Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Bodegas Alto Moncayo is a joint venture of Jorge Ordonez, Bodegas Borsao and others, in conjunction with Chris Ringland. Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas, from 40+ year old vines and aged for 16 months in oak. On the palate flavors of ripe plum and black fruits with cacao, spice and mineral notes. Soft tannins, vivid acidity ending with gentle oak spice on the finish. Wines from Spain are superb and at great values, especially Bodegas Alto Moncayo wines. — 7 years ago

JJ Lumia

8.9

Current and mushroom bouquet. Plum and licorice flavors, little heavy on the licorice. Medium bodied. A WS Top 100. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is a blend of; 87% Cabernet, 10% Petit Verdot and 3% Syrah. On the nose, black cassis, baking spices, smoke, black oil, loamy soils, grilled meats and fresh, dark, fragrant florals. The fruit are beautifully round, rich and gorgeously sexy. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries and poached strawberries. Sweet dark spices, tobacco, graphite, dry stem, mint, black licorice, dry crushed rocks & loamy soils with a well balanced, structured, elegantly round, rich, long finish. 9.5 with room for more as it bottle ages. Photos of; exterior of their quaint tasting room, their wine dinner lake house used for their dinners, one of their beautiful vineyard and Darcey Fugman-Small and (far right) Rick Small. — 8 years ago

Orhan Uzelli

9.0

Are you an adventurist? Then, pick this bottle. Defniately a juicy wine and a lot of aromas.. Vanilla beans, plum, stewed blackberries and a hint of coffee. On palate still shows vanilla beans and stewed dark berries. It has a medium minus tannin and shows more fruity character. Cheers — 9 years ago

Mike Blom

9.2

The 9,5 alc level has zero impact on the body. Still full and enjoyable with crisp green apple. — 10 years ago

Erika Speelman

9.1

A breath of fresh air. Wet stone on the nose, great fruit and balanced acidity. — 10 years ago

with Michelle and Dale

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Top-notch barrel-fermented Godello in a lush but focused style. Peach, lemon curd, honeysuckle, ginger, tropical fruit on the finish. Outstanding balance of texture and minerality and certainly a reference point for Valdeorras. — 7 years ago

Rich Friedland

9.0

Very nice but fading. Definitely opened up after some time in glass. I think 3-5 years is the sweet spot. — 7 years ago

Sean Wallner - WSET II

9.7

Cherry, red licorice, some game and botanical herbs. Soft on the palate, bursting fresh red fruits, cherry, plum, graphite and subtle coffee notes. Such an incredible wine! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; floral, jammy fruits of; blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, plum, black plum, soft spices, vanilla, mocha, violets and dark flowers. On the palate; richness, elegance, thick, lush body, ripe, rich; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plum, black raspberries, black cherry cola, rich dark earth, dry powdery brown top soil, crushed rocks, spice, vanilla, volcanic minerals, dark fruit tea, liquid violets, dark florals, touch of bramble, mouth watering acidity and a long, rich, even, elegant finish. Photo tour; long shot of the estate with vines, honor system purchase fruit & vegetable cart (they were farmers before grape growers) great picnic area and their tasting bar. — 8 years ago

Stephen Langer

9.4

Truant on a cold Friday evening — 9 years ago

Patty Ledonne

9.3

Complex with some many different grapes. 2012 can age easily another 10 years. 20 months on oak. — 10 years ago

Dan Roach

9.7

The bouquet is full yet lean and airy with violets, herbs, cocoa and ripe fruit. On the palate, the medium acid has perfect tension with subtle and velvety tannins. Flavors of herbs, tart fruit mixed with ripe stone fruit. Lean, complex, elegant, wonderful. — 10 years ago

with Meaghan

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.

On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.

The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.

Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 7 years ago

Colin Nuckolls

9.1

Awesome nose of smoked meet and blueberries. Great, animalistic Syrah. Outstanding if a little soft on the backside. — 7 years ago

Serg

9.2

Loved the wine. Needed 20 or so minutes to open up. Hard to get so enjoy on a special occasion. — 8 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.1

Blackberry and game give way to leather and mineral notes on the generous finish. The legs are strong, has good acid and is nicely balanced, possessing a certain grace. Huge QPR. Stock up. — 9 years ago

David Dornan

9.4

Had this wine on thanksgiving and again tonight. Totally amazing both times. Jammy, oaky, blackberry notes with a peppery finish. Totally recommend this as a favorite zin — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.5

2008 vintage. So delicious. Bright raspberry and cherry with beautiful mixed herbs and citrus peel on the finish. Gorgeously sweet aromatics. — 10 years ago

Jamm Aquino

9.8

Just firing on all cylinders. Amazing. — 10 years ago

with Erica