Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days and consistent throughout. The 2021 “La Dardouille” pours a bright purple color with a near transparent core. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, youthful with a bucket of fresh, darker fruits: blackberries, dark cherry, plum, and blue berries with purple flowers, black pepper, dried earth, minerals and some light baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with the black pepper really showing more prominently. Long, mineral finish. All of that being said, the elegance of this wine is arguably its most distinctive characteristic. This is a very light-handed Saint-Joseph and its transparency is a gift. Very pretty stuff. Drink now to enjoy its youthful beauty but some patience will likely reward as I expect this will flesh out. Drink through 2036. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 2 years ago
I encroached on this wine with low expectations, even with the knowledge of Daou’s reputation and the pedigree they employ. I’ve never been a fan of Paso Robles and my only run-in with Daou was unimpressive, to say the least. I digress. Tonight’s bottle was purchased to assist my wife & I with putting up Christmas decorations and I think we chose wisely. The deep, dark fruits in this juice are brooding and dense, reminding me of a thick slab of blackberry/blueberry cobbler. The notes of anise & clove offer a nice touch of spice and are even more welcome around the holiday season. The delicate notes of vanilla are pleasing and nuanced. The mouthfeel is plush and voluptuous and has enough complexity to justify the price-point. This is a well-made wine; one that makes me re-think my position on Paso Robles. — 6 years ago


Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
Don’t fall for the Austin Hope mega purple fruit bomb. $50.00 retail makes people think its a real Cabernet. $18.00 from distributors, obviously not a quality Cabernet
Formed in 1979 by Peter Lehmann to assist the grape growers of the region who at the time were facing financial ruin, they now enjoy the rewards of longstanding friendships and loyalty. A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Shiraz, deep red with aromas of black fruit. On the palate black raspberry and currant flavors, toasty oak, savory with fine tannins. Medium finish ending with oaky notes. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago


Handel Lee's bottle drank in Shanghai and yes it was real thing! Cork in good shape albeit tore upon pulling...no Ah-So to assist but wine opened and sang for over an hour. Dried cherries, roses, Asian spices...Sous Bois. Balanced acids and firm backbone. A hell of a treat! This bottle at its peak and just a beaut! — 10 years ago
Right again @Todd Abrams. Thanks! Swim talk and wine with @Ted Hughes got another big assist from your outstanding recommendation! — 11 years ago
Revisiting an old favorite. Thanks to JR at UVA wines in sunny williamsburg for the assist — 12 years ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2019 pours a deeper garnet (than the Barbaresco) but otherwise the same with a transparent core, medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, more power here too. A tar bomb early which settles in and takes a seat behind a basket full of black cherries, macerated blackberries, roses, orange rind, menthol, fresh sage and some dried basil and old wood. On the palate, bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Such a lovely body and don’t even get me started on the texture. I’m smitten. Drink now with patience through 2049. Thanks @Lyle Fass for the assist! — 2 years ago
Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Best on Day 3 but this was pretty awesome from the draw. Brisset’s humble Bourgogne Blanc sources fruit outside of the appellations of Chassange-Montrachet, Volnay and Meursault. I wouldn’t blame anyone for suspecting it to be 1er cru. The 2021 “Cuvée Cassanes” pours a straw color with medium viscosity. There is a gorgeous nose of green apples, underripe pineapple, kiwi, star fruit, and a mix of limestone and chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. The wine has lovely texture. The finish is long and has some super chalky minerals. A distinctive Bourgogne Blanc. I wish (and will) buy more of this in the future. An awesome pairing with pheasant pâté. Drink now through 2031. Thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist! — 2 years ago
Pop & pour. Love the nose: Christmas baking spices, figs, raisins, mulled cider, plums, anise and clove. The palate is a bit flabby, the bodily structure needing more time to develop in the bottle. Even now a good decant is in order to assist in the opening process as it’s muted now. Not to mention it’s a complete bomb at 15.1% ABV.
Edit: 92+. After approximately 40 minutes in the decanter and 30 minutes in the glass this wine lost the flabby baggage that was readily apparent shortly after opening and slowly began to take shape, thus revealing a more collected & rounded out wine that everyone eventually enjoyed, even my wife, who has not enjoyed this selection in the past. — 7 years ago


