Carter Pelham

9.4

*chef's kiss*

For me just shy of an immaculate wine.
Immediately upon opening got a super prominent whiff of stewed vegetal / green peppers aroma. Blew off a bit over time. Flinty and graphite mineral and relatively muted fruit aromas.

Beautiful cherry/cassis/blackberry fruit. Medium body. Relaxed tannins. Lower acidity than I expected. But the finish. Elevated and never ending. One of those wines you never feel compelled to take the next sip, in a good way...you never lose the taste of your last drink.

Second almaviva we've had. Loved them both, very different from the '98. — 5 years ago

with Linh and Larry

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Tightly wound, a touch reductive and shy on the nose emphasizing its youth. With time it opens beautifully showing black currants, wild raspberries, violets, spices, stems and pixelated minerals. Finishes with great length, concentration and balanced acidity. Easily built for decades of aging. — 5 years ago

Shawn R

9.5

En Mag, shy nose at first-took an hour to open up. Grape bubble gum on the nose, you know that kind you bought at the baseball field. Jam jar and super fine tannins make for a great showing. — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright and deep red. Shy nose and more present palate of pomegranate, citrus rind, dry red flowers, and anise fruit leather. Bracing acidity shores up the medium to full (for a rosé) body. Young Tavel giving a glimpse of what could come five to ten years on. A great wine with light “red wine” or heavier “white wine” dishes as well as an intriguing late summer/early fall sipper. Drink now or hold through 2028. — 6 years ago

Roy Goble

9.4

Really nice - tastes likes Napa! — 7 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Beautiful coloration, initially shy aromatics that opened up by 2nd pour with dark, expressive fruits, lovely, though not heavy dark fruits in the palate with pleasing finish — 7 years ago

Laith A

9.4

Delicious as always.. perfect for a hot day outside! — 5 years ago

Michael Greene

9.4

Young but why wait when it is this good? Top 1er cru quality. A little shy on the nose, but palate is incredible. Super pure fruit with raspberry and cherries. Tannins are velvet. Great lift and length on the finish. — 5 years ago

Chad Brewer

9.2

Thick rich and juicy — 5 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.0

Had the 2016 last night - this is lighter. It has a blackberry with a touch of cigar box. Also 17 may have been a more difficult vintage but this is a winery to explore - literally they seem VERY hospitable (on Zoom)! — 6 years ago

with Kristine

Adam Knoerzer

9.2

I think this is their most successful Pinot in the past few vintages. A little shy right now, sure, but I think it’s going to be firing on all cylinders in 2-3 years. Restrained, perfumed, and with enough structure to develop nicely. — 6 years ago

Samuel Sabori

9.1

Like drinking honey. Goes quickly.

Nose is initially waxy/muscat-like but that blows off. White flowers abound. There’s also a subtle passion fruit thing. Overall a very shy wine but one that pulls you in. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 88 Insignia out of Magnum.

On the nose, shy blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, creamy strawberries, black plum, notes of blue fruits, sweet vanillin soft volcanic minerals, red & blue florals with violets.

The body is leaner medium. Tannins are completely resolved. Pure pruny fruit elegance with bright red floral bouquet. Blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, creamy strawberries, black plum, rhubarb with notes of blue fruits, sweet vanillin fine powdery, old shoe leather, dry brush, volcanic minerals, red & blue florals with violets. Nice acidity and finish but, this wine was better served 3-5 years ago. — 8 years ago

Jason Soloway

8.9

Not sure what to make of this bottle. It was shy on opening and unfurled over a couple of hours to a pleasing Chardonnay that did little to offend or inspire. — 5 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

Once again I am reviewing the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Cuvée, 100 cases. I was looking forward to having this one a second time. Nose is a bit shy. But wow what a mouthfeel. Big fruit but far from too ripe. It’s elegant and silky in the mouth. Beautifully ripe blackberries, plum, maybe black cherries, baking spices, milk chocolate, licorice. Great structure with mild earthiness, nice acidity, and nice tannins. Great long finish. This exceeded my expectations once again. So glad I’ve got a case more. — 5 years ago

Khary Bizzell

10

Damn. Seriously the best I’ve had. — 6 years ago

Josh Weinstein

9.3

Love the pears and citrus with acidity — 6 years ago

with Kristen

Mike Beltran

9.3

Good quality Latour that’s holding up well. Nose was shy and took time to open. Color is still quite good. Not as assertive as I have had in the past- but still quality claret. At Bourbon Steak Santa Clara. Sommelier Rob was outstanding on all levels. — 6 years ago

Chris England

8.9

You wouldn’t know Barbaresco is one of my favourite wines as I hardly review them weirdly 😁 so seeing this 21 year old baby @ £83 recently I thought I gotta get me a piece of that 😉 It’s a few years past it’s peak now but still a decent drop although not worth its current 💵

📍 Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja 1998

🏵 89-90 points

🍇 Nebbiolo

🍷 Clear cherry ruby w/ bricked edge

👃 Tortured mashed cherry through tar, tobacco, soot embers, soggy earth, drenched oak & herbs w/ dirty dried red flower potpourri, menthol/mint & shy red berries

👄 Med slight tart body of earthy red cherry w/ a slight dry cocoa & red berry backbone

🎯 Med+ dry woody earthy red cherry/berry cocoa warming finale
— 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

Great value Larose @ £60 that’s ok now but time will definitely help to soften the dry tannins into a 😈 - leave 5+ years 😉

🍇 66% Cab S, 28% Mer & 6% Pet V

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Lead pencil, gravel & minerals through charred cedar & light oak in shy dark spiced black berry/currant fruit w/ herbs, smoke, earth & fresh roses

👄 Med+ body of mineral infused ripe blackcurrant & berry in mocha w/ a soft liquorice touch in fine dry tannins

🎯 Med+ dry blackcurrant & mocha finale — 8 years ago