Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

My last 2011 bottle. The estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, 15 miles northwest of the city of Arezzo, past the village of San Giustino Valdarno. Crognolo, aged in French Allier barriques, deep red with red fruit aromas and sweet perfumed spice. On the palate raspberry and cherry flavors, gentle spice and soft tannins with great mouthfeel. Good balance, lingering finish ending with some oak and mineral tones. Aged well. — 8 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.8

A softened ruby color. Beautiful balance, everything in harmony. Wet earth, raspberry, cinnamon, a whiff of truffle, intoxicating nose. So much ripe, fresh red fruit on the palate. Such soft tannins, damson plum, a mineral streak running through. Drinking a 15 year old wine for 15th anniversary of diabetes. This is splendid in the moment — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose on this wine is stunning baring the alcohol heat. Perfumed red florals and candied dark and lighter red fruits. While the wine is truly elegant, the alcohol is seriously burning the back of my throat. The bottle reads 14.1 but I think over 15 degrees. Maybe, they wanted to save on the higher alcohol tax. The wine starts so beautifully only to burn the back of my throat. The fruits are ripe, elegant and beautifully soft. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, faint back palate of strawberries, sweet/soft leather, black licorice, violets & roses, rich delicate & sweet wet black earth, soft light baking spices, caramel, milk chocolate, figs & dates, amazingly sweet dark minerals, touch of black tar, touch of spice and a rich long elegant dark fruit liqueur finish. I would score this wine higher if it didn't punish my palate and throat with the burning alcohol finish. — 10 years ago

Edward Tai

9.2

Scalini 10/14/15. Easy drinking blend. — 11 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Extremely dark inky in color with a purplish rim.

Big fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, figs, cooked plums, raisins, peppercorn and vanilla.

Fruity and dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, figs, spices, peppercorn, oak, vanilla, licorice, cocoa and mocha.

Big and full bodied with medium acidity and Long legs.

Long finish with big round tannings and black pepper.

Still young, but drinking well now.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

85% Petite Sirah and 15% petit Verdot. — 11 years ago

Patrick Ayotte

8.9

Medium gold color. Nose of wax, brown sugar, flowers. On the palate there is not much acidity, flavors of oxidized apples, exotic fruit, flowers, wax, and butter. Shows some evolution but in the same time great depth. A wine to pair with a meal instead of taking it by itself? Very good (89)

Made of Assyrtiko and aged 6 months in stainless tanks. Alcohol level of 14,5% — 11 years ago

Kyle Fortman

8.9

Excellent California cab. Bought at Kroger on sale for 15. Very smooth, light fruit, great tannins, nice heat. Would buy again. — 8 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

Nose: fresh fresh flowers, with cherries,; almost rose in color; light medium weight, strong strong minerality, slight effervescence really pops in mouth. Cut through yummy salmon, pork loin, & various vegetables. Downed at Rouge Tomate on 15% off bottle Thursday-score! — 9 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

The color has faded to a translucent garnet with tawny colored rim. It has developed a complex bouquet of red cherry, dried fig, old leather, and tobacco as well as some barnyardy notes from Brett. This is one of my favorite producers in Rioja but I would prefer to consume this younger as although there is some nice fruit and acid, the tannins have really faded leaving little grip or bite. Classic blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. — 9 years ago

with Drew and Kelly

Lindsay Brooks

9.2

Amber in color. Apples and cinnamon, brown sugar, fairly woody, with a fresh bread finish.

Darn good dram. If you got it as a gift, you are well liked! — 10 years ago

Eric Hiatt

9.9

Last drops of a hoarded bottle. So much long, tangerine-laced mounds and almond joy. Goodbye. — 11 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.5

Continues to be stellar. This whiskey always reminds me of my admiration for the Japanese culture as a whole. #kampai — 11 years ago

Madelyn

9.1

2013. Surprising Pino. Let is sit for a bit and you will have a drinkable balanced wine. Will buy again. $15 at Kroger. — 12 years ago

Severn G

9.1

Christmas party No. 2 of the year so far, good start with my go to favorite. So smooth and floral! — 8 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

8.9

When I started to get into wine, I loved Silver Oak. Haven't bought it for years but I still have some older bottles remaining in my cellar. They haven't impressed me for years now....but I'll pull one from my stash every now and then, and sadly nowhere as good as what I thought 15+ yrs ago when I started getting into wine. — 9 years ago

Matthew Christ

9.2

I never thought I would be enjoying Cali Cab 15 years on ! So good. — 10 years ago

Punky Mahle

9.3

Delicious - even better day two and day three — 11 years ago

Anthony Giglio

Wine Blogger WineWiseGuy

9.4

Never fails to delight. 15 years on its still delicious. — 11 years ago

with phillip and Annabelle

Tom Gutting

9.5

Absolutely superb. Youthful color. Lively. Complex. Great fruit. Structure remains. Will go 10-15 more years. — 11 years ago

Peter Marks

Master of Wine, Educator Constellation Brands

9.8

Unsweetened caramel, toasted walnuts and cashews. Wonderfully layered with complexity and tremendous length. — 12 years ago