Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 Zinfandel pours a ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of ripe and tart black, red and some blue fruits: black berries, black cherries, raspberries, fig, green herbs, a touch of rubber pool toy, black pepper, dry earth and some gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. From my experience, this is the most youthful expression of Rafanelli Zinfandel I can recall. Good, but to my palate this will probably be better after 2028. — 4 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep ruby , quite thin garnet rim . Quite a lot of cassis, herbal grafite notes , touch of blackberry , scorched earth , a bit for floral after a while in the glass. On the palate this shows more sweet dark fruit, touch of spicy oak, blackcurrant , dark cherry and cacau . Balanced acidity and sweet slightly grippy tannins , just balanced alcohol . Spicy sweet blackcurrant, grafite tinged finish , decent length. This is still young and quite fruit driven but is enjoyable now with food . Better in 5 years or so and will last well a further 8-10. — 2 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.7

Surprisingly smooth and enjoyable. A point? — 17 hours ago

Nathan Renfro

9.8

Always one of my favorites. The 06 is a beutiful wine. Black and blue fruit, great minerality, tender tannins, wonderfully balanced. Regal texture, just wonderful with my steak tonight. The 06 are drinking wonderfully now. Always a pleasure! — 13 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted about an hour in advance and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2022 Cuvée Réservée pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and tart bramble fruits: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, “Oops All Berries!!”, garrigue, red and purple flowers, black pepper, licorice, a balance of cool and warm spices, river rock. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from nose; particularly the power and quality of fruit. The finish is long. Early days for the 2022 Cuvée Réservée but holy smokes is it already pretty special. The ABV is a scorching 16% but you would never know it. The power and freshness of fruit with the titanic structure keep everything in balance. Drink now through 2042. — 4 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A plush, meaty open nose. Dark plum and underbrush. Some iodine and a serious, brooding midpalate. Great balance and poise, and settled. Fantastic — 15 days ago

with Paul and Ara

Mike Evans

9.2

A good but not great LLC, classic black current and hints of leather and cedar, but a little rustic, though drinking it next to a lovely 1990 Troplong-Mondot didn’t do it any favors. — 9 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium garnet , quite pronounced terracotta , garnet rim . This is more closed on the nose , slightly darker , less fruited , more tobacco , earthy , iodine , mineral, dry spices . On the palate more intensity with fresher acidity and grippy tannin . Darker fruits , with cherry , blackcurrant , but with a strong seaside , oyster shell componente . Good length and very elegant , slightly tannic finish . This is quite serious and restrained, more complete and complex than the 2011. Needs a bit of time to open, probably better in a 3-5 years and will show well for a further 5-10. From magnum . — 2 days ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

Not a perfect bottle — 16 days ago

Conrad Green

9.7

A fantastic nose. Deep spicy dark fruit, a hint of band aid, funky intense fruit. Great stuff- savory with some notes of iron and meat stock and a subtle punch acidity. Great — 15 days ago

with Paul and Ara