Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

On the nose; earthiness & a touch of funkiness. Blackberries, plum, blue fruits, dark cherries, raspberries touch of gummies, red roses and fresh violets.

The body is leaner to medium. The palate has ripe leaner fruits of; blackberries, plum, blue fruits, dark cherries & raspberries. Just hint of savoriness, nice dark rich turned earth, very little wood or baking spice as they do these 30% used oak and the rest in tank. Some black licorice, soft minerals, some dry top soil and fresh red flowers and violets.

Photos of; their Estate vines, branding signage outside the tasting room, the quartz that runs all though their property and Macarena our host behind the tasting rooms.

Interesting notes about their location in Casablanca, they are next to and protected by one of I think six UNESCO sites in all of Chile.

The Casablanca Valley also sees warm days and fog that rolls in later in the evening through the early mornings. It leaves so much moisture, you can shake the trees in the morning and it’s like taking 1/4 to 1/2 a shower. The daytime warmth drys out the vegetation & vines out along with the early afternoon winds. So, they have no issues with Powdery mildew or mold. — 8 years ago

Robyn Balnaves

9.0

Very light and fruity a good wine for a picnic or with a delicate fish or chicken dish.
Easy to drink on its own but think it could get sickly if you are more used to fully body or dry whites.
Ideally I would drink this if I was meeting friends for a casual catch up with nibbles or chilling outside on a sunny day. — 8 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Delicious #centralcoastwine #pinotnoir #ednavalley #fieldrecording I was happily surprised by this wine, the label made me think it was going to be frivolous and more interesting on the outside than on the inside, boy was I wrong! It's a fantastic PN with a harmonious balance of youthful red fruits and refreshing acidity with a medium juicy body and perfectly ripe. — 8 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.1

Velma had this 9 years ago

with Justin

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

Ok a lot of people who had this wine ditched it. Alas i think they are used to Chateaux Neuf de Pape like wines aka big reds from Tablas Creek. Well this one is not. Came as a gift from friends. Prunes on the nose. Light very low alcohol! 13.2%👍. Cherry 🍒 notes in the mouth. Good acidity. Guys this is very well made i can't believe it is from Paso. Very Burgundian very. — 9 years ago

with Dustin and Justin

Maria Vano

9.5

(Last week) Okay well just close your eyes and you'll think you have a cold perfectly ripe strawberry in your mouth -- not sweet but makes your mouth feel cold when it's sweltering outside. A must to try! — 9 years ago

Cristin Castro

9.2

Watching this evolve; the wine has been open in gassed now for 5 days. The unctuous mouth is such a fine thing because it's not heavy at all, it's like a tartus, bigger on the inside than the outside: it's rightly contained in acid and can think is so many things it reminds me of and makes me want to eat/one of those wines. The best Vineyards are so Wise, They keep going and spur so many ideas. This could be medicine for a really sour day or total replacement for Bubbles in celebration. Intense. Somehow still light around the edges. — 10 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

9.1

Winner winner, chicken dinner!! So far the best rosé for 2014...by far! I love strawberries, but this didn't make me think of it as a fruit. It made me think of the seeds on the outside. Fruity, yet acidic. Perfect! — 11 years ago

A Sprimg

9.5

After hearing the stories of a friends trip to France and drinking great roses, I decide to start trying some. Got this at Circle Liquors on 31. Loved it. What do y'all think? — 11 years ago

Roy Arias

9.3

#roséalldamnday in Vegas since it's still 95 degrees outside. Tastes like watermelon sweettarts and txakolina like acidity! Under $20 and diggin' it. I think I'm addicted to Austrian #wine lately. Salty, fruity, stony, and juicy. #delectableapp — 11 years ago

Barry Spooren

9.3

Really delicious. Very rich in flavour but also elegant. With a lot of young fruit, blossom, vanilla and some spices. Has a nice story as well: the winemaker bought a small vineyard just outside Pomerol to make wines he loves without having to think about rules and regulations. — 13 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Loud bretty nose with loads of cracked stones, black peppercorns, and dark cherry skins. Very St. Joseph Syrah-like even though it’s pure Carignane from just outside Corbieres, I think. On the palate it’s lean and lively. Hard to put this down, and, at 12.5%, there’s little reason to. — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.7

