Mark Flesher

9.2

My last one of these. This has been a delight of a wine. Still with very good acidity and wonderful balance from start to finish. Little bit of lemon tart right up front, then gains a softness to it with Asian pear and grapefruit. Finishes with some herbal qualities to it. Hint of limestone grit. The first of probably many before the Clemson dismantling. — 7 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.0

The final bottle of the case. This wine is now darker and smokier on the nose with less of the blue fruit and more of the stewed black fruits. The palate still has wonderful acidity but is far less lush. Flavors of wet earth mingle with darker stewed plum and blackberries and lead to a bit of a shorter finish that shows a touch more puckering acidity. — 7 years ago

with Kati

Isaac Pirolo

8.9

Really went deep in the cellar for this. Moët & Chandon discontinued their White Star label in 2009 replacing it with their Imperial label. This bottle is probably 15 years old (considering it’s not even the last version of the White Star label). Macerated cherry, walnut, golden raisin, and decomposing apple, with some faint lemon peel and foie gras. No doubt past its prime, but just enough life to enjoy. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

OK, so the first one of the new vintage went down tonight! And, dare I say that I think that this one is going to hold just as well as the 2015. I still need to take one of these to the lockup. This seems to be a more acidic Viognier than the 2015. Mouthfeel on entry is thicker than the wine evolves to be. First is a lot of mango and a hint of kiwi, and ends with more acidic citrus notes with a hint of honeysuckle. Bought slightly more of this than the Roussanne. Haven't had any of that yet, but soon! — 8 years ago

Matt Berkovitch

Sommelier Babbo

9.3

Savory, meaty, earthy, caramelized, charred soy. Nose like a bowl of bomb ramen So good. — 8 years ago

Irene Axsom

10

Nice light taste of hops, that is more citrusy and less piney — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Leaps out of the glass with flowers, an almost kirsch-like red cherry, granite, a tinge of funk, and an intoxicating mix of herbs and spices. Like a field of wildflowers that's been dusted with cinnamon, star anise, and clove. Melds together over time into a sexy perfume that would be unmistakable if I came across it decades from now. Everything translates through to the palate in a juicy and lively celebration. Relative to Gamay, or Beaujolais in general, this has weight and length in spades. I wish I hadn't waited until this vintage to try this producer. If there's better Gamay I'm sure I won't find it because I'll be too busy drinking this. — 9 years ago

Pong Anderson

9.0

Rich, black plum, black cherry — 9 years ago

Jennifer Armitage Berkman

9.0

A fantastic stateside taste of the Rhone. Berries and pepper. Light and perfect for summer. — 10 years ago

with MrBerkman

Jacob Greene

9.6

Magnum of the 2005 opening up nicely!!! — 11 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Watch out for the volatility. Open very very cold and have a glass hardy. This is a gunslinger wine. Very pretty salmon pink color. Aromas of raspberries, blood orange, mint, and sour dough. Flavors of red berries and watermelon candy with yeasty undertones and a bitter orange finish. A great representation of what Texas wine can be. Drinkable but also relevant. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.0

Rather nice bottle of wine. North Coast juice. Pours a dark violet color into the glass. The nose of this wine is black fruit, pepper, plum, and violets. The entry is more fig and plum and dark black full bodied fruit on the front without going to a bitter note. Just deliciously rounded, in check, well balanced. This wine really packs it in. Lots going on in the middle, with more of a cinnamon spice that gives way to a black pepper and 'sweeter' full bodied berry on the finish. Black fruit core. Not too tannic on the finish. Really nice Barranca. Definitely better than 2014 Texas Barranca IMO. This wine is about 85 percent Merlot / 15 percent PS. — 7 years ago

Charles Fairbanks

10

The 2014 provides a glimpse into how lucky am I to have worked with incredible vineyards in my short career. Textured, concentrated and fresh. Yes, fresh. Cab should be fresh. — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

2016 Hensell Rose by Kuhlman. New release. Lots of bright acidity. Young strawberry, some watermelmon, citrus, and minerality, in the middle and finish. Crisp. Damn fine for a day like today. Winemaker from Provence France. 100% Mourvedre Rose, and absolutely beautiful wine for a day like today. — 8 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.4

