Randy Fuller

9.1

Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is medium dark in the glass and smells like dark fruit, somewhat jammy and somewhat oaky, but not in a bad way. The vanilla and clove notes have a trace of smoke and sage peeking through. The palate shows black and blue berries mainly, with a minty herbal edge on the side. The tannins are firm and the finish is medium long. I'll pair this with something off the grill, although I may want to try a chill on it if I have it outside. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

My first of 3 bottles of Little Wine #7 Blackberry, plummy, Bracken, red florals. Medium plus bodied palate - unmistakably from old vine Barossa Shiraz. Grainy (but silky) persistent tannins. After a couple of hours - smoked meats. Went from red and black berry fruits to much more savoury on the palate. Probably the best Little Wine so far. A blend of 4 vintages - 2017 (43%), 2016 (38%), 2015 (15%), and 2012 (4%). — 15 days ago

James K

9.4

This is a big one at 15.9% ABV. The fruit is fully integrated and just showing perfectly. Dark fruit, cassis. Still years ahead, but, alas, last bottle. — 19 days ago

Jan A

9.2

Although the Clos Erasmus pedigree clearly shines through, this is nowhere ready for drinking as advertised by the grower. The tannins need more time, although I doubt if I would ever rate this in the 94-95 range. The palate is full of spices and wood (cedar and oak) but the acid/tannin component could be better balanced. Excellent QPR nevertheless. — 17 days ago

Tom Garland

9.1

45 min decant (some cloudy sediment). A irresistible dark ruby red color. On the nose: beautiful savory nose of smokey meat, slight Cayuse funk(luv it), wet stones, minerals, orange peel, dark cherries. Taste: a smooth, fresh, lite wine with little blackberry, pepper, earth, tobacco, and a espresso-herb-raspberry medium finish. No need to wait, drink em if you got em.....wish the taste matched that nose. — 21 days ago

with Brenda

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.7

Excited to try this 2013!. A dark inky purple color while the nose takes you in with aromas of dark cherry-cassis, dark chocolate, subtle mint and touch of meat and sweet cinnamon sugar. Oh my! — creamy, luscious and a full body elegant wine. Blackberry-cherry fruit stand out with deepening tastes of chocolate espresso, bacon fat, pepper spice and cinnamon adding to its long finish. What a delight on this hot Friday night inside our cool home! Got to try it!! — 15 days ago

with Karin and Jill

Vanessa

9.0

Here’s a biodynamically-produced Syrah blend from Minervois La Livinière AOC, a subregion within Minervois, which is located on the slopes of the Massif Central (highlands) in the Languedoc region of France (Southern).  🇫🇷 It has 95% Syrah and 5% Grenache. 🍇

This wine comes from grapes grown on the terraced vineyards of Les Planels, where grapes have been grown for 35 years.  

👁 The color is beautifully deep and rich purple.  I see noteworthy staining and tearing on the glass.

👃 The nose is youthful with an immediate bouquet of ripe and jammy black fruit such as black plum, black cherry, cassis, and blackberry preserves. There are also dried herb notes, such as lavender, sage, thyme, also black peppercorn, anise, pencil lead, cedar, cinnamon, clove, earth, and cured meat.

This wine was fermented in an open concrete vat and aged for 12 months in French Oak barrels, 1/3 of which were new oak, lending some of the baking-spice notes to the nose. 🪵

👄 On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a full body, high alcohol, grippy tannins, flavors largely consistent with the nose, but less juicy and more earthy on the palate, and a lingering finish.

This wine is juicy and bold and has potential for further aging. 👌👌👌

We’re pairing it tonight with leftovers from last night’s bbq 🍖 🥩 and it is a lovely pairing!

Château Maris, Les Planels, Cru La Livinières. Syrah and Grenache. Vintage 2017. ABV 14.5%. — 19 days ago

with Deked1

S.S. Mandani

9.1

Easing my way back into reds with this “house espresso blend” style chilled red.

Missed the musky perfume of carignan. Aromas of cedar wood and peppercorns. Black cherries and grapefruit.

Sharp and fruity. Juicy and refreshing. Even a bit astringent, which I kind of like. — 10 days ago

Joe Gillies

9.1

One of my favorites. So flavorful and well balanced. Red fruit with some citrus and melon notes. — 4 days ago

Adam Beasley

8.9

Solid weeknight wine. Dense body with clearly defined aromas and flavors. Syrah stands out in the best ways. — 12 days ago