Bob McDonald

9.7

As I’ve said previously it’s always a highlight to drink a Bass Phillip Reserve - Australia’s Best Pinot Noir. Nose of Asian spices, decayed plant matter/compost heap, mushroom and Sous Bois in general - a gorgeous nose. The palate is also gorgeous and of profound intensity with medium minus acid - great length and persistence. Treads the line of intensity and elegance. An amazingly good Pinot of Premier Cru but more of Grand Cru standard. I haven’t been buying recent vintages because the French owners have jacked up the price significantly / now approaching $1000, whereas I paid $495 for this 2013. — 21 days ago

John Bratincevic

9.1

NOSE:cassis, black cherry, leather, both baking spices and savoury herbs (like nutmeg and bay leaf). Plum and mulberry. Nutty vanilla. Smells like proper, grown-up wine - though not especially heavy.

TASTE: initially very good. Dry, bitter cassis, cherry, herbs, medium weight with nice velvety mouthfeel - but not a lot of the other fruit from the nose (more air improved). Tannins bring a long, dry, bitter finish - sticks on the tongue- burnt-plant. There’s a bitter herbaceousness that is almost like straight cassis berries (which I have in my backyard, so speaking from experience) - very elegant in its way. Went very well with steak and smoothed out with air, the dark fruit became more prominent...I think a long decant is in order. Many different impressions here … real stuff. 91-92. — 3 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.0

Syrah made in a Sicilian style, nearly nero d'Avola like i would suggest.
Fresh, crunchy, vibrant.
Spadafora has become very much hands off in the last few years. Certified organic, wild fermentation and no sulphites added to this wine. I love the label that says 1.8kg per plant.
Great effort. — 10 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Tastes like a Syrah from somewhere in Santa Barbara County, which is not a bad thing taste-wise. But I’m always puzzled when European countries plant grapes that are indigenous to other countries. That aside, it’s very good. Nose is complex, with animal, vegetable, and mineral qualities (plus some nice fruit). There is an intense iron quality, cured salami, ripe boysenberry, and a little tobacco leaf. In the mouth it’s dark and rich, but the tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive. Acidity is a little lower than most Northern Rhônes, but enough to maintain balance. Despite my predispositions, I like it. — 3 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

8.9

Trippy. Smells like a pea plant. Good. — 3 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

I like this. A nose of restrained gooseberry and tomato plant. On the palate, it's more of that with a dry, powdery feel rather than anything cloying. We had an awesome pairing for this one which made good use of the wine's acidity... A creamy mushroom and miso spaghetti... Superb pairing here. — 4 years ago

with Anita

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2015 | Agiorgitiko old vines| matured for 18 months in oak barrels | beautiful rich spicyness in smell, forrest, oak, vanilla, tobacco, cherries also, lovely complex smell and robust taste. This is a very good effort. Paired with tenderloin and egg plant purée. — a year ago

Phil Kessling

9.0

I love that the vineyard is a mix of very old, middle aged and young vines. When an old one dies, they plant a young one. One of the best values in Etna Rosso. Mix of black and red fruit, little tannic, smoke and fire on the finish. — a year ago

John Bratincevic

8.9

Nose: dark berries, warm spices, varnish, some plant I can’t identify, plum. Some tobacco?

Taste: tasty, but not as good or as interesting as the professional reviews claimed. Seems one dimensional to me - regular inexpensive bordeaux. Medium weight, a little bitter - a little vegetal, even - perhaps it needs more air or age. Was hoping for more, given the price ($22?) and praise. Won’t bother again. 89. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

After pressing dried grapes from making Amarone, Valpolicella wine is passed over the still warm skins of Amarone for 2nd alcoholic fermentation, increasing the alcoholic content, aromas and color. Blend of 85% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta. Deep Ruby with aromas of sweet dried berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate ripe blackberry, currants and sweet cherry with complex spice. Well balanced with acidity and alcohol, full-body with soft tannins on long finish. Nice value. — 4 years ago