Darren D’Altorio

8.9

This is one of those value wines you don’t pass up. Deep berries, spice, tobacco, clove on the nose. Rich oak, dark fruit, long finish. Super yummy, doesn’t break the bank. — 4 months ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.5

Big juice. A classic. Supple. Opulent. Dark fruit and leather and and cedar and flint. Just melts into your tongue like dark chocolate. Always a banger. — 2 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.5

Label nails it. First hit on the nose is mineral earth, lava rock. That fades into flint, graphite, which then fades into subtle lavender and deep fruit. Bright strawberry lights up the tongue, punctuated by a soft tannic finish. Absolutely beautiful wine. — 3 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.5

Elegant funk. There is a specific mushroom wet forest floor funk from a Monterey Pinot Noir, and this delivers. Then it’s so soft and velvety and exudes lavender and violet and wildflowers and honey suckle with each sip. Beautifully complex and nuanced. Then it finishes long and balanced with both acid and tannin sitting in harmony on your tongue. It’s an absolute joy. — 3 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.5

Looking at this in the bottle makes you excited. Glowing blush cider electric juice. Apricots, cinnamon, pear, green apple, and soft flowery nose. Bright, balanced, tart on the sip with lingering black tea notes. Just fun to drink. Look at. Look at while drinking. Slam dunk. — 2 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.0

Love Santa Ynez wine country. The rustic unpretentious spirit of the region is reflected in the wines. This is a supple Cabernet with lavender and anise on the nose fading into savory herbs and berries. The sip is smooth. Balanced. Not overly tannic, acidic, or hot. Sorta melts into your tongue like dark chocolate. There is some earthy tones, gravel and graphite lingers. Perfect for a bacchanal or a Friday night on the sofa. — 2 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.0

Deep purple tempts the eyes. A soft floral bouquet of roses is backed by an earthy mushroom nose. There’s almost a soft carbonation, a dancing feeling on the tongue. Grippy tannins and acid reveal white pepper, clove and a lingering wildflower finish. Really pretty. Would be interested in letting this age for another 5 years and giving it a go again. — 3 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

8.7

Needs about an hour to really open and develop. Deep purple with the slightest tawney tint in this 2018. Nose is subtle red berries and herbal, sage and peppery. Very grippy tannins, chalky mouthfeel that masks some of the fruit up front. Fades into a nice long finish where fruit persists and lingers with some flint and spice. A good wine, not a great wine. — 2 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.4

Glowing strawberry hue. Classic earthy nose with mineral, stone, flint. Bright cherry, soft lavender, punctuated by rocky earth. Fast and bright acid that mellows into a long smoky, cedar finish. Just awesome. — 2 years ago

Darren D’Altorio

9.2

Beautiful cab that caught me off guard. Drinks very old world, super Tuscan or montepulciano. Wet earth and anise on the nose. Tannic and sharp on the palate backed up with dark berries, cedar and volcanic stone. Partied perfect with arrabbiata. Mental wine for its vintage and price point. Rebuy button. — 3 years ago