Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.2

2018 vintage. Very dark-fruited and Burgundian. Firm, yet fine-grained tannins. Black plum skin, cranberry, black tea, tangerine peel, rose petal, tree bark, autumn leaves, fresh blackberry. Really quite good at the proper temperature. I had it over-chilled initially and found it rather thin. Comparable to a village or 1er Cru level Nuits-Saint-Georges or the like. — 4 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.3

2019 vintage. Delicious! Wild strawberry, cranberry, tart cherry, dried rose petal, tree bark, black tea, violet, the faintest of star anise, seems like a little steminess. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Vinaigrette salad with dried, dark cherries & caramelized walnuts calls for Pinot Noir. In fact, the wine needs the salad to really sing. Wine speaks deeply to the skin of the caramelized walnuts.

The one thing about Burgundy is you can get pre-ox, barnyard and VA. Here, you get just a touch of soft VA.

The palate is; round, lush darker fruits that are very ruby. Ripe & more extracted; blackberries, stewed black, plum, dark cherries, plum pudding, blueberries, black raspberries, dried cranberries, raspberries & strawberries on the way to fermentation. Moist clay, dry top soil, sludgy limestone, dark chocolate, notes of maple & brown sugar, dry herb, deeply grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, leather notes, oak powder, charcoal, forest floor, dark, tree sap, berry cola, blended black & red licorice, dark spices with a touch of heat, tea with sediment with candied, ruby, dark florals; dark, red, purple & blue florals. The acidity is round & beautiful. The finish is solid wire to wire, rich, lush, well knitted & balanced, sexy and persists endlessly.

Vincent Girardin in excellent vintages, like 2010, is one of my go to value producer for reds & blancs.

VA fades as you sip...salad assists as well.

1/15/21
— 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A producer bottling I’ve not had. This came to be in my procession via a wine exchange with @Severn Goodwin.

This 03 Jade is In fine shape due to its quality production and Severn’s excellent storage of it.

Nose reveals ripe, slightly stewed & baked; dark cherries, blackberries, mixture fresh of our fruits as well as blue fruits with hints of faint poached strawberries. Sweet tarriness, black licorice, black pepper, dark steeped fruit tea, expresso roast, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, barrel shavings, dark, rich earthiness with dry leaves, mid dark spice, limestone minerals, dry top soil, underbrush with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue florals framed in heavy lavender and soft violets.

The palate is, ripe, rich, elegant, round and lush. After roughly 15 years in bottle, she shows, rounded, dusty, chewy/meaty, dry tannins. The structure, tension, balance & length are just the other side of its peak. The fruits like the nose are slightly stewed & baked; dark cherries, blackberries, mixture fresh of our fruits as well as blue fruits with hints of faint poached strawberries. Sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, black pepper, smoked meats, dark steeped fruit tea, expresso roast, bay leaf, dry crushed rocks, old tobacco, barrel shavings, dark, rich earthiness with dry leaves, mid dark spice, limestone minerals, dry top soil, very dry underbrush, some tree bark/sap with brilliant, fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue florals framed in heavy lavender and soft violets. The acidity is really nice...like a cool mountain stream. The long finish is delicious and persist endlessly into dry, dark spice on the long set.

Still has another 3-5 years of good drinking ahead of it depending on your storage and the age you like your wine to show.

Photos of; Previous Owner-Jim Paras (left) with Winemaker Douglas Danielak, Paras Vineyard Syrah clusters ready for harvest and their Paras Vineyard.

