Bob McDonald

9.3

At dinner following our son’s wedding. No notes but I do recall this as being excellent as it always is. Obviously too young but the class was there and the table loved it. — 25 days ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Evan Roberts

9.0

Delicious and powerful Carmel comes through loud a clear — 4 months ago

Jess

9.1

Medium ruby color.
Aromas of red fruit, raspberry, tomato leaf
Dry. Flavors of red fruit, raspberry, clove, soft spice, herbal. Moderate tannins are firm.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 4/5 — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

This Syrah is deep ruby.

On the nose is a medium(+) intensity of aromas, which include ripe black cherry, blackberry, plum, black cassis, licorice, star anise, violet, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, tobacco, cedar, clove, leather, and earth.

On the palate this wine is dry with high alcohol (14.5% ABV), a full body, medium(+) acidity, medium(+) tannins that are ripe, soft, and fine-grained, medium(+) intensity of flavors consistent with the nose and a medium(+) finish.

This wine is drinking beautifully now, but could improve in its aromatic complexity with additional aging; it’s capable of developing more dried fruit character and earthy notes. It has the structure to carry it further.

It’s delicious! Cheers to Tuscan Syrahs!! — 6 months ago

with Deked1

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2020 Chianti Classico is such a classy wine. Deep and layered, yet wonderfully translucent, the 2020 is one of the best editions of this wine I can remember tasting. Macerated dark cherry, kirsch, cedar and pipe tobacco open first, but what I am most drawn to is the wine's textural resonance and sheer power. The 2020 possesses remarkable depth yet retains the transparency that is such a signature here. This is a fabulous showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 24 days ago

Elmars

8.9

Full bodied, low in tannins, balanced, but no aroma. Lack of character, maybe too late to drink 22 year old Cabernet of this denomination? — 5 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.5

Wowsa! Best Italian chardonnay I’ve ever had. Screw cap. Medium yellow. Very Burgundian in style, the nose is vibrant with reductive curry leaf notes, crushed rock, lemon peel, a touch of hazelnut and so much tension that I salivated before tasting. The body is concentrated, hits with layers of leesy creaminess, phenolic complexity (almond skin) , lemon custard, then acidity takes over and lingers in a long balanced finish. What a vintage too! Too bad it’s priced like Mersault, but still good value considering the quality. — 5 months ago

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9.3

The 2021 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a wine of uncommon pedigree and depth. Lemon peel, dried pear, chamomile, white pepper and crushed rocks infuse the 2021 with layers of complexity. I especially admire the sense of vertical drive here. Readers will find a serious Chardonnay for the dinner table. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 24 days ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Sofia’s favorite vineyard plot. A “smoke show” we called it. Generally the 19s were the standouts — beautifully balanced and giving all of the dried herb and earthy notes typical of great Chianti Classico — but this was an exception, opulent and spicey (allspice, cinnamon, cedar) and so so fragrant. Stay in the look out for these wines — Sofia (the estate manager) and Giocomo (vineyard manger and cellar master, most recently of Isole & Olena) are making some really intentional and pretty wines here. — 2 months ago

Austin Baik

9.4

Beautiful. Soft and almost ephemeral on the palate — 6 months ago

with Stuart