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

Keith Herrick

9.1

This wine could have been better, but arrived all shaken up. If it would have sat upright for a day or two, I think it would have settled down. As it was, it was a cloudy mess but still tasted like it had a few years and improved over an hour or so. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.3

I've just finished the most difficult linear regression school assignment, so now is a good time to celebrate...

The nose is very fruity with blood orange, pomegranate and mocha. The palette is coherent, balanced and restrained. It has a plush and layered texture, finishes with upright tannins and maple syrup.

This is hitting its stride right now. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

PS Michaels

9.4

2010. Terrific. — 9 years ago

Bram Wessel

8.9

A LOT more austere than I expected, tastes almost young. Nose took time to develop, even with lots of air. I'm a little suspicious about how this bottle was stored. There's almost zero penetration of the cork suggesting lots of upright storage? The ulage was normal-seeming, just a small visible gap beneath the foil. What nose there is has hints of mint, cedar and something candied, like dates. On the palate, surprisingly moderate intensity (12.5% pre-fruit-bomb era), tannic structure still very evident at 24 years, but considerably softened down to fine grain. Plummy, black cherry flavored, with that confected undercurrent. Finishes long and tannic. Cut through very rich lamb shank stewed in red wine, caramelized onions, shallots, and rosemary. Still developing with dark chocolate dessert. — 10 years ago

Dimitri Fedotov, C.S.

Sommelier Osteria 177

9.0

Very pleasant. Jam declines as decanted for a few. Solid. Pleasant tannins and not a heavy cab, yet upright. — 10 years ago

Pax Mahle

Owner/Winemaker Wind Gap Wines, Agharta & Pax

9.5

One of the best old tondonias I have had ...very upright & proper — 11 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

Ron R

9.2

We are not a Zinfandel fans, but Ridge produces a stellar example.
Pop'd and poured and this bad boy was singing from the get-go. It has a fresh, opulent perfume.
On the palette, loads of cherries and ripe red fruits. Tannins are pronounced. Finishes long and sweet. Zinfandel with a sprinkle of petite syrah (which adds an upright structure). Neither lithe or cloying, this is a wonderful wine.

Day 2 - The wine has stood still. It has slightly relaxed, but the acid, tannins and texture are just like they were yesterday. I'm impressed! — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

NYE is kinda starting a touch early. This will evolve and get sapien upright as the night progresses. — 8 years ago

with Derek

Brandon Liverence

9.0

2008. Stood upright for 1 week prior to decanting (slowly!). Nice tannic grip, but also somewhat creamy. A cider/gose-like funkiness. Hints of lemon peel, Granny Smith apples, and tropical fruits. $45 from Uva Wines, Brooklyn. — 9 years ago

Jeff Solomon

9.1

Randomly ran across this wine at a liquor store with no price tag. It was originally released in 2011 for $45. I offered the guy $15, considering it'd been stored upright for the last 3 years. He accepted.
Typical forrest floor, cola, strawberry nose. Tart cherries, cranberries, and dirt on the palate. I am very happy. — 9 years ago

with Kara

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.4

Initial wave of big cheese on nose -- Citeaux/washed rind; opens into truffled leather and allusions to graphite, great acid, red raspberry fruit. Lovely, upright, still fresh yet tertiary wine. 1999. — 10 years ago

Ian Burrows

Sommelier Atelier Crenn

9.5

All the preserved apple & citrus & dried mango slices... Incredible acid still holding everything upright & tights — 10 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.5

upright barrel fermentation 100% tannat superb — 11 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

Cosmin Sevastre

8.9

Very fine bouquet , fine sediments at the bottom of the bottle. Upright positioning recommend at least for one hour.
It deserves a try! — 8 years ago

Robbie Ward

8.9

Gorgeous nose. Could have done with standing upright for a day. Quite cloudy with fine sediment. No doubting the incredible Sangiovese fruit. Very pure and quite high toned. Love the style. — 8 years ago

Mark de Waal

9.0

I try to form an initial impression with my nose. I also noticed how little wine permeated the cork? Stored upright? At first I could barely smell it in my glass. Thus my nose was not involved in the initial taste.. Little if any leg. I'm enjoying the heck out of this wine. I'm pairing it with rosemary — 9 years ago

Scott Tallman

9.2

Upright as usual kills it with this wheat-based saison — 10 years ago

with Sheela

Marty Winters

9.4

Vintage selection from block f-1. Upright redwood tanks used for fermentation. Austere wine with a long finish. Truly a special experience. — 10 years ago

Mark Lindzy

9.6

My kinda beer - dry styled British IPA, hoppy and bitter without being perfumed. — 11 years ago

Jonathan Wood

8.9

Aged 4 years. Stood upright. No corks blown. Deeper, rounder, more complex. Good advice from Alessandra Bera. — 11 years ago