Producer notes, San Francisco Lawyer Jim Paras started the winery in 1984. At the time, he produced about 8,000 cases a year of Syrah, Merlot, Mourvhdre and Viognier. In 1994, Chalone began distributing his wines and eventually bought the winery in 2000. — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Pop and pour. A tawny crimson red color. On the nose: tart cherries, tea, forest floor, sandlewood, and earth. Taste: Elegant and approachable with a restrained style of cherries, pine tree, tea, with a strawberry toast medium plus finish. Nice start to the weekend! Cheers! — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.0

I adore Verduno and also import this wine. So I’m biased. But no fake news here. As good as any Verduno out there with apologies to Burlotto. Light strawberry color. Stunning nose. Roses, spices, sweet cherries, minerals, tree bark. So so good. Just inviting. Who needs chillable Gamay? Some leather as well. Just delightful. Even some white pepper. Palate is fresh and energetic with lovely elegant lights fruit and terrific transparency. Round but also fresh and earthy. Hints of raspberry iced tea, barely there tannins. Don’t think, just drink. — 6 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.3

2017 vintage. Very fragrant. Hibiscus, red plum, pomegranate, fresh cherry, tree bark, strong rooibos tea note, wet rocks, rose petals. Good length. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I had a number of 1997’s of this late. A good wine & value in 97’s courtesy of Clyde Beffa. 2005 such a splendid vintage and still youthful.

Decanted around 11:45a today, poured around 8:30p with an Allen Brothers Ribcap and it is simply velvet in the mouth.

Recent spilt auction purchase with @Paul T- Huntington Beach for $35-$36 a bottle…in OWC. From the same Technical Team as Leoville Las Cases. Different terroir but, excellent experience.

Excellent, ripe candied fruit of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, baked strawberries, dark spices, black licorice core, mid & dark colas, river stone, limestone alluvials, dry crushed rocks, dry tobacco, leather, saddle-wood, dark, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some tree sap, tea leaves, soft, round, fresh herbs, dark, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, blue florals framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is excellent. The finish has length, balance, polish for days that falls on excellent soft earthiness.

2007 Bordeaux’s are already following suit as the 97’s in a lot of cases…only better. Value vintages in Bordeaux if you go looking. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows a mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core and f anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue.

The body is medium full, rich, ripe with nice viscosity. She has a light tannin feeling. Mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dry, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices with mid to strong heat, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, salted caramel, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core of anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, incense, dry tobacco, savory, grilled meats, used leather, dry & fresh herbs, mint, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The acidity is a cool mountain stream. The finish is; nicely knitted, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, fruit juicy falling onto spice & earth persisting several minutes.

Good...still needs 3-5 years in prison before it gives more back.

12/26/20 Happy Boxing Day! 🎁 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Tried having this yesterday but, couldn’t bring it in to Nepenthe per usual due to their heavy Covid-19 business loses. Totally understandable. But, as Phil Collins sang, “Tonight’s The Night!”

The nose reveals dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with raspberries hovering the edges of the glass. Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark(er) berry cola, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, soft woodiness, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender.

The palate is; ripe, ruby, round and lush. The mouthfeel is gorgeous & sexy. Still showing some tarry, teethed tannins. The length, structure, balance & length have just arrived with another 8-10 years of good life ahead. Dark, ruby, ripe & just a touch candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, spiced plum, incredible blue fruits, poached strawberries, cherries with classically perfect Williams Selyem raspberries . Dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mixed dark berry cola, steeped fruit tea, used coffee grounds, some dark chocolate, limestone/sandstone, touch of savory meats, light tobacco notes, wood shaving dust, shades of licorice, light, fresh Provenance herbs, sage, mint, whiffs of black pepper, tree bark w/ some sap, touch of damp, dark earth, top soil with brilliant fresh, candied; dark, red, blue florals framed in soft violets in a field of lavender. The acidity is round, voluptuous and perfect. The ripe, ruby, lush, well, knitted, balanced fruit & earth and polished long finish is glorious and persists endlessly into soft, dark spice with just the right amount of gentle heat.

Williams Selyem Pinots really start to be special at the 10 years plus.

This will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years and start a slow decline.

Also, appreciate they kept the ABV under 14%.

Photos of, Williams Selyem Winery & Tasting Room, designer barrel rack, tasting area where we tasted and one of their rolling hillside vineyards. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Been a awhile since I’ve had a Patz & Hall.

Nose reveals; baked & candied black plum, plum, dark cherries, blackberries, raspberries, poached strawberries, blueberries, dry cranberries, dark spice, smoked meats, core of black licorice, soft tarry notes, steeped black tea, mixed berry cola, fruit roll ups, sandy soils, moist clay, eucalyptus, dry twigs, tree sap, forest floor with dry leaves, touching mushrooms with candied, fresh & withering; red, purple, blue florals framed in violets.

The body full & round...well extracted. A little too much. Nice viscosity. Baked & candied black plum, plum, dark cherries, blackberries, raspberries, poached strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, dry cranberries, dark spice, smoked meats, core of black licorice, big dark fruit cola, soft tarry notes, steeped black tea, mixed berry cola, fruit roll ups, sandy soils, moist clay, eucalyptus, sage, nut skin, dry twigs, tree sap, dark spice with palate heat, forest floor with dry leaves, touching mushrooms with candied, fresh & withering; red, purple, blue florals framed in violets. The acidity round & rushes like a fresh water mountain river. The finish is extremely well balanced, polished, rich, lush, elegant persistent ending in dark spice & earthiness.

There is another point or two to be had from this bottling with three to five years of cellaring.

Photos of, our friends deck in progress and vistas. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Dark as a bruise on a black cherry in the glass. Purple beyond the maroon and blood red of most Cab. Smells fruity with a hint of animal sweat, and a little tobacco. Flavor is intense, rounded and juicy. Bit of tart cherry syrup and blackberry custard. Little bit of light roast coffee. Plum pits. Tannins are there, but not a drying as they could be. Oolong over English breakfast. Hint of tea tree oil and menthol cough drops. Dark chocolate cherry cake finish. It’s a nice-drinking, well-rounded, New World Cab. The berry-licious core gives it bounce and brightness. Good on ya mate! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Chateau L’ Evangile is another property owned by the Rothschild Family.

The nose reveals; dark, deep currants. Ruby, ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blueberries, baked strawberries and black raspberries. Dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, clove, touch of nutmeg, dark rich soils, steeped black tea, some black licorice, tree sap, eucalyptus notes, leather, soft tobacco, saddle/wood with ruby, fresh and withering dark, red flowers with soft violets.

The body is full. The mouthfeel gorgeous. The tannins firm, powdery, tarry & sticky. currants. Ruby, ripe, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blueberries, baked strawberries and black raspberries. Dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, clove, touch of nutmeg, dark rich soils, steeped black tea, some black licorice, tree sap, eucalyptus notes, leather, soft tobacco, saddle/wood with ruby, fresh and withering dark, red flowers with soft violets. The structure, tension, length and balance are beginning to find its groove. The acidity is nice round and beautiful. The long finish is, sexy on the palate, ruby gorgeous, well balanced, polish and beautiful. It lingers nicely for minutes.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, our double decanters and pourers and another view of the city of San Francisco. — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Been over a year since I’ve had this and really dug it last time. Glorious cooling spices. Lovely mineral and earthen scents. Oolong tea. Tree bark. Perfectly ripe cherries. Just gorgeous. So complex and layered. So delicate and pure. 9.5 nose. Palate is dynamite. Full of energy, power, concentration and depth. Very Red Riesling. So sappy. Ripe, sweet and velvety tannins. Superb structure and sap. Just brilliant. — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Nose has honey, honey, honey, warmed honey, honeycomb, white flowers, waxy green pear, waxy limestone, orange blossom, candied pineapple, bruised yellow apple, over-ripe green apple with excessive tree hang, resinous oak and (light) green banana peel.

Palate has honey glazed orange peel, dried lime zest, candle wax, honey drizzle over candied pineapple, lime wedge, dry red clay, lemon poundcake and chamomile tea, but the level of acidity is amazing, like lime orchard honey! WOW! Finish runs 2m+ and lingers longer.

100% Romorantin, best bottle of this one ever! 🤯

More amazing, 3-pack buy (last bottle 😭) in Jan 2010, $17!

Can easily hold in proper storage until a 20th birthday! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Simply one of the best Northern California Pinot Noirs for the money.

It takes four or five sips to get what this wine is meant to be when switching from the white burgundy.

This is another producer like Williams Selyem is good young but, amazes in 10-15 years.

