Could do with more time in the bottle but it's a special occasion afterall. Noses rose petals, vanilla, leather, capsicum and tobacco, black fruits and pencil shavings....and date I say onions! Huge body. Palate is savoury yet so layered and structured. Dark chocolates galore with a generous scatter of sea salt. Harmonious! Precise! — 6 days ago
Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon and floral. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. The ‘21 is a real insight for what the Riservas will taste like. Rated #7 wine of 2025 by spectator. — 7 days ago
Jay Kline

My second opportunity to enjoy the 1990 Rafanelli Cabernet in the last five years and I’m happy to report that it’s still chugging along quite nicely!
Popped and poured; enjoyed from red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. The 1990 pours, a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous yet the fruit remains remarkably fresh! Still with a lovely mix of red and dark brambles and cassis, leather, tobacco, mushrooms, earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. I continue to be impressed with the ageability of these wines that were made by Dave Rafanelli. Drink now through 2030+. — a month ago