Formed in 1979 by Peter Lehmann to assist the grape growers who at the time were facing financial ruin, now over 160 grape growers supply Lehmann from over 900 vineyards throughout Barossa. Dark red with nice fruit aromas and sweet spice notes. On the palate ripe berry fruit with cacao and vanilla flavors, soft and pleasant. Fine smooth tannins, approachable, medium+ length ending with sweet cacao character. Nice value. — 7 years ago
I would image there are very few bottles of this left on planet Earth. I am humbled to assist in the elimination of one of the last of its kind. Still ruby red but more amber on the edges. Licorice berries and leather on the nose. Layers of burnt berries and chocolate along with a red/ black licorice finish. Wow — 8 years ago
Yet another wine that has presented perfectly on day two. I have more respect for Cali producers who produce juice that is able to stands upright on day two. It's still ultra-rich, and deeply textured. Kudos to the winemaker. There are also some very interesting text referencing early English monarchs on the front label. Will ask my art historian daughter to assist with decoding the faint signals. — 10 years ago
Quite full and rich for such a young Cornas...the structure indicates a wine that will age gracefully yet it can be consumed now (with an assist from a decanter) — 10 years ago
Delicious through and through! Hazelnut, almond, and a little caramel assist the pineapple, green pear and apple fruits. Slight amount of butter to the round mid palate but it is assisted by very nice acidity the entire time. Very nice long lingering finish! — 11 years ago
Vibrant nose and color in the glass - pomegranate and dark cherry - ala texbook burgundy with some white truffle and wet forest floor. The palate seems young and vibrant - but has incredible depth and structure. The tannins are med weight and can easily assist this wine over the next 12-15 years (2027-2030). — 11 years ago
Pre-order MATTHIASSON Quake Cuvée, a Napa Red négociant blend to be created by Steve Matthiasson to assist the community as soon as possible. All after-tax profits will benefit the NAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY DISASTER RELIEF FUND and their efforts to provide immediate financial support and resources for those most in need.
Please note: This wine will ship in the Spring 2015!
— 12 years ago
I’ve been wanting to try the wines of Cantina Tomaso Gianolio for years but finding them on this side of the Atlantic has been a challenge. As of now, I don’t know much about where Davide and Igor Gianolio source their fruit but the family has been making these wines in a traditional manner for over 90 years so I’m sure the source is exceptional. So traditional, even the cork is short and stubby, lol!
Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2019 pours a light garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and tar forward early but it quickly transforms into a veritable beauty with notes of raspberries, rose water, tar, star anise, talcum powder, and dry, stony earth. On the palate, the with is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Elegant and lovely expression of the 2019 vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2044 (if the cork will keep that long). Huge thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist! — 2 years ago

Had the Cabernet not the blend - 2019 — 6 years ago
Rustic and delicious. 100% Otskhanuri Sapere. Inky purple, high acid, medium tannin. Blackberry/graphite accord. Well-structured. These wines deserve more exposure. Cool story linked below on the EU support these ladies received to assist in exporting their wine. http://www.eu4business.eu/success-stories/baia-and-gvantsa-winemakers-turning-family-tradition-successful-business — 6 years ago

I love this casual spin on Cali chard. Apple and pear and an acidic assist from the Pinot Gris. Silky and fruity and mild complexity equals mindless drinking and enjoying. In a good way. — 7 years ago
The best wine I’ve ever tasted.
A sublime nose with gracefully aged dark fruits and leather dark cherry and currant across the palate are complemented by lilac, dried mushroom, white pepper, tobacco and sage. Beautifully integrated oak notes assist moderate tannins in providing just enough muscle on the finish. The beauty of this wine lies in the fact that all of these flavors are integrated with each other and perfectly balanced.
For me, it simply doesn’t get any better than this. I typically seek wines with dark fruit, herbaceous hints, elegant floral notes, vegetal strains, minerals and spice. This wine is all of those things. 😍 — 8 years ago
Incredible Beauty shared by our new bud Mitch Lieberman. I could not find him on delectable to tag him on this post. Perhaps @Howard Greenfield can assist?
This Right bank blend had everything going on! It was still fresh and lively on the palate, Pronounced red fruit & a huge a depth of flavor. It was drinking like a million bucks. I'm a Huge Figeac fan and this one did not disappoint!! Thank you sir., may I have another!! Lol⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 9 years ago

Another excellent SB, served at close to ambient temp, which funnily enough assist with creating the aromatics.
The nose was so delicate and inviting (as was its appearance in the glass). I detected lemon and a hint of lime. Not sure if this wine sees oak, but I did detect woody overtones. I loved the expression on the palette. Hints of pineapple, honey and brioche mingle. It finishes with a zippy texture which is a wonderful final chapter. — 10 years ago


It was an honor to bottle the final vintage for Darrell Corti. Very nice to have @Tegan Passalacqua there to assist. — 11 years ago
Great acidity. Picpoul Blanc with the assist! — 11 years ago
Looks like summer, tastes like summer. Thank you J Vineyards & Winery family for sharing your "Joie de Gris"! Clockwise from left, meet the happy crew: Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse, Assist. Winemaker Scott Anderson & Dir. of Vineyard Operations Scott Zapotocky — 12 years ago

Jay Kline

Popped and poured, enjoyed over several days. Consistent throughout. The 2013 “Serracapelli” pours deep garnet with transparent core, medium+ viscosity no staining of the tears. Some sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with soaring aromatics; explosive notes of Rainier cherry, roses, pomegranate, Grape Nuts, star anise, talcum powder, old wood, new leather, alpine herbs. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and grippy with almost waxy texture. Fresh, balanced, and super compelling. Lovely stuff. Drink now and through 2033 easy. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 2 years ago