Jan de Weerd

9.4

At first it drank more like a dry Napa Valley Merlot than a Cab. Dark fruit of blue berry with an edge of dried fig. Interestingly over time the tannins started to evolve and became more pronounced giving it a deeper layer of complexity and a grippy finish. — 5 years ago

with RoAnne and Tammy

Jane Dunkley

8.9

Bright and youthful in colour, the nose was initially closed but opened up on decanting. Sour cherry and dried mint. Medium high acidity and firm, tight tannins. Needed decanting to evolve the palate. Great food wine. Probably deserves more patience and time to be more giving. — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

My first impression of the just released 2018 Zinfandel. Due to climate related issues, overall Zinfandel production was down in 2018 but regardless, Rafanelli only bottles about half of what they produce with the remainder being sold off to others. Some Petite Sirah (13%) made it into the final blend. Being so young, I opened the bottle around noon and poured it into a decanter with intentions to drink later in the evening. By dinner, this was more open and ready to enjoy. Obviously primary with loads of powerful bramble fruit, pepper, red rope licorice and baking spices. I absolutely love the balance. The acid that Rafanelli achieves in their Zinfandel always seems to bring a smile to my face; so much lift which balances the lush fruit giving an impression of freshness. Long, very satisfying finish. The tannins are pretty steep right now and they seemed to build as time went on. I expect this will be a vintage that can age very well. 18mos in a combination of new, 1-year and 2-year old French oak barrels. 6,500 cases were made. — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2012 - wine from #corse #corsican local grapes #nielluciu and #sciaccarello The wine has very clear evolution, giving a rooftile brown rim. The smell of a stable, positive stinking! Also raspberries liquor, plums, a bit dusty impression in taste with a nice bitter at the end. The smell of the wine from these curious grapes reminded me a bit of Burgundy. — 8 years ago

Simon Weston

9.0

My reward to myself for spending 5 hours turning a package of flat boards into a kitchen pantry for my in-laws 😃. Needed several hours to breathe and I may have to give them a decanter next Christmas 😃. Inky purple purple and a candy cherry nose, cherry vanilla & oak taste with spicy pepper finish. Smooth tannins but not as lush as older vintages. Going to try to keep the other 2012’s for a couple more years. Happy Christmas everyone. — 8 years ago

Adam Knoerzer

9.5

Gorgeous. For a 2001, it's still giving plenty of red and black cherries that are complimented nicely by the toasty vanilla in the oak. — 9 years ago

M. Travis

9.1

Tasty with our early thanks giving dinner — 10 years ago

Devin Bray

9.5

Rich and savory, smelling of seaweed, must, and dark preserves with burnt sugar or caramel. There's an olivey savoriness on the palate that signals Syrah, along with some cured meat and pepper. Opens up with more jammy berry flavors after 30 minutes, with a nice kiss of oak. Old world meets New World feel going on here. Ripe and giving for days on the palate with lots of umami and sweet. — 10 years ago

Michael Ochsner

9.7

So amazingly giving, yet delicate. Crazy fresh red fruit and vibrant spice. — 11 years ago

with Brett

Sam Coturri

Winery Sixteen 600, Enterprise Vineyards and the Moon Mountain District

9.3

Still pretty young. Refined, graphite giving way to pipe tobacco and bitter chocolate but still waiting to come together. Mid-palate presence seemed jumbled. — 11 years ago

Thomas Roberts

9.7

In honer of the Porter's visit. Decanted 45 minutes. Faded garnet core with pronounced age on the rim. Leads with graphite and leather, then currants, dried cranberry and notes of cigar box and forest floor. Fruits come through first on the palate and giving similar aromas to the nose, immediately followed by earth, tobacco, wet soil. Medium bodied with moderate viscosity. Still showing tannic structure through the medium+ length finish. Very enjoyable but I believe it'll improve with 5-10 more years. — 13 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. — 6 years ago

Dana Thompson

9.0

Very nice Cali blend. Not too sweet while it doesn’t give the blend it’s obviously Sauv Blanc, Semillon, Viongnet and..any guesses? I like it more the Conundrum especially at dB below $12 price. — 7 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.5

With a one hour decant the wine is classic! Aromas of smoked meat, dark fruits, a slight green olive long finish it is a beautifully balanced wine giving a lot of pleasure! Drunk slowly over two hours post decant. The purity and freshness is simply amazing! The second hour post decant the wine continued to unveil more complexity... — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

