Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

I love this wine. Stunning nose. A bowl of dark cherries, mint, bittersweet cocoa, licorice, lipstick, cassis and clean earth notes. Palate is stunning if you can get past initial tannic blast. So juicy and pure. Layered and almost opulent but with a whip of acidity. Long juicy finish and oodles of complexity but the story is just starting to be told. My score will rise. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.0

A lighter, leaner style of Viognier than I might have expected from Galil Mountain Winery. Truth, be told, this is my first Israeli Viognier, so I had no idea what to expect. Exceedingly pretty aromatics of pear skin, toasted almond, and a top note akin to my mother's favorite perfume, something like honeysuckle. On the palate, it's not as full-bodied as Viognier can be, especially not domestic examples. Rather, it presents a fresh face of lime zest and green apples interlace bright acidity that persist all the way through to a mouthwatering finish. I was surprised to note its 14.5% ABV is well concealed and better yet, it's very reasonably priced. Sample — 10 years ago

Bobby Linsley

9.2

I really wanted to enjoy this wine but it fell flat. One of my friends told me you should never drink aged cabernet expecting it to be a crowd pleaser, he was right. It is a brilliantly made wine in terms of structure and acidity but still too tannic and grippy on the palette. Maybe it's indicative of the wine's superb structure but not my bag at all. Definitely seeing how cabernet is the thinking man's wine... — 10 years ago

boyd

9.5

The bartender told me this is why God exists. And he might be right. Single best vermouth I've ever had. — 11 years ago

Scott Winston

9.1

Want to get this wine again. Told I might be able to find it at albertsons — 11 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

9.8

Our post-wedding hotel champagne!! As good as my rel told be it would be. Just perfect. 96pts / $44 GrapeX/206 — 11 years ago

Brian Duprey

10

Wine Review: When visiting this all red wine focused winery on Lake Seneca, owner Kate Thomas told me this was their Wednesday wine. After trying it, I would say this very easy to drink wine could be your everyday wine. This wine opens with a mild light berry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is very well balanced, smooth, approachable, and had juicy cherry flavors. This wine finishes slightly dry and lingers for a while. This wine is a good food wine that would pair well with many foods. This is a great value wine that you would enjoy throughout the fall. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: In the toolbox it is the crescent wrench, in the kitchen it is the salt and pepper, and in a relationship it is the love. Red Legend gets it done. A healthy dose of Cabernet Franc and Merlot and whatever else is in the Shalestone cupboard. — 12 years ago

Mike R

9.4

Some things l like - family, long weekends, friends and wine - Revana was started with H Barrett consulting - I buy her stuff - she seems to not be part of winery of late - but I have 09 and 10s that she was the winemaker consultant - now a new winemaker but still purchased 12 and 13s. I bet I got the history lesson wrong but what I was told but enough bs -decanted for 90 minutes - love the nose with cherries vanilla and other delights plus the lady of the home says right mix of pepper and sage (not sure I can go that far) - now the initial taste - dark fruits with some added black olives - really leaving great smiles here - I bet I open another since it is a holiday weekend — 10 years ago

Evan Fraser

9.2

Pleasing but tight red fruit on the nose, cherry and cranberry most notably, told me that this should be a wine that I should be drinking some time in the next 5 years. But my sister's birthday was reason enough to crack this open and pair with coq au vin. — 10 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Classic Old World style. A gorgeous ruby red in the glass. The Cap De Fer has a beautiful nose of tobacco and ripe red fruits. The palate follows the nose with really expressive tastes of the same. Plums and licorice really help to round out this very powerful wine. The acidity is balanced quite nicely and the tannins are soft and approachable. There's also just the right amount of spice which compliments the long, dry finish perfectly. Needs to be decanted for around an hour to really get to the real truth about this bottle, but when you do, you'll love it. — 10 years ago

Grey Jay

8.9

Definitely better with time so give it some and you'll be rewarded. I'd been drinking awhile by the time we opened this, but if you told me then it was a barbera, I would have believed you. Now I have to try sober (psych psych psych) — 11 years ago

Dirk Kennedy

10

Impeccably cellared , The 96 opened tight with all her secrets yet to be told. After the 1st hour, pure elegance. Notes of soft cedar, plum, fieldstone and black cherry. Lalande is always a lady first. Then the seduction begins — 11 years ago

with Dana

Gary Fahl

9.7

Excellent Pinot Noir from the W Club — 12 years ago

Kathy Wilson

9.1

We were told this was ages in bourbon barrels, which seems to be the new thing. We loved it! Smooth with hint of nutmeg. — 10 years ago

Meg

9.2

What if I told you you could buy a $60 wine (per Ma(i)sonry in Yountville) for $29?? UN-THINKABLE right? Well it's true - and it's a nice, subtle, soft Napa cab. A little earthy. And it can be yours. Just call the good people at WTSO (they have more to go at that price). 👍🏻 📞 — 10 years ago

mike pobega

9.3

Served blind. On fist sip I thought cab franc. On second merlot. I was told it was a blend. I figured cool blue fruits it could be Sonoma. It was a bit closed at first but 30 minutes later it exploded with a plushy softness. Wonderful frangipani, cardamom and reddish cassis. This is really quite beautiful and a real treat. Thank you Ray for sharing. — 10 years ago

Jeff Onofrio

9.3

Great bottle for $13. I was told it is a bigger labeler who does this private and if it had the normal label it would be a $30-40 bottle. I agree! — 10 years ago

Michael Marceline

9.5

2010 is an incredible value. truth is the acid isn't totally integrated yet, but it's still gorgeous: heady aromatics of kirsch, red flowers and baking spice also show on palate, accented by chalky minerality. fine, feathery tannin and shimmering (if overbearing) acidity complete the picture. in 2+ years this will be a masterpiece. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.9

When Clyde told me we were going to do a dinner of 2000 vintage Bordeaux, I knew that the Champagne served had to be one of our very best. This wine has incredible depth and complexity from the slow ripening Arbanne and Meslier, along with the incredible acidity and brightness that can’t be shaken from these ancient varieties. Not many wines have both the breadth and length of this incredible, electric Champagne. It was a wower, especially with the salmon appetizer. — 11 years ago

George Grapes

9.5

I was told the AZ wines were gross. I read every label of the AZ wines and thought this would be the best bet for me. I really like it. Maybe you will think I have a caveman's pallet...but I'd drink this again. — 12 years ago