The nose shows, ruby, candied & floral; blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, touch of baked rhubarb, mix of blackberries & raspberries, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark spices, black licorice, mix dark & mid fruit cola, dark rich, black earth, steeped fruit tea, dry twig, tree sap, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, limestone, volcanics with dry, withering & candied: red, dark, blue florals set in a field of violets.

The palate & body are elegant and sexy. Fantastic, glorious mouthfeel. Ripe, ruby, candied & floral; blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, poached strawberries, touch of baked rhubarb, blackberries & raspberries, burnt rhubarb, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, dark spices, black licorice, mix dark & mid fruit cola, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dark rich, black earth, steeped fruit tea, dry twig, tree sap, underbrush, savory meats, touch fresh & dry tobacco, suede leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone, volcanics with dry, withering & candied: red, dark, blue florals set in a field of violets with hints of lavender. The acidity is like a gentle, cool, stream. The long finish is just flat out amazing. It’s; candied, florals, well knitted & balanced, floral and is endlessly persistent.

Still has 5-8 years of good drinking ahead.

Photos of; Walter Hansel tasting room & bistro, beautifully harvested Pinot Noir bunches & vineyard. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I bought this bottle about a year ago from K&L. The bottle was in pristine shape. Like the 1985 last weekend, the neck fill today was as high as the day they filled it.

I purchased two bottles. The first, I didn’t post. It had waned. Tonight’s bottle is giving me everything thing I expected when I purchased it.

The nose reveals a little barnyard (v/a) that blew off fairly quickly, slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice, peppery notes, tree bark/sap, mint, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets.

The body is just full, fresh & lush. There is still a decent, tarry, slightly chewy tannin structure even after a little over 22 years in bottle. For me, the length, tension and balance are perfect. This bottle has another 5 and perhaps 7 years of good drinking ahead. It’s really delicious tonight. Slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries that pop on the palate, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone/dry top soil, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, melted, salted caramel, dark baking chocolate & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice with perfect palate heat, tree bark/sap, mint, savory meats, peppercorns, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather, French oak barrel shavings, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets. The acidity is round, phat & perfect. The long finish is delicious, an elegant lady, well balanced settling into some of the nicest, dark spices I can remember in sometime.

In terms of pleasure, I would give this wine a 94 but, in technical terms, just misses it.

Once again, I really love the 13% ABV. I wish Napa Cabernets had never risen above that level.

Photos of; the Estate of Flora Springs, long view of their beautiful barrel cellar, happy dog running through their vines and their very modern tasting room on Hwy 29. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals, fragrant/floral, blue & purple fruits. Black raspberries, baked boysenberries, olallieberries, dark cherries, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum & creamed, baked raspberries. Savory meats notes, sweet tar, the core of anise, limestone minerals, black tea, vanillin, clove, dark mocha powder, just a touch of caramel, used expresso grounds, just a whiff of mint, olive tapenade, dry clay. herbaceous notes with fresh, purple flowers & lavender.

The body is full, velvety with dusty tannins. Still plenty of life left here. With only about a half hour decant, it had nice flavors but, had a hollow mid palate and was short on finish. An hour later, it’s put on a lot of weight & filled in nicely.

Black raspberries, baked boysenberries, olallieberries, dark cherries, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, creamed, baked raspberries with strawberries coming on late. Savory meat notes, sweet tar, the core of anise, dark spice with a little heat, limestone minerals, black tea, vanillin, clove, dark mocha powder, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, caramel, just a touch of caramel, used expresso grounds, mint, olive tapenade, dry clay, forest floor with leaves, dry stems, herbaceous notes, tree sap, fresh, dark red & purple flowers with lavender. The acidity is round and balances the shade of hot alcohol shows. The finish is, thick, weighty, lush, elegant with dry, dusty tannins that are persistent for several minutes.

Another 3 years of patience will be rewarded!

At around $40 for a stellar 2007 Napa/Sonoma vintage, this is a steal tonight.

Photos of; Lancaster Winery, cellar tasting room and hillside vineyard.

9.1 at the start. 9.3 after two hours in the decanter.

— 7 years ago