This is Margot Robbie baking you a blackberry pie in your kitchen. — 9 years ago

Charlie Beatty

Buyer wineworksonline.com

10

Awesome 97 Insignia. The wine of the night and there were plenty others. Sharing this with all on our Monday night dinner group. I would say 100 points because it was. Guys like Rob Parker recently upgraded this to a 100pts. Big rich full and elegant stand out on this 20 yr old wine. Thanks David for giving me this Awesome Beauty. CB — 9 years ago

with Walter, Dennis and 4 others

Evan Bloom

9.3

What a treat. From the company to the antics of the cork removal, all was fantastic. Not surprised with some immediate mustiness on the nose, giving way to a rich but smooth aged blue cheese, mushrooms, soy sauce, earth, and just a faint hint of dried red fruit. Over the next 20 minutes the glass development was out of control, changing with each and every whiff and sip. Earthy umami, oxidative, and and slightly stewed reds to begin quickly opened to nice dried strawberries on the palate and nose, and advancing to moderately subdued ripened strawberries and cranberries- after 61 years and still kickin with fruit! Amazing. Then after about 20 minutes of rapid metamorphosis, it gave in and decided to fade to a very pleasant sipper...awesome. — 10 years ago

with Rajiv and Tim

Marie Chandra

9.0

Nice pinot noir at industrial kitchen. Light and sweet. — 11 years ago

Cody Short

8.9

Too young and not giving up much right now. Lots of potential but some red fruits and wood most prevalent. — 12 years ago

Nicholas Molnar

9.2

Nice table wine — 13 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

Softer everywhere than the ‘07 we drank alongside. On the nose a tad more lush, nothing green. More voluptuous - zaftig? - giving it a more feminine, sexy and velvety feel. Red fruit shroomier in tones and finish just a bit longer and lusher. If the ‘07s tannins turn right, could be heading in this direction but the ‘03s can be had for ~$100 and that’s a bloody bargain. — 6 years ago

with Melissa

Bruce Leboff

9.2

Elegant - colour is giving way to a more brickish tone. Still good tannin and structure. A hint of cigar tobacco on the nose, perhaps a hint of coffee. Elegant and well refined - long finish. Lovely. Comparing to its 10 year younger cousin in a vertical. #beaucastel — 6 years ago

with David

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Tried at a tasting, like it, so I bought a bottle. An interesting and unique Albariño. Medium lemon color with aromas of stone fruits, citrus, blossom and biscuit notes. This wine was fermented in oak, and kept on lees for 6 months, with occasional stirring (batonnage), giving a soft creamy yeasty tone to the wine, aging well. On the palate flavors of apple and pear with toasty oak notes and vanilla spice. Long smooth finish, good acidity balance, ending with fruit and oak character. Nice! — 6 years ago

K Frech

8.9

Picked up in auction. Label is trashed but decent fill. So deceiving. Nose from bottle yuck. Nose from glass oh my. This is beautiful. Soft. Some tobacco. Some fruit like an old blackberry but not in a bad way. Giving no it a 8.9 bit could move it up a notch. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Champagne Paul Bara, Bouzy – Special Club Grand Cru, Reims, 2005

Overview
A standout grower Champagne from Bouzy, carrying the prestige of the Special Club designation and the depth of a Grand Cru. Crafted with meticulous care, this cuvée rested over 36 months on the lees before disgorgement, bringing a richness and complexity worthy of the vintage.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose is expressive with layers of baked brioche, toasted hazelnut, and almond cream, underpinned by ripe orchard fruits and subtle citrus zest. On the palate, it delivers a beautifully yeasty core, with flavors of apple tart, quince, lemon curd, and a touch of honey. Mineral edges and a faint chalky salinity keep the richness in perfect check.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet powerful. The mousse is fine and persistent, coating the palate with creamy texture while the acidity provides both lift and tension. The lees aging shows in the roundness and savory depth, giving a long and polished finish.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seared scallops, lobster in beurre blanc, or a simple truffle risotto. Its balance of richness and freshness also makes it a stunning partner for aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
An impressive expression of both terroir and time in cellar. Champagne Paul Bara’s Special Club 2005 shows off why Grand Cru Bouzy fruit, combined with extended lees aging, creates a Champagne of immense character and grace. A bottle that commands attention at the table, while rewarding patience and appreciation. Cheers! — 9 years ago

Jordan Barnes

9.4

Beautiful blend for a good price. — 9 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.1

Not giving much at first, but opened up nicely after a couple hours in the decanter. Light tannins and probably drinking at peak, but should be fine for several years. — 10 years ago

Matt Lichtenberg

9.5

Popped 1 of my 3 bottles to celebrate two friends turning 50 at Factory Kitchen. 50 year old California Cab with finesse, balance, and though I wouldn't expect it to improve over time, it was fantastic and quintessential old school cab from without a doubt one of my favorite California producers. Just lovely! — 11 years ago

Carl Steefel

9.2

Although only 5% Semillon, that varietal has a strong impact here, giving a touch of sweetness and extra volume. With some air, this delicate aromas of dried herbs and spice. The inner mouth perfume really explides on the finish. — 11 years ago

Joe Leone

9.8

Amazed by the price, and blown away by the flavor profiles this everyday white brings to the dinner table.#newfavoritechickencutletwine! — 12 years ago