Brent Clayton

9.2

Unknown to me. Apparently they didn't sell in the US back then. Acquired through a private cellar by the owner. Fantastic stuff. mature but still with plenty of youthful fruit. Great opaque ruby color. Just a hint of tertiary/sous bois on the finish. — 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

One of the many rising stars from the relatively unknown #castillon #cotesdebordeaux region. I think I tried this one pretty young but already lovely earthy cassis backbone, tightly knit tannins that linger in the mouth, once it opens up after decanting. I wonder what could have been after five more years but sometimes today is the day. — 6 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

Unknown producer to me but what a wine! Already very accessible, great nose, I could smell it all day! Round mouthfeel, still fruitdriven and very soft tannins. Long finish. Summary:wow! — 6 years ago

Alexandra Reynolds

9.8

So so so smooth and delicious. Full-bodied and amazing. — 6 years ago

TheSkip

9.0

A nice light Pinot for the summer.

I call this farmers market Pinot. Biodynamic and Organic from a relatively unknown vineyard. Sealed in what looks like beeswax. — 8 years ago

Dock Hooks

8.9

Kicking back letting the local tunes adjust my attitude with wine:30 showing on the clock she strolls in my direction digging the slow roll Hendrix spinning left then twisting right dressed in deep purple clinging and flowing interestingly crimson along her rim and edges back to casually claret whispering that she's from a small chateau hanging on the right bank of the Gironde near Arveyres. Offering her hand, I accept pulling her in close then a slow spin and a slower twirl she comes close bathed in the essence of blackberry and spice, young but ripe, wet earthy slowly working her way to a first kiss dripping then gripping, pulling tightly then going soft and silky still clinging while working her way deeper. I close my eyes, Hendrix stops and she's gone. A distant guitar string bends an unknown player. I spot her by the bar, her colors waving in the breeze of a lazy fan I reach out take her firmly by the neck, then lower bending her gently back then spinning her my way, she again engages, her essence lingering in my memory, we dance on as the tunes continue their spin. Later, when we are both done I figure she's likely a fine Merlot brightened by Cab Franc having found her way through new French oak nestled by the river, intelligently nuanced well worth the dance and cost is not an issue...

Hanging at Promise' Land Market where the tunes are always righteous, the people are cool, the conversation is groovy and wines dance from the walls... — 8 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

From one of the relatively unknown and elite producers in Burgundy and a close friend of the illustrious Jean François Coche’s son, Raphael. Even this Bourgogne Blanc comes from old vines in Meursault which clearly evident in the wine. Vibrant energy and acidity intertwines with lemon curd, hazelnuts, a pixelated minerality and a striking intensity. Maybe lacking the depth and length of premier cru burgs, but what a tremendous entry level Bourgogne this is and a true over performer. — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2015 / This is a benchmark for Bordeaux from more unknown AOC’s, ‘petit Bordeaux’. Deep dark color, 4/5 transparant with starting of a brown rim. Purple reflection. Classic Bordeaux smell with laurel, plums, even some pencil shape. A restraint smell at this moment. Some tannins in taste, needs a decanter or air in the glass. With food it’s already delicious. That is if you like a bit stubbornness as I do. Very good effort. / Paired with tenderloin and snow peas. — 6 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.2

A house favorite, even when I leave the house. The fruit is fresh and vibrant, tannins are fully integrated, and enough acid punch left to foil well with Osso Bucco. Likely a one-hit wonder from this relatively unknown producer in Umbria. — 6 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.0

Given the mediocre vintage, this is a really nice surprise. For me, An unknown Chateau that has aged gracefully. Tobacco, cedar, leather, not hollow or thin. Good mid-palate and decent length. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

This wine is definitely on the downward slide. But, nowhere near done. A few of us agree that the label and capsule seem to be much newer than the wine. It is unknown if they had a more recent release of this wine from unlabeled cellar bottles. The nose is mushroom, truffle, fig and dried plum. Entry is fig and plum dense. Tertiary notes on the finish. We were thinking this wine was going to last an hour but it actually started improving over the course of 3 hours. Nice piece of Napa history! — 7 years ago

with Dan, Keith and 2 others

Kelly Kirkland

9.0

2010 vintage. A totally unknown winery to me given to me by a grateful neighbor. I noted that the bottle quality portended a high-end wine. So I decided to wait to have it with a group of friends who'd appreciate something like this— a good decision. Upon opening, the nose struck me as a fine French Bordeaux with a big of age. The palate was fine and smooth with medium tannins. It's got a lovely full body and a nicely aged fruit that shows a sweet leather note. My friends loved it, as did I. What a treat to subsequently find out (through Charine Tan's review here) just what a special wine this was to have been given. — 8 years ago

Chris Sowick

8.9

Unknown purchase. $35.00 avg. price. Smooth tannins. — 5 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Once again, I would say this was a less than ideal showing of Kai's 16' Marion's Vineyard - be it storage or for some unknown reason, I felt the fruit should have been more vibrant especially in such a young wine. Anyhow, assessing it as it was, the wine was ripe, spicy, woody, and earthy. It sort of veered towards a Syrah, and finishes with a lick of old-world savoriness. Safe to say I wasn't a fan of the flavours this pino carried (in particular, that marmalade character I find in a lot of warmer climate pino), but the texture's a different story. Mouth-filling (probably courtesy of the high octane value too - 14) and plush, with fine tannins and crisp acidity. Definitely does bring about a sort of elegance. Likely a good pino in most cases, but just not for me. — 5 years ago

Steve S.

9.1

Always a good go to wine on an unknown wine list. Paired with duck. Sweet cherry dark chocolate and pomegranate. — 6 years ago

Mike

9.0

Raspberry. Smoke. A touch of leather. A good unknown drop of vin tinto. Six female cousins. #seisprimas #andale — 6 years ago

tim heyman

9.0

gd wine but apparently unknown as not known by parker or wine spectator — 8 years ago

Jessica Hereth

Sommelier/Wine Director Olympic Provisions

9.2

So go and live a little
Bone turns brittle
And skin withers before your eyes
Make sure you give a little
Before you go to the great unknown in the sky — 8 years ago

JKT

9.2

GL Portugal tasting 2/15/17. Nose that's complex and more towards the savory side more black and some red berries. Palate very round and balanced and supple with medium length. Blend of varietals unknown. Could be over 30 varietals. 6-7k bottles. — 8 years ago

Paul J

9.4

Wine of the night, but sadly my last bottle of this beauty :( Give this some air because after that it is deep and bold, just how a Howell Mt. Napa can should be! Nice tar, blackberry, and tobacco notes with a great long finish. Quite possibly my best unknown purchase ever!! — 8 years ago

with Brooke