Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This 14 has a bit of a story. I opened their 2005 last weekend, which was fantastic, I also opened their 2014 as an example w/ a friend to show how important aging is in Italy reds out of Tuscany & Piemonte. Also, how long it takes for the amount of new wood use Italians put to both to soften. The Italians hold them back in bottle sometimes two to three years or longer. The 05 last weekend was a 93-94. This after an hour & half decant, 90-91. In time, add one to two points.

For those who didn’t study their ass off to pass the Court of Master Sommeliers exam, the difference between Chianti & Chianti Classico is, Classico needs to come from a specific region in Chianti and needs to have an additional 10% of Sangiovese over regular Chianti.

2014 a good but not all-star vintage like 2010.

The 2014 still young. Showing dry; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some black plum, dry cranberries & strawberry hues. Oak barrel shavings, dry; leather, cedar, & dry tobacco, limestone & sandstone power, dry twig, dry river stone, dry top soil, slight candied & withering; red, dark, purple flowers framed in violets, nice acidity and a taut structured & tensioned but balanced, elegantly polished landing on dry earth that lasts nearly 90 seconds.

It is a good pair w/ the lasagna that has a really nice dark seasoning in it. An aged Nebbiolo might have worked better. From, The Adorable French Bakery at the Santa Cruz Farmers Market. No permanent location. — 2 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.0

Drinking virtual rosé with @Ryan Colthorp didn’t realize that this was made in Idaho by the same winery from our bottle at Fork, but grapes grown in Washington! — 5 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.2

Dense dark smooth Fruit and minerality. If you’re looking for funk, look elsewhere. — 5 years ago

Ian Allen

9.1

Watermelon jolly rancher. Decanted for 3 hrs before pouring, could age a bit longer — 7 years ago

E Junck

9.6

Really good, chocaletty, sweet — 7 years ago

Jim Brooks

9.1

Well balanced southern BC red blend from Oliver. Didn’t know anything about this wine while drinking. Nor did those I was drinking with. It was a gift. I commented that it was easily the quality of a $30 bottle. You won’t find it in the states and lucky to find in Canada for that matter. Vineyard produces limited number of cases. They state their 2016 vintage at 500 cases. If you do find it, BUY IT! — 7 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Dense inky purple. Briar, black currant and blackberry notes in nose. Blackberry and mint flavors with a touch of bay leaf. Blackberry, cherry and mint with length in aftertaste. Fine grained tannins, moderate skin astringency initially but soften quickly. Lovely flavor profile, slightly tart but softens — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Cobb is another solid producer of CA Pinot Noir. A 14 acre parcel bought in 1988 by Ross Cobb and began making wine in 1989.

The nose reveals ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries, hints of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb, tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dry top soil w/ crushed rocks, light, fresh tobacco, volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets.

The palate is ripe, juicy and very elegant. Fruits are; ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, raspberries, hues of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb and pomegranate juice. Tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dark, moist spice, very, dry, dusty top soil w/ crushed rocks, crumbled volcanics, dry, grey clay, light, fresh tobacco, cigar & volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets. The excellent acidity runs like a cool mountain river with a well knitted, structured, balanced, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts over a minute landing on soft minerality & spice.

This 14 has another 4-5 years of good drinking before it starts its gentle decline.

Photos of the Jack Hill Vineyard, winery gate and founder Ross Cobb. — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Around the world with cabernet tasting. Jay Fletcher, MS...Donald Patz, winemaker...Ashley Houseman,MS...Gillian Ballance,MS.

2018 Mt. Brave, mt veeder
2019 Daou, soul of a lion, Paso Robles
2018 Deville Cellars, Grand Ciel, Washington
2015 Lapostolle, la Parcelle 8, Chile
2018 Vasse Felix, tom cullity cab, Margaret river,Australia
2014 Xanadu, reserve, Margaret river, Australia
2014 Villa Maria, ngakirikiri, New Zealand
2018 Bindi Sergardi, particella 9, Tuscany
2018 chateau Cantenac Brown, Bordeaux
2018 Secret Door. Sage ridge, St. Helena

2018 Mt. Brave and 2018 Deville Cellars are the BOM. For you Bordeaux fanatics buy Margaret River Australia wines, sooooooo Bordeaux like. Cheers! — 4 years ago

with Brenda

Brady Cleveland

10

Good flavor with steak — 7 years ago

Danielle Shea

9.6

This brand spanking new Washington merlot tastes like you’re sitting in Bordeaux with a bottle of theirs. Nose of smoldered campfire, tobacco and clove couple with bright raspberries off the vine. This moderately acidic wine will age extremely well. Palate notes of strawberry, plum, fire roasted green bell pepper and washed river stone. — 7 years ago

Chelsea E

9.0

54% Malbec 46% Cab Franc. Yummy. Big red with strong tannins and fruity flavor. At John and Glenda’s for John’s birthday. $26 at Fred Meyer — 7 years ago

Barb Anderson

9.2

Blueberry& spice aromas layer in with ripe cherry, chocolate and a hint of mint. Long, supple finish. — 7 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.7

Amazing!!! So funny that this is described as hedonistic by hiyu. Just beautiful Grenache fruit. Nose of berries, mushroom, white pepper, but if game kind of like roast duck with a cherry compote. Palate is is just perfectly balanced with bright red fruits, cranberry sauce on peppered turkey, so much earth and herbs as well. Evolves over the first 90 minutes. Guessing it would even more over the night but we’ll probably drink it all by the time we finish cooking dinner. So freaking good. One of the most approachable wines from hiyu. Definitely like a northern Rhône. — 3 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Full body, dark fruit layered with aged oak and hints of old worn leather. — 3 years ago

with Tammy

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

El Puntido is an old word meaning ‘staircase landing’, similar to the shape that these lands form between the Sierra de Cantabria and the Ebro River depression. Deep Ruby with aromas of fruit, floral, oak & pepper spice. On palate ripe plum and blackberry flavors, complex with layers of fruit & spice, espresso, cacao & licorice. Tannins are elegant, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, spice and oak. Very nice ! — 5 years ago

Hermes Cuello

9.1

Outstanding wine! — 6 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.3

A really funky nose that left you wondering what was in the bottle. And then, like a mist that lifts from the river - the tastes and nose showed up. A Phillipe Melka version of Washington’s best grapes. Power Bordeaux blend with Syrah added in. Soft tannins and subtle fruit kept flowing in and out. Wonderful comparison to an 06 Oakville Cab. — 7 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

Crisp and refreshing. Limey and river rock. Quite delicious and substantial actually. — 7 years ago

with Anita and Mike

Chris Young

9.0

Tasty, inviting with strong fruit intensity. Good age as well. — 7 years ago