Bordeaux star of the night. Outclassed each of the First Growths. — 8 years ago

with Don

Carol McNamara

9.2

I really like this port! — 9 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Never had one of Gideon's pinots before and this is really great...a cliche but this is really Burgundian. Elegant stuff and will definitely develop a while longer — 9 years ago

JP Pierce

9.2

Really amazing zing from acid only to be counter balanced with just the right amount of RS. Honeycomb, Meyer lemon zest, Thai basil, and kafir and apricot stone fruit with a touch of petrol. Focused palette with full mouthfeel weight and length. — 10 years ago

Oscar Amos

9.5

This is an outstanding red blend. I am a member of this winery and this wine is one of the reasons why. This combines three different Cabs into an easy drinking light bodied red wine. Very nice in the palate. — 10 years ago

Lisa Mayer

10

Love this wine! A blend of Mourvèdre, Carigan & white Viognier it is easy drinking with wonderful aromas of cedar, black pepper & dried cherries. Yummy! — 12 years ago

Shay A

9.1

I had the ‘16 vintage of this a few months back in comparison to the Ron Yates SB. I thought the ‘16 was nice, but that the Ron Yates SB was better in every aspect. @Ron Yates told me, in his opinion, the ‘17 Spicewood was better than both the ‘16 Spicewood and the Ron Yates ‘16.

It’s 103 here in TX, and I’m sweating more than this bottle, so it’s prime SB weather.

I’m happy to report that I think I’m aligned with Ron here. In comparison to the Spicewood ‘16, the aromatics on this just jump out of the glass with tons of fruit. Kiwi, lychee, and peach...wow! Great nose. Sharp acidity highlighted by honeyed grapefruit, limestone and chalk. Well done, Ron! — 7 years ago

Chad Henderson

9.0

Nose is minerals and alcohol. A silky tart cherries opening with lots of pepper spice and leather dry finish. Medium body. — 7 years ago

with Kristen

Ryan Vento

9.4

What a delight to experience. As the evening unfolded so did this, as one might imagine. Such complexity and depth. Blackberries and plums intermingled with ripe red fruits, laced in baking spices and licorice. Lovely notes of star anise and lavender potpourri with an aromatic bouquet of graphite and tar. So much power and elegance married together. It was a pleasure to drink. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Billy L.

9.4

Parker gave it 94...
Pop N Pour
Opens up nicely after at least an hour; will decant the rest of them. Deep Purple, plums,
Blackberry, loamy, etc.
@Aaron Pott - Very nice looking forward to your 2015's! Thx & Cheers!🍇🍷👍 — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Gaston? This is my last of the 2014 vintage. RATHER interesting how this one has aged. Definitely not in the gutter. The cork had just about bled all the way through. Nose of ripe strawberry and oregano. Definitely not your youthful strawberry or red fruit. The entry reminded me of pomegranate. The middle is herbal, dusty, floral....really different and quite intriguing. Finished very dry. This wine went AMAZING with Herbs de Provence chicken. I wish I had 10 more of these, because although this wine was definitely partially oxidized, age is really doing a good number on this one!! However I'll say...if you got 'em, it's time to drink 'em. But it makes me want to sock the rest of my 15 stash away for a year (as I think the 15 will hold and age much better). — 8 years ago

Ted Corvey

8.9

Yes, from Texas, also really good. Tried it at a tasting on Friday and grabbed a few bottles. Apparently Rhone varietals have done well in some areas of the Texas highlands. Dry and well balanced with sweet lemon hints that's is well paired with the acidic backbone of this wine. Great surprise that I will get again. High QPR. — 9 years ago

Noelle Boyle

9.1

One of our favorites from our June 2016 trip to Fredericksburg. Dave particularly loves this wine! — 9 years ago

with Dave

Christina Ahlheim

9.3

Got in Hermann. — 9 years ago

Marvin Smith IV

8.9

Get a lot of chocolate on this one. Subtle on the nose with a little hint of fruitiness but definitely dark chocolate on the pallet, especially on the back end. — 10 years ago

Tracey Edwards

9.7

Found this in the cellar, purchased from winemaker upon a visit to Cork's. Very pleasant, deep and rich after decanting. Went well with a variety of food. — 11 years ago