Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course two days. Consistent throughout but the rotundone seemed most prominent on the nose, Day 1. The 2022 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red and black fruits: mixed brambles, grilled meat, black pepper, garrigue, red and purple flowers, a touch of barnyard and a balanced mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and spicy. My early assessments indicated this 2020 vintage to be a banger. It’s still early days and checking in at year five seems to confirm the trajectory. A wine of distinction. Drink now (and best with time to enjoy the transformation in the glass) and through 2050. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend of all 5 Bordeaux varieties, aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and cigar box spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with cacao and herb spice. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 2 years ago

Erica Gamble

9.0

Very dark color. Very dark fruity nose but substantial flavor. A little bit of earthiness. — 4 years ago

Ben LaBolt

9.0

Beautiful winery that also produces bubbly. Medium bodied pinots that are well balanced w nice fruit. — 5 years ago

with Leo

Avery Plank

9.4

Bought this in 2014 from Lsat Bottle. Should have bought more, it was a steal at the time and it has gotten even better in the last 5 years. Not too acidic, good amount of yeast, and overall excellent sparkling wine. 69% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay — 6 years ago

Thomas Epps

9.8

We are a bit biased, but this was phenomenal. — 7 months ago

with Jeannie

Conrad Green

9.6

A fantastic nose. So multi dimensional. Gamey, meaty, violets, iron, herbs. Intense, defined. Long. Fantastic. — 8 months ago

with David

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 10 months ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Excellent on a stand alone basis or in mimosas!! Slight brioche, caramel, butter, and a hint of apricot. Just as good at bottle opening as it was a couple hours later! — 2 years ago

Donald Williams

9.8

It doesn’t get better than this. — 2 years ago

Donald Williams

9.5

The perfect wine for shrimp appetizer and lobster tail dinner. — 5 years ago

with Bonnie

Nik Weinberg-Lynn

9.1

Not much left on the nose - a little whiff of pomegranate. Super savory and saline notes on the palate. Interesting. — 6 years ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Excellent excellent. Decanted for two hours before being consumed and then enjoyed over next 3+. Weighty and very heady. Dark rich fruit aged but not dusty. I feel this wine is in the zone. — 8 months ago

Brian Walker

9.0

Brioche, pears, with a nice bold, crisp touch. — 8 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

This producer consistently over-delivers for the price. #napavalley #cabernetfranc presents black and purple fruit on the nose, violet hints, some wet slate undertones. Gleaming acidity framing plum compote, cigar box and earthy soft tannins on the sterling long finish. — 9 months ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.2

Excellent porch wine to watch the sunset!! — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 2 years ago

John Mckeown

8.9

Nice everyday Pinot. — 6 years ago

Kimberly Kasza

9.1

Incredibly fresh and balanced! Light, abundant berry and stone fruit notes of raspberry and peach! Our first of 3 wedding wines from a gift! Definitely one of the best sparkling wines I’ve ever had! — 6 years ago