Popped and poured, and brought out to compare to the 2008. Similar color and brightness as the 2008, which is a good sign. Deeper and slightly more complex nose. Notes of citrus, sea breeze, some hazelnuts, some wet stone. In the mouth it has a bit more weight, and kind of an oiliness to it. Taste lingers for a while. Very nice and sad to later discover this was the last of a 6 pack I had - all of which were in good shape. — 5 years ago
Finger. Lakes. Saperavi.
If this ain’t American winemaking in the 21st century we don’t know what is! 🇺🇸🍷🇬🇪🍇
At least, that’s what we were thinking before reading up on Standing Stone and founders Marti & Tom Macinski. They actually first planted this fascinating Georgian grape here in ***1994*** (just 3 years after Georgia left the USSR, for those keeping score at home) intended for blending.
Increasingly impressed by the quality of the grapes, they offered their first varietal Saperavi in 2010 - as “The Dark Red”, since the grape name was as yet unrecognized by the federal government. Once it was, they became the first American winery to release a wine labeled Saperavi.
Fine tuned to the cold, high mountains of Kakheti in eastern Georgia, it makes sense why it would thrive in the Finger Lakes! The name Saperavi literally means “ink”, a sensible name for a grape with pitch-dark skin AND flesh! 🖤
Marti and Tom sold the winery and retired in 2017. But their enduring legacy may just be budding. We’ve heard of Saperavi planting projects underway in New York, Virginia, and Oregon.
Saperavi’s runaway affinity for the Finger Lakes may have been a bit of a happy accident, but the Macinskis deserve every bit of credit for thinking outside the box, putting it in motion, and bringing it to fruition! 🙌🙌🙌 — 6 years ago
Pleasant aperitif. Moscato style presumably from Muscat grape, but varietals in blend not specified. A low alcohol (7.5), little sweet and little sparkling, fruit-forward wine. — 7 years ago
Floral nose, crisp with long stone fruit like finish
Very nice! — 10 years ago
Vanilla and spice nose. Well rounded berry flavor with hints of spice. Long satisfying finish. Great wine. Had it in Austin for New Years. — 10 years ago
Hawkes 2010 Alexander Valley Van Sauvignon Stone Vineyard. Fantastic! 93+ points. Will only get better. — 11 years ago
Light gold. Looks young. Took 5 hours to open up and show its stuff. In hour 6 this was cruising. Saline and sea shells, wispy lemon fruit, some honey, some white stone. The guesses from the fellas were 2002 Rav Clos and 1996 Rav Valmur. Shows how these properly stored aged Raveneaus can age effortlessly. — 5 years ago
2009 is perfect! And, I love these tiny bottles! — 5 years ago
At first taste- bright, crisp, rambunctious, high-toned citrus. After 20min- rounded and developed, concentrated stone fruits. Very dry, but also rich on the palate. Could go another 20yrs before the youthfulness begins to fade. — 8 years ago
Initially spicy like a zin, but after breathing it mellowed out and was quite delicious! — 9 years ago
Boyz Raveneau tasting. Light straw color. Honeyed nose with light fruit. Soil and stone notes in the mouth to go with lovely Chablis fruit Tight at first but really opened up nicely. — 10 years ago
Stefs wedding — 12 years ago
Stone fruits and silky mouth feel. Lighter than many Talleys, but delicious nevertheless.. — 5 years ago
2015 - Luscious honey nectar like bouquet, golden hue, medium heavy body, slightly acidic, pineapple notes, medium long finish. — 5 years ago
Smooth, full bodied, delicious — 5 years ago
Like a flat sour beer — 6 years ago
Cherries warmish fruit, enjoyable not overly complex — 6 years ago
Tight but really good — 8 years ago
Dark purple and indigo. Some figs. — 9 years ago
Extremely well done — 9 years ago
Slightly better than the 05 with longer finish and more fruit — 10 years ago
Pretty solid. It definitely kept me coming back for more. It has been a while since a big Cab Sauv has made my taste buds perk up. — 10 years ago
Gregg Congleton
Said in my Homer Simpson voice: “mmmm Kistler Stone Flat Chardonnay....” - cloudy hue / canary yellow diamond in color; apple seeds to the nose, alcohol, barely noticeable oak; smooth and almost caramel candy taste. — 5 years ago