Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

First winery on day two in Sonoma was Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa with Meredith. The last Rhone varietal red was the Walker Vine Hill Syrah. Sadly we were told that this was the last vintage that will be produced. This bottling is made up of 100% Syrah and is around 40-50% whole cluster fermented then aged for 20 months in 25% new French oak. 1,025 cases produced.

Insanely dark and inky purplish ruby red, completely coats the glass. Dark berries on the start of the nose followed up by cinnamon, cocoa, blueberries and some dustiness. Medium plus tannins (7/10) with a full body. Rich and layered palate with red currants, red plums, even a touch of blue fruits and some solid minerality. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2028. (93+)

$$$ - Tasted at the winery. Retail price is $75.00. — 8 years ago

with India

Peter van den Besselaar

9.6

WoW! Unbelievable vitality. Impressions of violets, honey. Mahony color. Superb balance. Wonderfull chenin, I love love love it! Elegance. — 10 years ago

Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.0

Honey on toast straight off the bat, walnut oil and a very light touch of twiglet makes me think this isn't in the greatest shape but shows some great complexity. In the mouth there is snappy red apple skin from the off though the mouthfeel is rather thin, sleek on the finish with plenty of class. — 11 years ago

Joanne Close

9.4

Decanted and constantly evolving, chestnut honey, apricots, honeysuckle, sultanas...on and on. — 11 years ago

with Jim

Franck Gestin

9.7

Great Vouvray ! Citrus, pear and honey. Beautifully crisp ! — 12 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.1

Like diving into honey and getting a big firm hug — 12 years ago

michael pandolfo

9.0

Very sweet but not overtly cloying. Lots of custardy lemon & honey. Effervescent acidity in the end — 9 years ago

James Park

9.5

Impressive mix of honey and apricot. — 9 years ago

B

10

Magnum 1990 Dom Perignon Champagne. Drank this vintage champagne to kick off Adam's dinner for K's birthday. This was amazing! Honey and nectarine on the nose with a super long, smooth finish. Awesome! — 10 years ago

Kihyun Yoon

9.2

One of the best double IPA. Only this IPA can be compared to Pliny the Elder. — 10 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.1

2007 Dauvissat Forest. Creamy and perhaps further along than is proper to be, or perhaps I just am in denial about how long ago 2007 was, but still crushed seashell and acid and if only it had some honey wow it might be fabulous. — 11 years ago

with Zachary

Patrick Knöfler

8.9

Half-bottle. The wine was medium amber in colour and offered orange peel, apple, honeycomb, caramel, smoke, spices, sherry and a mouldy note on the nose. On the palate the wine showed orange, peach, apple, cane sugar, caramel, smoke, spices, creamy honey, some coffee, a hint of chocolate, sherry, mild black tea and a mouldy note, paired with medium-plus acidity, a creamy honey mouthfeel and very good length. Judged by this half-bottle the wine has just passed its plateau and started its slow journey on the downward slope. A good, medium-bodied Sauternes with lots of botrytis character. Drink now. 89 — 11 years ago

Petra Thieriot

Owner/Importer Dee Vine Wines

10

Ernie, the genie, prepared the entire 5+ course meal for 18 guests and convinced all of us that South African Pinot can taste like premium Burgundy! — 12 years ago

with Andrew, Dade and 2 others

Carl Fischer

9.8

I can't say much more than I've said before - these wines are stunning to me and are truly among my favorites. The Panek is slightly more retrained than the Melanson to me but still displays rich and powerful blue fruits, a touch of brown sugar, and baking spice. This is a very rich wine and I love it. Thank you @leon egozi for sharing this. — 9 years ago

Ash Lover

10

Sweet awesome No Alcoholic aftertaste when chilled properly — 10 years ago

Rita Jammet

Owner La Caravelle Champagne

9.6

Beautiful fruit, hint of acacia honey (however not sweet) and a superb acidity. Super versatile. Bravo @Charles Puglia you rock! — 10 years ago

Robert Love

9.5

Nose of honey, oyster shell, and citrus. At once both firm, with cutting minerality and acid in the mouth, and opulent, with a plush perfume from the small amount of new oak. Just lovely. — 11 years ago

Christian Broder

GM/Sommelier The Social Wine Company

8.9

Sour honey, dried dill, quince, honeycomb, creme fraiche, lemon peel. Not as haunting as old tondonia, but always solid. — 11 years ago

Dirk Pitt.

10

An amazing dessert wine. Apricot, peach, honey, flowers. Had a long life. Hope to find and try older vintages. — 12 years ago

with Winehouse

Juliet Pullis

9.7

Ad-hoc, great wine w cheese, honey and hazelnut flavor — 13 years ago