Jay Kline

9.4

Recent reviews by some on CT had me curious about how these were evolving so I had to check in myself and personally assess, you know, for science. Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The first day was OTT with red fruit and spices...but mostly the fruit. The spices, really sort of a one-note black pepper bomb, pricking the tongue, perhaps giving a glimpse of something more interesting if patience was exercised. Super clean with no signs of brett. I was almost taken aback because this was coming across rather ham fisted and definitely an outlier for Pegaü. I say almost. Two days later, I revisited the remaining half of the bottle and that’s when things really started to show off. Chewy red and black fruits were still very much in abundance but they were now more delineated and showing somewhat grainy tannins which seems much more pronounced now than they were on the first night. Think the texture of eating a mouthful of brambles. The spices that were teasing on the first night were stepping up to play a more pronounced role taking on more of a black licorice character with some lovely garrigue. Sound structure...though perhaps not as impressive as the 2016 Cuvée Réservée. Long, lip smacking finish though...and really delivering the goods! Based off this experience, I would imagine the best is yet to come for the 2015 Pegaü. If you’re drinking on the pop and pour, prepare for disappointment. These could use some time. I look forward to revisiting in 2025 and beyond. — 6 years ago

Olivia Schum Haynes

9.2

Crisp with a nice finish of tropical fruit! Lovely white wine on a nice summer day — 8 years ago

TJ Maxwell

9.4

The cork appeared slightly dried out, but bottle was sound. Dusty and delicate aromas of dried rose petals and cedar. The tannins have softened and the black cherry, cracked pepper, gravel flavors give a very classic flavor profile. The alcohol seemed touch on “hot” side (13%). Good bottle, in good drinking spot — 9 years ago

Chris England

9.4

After the 904 95 I had to try the 890 @ £122 & it's lovely but I'd buy 01/04 890 today or even the 904 or a Tondonia 95 👍as this is fading but a joy to experience 😎 Drink up 2017

🍷 Garnet red w/ brown wall

👃 Soft smokey oak, damp dusty cellar, mushed cherry, coconut infused vanilla, old bacon, wet earth, cocoa, prune & sherry

👄 Med creamy smooth body of earthy stewed cherry & sherry w/ an burnt oaky bacon undertone

🎯 Long earthy oak cherry punchy sweet linger
— 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.6

This estate was a spectacular find this trip! @John Boich was an amazing host and so was Jnani!
@Shay Aldriedge @Martin G Rivard @David L @Ron R @Carl Fischer this is an estate you guys need to check out, especially if you love the Rudius Wines. This is the same winemaker, Jeff Ames, same as TOR too.


Deep and dark ruby red. Dark purple floral attack with lavender and lilacs, followed with tons of savory notes. Nose finished off with some black and blue berries. Heavy tannins (8/10) and tighter than the rest of the Cabernet Sauvignons. A bit savory with dried red berries and black cherries. A little floral too. Full bodied and lingering finish. Drink from 2019 till 2040. — 9 years ago

with Sean and India

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark near-black purple that clings to the glass. Blackberry, black blueberry, caramel on the nose and full palate. Medium acidity. Medium tannins (appropriate for its age). Lengthy dark finish. Fine New World representation of the variety. — 10 years ago

Matthew Beckman

9.2

Perfectly sound nose of aged, classic cab. Flavor is a little muted, might be the bottle but not as alive as a '77 Mondavi Reserve from June — 11 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.0

Another orange white, this time made without the use of sulpher - sound familar? Classic wild acidity here with some rose petal and other floral components dominating the nose. Very perfumed with a copper-like minerality. Totally different than what most will be used to. — 11 years ago

CS

Sales Amy Atwood Imports

9.3

Bear claw (Aran's call!) in a glass with fried little fishes. What does that mean?? It smells like sweet bread with cake frosting and almonds with notes of briny fried fish skin. That may not sound good to some, but it's fucking worthy bubbly made from Prie Blanc. — 12 years ago

with Aran and John

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 7 years ago

Trent Fletcher

9.2

Over a 3.5 hour period on May 29, my wife and I (along with three kids in tow) had the pleasure of sitting down with Will Segui of Rivers-Marie and winemaker of his personal label William & Mary at the Mending Wall facilities in St. Helena to taste through seven wines from bottle. Will also graciously provided tastings of his 2016 and 2017 William & Mary varietals from barrel.

