Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

Posting my review from a few months back as my experience was the exact same.

Very ripe and integrated. Full spectrum of red and black fruit, cassis, pipe tobacco and worn saddle leather on the nose. Structure was still very solid with plenty of tannins at the finish to keep this upright. Round on the palate...dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, cardamom and muddled raspberries. Drinking really well but will probably hold in this window for a few years. — 5 years ago

with Jack, Mark and 4 others

Norman Gennaro

9.8

I’ve been keeping these on their side in the wine cellar but need I think to put them upright a few days prior — 6 years ago

.

9.1

This is was ready to go with a short decant. Very nice, medium-to-full bodied Brunello with no funk. Lots of sediment, though, even after a week upright. — 6 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Summer catnip. The upright, straight cousin of wooly cotton chenin blanc: clean, yellow plum, has length--& all elegance. 2012. — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.2

We were impressed with this example. Lovely floral nose, coupled with caramel and cinnamon. Nice upright structure, framed by bold tannins. Palette is consistent with the nose. Bright acidity complements the finish. Great value. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.7

Yet another wine that has presented perfectly on day two. I have more respect for Cali producers who produce juice that is able to stands upright on day two. It's still ultra-rich, and deeply textured. Kudos to the winemaker. There are also some very interesting text referencing early English monarchs on the front label. Will ask my art historian daughter to assist with decoding the faint signals. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Stacy Stadnik

9.2

Found this gem tonight at Total Wine in Dallas. Figured it had to be corked; it’s probably been sitting upright for the past seven years. Actually quite nice. — 5 years ago

jg

9.1

Had it tonight for our 39th anniversary presentation with beef filet, stuffed mushrooms , grilled asparagus with balsamic, steamed carrots. Pulled it from the cellar. Bought it upon release. Upright, open and chilled for 2 hrs.

First was sour, then settled and opened up with the meat. The acid was still present, and the fruit; cherry, came forward and was full tilt by the cheese course, St. Andre.
Silky, sweet finish. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.2

Came out of the gates backward, attacking dry and departing “sweet” almost. Once upright the gorgeous honey kissed citrus/stonefruit, exotic flowers, and array spices and herbs, ginger, tea, aloe. While it’s shed some baby weight, it still has a great interplay of powerful concentration and extract to keep the acid in check. — 6 years ago

Nate Miles

9.1

Smokey dark fruited velvet blanket. Still a bit upright. — 7 years ago

Paco Suro

9.0

Had to try it. Needs 5 years to come into form or as prescribed 4+ hours decanted after being upright 24 hours. I did not follow those instructions. Big wine. 15.2%. Does not hold back. However, it is a complete wine from start to finish. My guess this is a much higher rating in a few years. — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Apologies for the quality of the label. Tried to force a bottle in my fridge, and paid a heavy price.
Nose of spice box, molasses and licorice. Palette is balanced and precise. Presents blueberries, dill, white pepper and leather. Acidity is perfect. Tannins are not resolved, which creates a more upright structure. Still tight, with no signs of aging. Excellent — 7 years ago

with Mo

Chris Bensick

9.2

As good if not better than the 2011, this wine also passes the screw cap test for aging. Stored upright, btw, no need to keep the cork wet! With steelhead and roasted yellow beets, yummy! — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Nose is exotic, with sweet oak and ripe cherries. Palette is textured and multidimensional. Tannins still provide a nice upright structure, but are resolved. Finishes with a panoply of rich dark fruits, tobacco, maple syrup and nutmeg. I think 08 in Cali was nothing special, but the Rudius winemaker continues to pull off some splendid acrobatics.
If you have this in your cellar, don't leave it too much longer. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Matt

9.3

Tactile, energetic, soulful. Represents its origin very well, classic Evangelho floral tones and silky, lengthy tannins. Nose is ripe black raspberry, black cherry liquor, juniper, rosemary, crushed wildflowers and fur. Palate is upright, crunchy, and moves from fresh fruit into savory herbs and whole cluster spice. Again bramble, kirsch, licorice, juniper and blood orange, spices. Young with a very raw energy right now. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Those of you that love domestic wines should take a look at this gem. Exhibits sweet notes, with density on the mid-palate. Nicely balanced oak treatment, coupled with upright acidity. Finishes with a long tail - really nice. No rush to consume these. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

E Kosgei

9.8

Had an old 1985 and it was amazing with a French recipe for duck and olives! One of the best meals ever. Had to have it upright for a while cause of the sediment, then decanted for 25 minutes before drinking. So good! The cork in mine was old and fell apart three times while trying to open it but thankfully I managed to keep any cork bits for getting in the actual wine, but if you have a old bottle be careful. — 7 years ago

Marlene Meer

9.5

Easy to drink! Light for a Rioja, but still has a lot of flavor. Musty on the nose, but cherry and rose aftertaste. Personally, I like this at a slightly warmer temp. Would recommend keeping upright before drinking. More sediment than expected. Cheers! — 7 years ago

with Byron

Adam Jesberger

9.1

Shocked this is still so solid. Found it upright in a random liquor store. Was sure it would be toast. Its actually great and evolved nicely. Thank you 08 for your high acid. — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.1

Visually pristine, but a touch of age detected on the nose.
On the palette, the wine is lithe and full. Tannins are still upright. Tobacco and herbs come through, followed by sweetness and barrel toast. This must have a large proportion of cab franc in the mix. It's a fun wine which, 12 years on, presented well. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie