Ron R

9.4

A new producer for us, purchased direct from the winery.
Nose displays pears, white flowers, and the slightest hint of volatility. The palate is muscular and demonstrates urgency when it hits the mid-palate. Powerful, zippy acidity gives way to honeycomb notes, without the sweetness. The finish is mineral-driven, with very little detectable oak treatment. Chablis lovers should take a good look at this example. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Amy Simone

9.5

Fruity, smooth, Amy likes for red — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Wifey’s Thai curry in the background.
Muted nose. What you do get is a whiff of spring, and not much else.
Palate displays lychees, peach and nectarines. These notes are complimented by minerals such as limestone and granite. Lovely sense of urgency on the mid palate, with moderate sweetness brings you back for more. The French have SB’s on lock. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Delectable Wine

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9.5

Deep ruby. Powerful black/blue fruit, incense, Indian spice and vanilla aromas on the expressive nose, with a smoky mineral quality adding urgency. Offers sweet, densely packed boysenberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors that spread out steadily on the palate, picking up an exotic hint of star anise and a touch of licorice on the back half. Lush, broad and seamless in character, finishing with superb energy, sharp delineation and smooth, even tannins that add structure and subtle grip. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2019) — 7 years ago

Keith Fisher

9.2

Bought this on release and cellared since. This is showing well with no urgency to open now. I’ve always been a fan of the Backus, but this is certainly a good value if you have patience and cellar space. — 8 years ago

Rich Thompson

9.0

Fruit forward and very tasty — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.0

Not feeling this, initially. Then...

Upping my score cos I took another look on day 2. It gained a little more weight, and showed a little more urgency on the palate. Nice mature raspberries and coffee notes, and a sweet finish. — 8 years ago

with Mo

Ira Schwartz

9.2

Powerful aromas of plums , tobacco and hints of brett leap at you like a dog welcoming its master as he or she walks through the front door at the end of the day. Silky fruit paints the palate. In a great spot now but no urgency of it going over the hill. — 10 years ago

Erik Helms

Sommelier/Wine & Beer Buyer Whole Foods Oakland

9.1

Complex and creamy, all without the urgency that acidity brings. It has density and presence without being clunky. Almonds, vanilla, white pepper, & honey, all weave with a perfect amount of freshly baked apple pie. — 10 years ago

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

9.1

Sensational #GrunerVeltliner from #Hungary. Seek out with urgency! — 12 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.2

Best since 2014 and likely better. Nose of green apple, lime, minerals and has a classic old school white burgundy lean vibe. Love it. Smells like pre global warning white burgundy. Nuanced and layered. Palate has crazy energetic and acidity. Wow. Deep, minerally, lemony and so juicy. Has a Chablisean mineral urgency and flavor profile. So seashelly. Rich, structured and has an unreal midpalate with a hit of opulence. Then hits all razors and acidity. — 6 years ago

Anthony

9.0

Smooth, low acidity, pleasant for summer — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Wifey and I concur with the score. May have approached this too early. Lacks the depth and complexity we have come to expect from this vineyard. Still very good. Hoping that bottle age brings a little more intensity, although it may just bring age.

Day 2 and this wine has has switched gears and developed more urgency. Much improved, so I’ll take the score up 2 pts. This reminds me of a quote “Instant gratification takes too long” - Carrie Fisher 😏 — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Heidi Schneider

10

Had this at a dinner party. Thought it was at least a $50-$60 bottle of wine....was $12 here in Ohio. Totally amazed. — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

Brilliant, green-hued straw. Bright and incisive on the highly perfumed nose displaying an array of fresh citrus and orchard fruit scents that are complemented by suggestions of chalky minerals, quinine and sea salt. Dry, taut and precise on the palate, offering bitter lemon pith and pear skin flavors that unfold slowly while maintaining urgency. Finishes with impressive clarity and mineral drive, leaving juicy Meyer lemon and quince notes behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, March 2019) — 7 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.6