Beautiful golden color in the glass; nose of honey, golden apples, and white flowers; bright and vibrant palate with lemon, apple, honey and subtle mint; oily texture, viscous; great acid kick on the back end; nowhere near the exotic, tropical fruit nature of the 2013, but still fruit-forward and characteristics of a quality Chardonnay — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Super Tuscan blend. It's a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. Nose of sweet & sour dark cherries. Baking spices, light spices, caramel, black licorice & fragrant dark, fresh, florals. It's not your traditional super Tuscan but it's a close relative. The mouthfeel is beautifully round, gorgeous, lush and sexy. Spice, baking spice, moist dark soil, dry powdery top soils, ruby, ripe, rich, lush, blackberries, dark cherries, spiced plum, cherries, strawberries, black licorice/cola with round. mouthwatering acidity. The structure, length, tension and balance are amazing as is the beautifully, lush finish. Photos of, their Walla Walla winery, wall artwork at their winery and hand blown stand up lamps. — 9 years ago

Chris England

9.5

Stunning gorgeous old world Rioja in an awesome year @ £75 that's drinking just lovely in a Zalto Burg glass 👍

🍷 Garnet cherry red w/ brick wall

👃 Smokey burnt oak, old sweaty leather, crushed ripe black cherry, caramel, sherry, herbs, earth, dusty cellar, red currant, potpourri & cocoa dust w/ liquorice hint - I ❤️ the 💨

👄 Med smooth balanced body of slight tart & sweet bruised red cherry soaked in earth, oak, sweet liquorice & cocoa - happy mouth 😃

🎯 Long earthy oak cherry linger 👊💥 — 9 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.4

Black as midnight. So dark that you are afraid to spill any of it because it will stain more than grape Kool-Aid! As you swirl it in your glass, the high viscosity makes it seem like it is actually staining the glass. This is powerful stuff! Mending Wall is a great collaboration with Outpost owners (Frank and Kathy Dotzler), vineyard owners (Mark Pulido and Donna Walker) and bringing in spectacular winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. This petite sirah comes from the Palisades Vineyard in Calistoga (considered one of the best). In just two sips, your tongue will be as purple as a Chow puppy's. Deep dark currant flavors and a long lingering finish. Come to the dark side and get your hands on this soon. They sell out very quickly. — 10 years ago

with Katherine and Lauren

Grant Everett

9.3

Really big fan of this stuff. Excellent balance. — 10 years ago

with Ashleigh

Crazy Tanya

9.8

One of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. Crisp, flavorful, with a bit of bitterness. — 11 years ago

Belinda Heard

9.8

Taste semi dry, hints of minerals, grass and citrus fruit. Love it. — 11 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

A black hole. Classic nose of cedar, currants and cigar box. Medium body in the mouth with dark fruit, minerals and a wall of tannin. The eternal question of who will win, fruit or tannin. — 12 years ago

Jeff Lonsdale

9.5

Tastes of coffee and chocolt — 14 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.4

Ovum makes “quiet wines of place.” This is a wine that really sang for me and reminded me just how much I find inspiration from aromatic white wines. It’s old world and new world. It’s expressive but not heavy. It’s supremely unpretentious. Perfumed lychee and wasps of smokey tangerine. Full bodied. Neither oily nor fat. — 7 years ago

Drew Miller

9.4

So solid. A little dry and a little mineral. Some interesting slight sweet flavor. Damn. Drank like water. — 8 years ago

Dan Ponce

9.2

Love Kent Rosenblum’s zins. This one is fantastic especially in the middle of winter with a tri-tip and shrimp dinner. — 8 years ago

James M

9.5

Very delicious, bright, citrusy and it has lots of goose berry flavor! 👍🏽 — 9 years ago

Steve S

9.2

Awesome wall of tannins — 9 years ago

Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

9.0

I suspect this wine had the best night of it's life. Excellent balance and structurally sound. Well integrated tannins mixed with black fruit and only a touch of oak. — 9 years ago

Bill Coffey

9.3

Kind of a lite cinnamon flavor. Very refreshing. — 10 years ago

Anthony Vincent

9.0

Out of balance — 10 years ago

gregory castells

President Martine's Wines

9.4

Fun to revisit a bunch of those wines tonight — 11 years ago

Aaron Means

9.1

Fresh and well balanced. The best of the lineup IMHO. — 11 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

Earth, spice, berries just jump out of the glass. Sound like Parker? If I do it's maybe due to the Martini I just finished, Gin of course and Blue Cheese stuffed Olives. Spice, cola and big fruit on taste with a great finish. On their mail list maybe should think about ordering some more. — 11 years ago