Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromas of citrus and pineapple juice. Fermented in a clay amphora on Skins with no Malolactic Fermentation. No oak. This wine making gives another level of freshness, intensity and minerality. An excellent wine from one of Australia’s pre-eminent wine makers, Steve Flamsteed. Winery says cellar up to 6 years - I cannot see my bottles lasting that long! — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance. — 7 years ago

T. Berghaus

9.8

Had the wine at the Château with the wine makers daughter. It was such an amazing experience to get to know the philosophy of the vineyard and I can highly recommend every one of the vintages (we tasted 2000,2015,2016). Amazing wine! Out of the norm! — 8 years ago

Ryan Wofford

8.9

More rich fruity '14 #oregonpinot from the makers of Elk Cove under this new label — 9 years ago

William Hughes

9.1

Domaine Jean Royer got the '13 right. This is a very drinkable wine from the first pour. The nose reveals a young wine with lots of Grenache and some Syrah in a supporting role. I don't find Mourvèdre. The fruit is primary, yet savory. Black pepper notes come out after 30 minutes. This isn't one of the great CdP makers, but certainly they are consistent. Consider this wine if you are exposing drinkers to the southern Rhône for the first time. — 9 years ago

Peter Plaehn

9.3

Mountain of Thunder, indeed. Very tasty. — 9 years ago

with Jake

Bob McDonald

9.6

One of my favourite Australian Pinot Noirs and does improve with cellaring - up to 15 years say the makers. Arguably at its peak right now but will still be drinking well in 4 years - on the plateau. A lovely complex aroma of earthy, compost heap, forest floor notes with savoury Plum. Medium + Intensity on the palate with incredible length and persistence. This wine like all good Pinots speaks of its terroir which in this case is this special amphitheater in eastern Tasmania. Usually buy this annually. — 7 years ago

Sarah Lindberg

9.4

Wonderful and I felt lucky to enjoy. Great body. Perfect steak wine — 7 years ago

Lance E. Farman

9.3

Stone fruit and white peach on the attack. The acid works as the cleanup crew. Almost too much thunder, then it let's you off. Full pleasure with happy climax. — 8 years ago

Camille Offenbach

8.9

Nice balance of acid and fruit. Very drinkable. A touch of green Jolly Rancher (in all the good ways). Bought at Table Wine. We met the wine makers at a tasting. Nice folks and great wine. — 8 years ago

Matt Perlman

8.9

Good Chablis. Reductive aromas at first. Plentiful limestone, citrus and some smokey peach. Could have used a little more "Thunder Mountain" to justify the price tag — 9 years ago

Julie Loke

9.1

One of my favorite wine makers- Kenny Likitprakong of Hobo wine Co. He uses native yeast no commercial fermentation aids or additives. High quality wine for a great price (13.95 @ the Co-op). On lees for a few months then beau real French for 2 months. Vibrant and fresh with a creamy, slight oak finish. Lemony with a long finish. — 9 years ago

Erik Rini

9.3

From the makers of prisoner, absolutely delicious! many of the french white varieties like rousanne and Viognier, great balance, worth looking for — 9 years ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 5/26/28

#steakandclaret night. Paired nicely with a pan seared ribeye.

This is another Chateau owned by the makers of Chateau Dalem.

Nose of plums and black cherry start to reveal some earth and graphite notes with time in the decanter. Palate with more red fruits. After a couple of hours more mocha flavors emerge. Medium, well integrated tannins and a relatively long finish in the 40 second range. Like many of the '15's I've had, you can drink now for primary fruit, or age a few years. Nice, but I do prefer the Chateau Dalem for a few more dollars.

3/21/8/4/4 +50 = 90 pts — 7 years ago

Andrew S

9.3

Deep and tasty. One of my favorite paso wine makers. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

From the makers of Roda this £42 RdD is fab for the money & should age into something lovely 👍 but easy drinking now w/ a good decant

🍷 Opaque black ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Spiced blackberry, black cherry & sweet blueberry w/ light cedar/oak tones

👄 Med body loaded with sweet black cherry, black berries & strawberry in fine dry tannins w/ a touch of mocha & liquorice

🎯 Med+ dark fruits & sweet vanilla w/ a dry mocha end — 8 years ago

Jim George

9.0

Dark amber color. Aromas and flavors of ripe grapes, cherries, pomegranates, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla. The underlying earthy character is present, and a silky texture in the mouth flows into a long vanilla and oak spice finish. Notes of spice, underbrush, some sappy flowers, hints of sappy herbs, and darker raspberry fruit. Medium bodied, supple, beautifully polished, elegant and seamless. 7 months in French oak. (Wine Makers Tasting Notes and Wine Advocate.)
— 8 years ago

Eric Gardner

8.9

Love Collio, cheap, easy to drink, but you can tell that the wine makers cared about the wine and put time and creativity into it. — 9 years ago

Kai Wright

9.2

One of my fave Zin makers. This one with dashes of carignane and petite Syrah. Intensely flavored with ripe dark fruit, pencil shavings and baking spices. Lots of acid to lift the richness. Long finish of fruit and spice. — 9 years ago

Chasing Jen

9.3

Lush! Favorite new friend. Beautiful red fruit meets Russian River brown earth. Sad only had 1 bottle. — 10 years ago