Bob McDonald

9.3

Dark crimson in colour. Red florals with earthy beetroot notes on a medium bodied palate with medium plus intensity. Still quite stern tannins but overall starting to break the confines of over extraction finally at 12 years of age. This is my last bottle and the best of 6 originally bought. Previous notes have said that this is a Shiraz drinkers Pinot and I still stick with that assessment. I believe Dry River are now making their Pinots less extracted and more approachable at a younger age. In summary this is excellent, it just needed time. — 5 years ago

Richard Rosensweig

8.9

Bitter orange, bergamot, pear and a hint of green pepper make for a satisfying four season Grüner. Granite soil provides a stern mineral dimension to the fruit profile not often found in the cultivation of this Teutonic noble grape. — 6 years ago

Joseph LaPanna

8.9

What’s not to love about high elevation, old vine garnacha! Dark purple with an opaque rim. The nose was bright and brimming with minerals, earth and Asian spices. Tons of fruit runs from tip to stern; dominated by black cherry lavender and brambley spices. Great depth and grip! — 6 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Broad, rich, lemon and slate, completely dry — 7 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Black raspberry, licorice, mint, wild mushrooms and damp earth- flavors that seem to emanate from deep in a forest. A tad reduced initially. Very savory character to this wine that will take some time to unwind. Some fruit is revealing itself in the back but this will no doubt be a bit too stern and austere for some. Amazing potential. — 7 years ago

Austin Hohnke

8.9

Ripe and rich. Tropical and leesy, but with stern, crisp acidity. Would love to sneak this into a flight/tasting of oaked Chard. — 8 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

8.9

Cool part of he valley. Not as lean as expected. Classic pepper — 9 years ago

Ryan Vento

8.9

Sampling this new addition to my collection, which is also my very first Kavalan. On the nose it closely resembles bourbon, with notes of caramel, holiday spices, dark chocolate, and creme brûlée. On the palate, however, it’s a bit more stern and less suave than I anticipated with notes of worn saddle leather, toasted nuts, clove, espresso, and bananas foster. The finish is quite warm. — 5 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

It’s gorgeous from stem to stern. We tasted it straight out of the bottle in addition to a good-time of decanting and while different experiences between the two- this is a luscious, GORGEOUS blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre- and a splash of Viognier. It’s the perfect bottle to take to pair with lamb, steak- SHRIMPIES, whatevs. We were blown away. It is NOT cheap- but with regard to value- I’ve yet to meet its equal. — 6 years ago

with Beth

Ericsson

9.0

Ruby red color with a watery rim. Hint of large game blood, wet earth, and fresh dark cherries on the scent. Ripe dark fruit up front, sweet almost; followed by stern tannings and a dry finish. A young wine, medium body, almost light alcohol but with lots of character yet easy drinking. Unassuming wine, extremely enjoyable. One of those, great all-around, Southern Rhône blends... — 6 years ago

Adam Wishneusky

9.4

Very dry, reminds me of a spirit, complex, almost nutty — 7 years ago

Maxwell Andrle

9.3

Loads of showy, aromatic, pretty, and mostly red fruit. Has stern mineral backbone hidden underneath. Started drinking nicely after about 2 hours. I would not open another bottle anytime soon. I’d say bury it in the cellar for at least 5 years before trying but it may not hit its stride until 10+ years. There’s so much here, I think this’ll be fantastic once developed. 93 pts indicating the quality of the wine and its potential, not this drinking experience. — 8 years ago

Faye Gordon

9.5

Neil Stern at Bellemore having a tasting menu! — 8 years ago

Keith Crump

9.1

2015 still rather stern — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

What a nose. Citrus, perfume, spice. Crazy aromas. Palate is so tangy, salty and citrusy. Acid is off the charts. Superb purity. Juicy. Decadent yet stern and energetic. Linear and long. In a perfect space. — 5 years ago

Raj Harb

9.4

06 & 08 side by side. 08 took a lot of air to come alive. Still quite stern. 06 more open. Sensed some va initially. It eventually straightened out and overtook the 08 — 6 years ago

Rheanna Vehlow

9.2

Stern swirl, firm and crystal hugging. Very patient, defined drip forming like stallectites holding onto balloons. Unique because even though it seems heavy, it’s a soft and delicate Shiraz echoing Pinot.
Dense oaky scent with wafts of apples and soft black currant. Beautiful smooth first sip, like tasty velvet. A slow burn on those medium bodied tannins which develops harmoniously. Absolutely delectable from start to finish. It’s not over burdened or over powering, just there to be as beautiful as the west wind. A wonderful companion to tonight’s lamb roast. — 6 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.1

Like drinking the color green. Ultra flinty and grassy aromas of green pepper, basil, fresh cut lime, mint and white pepper. Freshness and cut are brilliant, and there is a stern stoniness about this vintage that registers full-throttle intensity. Always a classic, and a superb value. — 7 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

More stern than the Calcinaires. Double the price. All barrel aged (instead of concrete tank and barrel). Hold. — 8 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Tawny Rim. Gamey aromas Dried Cherry and Savoury with mature compost notes. Somewhat austere, stern, masculine and ungiving even at 13 years. From what I’ve read the Wine needs at least 10 years but on this showing maybe a little longer. Assertive tannins with a bitter edge at the finish. Still enjoyable. — 8 years ago