Adriana Fabbro

9.2

Raised under veil. Just shy of being a vin juane. A pinch of acetaldehyde goodness mixed with mild oxidative notes, but not totally sherryfied. All the nuts (walnut, hazelnut, almond) golden apple, and pear. Long finish with caramel, more nuts and a hint of petrol. Round, smooth and viscous. Surprisingly good pairing with souvlaki. — 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.1

The 2019 Miraval Rose is sourced from their 500 hectare vineyard that is set in valley in the ancient village of Correns in the center of Provence. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle, the vineyard is set on limestone and clay soils. A light dusting of salted damp earth combines with pretty rose water and melon tones on the nose. The palate is fresh and wonderfully textured, showing layers of bright melon and red fruit flavors with a great veil of tension. Fantastic now, this beautiful effort will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2020-2027- 91 — 5 years ago

Lauren Kessinger

9.0

Gentile and refined in color and flavor. A little watermelon, apricot and flowers from behind a wispy veil. A beautiful wine. — 6 years ago

Amit Kumar

10

Trader Joes. Smooth, easy rider. Nice with pasta. — 7 years ago

Josh Spurling

9.5

There’s so much sneaky complexity in this wine. There’s the urge to just chug due to its beautiful purity of fruit, but resist that urge. There’s so much more behind that glorious veil..... — 8 years ago

GrapeXplorer

9.6

Yellow apple, soft tropical notes, wrapped in a veil of light oak. A special treat and why I enjoy #burgundy — 9 years ago

with Margie

Daniel M

8.9

A little bit of funk on the nose at first then a big bright cherry note takes the stage along with hay. The palate is very fruit forward with that big bright cherry note all over the place, a good width and a soft mouthfeel with an almost sweet, delicate layer on the sides. A nice tannins layer kicks in in mid palate with a drying veil over a long fruity finish. It's simple yet delicious. More of that! — 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

captivating blend by winemaker Michel Friou, the 2018 Almaviva Red Wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Weighing in at 14.9% alcohol, the wine was aged for eighteen months in French oak (73% new) before bottling, a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch less Carmenère than the ’17 bottling. Right away the allure of green bell pepper notes entice alongside Turkish coffee, creme de cassis and blueberry compote that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and plush but shows a sterling veil of tension that runs through the core of the wine. Layers of anise, green bell pepper, blackberry cordial, and Black Forest Cake all parade on the palate. Absolutely gorgeous to consume in its youth, this really needs a two hour decant fully evolve if you can’t hold back from enjoying this gorgeous wine. Drink 2022-2040- 97 — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The absolutely gorgeous 2016 ‘Queens Road’ was aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak prior to bottling. This stunning wine takes on a hedonistic nose with banana, buttercream, green papaya and suggestions of nutmeg infused hazelnuts that all marvelously combine in the glass. Mouth-watering acidity and a sensational texture greet you alongside a strong veil of salinity. The combination of weight and freshness is outstanding. Once on the palate you are enticed by the seemingly endless layers of orchard and tropical fruits along with nutty and stony undertones complete this sensational wine. While a delight to savor right now, the 2016 ‘Queens Road’ still has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2028- 94 — 5 years ago

Adam Smith

9.0

Took 30’ to get good started slow then developed black cherry and even a hint of current 2015 vintage — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

A faint veil of yeast parts to reveal scents of fresh Bartlett pear and zesty lime that go on to inform an infectiously juicy, polished palate. Utmost delicacy from a mere 7.5 percent alcohol is allied with 55 grams of residual sugar that are supportive but not at all overbearing, and the sugar-acid tension in this bottling’s long, vibratory finish is both literally and metaphorically fruitful. Like the best Weiser-Künstler wines, dry or sweet, this displays a remarkable sense of transparency to myriad mineral nuances. (Whereas this wine has typically been raised in tank, this year there is a contribution from cask.) (David Schildknecht, Vinous, June 2017) — 7 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

I just love this utterly classic style. Gorgeous crystalline sappy, bright cherry fruit with lovely gravelly minerality. Pure and balanced in the mouth, with nice acidity and a thin veil of soft tannin. Not opulent or super-concentrated, but totally at ease with itself. This is a dinner wine. — 8 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

Aromas of blackberry and black cherry dominate the nose, with an earthy veil that is the hallmark of the vineyard. The palate is beautiful, with a cheery acidity and firm tannic structure - but not too firm. The dark fruit flavors are tinged with a hint of peppery orange peel, with minerals in plain sight. You can put this on the holiday table without a worry, but it will pair just as nicely with a baguette and some cheese. — 9 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Now at the ten year mark, the 2010 ‘Romas’ by Clarendon Hills, is really hitting its stride. Right away the red florals and cigar box tones entice, giving way to layers of pretty red fruits and shades of wintergreen that all march in unison. The palate is plush but also quite vibrant, with a great veil of tension. Ripe red currants and blood orange zest tones mingle with creosote and bing cherry cordial on the palate. The freshness and viscosity is seriously good here, as is the silky texture. Performing marvelously at the ten year mark, the 2010 ‘Romas’ has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93 — 5 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

Intense and expressive. Vibrant dark red fruit cloaked in a light veil of oak that integrated with the wine over time adding to the back bone and complexity. Dry finish. — 5 years ago

with Tammy

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

Kevin Cahoon

9.2

High toned floral aromas with peach fruit wrapped in a smoky mineral veil. Lush and dense on palate with floral notes, apricot and pear fruit with a smoky spiced accent. — 6 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Oh heavy and deep and it’s someone who gets into my head and body and soul. As Mourvèdre/monastrell/mataro does. It is in my body because it is balanced: alcohol acid and body seem to waltz whilst NOT waiting for the unbalanced part: the onslaught of flavor. Those parts are moshing(body): leather and funky high toned but aggro tobacco orange peel all sorts of sour red and black things and an umeboshi plum are the sharp acidic cinnamon veil over all so my soul is here thinking and... — 7 years ago

Chrissy Smith

9.2

100% Tibouren, "Cru Classe," 60+ year oldest vines. Fun & funky wine out of Provence--Between an orange wine and a rosé. Aged under fleurette (a thin veil of yeast). Perfumed lychee, quince, floral, peach, apricot, round palate, bright but gentle acidity, herb, saline, nutty. — 8 years ago

Anthony Marocco

9.0

Deep ruby red - medium full bodied - toasted oak and peppery aromas with a white pepper veil cloaking dried red fruit that shows off after opening up a bit. A bit hot - peppery tannins and a bustling palate of baking spice and toasty oak — 9 years ago