular vintage is killer. I could poor this in a lineup of top notch Meursault and none would be the wiser, that's how good this is. Intense smoke/funk brought on by minerality that most domestic producers could only dream of. A legendary wine in my book. @June's All Day, Austin TX — 7 years ago

Dean

9.3

Top- notch - my palate was lifted to breath-taking heights — 7 years ago

with Nancy

Brandon T

9.4

Another beauty. Reminded us of some top notch Cali pinots. — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Crunchy black cherries and all kinds of berries, roses and lilacs, distant notes of smoke, granite rocks and sous-bois funk. Wonderful acidity, slightly dusty at the end. Very harmonious stuff, good stuffing and structure, I’d say this is drinking beautifully now, yet has the backbone to survive, or even improve, for 5 years at least.

On day 2: fruit turns more serious - deeper, darker - and savory notes enter the spectrum. Acidity melts into the wine, as well. Yum..!
Up a notch! — 3 years ago

Becky Turner

9.3

Fun, almost bubbly, a refreshing wine in a sea of so many! A notch above the rest with its interesting depth. — 3 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Very succulent Nebbiolo with the tell tale crushed violets and leather notes. Beautiful and restrained fruit balanced with great acidity. This is top notch stuff that sells for a song. Probably the best Barolo bang for the buck I know. This very drinkable now but will take many years on the cellar and benefit from it. Grab what you can ! — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

Just a beautiful #pomerol with elegant black currant aromas, velvety tannins and a faint echo of spice. This 2014 is a great representation of the region taken up a notch above very good.
— 6 years ago

Bruce Walker

9.0

Not big on Zins but this one really changed my mind! Top notch! — 7 years ago

Richard Haynes

9.3

Year after year top notch #columbiavalley #Riesling — 7 years ago

Neal Dessouky

9.5

Awesome. Fleshy texture all about the white pepper right now, some violet popping through. Will be top notch Jamet in time. — 8 years ago