The 2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a total gem from Dunn which is showing absolutely phenomenal after nearly 15 years. This instantly impresses with stunning aromatics of dark currants and back cherries which are laced with Indian spices, bell peppers, tobacco and some underlying earthy tones that all come together and soar from the glass. On the palate this possesses an absolutely gorgeous mouthfeel, with big polished tannins that are beautifully integrated into the solid frame. It displays stunning balance, as layers of ripe dark fruits and savory characteristics expand seamlessly through the lavish finish. While the 2005 is showing impeccably well at this juncture, however there is no sense of urgency to start pulling the cork, as it should have at least another decade or two of peak drinking to offer. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Nice, visual presentation. Nose displays bread and roasted nuts. Palate is buttery, juxtaposed with grassy notes. The bubbles are pin-point, and display urgency on the palate. Finishes a touch yeasty, but good, nonetheless. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.6

Iron fist in a velvet glove. Wonderful expression. Presents as a cool-climate cab, which then creeps up on you. Plush tannins, lovely oak and brown sugar notes. Finishes with a wonderful sense of urgency.
Another @David L gift. Thank you, sir!
At Kesté pizzeria, NYC. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie, Eric and 3 others

Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

9.2

How does one tidy up a #day of #snowboarding? with a bottle of #pinotnoir from #japan of course. scents of tilled, damp soil, freshly scattered mulch, broken brambles, & slivers of pata negra follow thru on a palate highlighted by memory evoking flavours of pleasingly tart, just picked red huckleberries while traipsing thru a temperate #rainforest in Southeastern Alaska. Pretty damn expressive & heaps tasty. Get some. #nanatsumori by Domaine Takahiko Soga. Something to linger over, the elemental urgency, litheness & raw, electro beauty of this wine. — 11 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.1

Typical fleshy wine of the appellation. Fruity notes of blackberries, cassis, black plum, chocolate, eucalyptus. Well-melted woody vanilla tertiary notes. Full-bodied and generous wine with a lingering finish on vigorous round tannins. To drink with chocolate desserts, spicy cuisine, duck southwest style. For fans of tannic wines, this is to be discovered as a matter of urgency, as it is much more accessible than Bordeaux wines. price / pleasure ratio ++

Vin charnu typique de l’appellation. Notes fruités de mûres , cassis, prune noire, chocolat, eucalyptus. Notes tertiaires boisées vanillées bien fondues. Vin ample et généreux avec une finale m persistante sur des tanins vigoureux de rondeur. À boire sur des desserts chocolatés, cuisine épicée, canard façon sud- ouest. Pour les adeptes des vins tanniques c’est à découvrir de toute urgence, car bien plus accessibles que les vins du Bordelais. rapport prix/plaisir ++ — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Current vintage from BM. The 18 is more approachable. Sherbet nose with urgency and tension on the palate. Let this rest a year before approaching.
Wifey’s donut holes. First time making these, and they were top drawer. — 6 years ago

with Benny, James and 1 other

Delectable Wine

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9.3

Brilliant ruby. Aromas of ripe cherry, singed plum, candied flowers and licorice; a spicy, smoky mineral topnote adds urgency. In a broad, generous style, offering plush red and dark berry preserve, violet pastille and cracked pepper flavors and a sweetening suggestion of cola. Round, pliant tannins give gentle grip to an impressively long, smoky finish that strongly echoes the cherry and floral notes. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2020)
— 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

This delicious Beaujolais-Nouveau (from vines that are up to 85 years old) brims with intense dark berry, floral and spice notes. Mineral overtones add urgency and back end cut to round things out in style. $18.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2019) — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Very impressed with this...
This SB exploded from the glass. Loads of passion fruit, lychee and guava on the nose. Beautiful detail on the palate. Sun-soaked white fruits compete for your attention. Lovely tension between the fruit and acidity, which presents a sense of urgency. For $30, this is exceptional. 93 - 94 pts, easy. Get some!
Going the sous vide route with this tomahawk steak. We have a cab to compliment this. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.4

Haven’t been down under for a while. This is really nice, tho. Nice nose of treacle toffee and coffee grinds. The palate displays a deep reduction, complimented by violets and balsamic notes. Picks up intensity and urgency. 12 years in - very cool. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.6

2016 barrel sample.
This is gonna be awesome. Very prominent tannins, which are to be expected. Notes of coffee and maple syrup on the nose. Deep extraction, similar to a bottomless pit. Huge overripe cherries, cassis and a muscular frame. Finishes with urgency. A stellar example from a great producer. — 8 years ago

with ADAM, David and 3 others

Girard Healy

9.6

The flavor of this wine busrt on to the palate with all the urgency of the 1010 WINS xylophone but settled into a smooth pleasant, taste. My wife said it was "good" too. — 12 years ago