Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Light gold color. Aromas of rose water, Turkish delight, honey and stone fruit. Superb classic Gewurtztraminer flavors - great balance on alcohol and sweet notes. — 2 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Medium garnet hue, bricking slightly towards the edges with great translucency.

On the nose this wine is bold and and aromatic, with cranberry, cherry kirsch, blueberry, hoisin, and notes of savoury game, showing the complexity of age.

The palate sees an explosion of sweet cherry with a slightly confected edge, perhaps owing to the hot vintage and high ABV, as well as Turkish delight, dark chocolate ganache, five spice, strawberry, blackberry, roasted meats and espresso. This could only be Chateauneuf. There is a strong spicy character, enough acidity to keep things in balance, and nicely resolved tannins. The finish is quite long, and very dry. This is a superb Châteauneuf that should continue to impress for the next decade. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Textbook Gewurtztraminer from the unlikely New England area near Tingha, an hour or two’s drive south of the Granite Belt but made by Mike Hayes in the latter. Aromas and flavours of Lychees and Turkish Delight with moderate acid and great length. Was a perfect match with Smoked Cod. I usually have a Pinot Noir with richer fish dishes and I had opened a cracker with the 2009 Bass Phillip Premium as well to compare but the Gewurtz was the better matchup. — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.5

Black and brooding with a high-piled eccentric crown of stiff frizz, descending wildly in chaotic lacing. This subversive Russian has been meddling in my election to drink through my beer collection before the birth of my child, and subsequent, triumphant return to wine! It stares at me; a quiet threat. Now, open and daunting, I ease in with the slowest approach. Robust fig and chocolate purée, with treacle, toffee, Turkish spiced coffee, baklava, chocolate nougat while also ganache coconut balls., cinnamon, brown sugar, black strap molasses and candied pecan aromas swirl thickly in this awesome mine of whiskey darkness. The aromatics lose intensity when you take a sip of this subterranean shadow magma. Blackberry reduction in dark chocolate, burnt caramels, coffee brittle, gorgeous rye herbaceous-ness, sprouting fresh oregano, peppercorns, chicory, Spanish brandy, truffles, allspice, marjoram, molasses, vanilla extract, soy sauce minus the salt. Sweet and bitter battle in smoky, stick basalt vessels filled with dark chocolate, sage and espresso. Enormous! Layer upon layer of warping wood expressions and undulating liquids of blackest culinary art. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2014 Penfolds ‘Grange’ Shiraz is an absolutely stunning new wine that embodies precision, power and finesse. An ultra-ripe dense core, this 2014 Shiraz opens with intense tar, Turkish coffee, blueberry pie and sandalwood accents that round out this seductive nose. The palate is plush and inviting, showing off a downright sexy mouthfeel. This wine seamlessly glides across the mid-palate, delivering blackberry cordial, sweet pipe tobacco, anise and creme de cassis flavors that connect with the wonderfully refined tannins. Massive, yet showing a beautiful sense of elegance and place, this incredible new release will cellar marvelously for decades. Drink 2020-2045- 98 — 7 years ago

Paul Anglade

9.0

Turkish delight fruity and not too alcoholic. Lovely bottle and label. At $6 a bottle, how can you go wrong. — 8 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 1996 | Mahony orange colour. Mesmerizing smell with apricot, honey, Turkish delight. Cassonade sugar from sugar beet. Incredible well balanced. My Chenin Blanc night cap. — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Pale ruby color. Aromas of Turkish delight, strawberries and baking spices. Homemade chili, cornbread and Gamay... it works. — 6 years ago

Will Stanley

9.5

I get it, I get it. This is the first Chateauneuf that’s really wowed me. Having been left a little underwhelmed by the 2004 Beaucastel I had over Christmas (though I rated this highly at the time), I looked to Isabel Ferrando and her Domaine de Saint Préfert for some confirmation - in my untrained mind - as to the appeal of CNDP. And boy, did this bottle deliver.

This wine boasts a very powerful aroma, which drove me to profanity when I first smelled it; a mix of blueberry, liquorice, bergamot and coffee much of which continues on the palate. It’s incredibly ripe, full, seductive and has everything in check: fresh acidity, gentle tannin, and a long, velvety finish (think Turkish delight). My initial thought on composition was that this must be a Grenache-dominant blend given the ripe, fruit forward profile and high alcohol (15%), so as an amateur I was pleased to find out that, indeed, it’s 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault.

