Bob McDonald

9.1

From the Mornington Peninsula (although the fruit for this Pinot Noir came from the Yarra Valley ) - this is Tom Carson’s personal project when he’s not making wine for Yabby Lake - his main job. This had strawberry and other red fruits like cherry and a small whole bunch influence. Oak is dialled right back. A medium weight palate that is yet to show its full potential. First of 3 purchased and somewhat closed. Will leave having the 2nd for a couple of years. — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Ritche vineyard chardonnay.

Pop and pour. A light golden color. On the nose: subtle notes of lemon, apricot, nutty vanilla. Taste: orange peel, lemon, honey, vanilla toast with a medium finish and medium plus acidity keeping it crisp and fresh.

Enjoying with the fresh Langoustines, red shrimp, and raw crudo!

VEGAS BABY!!!!!! "I hate Disneyland, it primes our kids for Las Vegas".... Tom Waits. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Carlo Fernandez

8.9

This has really mellowed out after 17 years . Tannins had softened a lot. Still fruity with dark fruit and plums . really smooth. Maybe too smooth . Still a good amount of acidity left to enjoy it with the steak we had. — 7 years ago

Matthew Marcino

9.4

Very approachable. Evolution of this bottle was over a 4 hour decant. First taste at opening, was tight dense gorgeous fruit, cassis, cigar, stone, and crisp Howell air. Second taste an hour later was bigger, bold, strong ruby fruit, less cigar but tobacco was still there. The fruit became longer on the finish and the density was so sexy. Taste like how you encounter sexiness tasting. Rudy, Tom, Michael and Red Cap Fam doing it really really well! — 8 years ago

Pekka Holma

9.6

Exquisite Brunello di Montalcino. Artisan organic winery. My first Brunello ever was 2004 vintage in Firenze on my birthday five years ago. Great notes of earth and ripe cherry. Tipica comes clearly on the nose.
Full body, medium plus acidity and dusty tannins.
Absolutely gorgeuous! Happy 100th birthday Finland! — 8 years ago

with Nina

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Fourth of the blind red wines at this quarter's S&E Wine Club, which for red was either Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Merlot from either Rutherford or Stags Leap District. Thanks Tom and Andrea!

Deep purplish red. Layered nose with anise, licorice and dark fruits. HEavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Lots of minerality, dark berries, twigs, cinnamon, anise, spices and some great structure. Long and lingering finish. Have only briefly heard of this wine before and quite impressed. Drink till 2028. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Thanks Tom for bringing this over. Deep ruby red with purplish hues. Super tight and dark nose with notes of blackberries, dark cocoa, and baking spices. Very young on the palate and rich. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Long and lingering finish with a slight spicy bite with lots of baking spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Even vanilla too. Coated in dark berries but needs more time to fully open up. Drink till 2028. — 9 years ago

with Sean and India

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2015 vintage. This 5.5 hectare estate was owned by famous consultant Alain Raynaud who sold it in 2016 to Tom Sullivan. Mainly Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Attractive nose with red fruits, cedar wood and a hint of truffle. Structured, a little severe still, but good balance and complexity. Will benefit from further bottle ageing. Decanting recommended if you want to enjoy it now. — 5 years ago

Lowell Su

9.0

Deep flavors of jam, cherries and vanilla. — 5 years ago

Pablo

8.9

Really enjoyed this smooth, easy drinking, red-fruity wine with a bit of minerality. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

In Langtons Outstanding category from the September 2018 tasting. A new Cuvée from Vasse Felix showcasing their oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec Blocks and honouring their founder Tom Cullity. Needless to say a brilliant Cabernet blend showing the best of Margaret River. Will live for decades. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

During the month of January, the Wednesday Wine Committee has a unique format...the sparkler, whites and dessert wines can be from any vintage and any location, but the reds must be from the 2007 vintage. It was my first time providing a wine for a lunch, so I was excited to see how it showed. As always, all wines were served blind.

This was a treat for me to be able to serve. Tom Farella only produces this Alta bottle in special years. The ‘07 was his last one before he brought it back in ‘14. Cabernet dominated blend complimented by a bit of merlot from the famed Farella vineyard. Supremely balanced. Raspberries, plums and blackberries on the nose and palate, but the finish was plush. This is about at its peak and will stay here for another 3 or so years. Oak was almost fully integrated. Very happy to have two of these still sleeping. This was the group’s consensus “wine of the day”. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.6

Tasted after the 2011 Oakville with Tom. Dark and deep purplish ruby red. Velvety feel on the nose, perfumey and floral with dark red berries. Heavy tannins (8/10) with a beautiful structure. Tons of fruit in the attack, fuller in the mid palate. Black raspberries and black cherries. Strong undertones of dark cocoa. Full bodied and super long finish. Drink till 2042. (96+)

Around 2/3 of the fruit is from the Oakville Vineyard while the other third comes from the quarry section of the Stags Leap District Vineyard. Bordeaux blend made of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. — 9 years ago

with Sean and India

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 5 years ago

Roger Ray

8.9

"you'll find Cherry, Berry, and Plum with a hint of spice, and a bit of soft tannin in the finish". A nice at home drinkable red wine — 6 years ago

Ainsley

9.0

Ruby red deliciousness with complex aromas of toasted oak, clove and plum. Spicy number that puts forth a heavy blueberry profile. Tannins are well rounded. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Thank you to our friends Jeff & Hedy for bringing this 2011 Rochioli Rosé of Pinot Noir.

Dark for a Rosé and has developed really nice in bottle. The body round and full vs. most Rosé wines. Really nice layered textures. The fruits were deep and ripe, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries and pomegranate, excellent medium spice & bright red florals.

Photos of; Rochioli Vineyard with an amazing sunset, Winemaker Tom Rochioli, the entrance to their tasting and tasting room patio. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over the course of a couple of hours. Lean and mean. This was high toned red fruits, gravel, black tea and underbrush on the nose. Tart red berries on the palate. Thanks for sharing Tom! — 8 years ago

with Tom

Mike Mayer

9.4

Another example of how great the wines being made by Dakota Shy are. Todd Newman and Tom Garrett have a knack for making great wines. This Cabernet, even very young, sends a message to every other iconic Napa cabernet they have something to contend with. Lots of black fruit and blue fruit on the nose with incredible flavors of blackberries, plums, and currants. I love this wine. — 8 years ago

with Lisa

Curtis Berlinguette

10

Best victory beer in the history of victory beer!!!!! Tom is a real life super hero!!! — 9 years ago

with Chris