This wine is so cool! Took a break from my Cali Cab education tonight. For starters I didn't even know anyone was making Pinot Meunier outside of Champagne, much less as a single varietal. But then I found out it is technically a clone of Pinot Noir. It is somehow light and very ripe and full at the same time. The acidity is delightfully high, there is this backnote of cola that goes so beautifully with the cherry/red currant nature of this. Love it. @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher I think you sent this my way. Thank you! — 8 years ago

Meeter B

9.4

I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door
Hello, I think it's you I've always been looking for...
Deeply dry, slightly spicy and really tobacco-y on the finish. I wish I could quit you... — 8 years ago

Marla Frederick

9.0

A tried and true sparkling. I think everyone universally agrees that this is strawberries with minerality on the finish. Much as I feel boring writing this, the wine outshines my descriptive capabilities. This is an odd choice of wine for blizzard-like conditions outside, but yet it makes me inexplicably happy. It feels right, it just feels right. — 9 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.1

Found this in my inlaws cabinet, they are not wine drinkers. I think they use this for cooking. I actually like this Classic Rioja flavors and the Alta dust. The back is a bit weak. Not bad when it's hot outside. — 9 years ago

John Needham CSW

9.0

I really like both of these varietals on their own and would have never thought of blending them. PA did a good job here, but I think Pinot Noir excels on its own. I give them a 9 because it was a well built wine and a good try. Really like how Oregon is moving outside of just the willamette. — 9 years ago

Rashed Chowdhury

9.2

Think of a few concentric circles... In the middle are fruit flavors, immediately outside from the inner circle is more dominant tar and leather flavors, and then layers and layers of very strong tannins in the outer circles... The tannin has length, lasting for a long time in your mouth, leaving you amazed for 10 minutes, then the craving for more begins... I wonder about the winemaker's thoughts and perspectives on this wine after making this wine! — 9 years ago

Kristi Elliott

10

I would drink this every day it's above 70 degrees outside. Crisp, sweet/tart. I think it's one of the more complex whites I've ever had. Will be buying again. — 10 years ago

Brian Mosqueda

9.0

A nice dry SB. I am having a hard time picking out individual notes, but I am quite enjoying this while sitting outside on a beautiful spring day. I think this would pair nicely with a chicken Caesar salad or the chicken shawarma from Pita Jungle. Very good stuff! — 11 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

8.9

2004 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie. It's an 04, no mistaking that. Large meniscus fading far outside of the rim. Kumquat, seared browned beef, volatile and pointed on the nose with a metallic character. Some sweetness and allusions to leather on the accumulated finish. There's just enough sweet leather aroma on the palate to offset the VA and occasional pyrazines that pop up to keep this doable. Metallic VA and pyrazine aroma grows with airtime--drink up I'd think! As judging from this bottle it's best in the first hour after opening and is on its last leg... — 11 years ago

Deanna D

9.3

Famiglia Pasqua - delicious, smooth and just the right bit of oaky on the first pour. Nice hints of vanilla and what i think is a bit of dried cherries when it opens up (prob with decanting). Worth the $30 I spent at Trader Joe's wines. And perfect for special occasions or Monday night watching TV while it rains outside. — 13 years ago

David From The 504

9.3

Can’t complain, bought from Costco for a. Good price for that contained 4 other bottles of “Bordeaux” wines very consistent from the front of tongue to the throat. Nothing dominant , light spice and dark plum from the nose. Not too acidic. A wine that is easy to pop and pour. A fun wine to drink bottles Witt friends and see what the night turns into. I haven’t been drinking expensive wines recently and found That I very much enjoy a wine that is subtle, and nothin special. A good wine to me doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but has that character that you can taste which showcases the knowledge of the wine maker sticking to the fundamentals making a wine speak for it self from the vines to the earth. Really enjoyed this especially sipping it slowly outside as my 1 wedding anniversary is nov 5th. I am truly blessed and at this young age to be able to soak it all in and smile is priceless!
, cheers to all my delectable friend, a year ago I would not believe that I would go on a trip to meet a bunch of strangers and I have to say that was one of the best decisions I have made, for anyone thinking about meeting up I know it is intimidating but once you do you will never regret doing It.Everyone had that feeling at first but you will not believe just how accepting everyone is. It’s all about the wine even though we all think we are professional reviewers it’s all fun and to have a group with all like minded people it is incredible

