Ian Staub

9.1

My true Lambrusco love - earthy (farty) crunchy red berries and pomegranate, super dry, juicy acid, great level of frizz. Woven cloth label is not to be ignored. This is such a killer food wine - muffaletta sandwich from Lucca for lunch and leftover Indian for dinner. Detecting an inkling of mouse at dinner so drink quickly. Shouldn’t be hard. — 6 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.4

The 2016 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolutely fantastic release from Ackerman. It immediately takes on a wonderful pure Cabernet character, with aromatics of ripe dark cherries and sweet currants, which are seamlessly woven together with sweet gochujang, graphite, dusty earthy minerals and a subtle hint of sweet oak that all come together in the glass. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied with beautifully polished, well-integrated tannins and a gorgeous velvety texture making this quite appealing and accessible in its youth. Overall, this is a delicious bottle of Cabernet that will be ready for business upon release and should also age gracefully for well over a decade. — 6 years ago

Chris Fransham

9.3

Really liked this - not too sweet like a few Roses I’ve had. Alex: süffig.
It disappeared within 24 hours - pretty impressive! — 8 years ago

Daron Watson

9.4

loads of juicy dark fruits woven with baking & exotic spices ~ a finish of dried herbs and a hint of dark minerals — 9 years ago

Daron Watson

9.6

this big & rich example is aging wonderfully where the blackberry & black cherry are seamlessly woven in velvety tannins of minerals, mocha, licorice & spice — 9 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.2

Smell like a fleurie. But also cedars with some pan drippings. Raspberry, watermelon, fig, black cherry. Oozes freshness, perfectly woven interplay of acid/body/tannin. Light to medium body but loads of freshness and a beautiful touch in the cellar. — 9 years ago

Adam Jesberger

9.0

Very ripe as it should be but with a nod toward bdx. Hint of brett, lots of earth and minerality woven with the ripe black fruit and cedar. 12 months in french oak adds roundness, i like. For 24$, this shit rocks. Leoville-Poyferres South American effort. — 9 years ago

Daniel March

9.3

Gentle wafts of Bordeaux heaven on the nose, cherry, oak, graphite, pencil lead woven beautifully with that thing called terroir. It starts light, bright and flowery and then as it slips into your palette there is a richness, arrive you chalky tannins and leave that lasting kiss on an elegant glide. A farewell that lingers with just a touch of resentment. — 10 years ago

Matt

9.2

Tightly woven interplay of fruit and earth. Flavors just danced around. So delicious though. White peach, chalk, candied citrus, smoke. Beautiful — 10 years ago

Cuvée Corner

9.5

After the first splash you're enthusiastically greeted by a generous nose; freshly picked blueberries, wild flowers and a hint of black olives. A dense ruby to simmering blackberry color core, expanding to a slightly paler rim. This wine is seamless, finely knit tannins, effortlessly woven into the fabric of this southern Rhone stunner; w/ Grenache leading the way @ 40%, followed by Mouvedre and Syrah. Blueberries, blackberries, olives and a meatiness are caressed by underbrush tones; this wine is complex! — 11 years ago

Diedra West

9.6

Diedra had this 12 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The ‘Amoneus’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Maybach is sourced from a hillside vineyard located just west of Calistoga. A dense, glass-staining purple, this wine needs a two hour decant to be fully aroused. Once awakened the wine yields copious and layered dark fruits that are woven into shades of dark chocolate, roasted dates and creme de cassis that all shine brightly in the glass. Dense and decadent on the attack, the ‘Amoneus’ provides a luxurious mouthfeel. Chocolate covered espresso bean, tar, blueberry compote and suggestions of black currant cordial flavors all march together on the palate. While delightful in its youth, this will only get better with some bottle age. Drink 2020-2040- 97

— 6 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.1

Super-bright citrus notes woven throughout. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s usually a good sign when the winemaker can articulate what the wine is about like this: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest.”

Her 2013 Ceras is yet another example of Maggie Harrison’s sorcery over the vines at Antica Terra. The focus and intensity of flavor is off the charts, yet it maintains an almost ethereal weightlessness, only emphasizing the layer of silk that separates you from the wine. The pungent rock is so on point and distinctive it instantly reminded me of the scent of lichen growing on rocks, which I experienced in Colorado when I was 7 or 8 years old. This sets the stage for the level of complexity exhibited. The fruit has both an extraordinarily high level of purity and yet the woven tapestry of herbs and spices and even fruit blending are impossible not to notice. The key being that nothing is forced.

The nuance of complexity only being noticed when desired is nearly an impossible feat. I can’t help but recall James Conaway quoting Andy Beckstoffer in his recently released book: Napa at Last Light: America’s Eden in an Age of Calamity. “If a wine was a model with a chipped tooth, you’d have to give her something to compensate with. If she needs better shoulders, better breasts, give her some. But her real charm is in how she carries the defect.”

