Ian Staub

9.0

Gideon’s wines always make an impression. At this age, perhaps starting to get a bit tired. But there is still beautiful slightly stewed fruit, texture that balances acid and softened tannin structure, and a really profound and vivid expression of “forest floor”. The wine truly smells of fresh and decaying pine needles, bay laurel, mushrooms and freshly turned earth. A wonderful pairing for an earthy mushroom and asparagus risotto. — an hour ago

Ian Staub

9.1

Despite feeling a bit tired and one-dimensional on day 1, overnight this has blossomed with sappy ripe cherry fruit, sweet florals, smokey turned earth, and musky, piney underbrush. Acid is driving along and there is still some grip. Delightful! — a month ago

Ian Staub

9.3

Pretty and complex, a morphing witch’s brew of a wine. Time has really drawn everything into focus here, with aromas of sweet berry fruits, pine needles, my camphor wood armoire, and Clement Street Chinese medicinal herb&mushroom shops. Silky and resolved, lush in texture and fruit while still being quite lithe in body. A stunner, and I’m lucky to have scooped up several more. Enjoyed with crispy fried chicken cutlets, roasted root veggies and wild rice. — 2 months ago

with Alex

Ian Staub

9.1

Serious Chardonnay from a natural wine legend, and this is crystal clear, perfectly clean, and really really tasty. Laser focus and long finish. It’s a supremely elegant wine whose earthy, mineral backbone beautifully complemented a mushroom and asparagus risotto. Would love to taste this again in 10 years to see where things go. — an hour ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Macabeu and xarello. Refreshing, elegant and balanced. Would have guessed traditional method due to the tiny persistent bubble and the yeasty complexity. On the higher end for ancestral at $28 but worth every penny. Aperitif before lasagna! — a month ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Rustic and developed. Stewed plums, medicinal black cherry, maquis herbs, muddy soil, wet stoneware pottery, tobacco and tomato leaf. Palate is intense, concentrated, and shows younger than the nose. 14% alcohol isn’t hiding, but is nearly balanced by silty tannin and juicy acidity. Rounder and darker than the Italian Sangiovese which may or may not be genetically related. Interesting wine, well paired with a casual bolognese style pasta. — a month ago

Ian Staub

9.2

Bottle 1 of 2 elegant coastal PNs provided by our gracious hosts on Diamond Mountain. Mini 2007 horizontal. Cherry and cranberry still very fresh and lively, but there was a great mushroom earthiness as well, and sweet florals toward the finish. Total balance throughout. — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

8.8

Great little $15 table red with elegance and food-friendliness. A bit of floral lift. Great purchase if you’re in a random Whole Foods and need something to bring to dinner. — 10 days ago

Ian Staub

9.1

Sweet strawberry lemonade, pink grapefruit, sea breeze, chalk, and a summer garden with blooming gardenia and jasmine. Palate has pickled ginger, and texture is rich and yeasty. Touch of RS and VA in perfect balance make this incredibly mouthwatering. Fun wine beautifully executed. — 18 days ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Bottle 2 of 2 elegant coastal PNs provided by our gracious hosts on Diamond Mountain. Mini 2007 horizontal. This bottle a bit riper and bigger - fruit moving more towards the darker cherry and pomegranate juice realm. Adding suggestions of cola and soy sauce as well. Still fantastic balance but the extra point or so of alcohol makes this not quite as elegant as the Littorai. — 2 months ago