Roberto Carli

9.2

Tapped this beast on Corbin and I had to go more than 2/3 down the bottle, maybe fifth glass in five separate sessions, before it started to open up. lots of everything, mostly ripe and thickly layered black fruit that takes a long time to unwind. When I finally does, then it starts giving room to a bit of tobacco, leather, maybe even graphite, medium acidity, and a touch of bitterness, coupled with medium grained fruit driven tannins.  — 3 days ago

Roberto Carli

9.6

Damn! It opened up with liquorice (sic.) and had just everything else in it. Mushrooms, turned earth, a touch of burnt honey and finally hiding just a hint of caramelized pineapple that lingers till the end. Sweetness only shows up for the grand finale in an jaw dropping show if how of how 95 g/l looks after 40 years — 5 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.2

It leads with black olives, then a touch of brett but pleasant, purple flowers, and a good amount of stony minerality. Very quintessential Syrah. A little bit of bacon fat and smoke. On the palate the body is light. Tannins are moderate and fine and it brightens up the profile with good acidity even though the finish is not very long. It's very clear what they're trying to do and they're achieving it here. — 7 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.1

Writing about this wine because of the uniqueness of the bouquet on the nose. the dominating profile is of decayed flowers. Even the fruit that shines through comes in through that. it smells like walking through a cemetery in europe, quite pleasant if you forgive the morbid analogy. Wet decaying red flowers, and petrocore. Then it gives way to pleasant grippy and rustic tannins on the palate. — a month ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Very intense but well-balanced. Tightly wound on the nose with lanolin and beeswax, and a little bit of lemon curd, giving more lemon and viscosity on the palate. Long finish — 3 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Full golden color in the glass. It leads with dried pineapple and maybe dried apricot, with a lot of intensity on the nose. The palate confirms it, adding a slight spicy note with a surprising bit of phenolic grip and enough acidity to balance, though it has gone clearly past its prime. — 6 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Go ahead, taste it blind and try not to call it young stainless steel champagne. Once you’re aware, then you start noticing the mineral reality and slightly saline quality. Great work — 8 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

This is a wonderful expression of Santa Cruz Mountain Cab, caught in a state of absolute grace. I might be lucky with the specific bottle but it's really shining through like a mini superstar. Small red and black fruits are still preserved in a dusty state, in harmony with the emerging leather, pipe tobacco, and graphite, strikingat great balance between freshness and complexity. The nose is giving a preview of the palate, where the canines show completely evolved, silkyyet substantial. Again, lucky me, because it's in a state of grace. — 2 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Lots going on here as the nose unwinds but unfortunately in a tasting scenario it's hard to see it evolve. There's a surprising amount of red fruit and subtle florals that are fully enveloped in sandalwood and cigar box. The oak shows up prominently but elegantly, like smelling the inside of a very nice guitar. On the palate, acidity and red fruit dominate with plenty of freshness, signaling longevity and less velvety tannins than I expected. They still hit the side of the mouth. — 6 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Absolutely lovely. Pure ripe strawberry couples with earth and incredible acidity. It’s mostly Nero d’avola but has the fruitiness of frappato. Think McLaren vale Grenache on purity of fruit, but completely different structure with a bit more grippy tannin and great acidity off the wazoo. Supposedly natural but super clean even right after opening, fruit evolves over time but no reductive funk starting out — 8 months ago