After reading his book, I can tell you I’m definitely not certain whether you can accept his quotes verbatim. One thing is certain, though, Maggie Harrison’s Antica Terra wines carry the defect like no other. — 8 years ago

Eric Egan

9.3

Best on day 3! Amazing concentration, balance, and length. It needs the extra ox time. Peppery, blackcurrenty roughly woven silk in a glass! — 9 years ago

Dr.Meandor

9.0

Tasted 09/11/2016

Colleague's farewell party wine 1.

Sonorous, charming, refreshing Roussanne originated from Anapa, Black Sea foothills.

Dense lemony yellow, greenish tint.
Delicate bouquet is woven of lemon, flowers (linden, osmanthus), tarragon, delicate mineral and spicy hint, pear, white peach, nectarine. 
Elegant palate of light-plus body, refreshing acidity. Scented by pineapple, pomelo, white currant, chalk, nectarine.
Very fresh lingering finish of citrus, ginger and ripe white currant.
Gone as apetitif. — 9 years ago

Josh Luhn

Luhn Wine Consulting Owner, Luhn Family Wines

9.4

2012 - Love this wine. Complexity with finesse, bright red berry fruits woven with tangerine peel, cinnamon, clove, refined tannins that are not quite resolved, and mouth quenching acidity. Hold for 2 more years. — 9 years ago

with Lisa

Mike Mayer

9.5

Complex but elegant hints of dark berries, cherry and plum woven with dusty earth on the nose. Bright and luscious fruit on the palate laced with old world earthiness that makes this wine incredibly elegant. Great structure and balanced acidity should allow this wine to age nicely. One of the best I've had from Sta. Rita Hills. — 10 years ago

Louiza Collins

9.3

50 % sauvignon blanc 50% colombard. Medium plus body with a classic sav blanc acidity woven through. Tropical notes with a dry finish. Inexpensive and delightful. Pairs with spicy food, cheese, roasted vegetables, pasta, dried fruit... — 11 years ago

Craig Mitchell

9.5

Great balance. Lovely tannin woven throughout. — 11 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.1

The Andre Clouet ‘Silver Brut’ Champagne is an excellent wine that is drinking marvelously at the moment but falls behind some others in the absolutely scintillating Clouet lineup. Sourced from the Clouet family grand cru vineyards in both Bouzy. Aged in neutral oak, this zero dosage Champagne opens with kumquat zest and melon tones woven alongside shades of damp earth on this delicate nose. Fresh and showing good verve, the ‘Siver’ delivers bright citrus rind flavors with lighter wild mushroom and baked apple undertones that follow on the palate. Excellent now, enjoy this lithe effort over the next several years. Drink 2019-2025- 91 — 6 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.6

Such a baby still. Drank better on day two after opening up. Incredibly tightly woven black fruits with earth, charred meat and black pepper spice revealed with time. Ripe fruit in thrilling tension with fine acid and tannin. Beautiful wine with a long life ahead. — 7 years ago

Neel Master

9.5

Tart red fruit with strawberry woven thru, plus a decided mineral tang. What a great wine. — 8 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.2

Subtle and powerful in the same taste. Beautiful aromas of red fruit, spice and mocha. Powerful brambly tastes of blackberries, raspberries and dew berries (wild berries here in Houston) . Reminds me of wild berry cobbler with a hint of pie crust sneaking out of the complexity of this wine. Tannins are elegant and sleek. The acidity is nicely woven into the structure of this beauty. Love it! — 8 years ago

with Lisa

Shawn R

9.3

lil' juicy fruit, more pronounced at room temperature versus cellar temp. Bramble, black fruits and cassis liquor. Tannins are present yet balanced coupled with the fruit and acidity. Gobs of black fruits and supple cream woven throughout. Ending with dry extracted tannins. — 9 years ago

with Jennifer

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.8

WOTN for us, only our second time ever trying the Katrina Eileen Cuvee, but first for the 2010. Deep and dark ruby red that completely coats the glass. We believe this was opened for max a couple hours and boy does it need the time. Coated in cassis, blackberries and dark spices. Powerful and full body with heavy tannins (9/10). Plush and voluptuous. Tons of oaky and dark fruits notes. Baking spices woven throughout. Super long finish and would always welcome the opportunity to try again! Thank you David! Drink till 2035. — 9 years ago

with India, David and 2 others

Craig Thompson

9.4

Magicak rich aroma of pear and nectarine and French oak beautifully woven together. Hard to get the nose out of the glass. Still has wonderful tension acidity and medium palate weight. Sits in the mouth beautifully. Chardonnay as I like it. — 10 years ago

Matt Trader

9.5

B-E-A-UTIFUL and brick red! Had that Burgundian funk on the nose, tea leaves, ripe red fruit and cranberry, and on the pallet a whole woven structure of emmese flavors, ripe cherries and raspberries, and a soft, lasting finish. What a fantastic experience. — 10 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.1

Delicious fresh blackberry and blackberry jam flavors with just enough earth and tannin to strict a beautifully woven wine that everyone can enjoy. — 11 years ago

Jeff Burrows

9.2

Very nice effort from Hedges. Clearly Washington fruit with a bit of chocolate woven in. Just the right touch of herbs on the nose. Avoids being too ripe, very nice with food. — 11 years ago