Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039. — 5 hours ago

Sagee Aran

9.1

A perfumed Barolo, approachable now, after long hours of decanting. Palate is developing mainly dark fruits. Suggest to wait until 2028 — a month ago

Sherwin Taghdiri

9.3

A soft fragrance of sweet stone fruit.
Drinks really smoothly, with super juicy and fruity flavors with a full mouth feel. Finishes smoothly and is easy to drink! — 3 months ago

with Boris and Renny

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, tangy herb, pepper and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with black pepper spice, vanilla and earthy sweet herbs. Soft chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy oak. Nice! — 2 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Piazza Duomo acker — a month ago

Ming L

9.5

Tasted it about 2 years ago. Now it’s showing greater harmony, revealing layers of dark cherry, plum, rose, and cedar framed by supple yet still assertive tannins. The oak has begun to meld, allowing earthy spice and truffle nuances to emerge. From the lesser-known Grinzane Cavour, its muscular core is balanced with poise and depth, promising further refinement over the next few years. — 2 months ago

Chris Buggy

9.1

Tangerine and grapefruit, great crisp, finish, with some heft…a treat with fresh Spanish mackerel — 3 months ago

with Jennifer

Chris Buggy

9.1

Light ruby, like raspberry lemonade, super bright,l. After some air, herbs herbs, thyme lavender- a real delight — 13 days ago

with Jennifer

Tom Barras

9.2

I have enjoyed many vintages of the excellent single vineyard Reserva (Bucerchiale) from Selvapiana, but the fruity 2018 is one of the more satisfying ones. Perfumed red and black fruit aromatics soar from the stemware. It is Medium >full, balanced and well structured with crisp acidity and light tannins at the satisfying finish. This Sangiovese star from the Rufina appellation East of Florence, always punches well above its price point. If you’re unaware of it, time to check it out. (It continues to identify it as 2013, but please note it is 2018.)
— a month ago

Joe DAscoli

9.3

This wine is so hard to rate. You either love or hate it. It’s almost a dessert wine with the sweetness it displays right from the bottle.

Early on, it had some depth and tannin to balance the sweetness and provide for some cherry and good fruit.

As it decanted and sat, it seemed to get sweeter as tannins faded.

This wine needed strong cheese to really balance it.

It was the favorite for some but then avoided by others. You have to really enjoy the sweetness without sugar. — 2 months ago