Ray Vanderhoff

8.6

Another vintage of this Abbruzzo red. Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of red and black fruit, wet soil and a healthy amount of funk. Flavors of red and black cherries and plums, baking spices, tobacco and dark chocolate. Medium length and tannins. Full bodied and quite rustic. Moderate acidity. Better with food. Thanks for the taste, Chris B! — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.2

Light silver/gold color. Aromas of green orchard fruit, citrus zest and a slight amount of petrol. Flavors of green apple, sour citrus and quince and a bit of mineral. High amount of RS. Short finish, low acid and light bodied. Not much of a mid-palate and somewhat disjointed. Watery texture. Not for me. Thanks for the taste, Chris B! — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

CDP blend of Grenache (80%), Syrah (6%) and Mourvèdre (4%) with the balance made up of small amounts of other permitted varietals. Dark ruby color with a slight garnet rim. Aromas of roasted meat, garrigue, graphite, leather and ripe dark fruit. Flavors of tobacco, black olives, black cherry/currant/plum fruit, black tea and a hint of beef jerky. Notes of black pepper, iron and earthy spices on the long and lingering finish. Bold and muscular texture. Extremely savory and rustic. Fruit is definitely in the background at this stage. A complex old school Chateauneuf. Appreciate you sharing this one, Petey! — 4 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Primarily Chenin Blanc with small amounts of Semillon and Grenache Blanc blended in. Light golden color. Expensive aromas of stone fruit, white flowers, flint and honey. Flavors of cooked peaches, ripe apples, tangerine and a subtle mineral backbone. A touch of honey on the long and lingering finish. Slightly creamy/silky texture. (Lees aging?) Vibrant and zesty acidity. Rich and round with a great mouthfeel. Consistently solid vintage after vintage. Appreciate you adding this one to the tasting lineup, Chris B. I need to drink more Chenin. — 9 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Excellent follow up to the classic 2015 Vintage. Blend of Mourvèdre (30%), Grenache (30%), Syrah (15%), Counoise (10% and 15% of other approved CDP varietals led by Vaccarese’. Aromas of red and black fruit, garrigue, leather and earth. Flavors of black raspberries, currants and cherries, Asian spices, smoked meat and truffles. Long and lingering (slightly spicy) finish and beautiful balance. Full bodied and dense, but not overpowering. Fine grained tannins. Great now, but there is another decade (or so) of aging potential. Just incredible. — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

100% Chardonnay from the Cote’ Challonnaise. Light golden color. Aromas of orchard fruit, white flowers, citrus zest and wet stones. Flavors of crabapples, lemon and flint. Medium-plus mineral laden finish. Crisp and well balanced. Medium bodied, bright and fresh. No sign of oak aging. Very refreshing. — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage. Bright lemon yellow color. Aromas of orchard fruit, wild flowers and ginger spice. Flavors of peach, green apple, grapefruit, gooseberries and a bit of mineral. Distinctive and pleasant saline note on the medium/plus finish. Crisp acidity and well balanced. Well rounded texture. I thought I may have waited a bit too long to open this wine, but was pleased with how fresh and vibrant it was. Consistently high quality from an excellent producer. — 6 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Excellent second label Bordeaux from a very underrated Chateau. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (35%) and Cabernet Franc (15%). I have to believe (based on the color) that a bit of Petite Verdot ended up in the blend. Dark ruby/purple/black color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, cedar wood, violet, leather and sweet baking spices. Flavors of ripe black berry/currant/plum fruit, nutmeg, cloves, earth and tobacco. Medium-plus length and beautiful balance and structure. Medium tannins that soften with aeration. Pop and pour a bottle or age it for another 5 to 7 years. — 2 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Primarily Tempranillo with small amounts of Abillo Mayor and Garnacha blended in. Vibrant ruby/purple color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, wet soil, crushed rocks and baking spices. Flavors of plush black berries and plums, dark chocolate, coffee, fresh herbs, cloves and nutmeg. Nice touch of sweet vanilla on the long and grippy finish. Full bodied, well structured and rich. Tannins have smoothed but there still is a bit of grip. A fruit forward easy drinker. Excellent quality for the price. Appreciate you sharing this wine with me, Kase. — 4 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Another solid vintage. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with some Sangiovese blended in. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, wet soil, smoke and wild herbs. Flavors of black berry/current fruit, tobacco, baker’s chocolate, balsamic vinegar and some black pepper spice. Hint of menthol on the long finish. Dusty tannins and full bodied. Bold structure and loads of tension. Quite complex and powerful. Enjoyed at Dominick’s in Newton, NJ. — 7 days ago