David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I tasted this at cork pull and it looked & tasted a bit brickish. Waited to decant but it still needed a hour in the decanter. 97 a great Napa vintage. Well stored bottle bought from auction.

The fruits are lush, velvety & ruby; blackberries, black plum, plum pudding, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, malt balls on the long decant, black licorice, there is a touch of v/a-bandaid but it’s not spoiling and dissipates some in time, dusty to slightly moist top soil, olive tapenade, herbaceous notes, soft, dark spice, half used, dry tobacco w/ ash, sandalwood, moist, grey volcanic clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, notes of black pepper, candied, liquid, fresh & mostly withering, dark, red, purple flowers, very round acidity and a very well balanced, tensioned, nicely structured and a smartly polished, round finish that lasts two-minutes.

Second wine to pair with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — 5 days ago

Jeff Christner

9.3

Wow!! The finish!! 13% — 21 days ago

S.S. Mandani

9.2

Cherry pie in a glass.

Peppery, dry, silky. — 3 months ago

Paul J

8.9

Short decant. Red color with subtle maroon tones. Lots of tea on the nose and a subtle herb that I can’t determine. Olives and herbs with more tea on the palate. On the lighter side. — 6 days ago

with Brooke

Steve Messinger

9.3

Classic black cherry nose w hint of spice and oak. Great balance rich long finish — 18 days ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Flowers and chocolate. Rose, lavender, hibiscus and milk chocolate. Aging well. — a month ago

Laura Orth

10

fruity
mildly sweet — 4 months ago

Steve Goore

9.1

Lots of tropical fruit along with grapefruit. Delicious with food - reminded me of when I visited the winery nearly 20 years ago. — 4 days ago

Frank Artale

9.3

Worth the wait for the 2009. Dried fig, black cherry, anise,tobacco, violets, dust.. Tannins softened and just a little acid to keep things fresh. — 18 days ago

ESF

9.2

Real treat: RRV SB w/bottle age - fattened up nicely, super expressive nose of tropical fruit mingled w/grass & hay, snap pea some green citrus. Added weight gave it heft juxtaposed w/vibrant acidic backbone. Just flat out delicious, generous really strutting its stuff. — a month ago