Doug Powers

9.1

Shows just a touch of oak, lovely dark fruits, nice balance, medium-long finish, less alcohol shows on this one, though it’s the same as the Amphora. — 9 days ago

with Jim

Eric

9.1

Balanced, quality fruit but lacking in personality. — 8 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot & 3% Malbec, deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits with spice, herb and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry, fig and blueberry with currants, cacao, pepper and earthy notes. Fine soft tannins, good structure, long finish, great mouthfeel, ending with cedar, fruit and earthy character. Wonderful! Very Nice. — 8 days ago

Shay A

9.3

For my profile, I think I like Ponente first, followed by Rian, then Levante. Cimarossa is such an under the radar producer on Howell Mtn. The visit alone is worth a trip out!

If I tried this blind, I think I’d say this is valley floor fruit. I followed this over two days and it showed such ripe, fresh squeezed fruit in my glass…the fruit dominated everything (but don’t think that means it was flabby or too sweet). It didn’t show much Howell Mtn bite on the finish or the dark, rustic profile they normally sport. Dark blueberries and blackberries, black currant, mocha, licorice up front with a core of mixed berry pie. I often get a clay and herbal flair with these wines but not here. Primary. I’d hold another few years. — a month ago

Ming L

9.4

Wow this tasted better than the 16’ I can remember!
A bit more petrol note, in a very pleasant way. There is also more subtle tropical fruits such as pineapple on the nose. Hint of smoke as well. Textured like a Viognier. Bright clean cut acidity with just the slightest sweetness for balance.
Now I have no doubt that this is the best US Riesling I’ve tasted. — 16 days ago

Ron R

9.2

Zinfandel clearly has some utility… with a very suggestive appearance.
Drink this cold. Very rugged expression of a summertime wine. Displays it full coat of arms when combined with hard cheeses. Lots of cherry blossom notes with hints of red licorice. Drink over the next 24 months. — 9 days ago

with Anne-marie

Edward

9.1

The last of our 2005 Cabs. Still solid after 17 years. Tannins are still evident with a BB long after taste. We’ll miss this vintage. — 2 days ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, blackberry, oak and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 10 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

So good, this is time-travel Zinfandel, just like the better producers made it in the 70s. (I don’t know how the trend got to the point where 15%+ jam monsters are the norm, but it did.) This has a nice youthful saturated color. Nose is very pure, spicy blackberry, with nose-tingly acids showing, spice, and loads of crushed stone minerality. At once lively and rich in the mouth, it’s got great, focused brambly Zin fruit and crisp—yes, crisp—acids. Bone dry. A bit of tannic structure and a nice rocky, gravelly note. So damn good. Go Bruins! — 20 days ago

Mark Schwarzmann

9.0

Drank 5/18/2022 PVB, a very nice, 'traditional oaked' California chardonnay. Not as 'big' as the 2018 Napa version, but still a top notch bottle. — 3 days ago