Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Sourced from a host of vineyards, the 2018 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay was aged for nine months in 100% new French oak before bottling. The nose is gorgeous with bright pear and citrus rind tones that mingle with vanilla cream and shades of baking spices that all march in unison in the glass. The palate is ripe and beautifully textured with layers of citrus zest, vanilla cream, baking spices and amazing length and tension. A light veil of salinity caps off what is truly an outstanding Chardonnay with some good aging potential. Drink 2020-2030- 93 — 5 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.1

Fresh-no sugar- blueberry pie of a nose.

Well crafted, heavier bodied wine, unified berry blend, blue and black fruits working together in unison, a harmonic balance. Iodine and gravel carried this wine to the inevitable end - of high acid and new barrel like tannins.
Absolutely Lovely. A bit young, sometimes I cannot help myself. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The R. Lopez Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia Reserva’ Rioja was sourced from what was generally a challenging, low-yielding vintage in Rioja, that was somehow rated ‘very good.’ The wine is a gorgeous blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%) that was aged for six years before bottling. Needing an hour in the decanter to fully evolve, the ‘Vina Tondonia Reserva’ shows pretty red cherry cordial and wild blackberry tones that are woven together with dark licorice, pencil shavings and suggestions of wild mushroom that all take shape in the glass. The palate is round and generous, showing really good range from menthol to black cherry compote, Umami and suggestions of red bell pepper with Mandarin orange rind undertones that sing in unison. The freshness and verve of the wine that combine with the weight seriously impresses. Every bit outstanding, this is amongst the best of the vintage. Drink 2020-2038- 95 — 5 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

an under the radar producer, I’ve had only a few wines from this domaine and each has been a headturner. This young Chablis is so focused and precise, lime zest and lemon, green apple, a bit of minerals. No chalk or oyster shell yet, but it’s got a lot of Chablis character and is a real refreshing quaff that has all the tastebuds happily humming in unison. Really intense and concentrated, it’s got a long future. Highly recommended. — 6 years ago

Joseph Gois

10

What can I say, I’m a Cab guy! Zero alcohol spike, smooth as silk. Black cherries & currants. Some leather & oaky vanilla. Everything dances in unison. Pours over the palette from start to finish. The finish is just long enough to satisfy, but just short enough to make you want another sip. — 6 years ago

with Kristy and Jim

Fredrik Finn

9.1

Youthul and Powerful, athletic but never clumsy with plenty of dark fruit that is easily taking care of the new oak to a complete and balanced wine. Developing new nuances over time. Drinks well,
Yet in its infancy and will benefit with some further aging for a more unison experience. — 7 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.5

While good wine is tasty, Russell's entry level wine is properly delicious. Showing restraint, this wine is never the less huge, layered, and highly satisfying. The fruit and savory/earth elements (spice, leather, peppers, cocoa) are in perfect unison. — 8 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2016 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Saviah is another masterpiece by the talented Richard Funk of Saviah. Sourced from the McClellan Estate and Annie Marie Vineyards, the Cabernet shows heady aromatics of dark currants that meld with dark chocolate shavings, tar and black licorice that all march in unison. The palate is dense and decadent with layers of blackberry compote, black licorice candy, creosote and suggestions of Turkish coffee. The long finish lingers as this massive, yet elegant wine has some incredible aging potential. Be sure to give this at least an hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2038- 94 — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Dedicated to Chris Figgins’s two daughters, the ‘Figlia’ is a massive blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot that is unlike anything produced in the state. Aged for twenty three months in French oak, this pitch dark wine starts off with lighter green bell pepper and sage tones that combine with toasty oak and a deep core of dark fruits that all sing in unison. Marvelously textured, with a wonderful weight and intensity, the wine shows off layers of creme de cassis, black olive tapenade, black cherry cordial and shades of anise that all create a seamless effect once on the mouth. The long and generous finish accentuates this beautiful new bottling. While marvelous to savor in its youth, the 2017 ‘Figlia’ will have a long life ahead of it. Be sure to give this at least a two hour decant if you can’t resist this wine for a few years. Drink 2022-2040- 95 — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The 2016 ‘The Funk Estate’ is a stunning new wine by superstar winemaker Richard Funk of Saviah Cellars. Chosen to co-ferment 4% Viognier with Syrah, this immediately entices with bright citrus blossom aromatics that combine with the deep dark fruits, green olive, bacon fat and horse manure aromatics that all shine brightly in unison. Soft, round and generous, there is a seamless quality to this wine that is apparent. Black tea, clove, cigar ash, Umami, red cherry puree and suggestions of wild blackberry cordial all marvelously combine in this utterly thrilling palate. I really enjoy this sensational Syrah at this stage in its development, and my feeling is there is no reason to cellar it for more than another seven years. Drink 2019-2026- 96 — 6 years ago

