Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I think my posts on this producers Napa Cabernets with this kind of age have been clear. 2005 not the shinning star vintage of Napa Valley, yet non the less very consistent & punches above its price point. Pretty sure I bought this in the $35ish range. She is smooth with no bittiness on the palate.

The nose shows; used coffee grounds, dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices, black licorice, steeped black tea, sandstone,moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers.

The palate is elegant & still fresh; dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate to pudding, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dark spice with palate heat, sandstone, moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers framed in violets, very round acidity with balance, evolution, structure/ tension & elegance for minutes and lands on earth & spice.

Still has 7-10 yrs ahead. You could make a case for 94 here. — 2 months ago

A D

9.5

Delicious and buttery — 2 months ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.4

One of the best zinfindel’s, dry, full bodied and a great nose, thoroughly enjoyed the complex notes in this one. 2017 is a good year right now. Aged nicely, but would love to have a few more to see how well they do in the next year or so — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Maybe it’s bc this followed the barbaresco but this seems thin by comparison — 4 months ago

Jason Muniz

9.2

Very good, bold but dark cherry notes — 5 months ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Oaky, rich, full bodied, a bit too much on its own, better if paired with a fatty steak. — 7 months ago

Laura Burgund

9.3

Very smooth & velvety — 11 years ago

James Scurlock

9.1

One of our favorite Pinot noirs — 2 months ago

Antra Stabler

9.6

Good flavour. Almost fresh tasting at first. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Go 9ers!
Great wine to start the season, loads of Chardonnay flavors, brioche and biscuit on the finish. — 2 months ago

Chip Habegger

9.1

Could be a 9.2 but I had it at a steakhouse and the Cali Cab - Filet combo makes all’s those wines taste better. Even without the 2+2=5 taste combo was still smooth, darkly fruited, and great. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — 4 months ago

Kamall

9.1

Lovely with a long decant — 5 months ago

Nick Stinnett

9.1

Smooth and rich with a great finish. — 9 years ago

Joaquin Martinez

8.9

This is an old friend. An old experience I've had before but different. Younger, with more time needed to open but as the wine changes and evolves, its reminiscent to those brunellos of the past. This may not be the most ideal brunello year but it definitely satisfies the experience. Sometimes i wonder if any brunello will come close to those brunellos I had in the past but as the time passes, things evolve and change and maybe youll get glimmers of those brunellos but nothing exact. Well this is the first brunello of this decade of 2020, so we will see what the future holds! Definitely worth another try but after its aged a few months or years. Good nonetheless. — 2 months ago

Takuya Namise

9.1

L’OLIVA
重くてバランス取れてる — 2 months ago

Shaun Kleffman

9.3

Celebrating graduating from CRNA school. Easily my favorite Syrah/Petite Syrah. Enjoyed every sip! — 2 months ago

with Kelsi

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Good for a restaurant wine choice when there are no Italian reds. Not overly juicy or in your face typical of the region. Probably due to the nice peppery overlay. Acidity and tannins well balanced to permit mouthwatering enjoyment up front followed by a long relatively soft finish. Priced a bit much. — 3 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

It’s got that CA profile. Dusty earth and tooti frooti but also has some good spice. But yea, that CA profile. Elegant, sweet and balanced. Not big but small and pure. Nice. — 5 months ago

Billy Ray Valentine

9.1

WOTN...very good wine for $15 — 9 years ago