David Kaplan

9.6

This Soave Classico Vigneto Sengialta Balestri Valda 2017 comes from a single hillside parcel of black basaltic soil planted to Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented separately, and matured in neutral 2000-liter botti for twelve months. In the glass, the wine has a saturated, deep yellow-gold color, with flashes of green-gold just at the edge. Aromas of sun-warmed yellow peaches, crystallized honey, marzipan, and acacia blossoms emerge at first, then alternate with fleeting suggestions of beeswax, grated nutmeg, and sage, as the nose evolves in the glass. On the palate, the wine honeyed and opulent, with a round, juicy core of sweet stone fruit and honey that echoes the nose, along with plenty of dry extract, deep saline minerality, and ripe tartaric acidity. The layered sweet core of honeyed melon and almond paste is seasoned with delicate bitterness, and the long elegant finish is punctuated with fine mineral grip. Drink now – 2030 (yes, the wine is irresistible today, but according to Laura Rizzotto, a bottle that hid unnoticed for fifteen or more years in a good cellar would be a treasure). — Moore Brothers, Brooklyn — 5 years ago

Raul Puga

9.0

Big fruit but settled down after some time — 5 years ago

Justin Hart

9.3

Still bright, pie cherry laden, with just a hint of oxidation. Rhubarb and strawberry notes around the edges of the pallet. Yum! — 6 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Yianni Stone

9.5

The 2000 Spottswoode out of three 6Ls. Lovely! — 7 years ago

with Beth

Patrick V

9.4

Love it when a plan comes together - cooking chicken fajitas and pesto macaroni for twelve and the loverliest Chard to hop along for the festivities on a hot summer eve. The balance in acidity and fruit is immaculate! Best match of the summer so far. — 8 years ago

mattswineworld

9.5

Wonderful: twelve years old with black fruits, dried fruits, and fresh acidity. Mature and Italian. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

Brilliant straw-yellow. Fresh citrus and orchard fruit aromas, along with hints of toasty lees and honeysuckle. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy pear and Meyer lemon flavors that slowly deepen through the midpalate. Finishes long and floral, with a lingering hint of spiciness. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, September 2020)
— 5 years ago

Rachel Sours

9.0

2017. Very smooth from the first glass to the last. — 5 years ago

Betsy Bertram

9.6

Yummy date night pino — 6 years ago

Evan Shumway

9.5

Wow that’s all I can say — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.1

Vivid moderately saturated ruby. Fresh scents of black cherry, strawberry, mocha and flowers. Then extremely clean and fresh on the palate, with a youthful, musclebound quality but also very precise concentrated red fruit and violet flavors. Finishes long with smooth tannins and outstanding balance. I can’t even begin to remember the last time I have had a Gutturnio so devoid of green streaks and so much fun to drink. Well done. A blend of 55% Barbera and 45% Croatina from vines planted in 1977; spends twelve months in large oak barrels and barriques. The label says 14% alcohol, but it tasted like it had fewer octanes than that to me. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, Jan 2018)
— 7 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.2

A incredibly dark rosato. Amazing aromas of fresh black raspberries and strawberries on the nose. Rich and full-bodied for a rose on the palate but still beautifully elegant and dry. Juicy flavors of raspberries, red currants, pomegranate and cranberries lead to a touch of spice, soft tannins and bright, but soft, round acidity. The finish is long and lingering with lots a acidity and a touch of red fruit and minerality. This amazing rose drinks almost like a light red. I can't wait for this to find representation in the US! Perfect for our paella night. — 8 years ago

with Kati

Robert Lim

9.1

Explosive sour cherry, a Cab Franc that's wild at heart and untamed after twelve years. — 8 years ago

Dan

9.0

All right for the price — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

We opened this bottle late on Friday night and poured off a small glass to see what we were working with. As I suspected, far too young with loads of energy, rolls of baby fat and frankly, not very well behaved. So we pressed the cork back in the bottle and figured we would try our luck the next day when my parents stopped by for a socially distant glass of wine to “celebrate” Easter together. I’m so glad we waited. Twelve or so hours of slow-ox made a huge difference. While it was still very primary, it was much more enjoyable showing a strong core of dark berries, tobacco, leather, coffee and baking spices. But again, where Seavey really excels is texture and sense of place. To be expected for mountain fruit at this age, the tannins are firm but reasonable and there is such lovely acid that screams Howell Mountain. I have no doubt this will have a very bright future! In my mind, Caravina is probably the greatest “second” wine in Napa. This is Seavey’s 19th and latest vintage of Caravina. After an extended drought, 2017 began with torrential rain that flooded the valley. The fruit comes entirely from steep hillside blocks on the estate and is otherwise made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin. If you’re going to drink one now, I highly recommend a lengthy decant as these are easily 10 years away from their best. — 5 years ago

M Mbangwa

9.6

A favorite! — 7 years ago

Manchester Sheldon

9.0

Light and fruity, nice floral notes, perfectly balanced — 7 years ago

JKT

9.2

Opened 10/19/17. Acidic minerals and white floral notes on nose. Great tension and energy on palate with long finish. Yum. Fresh still after twelve years. What a deal Acker 9. — 8 years ago

Matt Mason

9.5

Rich! Caramel malt candy. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Tasted side by side with the 2013 Lineage. Tough battle but bottle age has definitely helped this bottling. Mix of deep garnet and ruby red. Straight from opening there were lots of savory elements mixed in with red and black berries. Some floral notes too like roses. As it opened up over the two hour period there was petroleum, dark cocoa and cinnamon. Over the evening, additional notes of dark ripe fruits and even more spices, even slightly savory ones. So balanced for how young this is. Started out with heavy tannins (8/10) but mellowed and rounded out to a solid moderate tannins (6.5/10) over the two and a half hour decant. Rounded medium plus body that will develop further with time. Started off with some darker cherries and light greenery with a bit of leather. Even a bit of spices. Great acidity giving this strong backbone and a semi-dry long finish. This will be singing given another five years and drink will over the next twelve. Tons of potential and very surprised by this caliber of wine coming out of Livermore Valley. Great job Steven! — 8 years ago

with Sean and India