Enrico Pallazzo

9.5

Wow! At over 15% this vivacious vino packs a punch. Currant, leather, fig, and tobacco, all languidly linger on the pallet in unison. Highly recommended! — 7 years ago

Kyle Doucet-Walter

9.6

This is what wine is about. Everything to love about masterful winemaking and wine growing are present in this bottle. Rich, lifted, balanced fruit and mineral character give way to subtle nuanced lightly oxidized fresh almond notes. Palate is hard to comprehend. Mineral character, roundness and acid in perfect unison. A well traveled palate in @Rajat Parr obviously knew what he was going for and succeeded in spades. Cheers! — 7 years ago

Seth Pariser

9.2

Beautiful fruit forward balanced Cabernet. All cylinders firing in unison. Deliciousness — 8 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 1980 vintage in Sauternes was challenging to say the least but Chateau D’Yquem has crafted one of the shining stars of the vintage. Aromatically quite expressive, the Sauternes takes the lead with candied ginger, lychee, apricot and shades of bananas foster that all sing in unison. The palate comes off with an unusual combination of sweet and sour tones, with a strong vein of salinity that races through the core of quince, sour apricot, vanilla creme brûlée and roasted pineapple flavors. Texturally elegant, this is far less on the unctuous side of D’Yquem, but has a beautiful feeling of refinement, freshness and elegance. Still humming at the forty year mark, the 1980 D’Yquem will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another five to ten years. Drink 2020-2027- 94 — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2017 ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a sinfully good new wine by Mark Ryan. Aromatically intense, the wine has sagebrush, mocha and tar tones that are woven together with deep dark fruits and shades of pipe tobacco that all sing in unison in the glass. The weight and balance of the wine is downright awesome, as the pillowy, soft texture entices. While this provides plenty of appeal in its youth, the 2017 ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon will have a long life ahead of it. Be sure to give this at least a one hour decant if enjoying in its nascent phase. Drink 2020-2033- 93 — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2014 ‘In The Rocks’ Syrah by Reynvaan is a sensational wine at now five years of age. The stony edge to the wine is truly shining as ripe red fruits dance with shades of blood orange zest, white truffle and Umami which all meld together in unison in the glass. The palate shows vibrant acidity and a seamless quality with its silky texture that runs through the core of the wine. Bulls blood, Satsuma orange zest, wet stone, Umami, red cherry candy and black currants all come together on the palate. Profound and scintillating, with wonderful purity of fruit and serious range, this stunning wine is really at its peak right now and will cellar well for at least another five to seven years. Drink 2019-2024- 94
— 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

This burly wine paired to grilled Persian kebabs like an Olympic ice skating couple. Two bearded ladies in perfect balance and unison. — 6 years ago

Kyle Doucet-Walter

9.3

An incredible example of when skin contact can add to a wine instead of becoming its only real pull. First had that orange wine reduction that so many have upon opening. Very shy underneath it all, almost certain we finished the bottle before it showed it’s true colours on the nose, all because of that palate... Immense structure, tension, energy all in unison; like a sphere of terroir expressing fruit. Unlike any other skin contact wine I’ve tasted to date. Unreal. — 7 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.4

Lemon-dipped razor blades dancing on my tongue, all the salivary glands squeezing in unison, great young Corton C. Non-wine geek friends said, “good,” and I wanted to slap them while screaming, “profound!” — 8 years ago

Jeremiah Allen

9.4

Drank by Alex's recommendation on date night. Danielle thought it was the wine of our trip, maybe not as impactful as the Barbaresco, but most reference in admiring reflections. Took 45 minutes to unwind, it was cellar temp, a lil warm on service, but a short chill set off in unison with air. Enjoyed with grilled prawns. #chablisnokaoi — 8 years ago