Love you all Cheers and WNH for life !!
Dave from the 504$$$$ — 8 years ago

Robert McCall

8.9

Shoulda let this breathe for a few hours but wasn't in the cards. Muted nose of blackberry and spice. Medium+ tannins circle around emerging dark red and blackberry fruit. Not much complexity but not one dimensional either. I think I kick the points up a level or two with 3 hours + in a decanter. But who's complaining!? Good stuff. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Wow. This comes from Chris's estate outside his house. It's all dry farmed. Extremely low yields. It's entire yield is only 8 barrels. The fruit is so concentrated. Featured in the photos is; Chris and my wife Sofia, grapes from the property and his olive trees on his estate. His olive trees only yield one 375ml bottle per tree. This 09 is easy to drink but it's a still a baby...easily a 30 year plus wine. Words cannot describe the nuances in this wine. The elegant beauty & beast. It's mouthfeel so big and still so inviting. Luring you in layer by layer. It's starts with baked blue fruits, dark cassis, blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, black plums, layers of asian spice, spice-box, tarry notes. The tannins big yet silky. Slightly bitty but beautiful minerals from the clay, schist, quartz, and loamy top soils. The finish so good but my thoughts drifted to think about how good it's going to be in 10 more years. Chris tells me he has to spray the vines 4-6 times a year with an organic seaweed spray to hold down the acidity. I can't wait to try this wine at 20 years of age. I'm sure it will be close to a religious experience. As many great tastings that I've done, it's hard not to say this one is in the top three. Thank you Chris for sharing your time, knowledge and these amazing wines. It was an honor! — 9 years ago

LM Segal

9.1

A sexy, steely Loire VinPet that, thanks to the inimitable Ryan @noragrey for reminding us to think outside the box to start the night, impressed with Lemon curd and orange zest. Food friendly palate opener! — 9 years ago

Steve Thompson

9.0

Really solid Willamette wine that I think drinks a little better if not chilled. Lots of fruit- perfect for a warm summer night outside. Unless you live in Houston. (also coincidentally where the vineyard owners hail). — 9 years ago

Ron R

9.2

I think Galioni was extravagant with lavishing 95 pts on this, but directionally, he's spot on.
On the nose, it has all the characteristics that I love; maple syrup, coffee and a hint of tobacco. On the palette, the wine is lithe and textured and sweet.

Very surprised with this. CdV made great wines in the mid nineties, then they hit a brick wall. Their wines were tannic and angular - I wonder what has happened, because this is well outside of their profile, in a good way.

No need for food with this. I was almost chewing it! It drinks like a $50 cab in my mind. — 10 years ago

with Anne-marie

Richard Fleming

9.0

This is wine to pour for those last remaining Francophile snobs who think they will never enjoy a bottle from --GASP --outside of France or surrounding vineyards. I know, there are thankfully not so many of these people left, but the point is, this tastes like a classic, pre-oakification, totally quaffable " let's have this with some rich, wintery food" sort of beverage. If you don't like this, we will have to find something else to talk about.
— 11 years ago

Collin-Peter Casey

Northern California Sales Manager Weygandt-Metzler Importing

9.2

Valdespino night at the compound. Yeah, they make a shit load of it, and it's far from natural, but man... Do you give a shit about whether the Tequila , scotch, or beer you're drinking is " natural?" I like to think of it outside of the realm of wine, as it's really not unlike drinking a brandy or something. It's a grape product. Not much else. And it's good. — 12 years ago