A great wine that will age gracefully. I wish I had more. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2006 ‘Pedestal’ is a sinfully good warm vintage Merlot by superstar enological consultant Michel Rolland that is drinking marvelously at now thirteen years of age. Following a long decant, the Merlot slowly unveils ripe black currants that combine with sandalwood, cigar ash and Turkish coffee aromatics that meld together in the glass. The palate has tremendous freshness and verve considering its age, as this silky wine effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Still showing serious power and concentration, the ‘Pedestal’ leads with a deep core of dark fruits that mingle with suggestions of milk chocolate, pipe tobacco, leather and anise flavors that sing in harmony. Fantastic now, this beautiful wine has at least another decade of life left. Drink 2019-2028- 94 — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2015 Opus One Red Wine is a monumental wine that blends Cabernet Sauvignon (81%) with Cabernet Franc (7%), Merlot (6%), Petit Verdot (4%) and Malbec (2%). The nose is highly complex and downright intoxicating showing off creme de cassis, mocha, tar, and shades of Turkish coffee that all build in the glass. There is a seamless quality to the wine that really impresses. Soft and round across the mid-palate, the wine reveals Asian spices. The palate is silky and spumous as the wine shows off an exotic edge with Turkish coffee, black tea, anise and creme de cassis that all impress. The wine finishes strong with minerals and black fruits. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twenty years. Drink 2020-2040- 98 — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Summit View in the Walla Walla Valley as well as Dionysus, Weinbau and Den Hoed Benches Vineyards. Made by legendary winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards fame, this reveals dense core, with an inviting nose of crème de cassis, Turkish coffee, red bell pepper, with hints of white pepper and sagebrush. The palate unveils a silky texture and a beautiful mouthfeel. Decadent blueberry compote, mocha, black tea, anise and sagebrush flavors all impress. The gorgeous bright acidity adds to the enjoyment here. Balanced and rich, this stunning wine will cellar well for the next two decades. While it is delicious now, try to resist this for at least two more years. Drink 2020-2040-95 — 8 years ago

Ron from VA

9.0

Super tasty cross between CENTRAL coast CA Pinot and southern Rhône Grenache blend. Just the right amount of fresh black cherry and gentle Mediterranean herbs - lovely, low tannin profile with balanced acidity that defies the 14.5 ALC. FABULOUS at Otto Turkish Döner :) — 3 years ago

Will Stanley

9.1

Didn’t take notes at the time, but this was an interesting blend of Syrah (49%) with Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvèdre that was dark and brambly with notes of coffee and Turkish delight. Tim Atkin’s likening of this to a Crozes Hermitage / Dao hybrid is an apt take. — 5 years ago

Tunc Akin

8.9

Turkish delight :) — 6 years ago

with Jennifer

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Amazing, dry and aromatic Gewürztraminer. Clear straw color. Aromas of Turkish delight, honey and lychee. Flavors of rose petals, lychee, orange and a ginger finish. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Figgins Red Wine is a stunning new bottling by superstar winemaker Chris Figgins. On the nose you can really smell the Petit Verdot undertones as this shows off gorgeous blackberry compote with blueberry pie, sagebrush and green pell pepper aromas that all build marvelously in the glass. The palate is gorgeous, showing a silky texture and wonderful sense of minerality. A bright beam of salinity runs through this beautiful wine, slowly unveiling bright black cherry and Turkish coffee flavors that collide with blueberry pie and Chinese black tea flavors. Polished and layered, this is seriously good in its youth but it will evolve well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2040- 95 — 7 years ago

Michael Mugmon

9.2

More Turkish rosé. — 7 years ago

Chris Haywood

9.0

MLFy green apple nose, Turkish delight... then brioche and high acid lime/apple palate. Good length. Good value at sub 15. Oak is so well integrated that I wasn't even sure it was there! — 8 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Full nose of blackberry and black currant with minty notes and sage. Plums, honeycomb, raspberry reduction and fir. Blueberry and blackberry on the palate with black currant and black olive both taste and texturally as it unfolds into cedar, dense chocolate truffle, and Turkish coffee. #SevenHills #CielduCheval #Washington #washingtonstate #washingtonwines #bordeauxblends #cabblends #SevenHillsWinery — 8 years ago