Ian Staub

9.1

The concentration and intensity on this 16-year-old bottle is mind blowing. At the core, pure ripe red and black cherry and berry fruit, moving towards the stewed end of the spectrum, with savory herbs, cedar, and earth radiating out brilliantly. Medium-full bodied, with high acid and high tannins, structure (with the complementing fruit holding strong) to last another decade or more. Though I know he was gone by this vintage, it’s hard not to see Gideon’s lineage in this bottle - Sierra wines that have something to say, with wild intensity and purity of fruit. Great food wine, enjoyed with steak frites at home. Decant for a couple hours to throw some sediment and let things mellow just a touch. 🌄 — 16 days ago

Ian Staub

8.7

Some pretty aromatics of cherry, sweet spice and tomato, with tart cherry on the palate. However, palate feels a bit edgy and young, with primary notes of rusty earth, almost a bit metallic. Firm tannin, good persistence. Enjoyable but not entirely resolved. — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Beautiful Honeymoon fried chicken dinner pairing! Nose is yeasty and nutty, while palate leads with tart green apple and ripping acidity. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

9.5

Father-in-law has been sitting on this bottle since release, on the occasion of my wife’s birth. First time experiencing a bottle of this magnitude, and it hit all the notes expected. Core of rich ripe dark fruit wrapped in gauzy layers of tobacco, leather, dusty earth and incense. Palate is rich and intense, almost oily in its concentration. Still plenty of freshness and acidity pushing through to the finish. FIL still has a few bottles of equal acclaim and age kicking around - obviously looking forward to the next. — a month ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Easy drinking yet quite elegant for an entry level bottle. Tart cherry and wild raspberry, mint, pyrazine, pencil shavings. Palate is fruit driven, a touch green and stemmy. Juicy acid and soft restrained tannin. Balanced, quaffable, and with some interest - a perfect weeknight bottle. — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

8.8

Purchased in a strip mall with a Boar’s Head Italian Combo. What are the economics of selling this 15-year old Riesling for $10? It was still quite good - some RS at 10.5%, plenty of acid, and nice fruit moving toward the honeyed end of the spectrum. M says: “Tastes like creme brûlée Juul cartridge!” In a city (Palm Springs) with basically zero natural wine at retail, it’s cool that you can at least wander into a place like this and be surprised at what you find. — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Bright fresh Chardonnay for Thanksgiving- ripe apple and lemon curd, a touch of whipped cream. Palate is fresh with plenty of juicy lemony acidity, and a touch of creaminess. Totally balanced and drinkable, will certainly revisit. — a month ago

Ian Staub

8.9

Nice Classico with some age. Stewed cherries, savory tomato and herbs, cocoa, and lots of iron-rich turned earth. Fruit-driven acidity and tannins in nice balance. Great length. Paired nicely with pepperoni pizza on night one and meat&veggie lasagna on night 2. — a month ago

Ian Staub

8.9

100% Pineau d’aunis - Low alcohol (11.5%), fruity, chuggable. Ruby red grapefruit on the nose, maybe a touch carbonic (bubblegum, some stem). Palate is low maintenance - low tannin, low-med acid (just enough to keep me sippin) and it essentially cleans the palate for the next sip or next bite. In this case, paired nicely with simple fried chicken cutlets, broccoli and sweet potato. Would bring to a picnic, party, or fun dinner! — 2 months ago

Ian Staub

9.0

Slightly darker and more brooding than the Chambolle, yet not quite as enchanting. Red and black berry fruit, black cherry, leather and dark spice. Lots of rich composty earth and forest floor. Nice juicy acidity up front, tannins are smoothed out and integrated. Medium length finish. Elegant yet not entirely profound on the palate. Enjoyed with homemade steak frites! — 3 months ago