Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

Steak & claret Friday is back. This bottle was more evidence for my theory that wine always shows best once it sells out. Dark fruit, savory tertiary character and plenty of sweet life in this "for steak only" northern Medoc. Hats off to the butchers at Draeger's... I don't know what that "cowboy" steak was, but it sure was good! — 10 years ago

Jeff Smith/Vintner

9.4

Rumor has it that the cuttings of SH came from Inglenook, which ultimately came from DRC. Interesting theory. SH has always been an odd duck in Napa. Spring Mt Pinot, that is muscle and elegance in one package. So I'm going with it... Beautiful wine. Elegant and powerful at the same time. Loads of red currant, Asian 5 spice and rose oil. Pure aromas and fruit. Perfumed, exotic and texturally sleek. Minor alc on the finish, but I've tasted many hotter Burgs. What most new world Pinots wish to be! — 11 years ago

Christina Gibbs

9.2

In theory, the oldest vines in muscadet. Yeasty and musky, bright and full of minerals at the same time. I like it. — 11 years ago

Erik McLaughlin

Vice President Seven Hills Winery

9.0

String theory. — 11 years ago

Rachel Macalisang

Lead Sommelier - The Bazaar by José Andrés

8.9

Wine for this morning's theory group. We were all in good spirits despite the earthquake that rocked the bay today. — 12 years ago

Abby Johnson

9.9

Celebrating with Lewis for passing theory!!! — 12 years ago

Dirk Pettigrew (Pirate)

Sales Pirate Cru Wines

9.7

My favourite wine of all time. Thinking of you Sam. — 13 years ago

Paul Preibisch

10

Love this wine. I tried it at their winery, and ordered it today at a restaurant.
— 10 years ago

Julia Weinberg

9.6

In theory - it's completely silly having your heart flutter over a bottle of wine. But when you come across those special ones it's unavoidable and makes so much sense. That nose, so beautiful. That texture, I swoon. #lapaulee2016 — 10 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.2

My theory that everyone named Giuseppe is bound for greatness remains intact — 11 years ago

Matt O'Leary

9.0

Very good wine. My tastebuds may be a little off tonight but I think it's a bit sweet for a cab not in a bad way. I like it — 11 years ago

Rachel Macalisang

Lead Sommelier - The Bazaar by José Andrés

9.0

2011. Wine we had yesterday in theory group while studying Eastern Europe. Love my SF nucleus. — 11 years ago

Ridaa Murad

9.4

One of my all time favorite Blanc de Blancs! I love bubbly with anything and here's proving that theory with lasagna!!!! — 12 years ago

Henry Kahn

9.6

In a grand spot but perhaps not fully mature. Puts the lie to my theory of not buying riservae. Still some tannins to resolve, reddish fruit, spicey, tobacco and leather notes. Bright aromatics. Round full complete. Great wine for a snowy night — 12 years ago

Bernard Rethore

Owner, Fion Wines

8.9

My theory about Sonoma cabs still holds - wait 10 years before opening. Nice effort — 10 years ago

with Susan

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.6

There’s a lot of wine being made in California and abroad that is, in theory, similar to this wine… Extremely old vines of obscure varietals, natural production and so on. However, in this case, winemakers Pax Mahle and Loren Grossman have delivered something that shines brighter than the rest - including their other labels. 

Titular “Pax” wines have a similar sense of spice, animal and force, but often lack the subtly found here. His other label “Wind Gap” capitalizing on the trend of hardly ripened fruit to give the wine telling minerality and that mouth-puckering tart freshness at the expense of body.  All of which is also evident in this wine, but much more balanced and slowly revealed. 

This wine is sexy and nimble, but has depth and a sense of place. Reminiscent of  Northern Rhone but less narrowly focused. It’s all you can ask for from California. They only made about 100 cases, and it retails for under 40 dollars. We have 9 bottles left at Joy Wine & Spirits, come in and get it. — 10 years ago

Natalee Ridenhour

9.0

Light crisp, would definitely buy again. Suzanne loves it! — 11 years ago

Ryan Stotz

9.2

This is at a peak it's hard to imagine it'll surpass. Thankfully there's a few more bottles I can use to test that theory. Loads of strawberry, tart raspberry and roses on the nose, but the story is on the open, light palate. Peaches, mellow citrus and red licorice expand the fruit, and then it gets a little dirty heading into the finish. Glowing acid keeps it on its toes all the way through. Really, really good for getting change back on a twenty. If you see it, get it. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.3

Another unique blend from Corsica from the foothills of theory rains an old vines Grenache — 12 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

10

Dandy in the Clos. All love. Love love love. — 12 years ago