Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — a day ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 2 months ago

Kelly Perkins

9.3

One of the more expensive wines we have tried. Very good flavor and enjoyed with steak. Good pairing — 20 days ago

Paul J

9.6

First Rose of the season! Always great! See previous notes and vintages. — 2 months ago

with Brooke and

Magnus Hovet

9.3

Needed some time to open up, but was worth it. Silky smooth, lots of presence and subtle earth notes. Really long finish and super smooth once again — 2 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.1

Good smooth wine with a nice smell, lots of black fruit, earthy midtone and long aftertaste — 2 months ago

Paul J

9.6

Held its own versus the 2018 Schrader and 2022 VHR. My friend blind tasted all three, got them all, but it was a struggle. — a month ago

David Dorn

9.2

Bug wine and first Tempranillo outside of Spain I’ve had- really good stuff! — a month ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Maybe the best chard I have had, jumps out of the glass, aromatic and on the palate quite smooth and silky but still got enough acidity to balance it out. Honeysuckle, melon and some peaches. Really lovely — 2 months ago

Magnus Hovet

9.2

Really smooth. A lot more dark plums, and softer tannins. Earthiness, small amount of spice and looong aftertaste — 2 months ago