Pooneet K

9.0

Bit mixed on this wine and to be honest super Tuscans in general. This Tig has some serious secondary shoe leather notes at this point. Still has some quite nice fruit and just barely enough acid, but overall was hoping for a bit more verve. — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Typical nose of an Art Series Chardonnay with that dried pear character. On the medium weight palate a nice combination of ripe grapefruit and under ripe yellow peach. Medium minus acid. One can’t help but love this Chardonnay. A wonderful terroir, the Gin Gin clone, great winemaking, and an excellent vintage - ticks all the boxes. At its peak but enough acid for a few more years if you wish. That was my last bottle of the 2011. — 2 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Really quite nice, and a perfect pairing with a Tuscan style bistecca. Have wanted to try Isole e Olena for a while but I think this was the first time. Dark cherry, some dusty restrained tannins, excellent acid of course. Another nice 2020 Chianti. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 11 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.3

Beautiful wine mellowed out! Touch volatile acid which blows off fast. 13.5%. Seems ripe. Plums on the nose. Plums, strawberries, touch cherries, orange zest. Quite rich and big for E&M. Perfect! Sweet Pinot fruit. I would drink up this vintage. 2020 was the second warmest year in Germany since 1881 and it shows! I don’t expect this wine to further improve or last a decade. It is great now. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2019 pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherries, red roses, tangerine, pomegranate, talcum powder, dried sage, truffle, and dried stony earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. A lovely expression of 2019 Barbaresco. Drink now with patience and through 2049. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 5 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

It is very pure—red raspberry, red cherry, and licorice, amped up with damp soil on the nose. The palate brings more licorice/anise/tarragon vibes, with a little lilac winking on the finish. The acid is vibrant, the tannins are dusky, and the alcohol is respectful. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed with a simple meal of pasta all’arrabbiata and over the course of a few hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, orange bitters, exotic spices, black tea, black licorice, some dried green herbs and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and lithe in body. I’ve long been a fan of Fèlsina fan and their Chianti Classico and Riserva especially so. When it’s a great vintage like 2021? Back up the truck. These will drink well through 2031 with ease. I can’t wait to try the CCR! — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 3 months ago