Mary H

9.5

Y’quem two days in a row? Pinch me! Turpentine/French basement comes across the nose. A flavor punch to the palate, a mouthful of fruit and a looong finish - stewed apricot, peaches, apple. A hint of woodsiness (cypress?) and a sweet creaminess like crème caramel. Amazing wine that frankly overshadowed the apple tart tatin dessert pairing. — a month ago

Rico Shea

8.9

Enjoyed on 1/25/25. Vintage 2023. $25. Always a fan of wines from Paso Robles. This doesn’t disappoint. A solid Cab. Yes, a little young but it will get even better. — 3 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

At almost 25 years old still an infant. Needs considerable time in the glass to open up. Lead pencil and cedar box, pronounced but delicate tannins. Not yet at plateau. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Very pleasant blend out of Pauillac; 67% Cab Sauv, 25% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cab Franc work so harmoniously together that delivers an enjoyable medley of red berries and black currant aromas and taste. This particular wine has been aged for 18 months in 75% new wood French barrels, which shows it finesse and precision on the elegant finish and mouthfeel. Unbelievably smooth and noble on the palate. Enticing finish and incredibly structured tannins. This wine can age beautifully! — 2 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]

84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5.5% Merlot; 5.5% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Blackberry and black currant fruit, with chocolate, espresso, earth and a mineral note. Nicely balanced. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, stewed cherries, raisins, figs, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, spices, light wood, peppercorn, dark chocolates and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 3-year-old Zinfandel from Sonoma County is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to age nicely in the next few years.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouth feel. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Rich, but not 'too much'.

The alcohol is not very noticeable at this point, although it is very high, so watch out.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. I usually like it better with a little more age.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

A good everyday wine. Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with burger and fries.

A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante and 4% Mixed Reds.

15% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$25. — 7 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Was looking forward to this wine the most but sadly this bottle had seen better days. Very tertiary with mushroom and leather. Was still pleasant but suffered from the high expectation... — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

One of the wines that has made Allegrini famous, vineyard surrounds Villa della Torre. A blend of about 40% Corvina Veronese, 30% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella & 5% Sangiovese, deep Ruby with aromas of dried berry fruit and black pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with vanilla, figs and licorice notes, good balance, lively acid with fine chewy tannins. Medium finish ending with fruit, mineral and earthy spice. Nice value. — 4 months ago

Jae Cho

9.1

Black cherries for days within a tobacco/black tea vanilla that has integrated in due time. Dark and deep mountain fruit. It reminds me how much even humble aged Napa can reward. — 8 months ago