Peter Montoleone

9.2

Very smooth and enjoyable. Really enjoying this Merlot. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. Sampled via Coravin. A bit more fruit than the 2021 vintage sampled just prior. Still...über-pleasant and giving now. Cellar it. PNP it tonight. Somewhere in between...doesn't really matter as you'll be more than satisfied regardless of your decision. 03.19.25. — 3 months ago

David Foster

9.0

Fruit forward — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — 9 months ago

Jan A

9.5

Really looked forward to this one, but a little bit too rich to warrant higher score. Missing the acidity/tension a bit.
Edit: and it was served too warm.. — 2 months ago

Alexandre Czesnat

9.0

Strong aromas, black berries, oak, tobacco, leather, bold Bordeaux — 5 months ago

Yan Gagnon

9.1

Tout a été dit et redit sur le Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select et le duo Doug Shafer et Elias Fernandez. Par contre un peu moins sur le Chardonnay Red Shoulder. Il provient du Red Shoulder Ranch dans le district de Carneros au nord de la vallée de Napa. Red Shoulder est une espèce d'épervier qu'on retrouve près du vignoble. Le 2021 est un vin achevé. La robe est jaune claire sans aucun signe de vieillissement. Le nez est complexe avec des notes de gingembre, de citron, de beurre et de vanille. En bouche le liquide est puissant, long, avec les mêmes saveurs qu'au nez avec du fruit de la passion en prime. L'alcool est un peu dérangent en bouche avec ses 14,9%. Ça se goûte ! — 6 months ago

Joe Gillies

9.5

Excellent! Drinking so well right now. Everything has blended and aged together perfectly. Oak and tannins have mellowed and integrated nicely. — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable purplish magenta color. On the nose: very aeromatic notes of black & red berries, truffles, loamy soil, worn leather, tobacco leaf, floral, herbaceous. Taste: soft, elegant, balanced, layered mouthfeel wine with blackberry, dark plum, leather, crushed granite, dried herbs, and a spiced cedar long finish with some dusty tannins. YUM! At the start of its drinking window with 20-30 years to go, so no rush. — 4 months ago

with Brenda

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2001 vintage. Nice fill and great cork. Opened and decanted. Expected sed but fairly minimal compared to a Cabernet-based wine. Beguiling nose. Light-medium body that had dropped any extra fat long ago. Spiced plum definitely afoot. Tasted after 15 mins open, 1 hour open, 1.5 hrs open and 8 hrs open. Remarkably consistent. Likely another half-decade at this plateau before dropping down. 10.16.24. — 9 months ago