Peter Sultan

9.1

Some buzz around this producer so approached with some anticipation. Restrained white flowers & confectionery Turkish delights on nose; mouthfeel quite smooth & elegant, w a stronger Riesling & Chenin Blanc presence, more of those white flowers & some RS. I’ve aged some other producers Timorasso w excellent results so see no reason this can’t do same, but this is drinking well young too. — a year ago

Ken Z

8.9

Drank 3/10/22

Bordeaux for less than $10, that boasts a 92 pt WE rating got my attention. I approached this with anticipation, but some skepticism.

I tried this in both a zalto and a less expensive Reidel glass. It was better in the Reidel glass a bit closer to mid 70 degrees, if you have a large stemware collection

On the nose plums and some blackberry are accompanied by peppercorn. Lighter, but pleasant. Flavors are similar, with plummy, blackberry notes, backed by earth, smoke, and bit of red fruit on the finish. Drinkable, but not 92 pts.

3/21/7/4/4 +50=89 pts. — 4 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.2

The nose on this is crazy. Smells heavenly. Like a ripe basket of wild forest berries in a log cabin. Very sexy nose. Palate is pristine, light, filled with bright red fruit. Concentration doesn’t quite match the nose, but can’t complain- this is lovely stuff. The anticipation of my first delivery from @Lyle Fass was killing me so I had to locate one of his wines from another source. — 6 years ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Wow. I’ve waited a long time to try my first Tondonia (surely this is a milestone for any budding wine collector, no?), having held onto this 2002 for a while and having a case or two of Heredia’s more recent vintages downstairs.

Such was the anticipation for trying this Rioja stalwart that I was almost nervous that it wouldn’t live up to it - especially with 2002 being such a rotten vintage for Spain’s flagship wine region. But this was staggeringly youthful, piercingly savoury with a gentle balance of tannin & acidity but all the supple features of an old school, aged Rioja. This is really special stuff. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Brought from our cellar. I stopped off at the house to pull the cork over my lunch break in anticipation of this requiring some air. Tight, as I suspected. Decanted five hours before returning it to the bottle for transport to the restaurant. At Monarch, they returned it to a swan decanter and it sat another two hours. Ultimately it was poured to accompany the 45-day dry-aged Wagyu Prime Rib-Eye. Hell yeah! This was snappy red and dark fruits, black tea, dried herbs, crushed gravel...awesome body...sexy structure. The finish lasts for over a minute. Exquisite! Give these time. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

It’s common to hear wine drinkers use the colloquialisms like “a good Tuesday night bottle” or “an excellent everyday drinker.” Well, this is a spectacular Saturday night wine; deserved of the spotlight and worthy of much anticipation.

Blue and black fruit compete for who’s more pure, while the savory creosote and cedar intertwine, and the acid and tannin do their dance. There’s timing and choreography... it’s wine in HD and Surround Sound. Extraordinary. — 8 years ago

Steven Lee

9.7

xmas 2024 drink. high anticipation for this ancient vineyard. sold and bought back. nose of orange rind and jasmine tea. palate is silky, fruity of strawberry, floral and a tad like barossa finish — 2 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Over the weekend I opened the 2019 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon Bordeaux Blend from Barboursville, Virginia. A blend of 62% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, vanilla, spice, licorice and earth.

On the palate I find black cherry, blackberry, black plum, licorice, black currant, spice, herbaceous notes and dark rich earth.

This is a medium + to full bodied wine with medium + acidity and medium + fine grippy astringent tannins which leaves you with a long black fruit crushed stone finish. Spring has arrived this week, so try and have a great full week in anticipation of the coming greenery and foliage. Stay safe and healthy and please be kind to one another. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Bob Dylan

9.2

One of my all time favorite every day wines. Drinking last years last bottle in anticipation of the new vintage. — 6 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.0

Disappointment of the week. No, month!! This was one of our prized bottles we took back from our northern Rhône venture two years ago. So with great anticipation we opened it tonight. Great bouquet on the nose but didn’t carry through to the wine. Strong vibrant dry fruit up front but no follow through, no depth, no structure and no finish. — 6 years ago

with Tammy

Bob McDonald

9.5

Popped this in anticipation of an Australian victory over England in the Rugby World Cup quarter final when we trailed 17-16 in the 2nd half. However we ended up getting trounced 40-16. This Champers was mid Lemon Gold with an ultra fine bead. Funky lemon mineral notes with apple pie pastry. Even at 17 years good tension with possibly another 10 years of cellaring. Although pretty irresistible right now. As Churchill said You deserve Champagne in victory and you need it in defeat! — 7 years ago

Chris B.

9.1

Really quite nice now and will get even better as it unwinds. A big bouquet of violets and licorice root made me drool in anticipation of a fat, beefy Syrah. But this was surprisingly light and smooth, with juicy red fruit and green olives popping out on the first taste. We had it with beef stroganoff at Wally’s. — 8 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.4

Celebratory wine... with eager anticipation to visit the winery in a few weeks. Toasty oak notes, vanilla bean, cherry flambé, pipe tobacco, white pepper, and anise. Supple on the palate, with fresh black cherry fruit and pops of leather and cedar. Finish persists and tannins are well integrated. Drink now or over the next 5 years. 30 minute decant on this one. — 8 years ago

Dorothy Kangas

9.0

Purchased at Binnys September 2023. Might be better to save a bottle from 2017, but it was still very delicious. I’m trying more wines from France’s Rhône Valley in anticipation of visiting there in 2024.
Cost: $60 — 3 years ago

Norma Normington

9.2

Nice big bouquet - anticipation…. Wonderful Pinot Noir! I can see why this is so highly rated — 4 years ago

Deborah M

9.2

Opened this in anticipation of an upcoming Sonoma trip. Wonderful aroma. This wine has aged beautifully. Acidity and fruit are still nicely balanced. I would describe this wine as feminine and elegant. I last tried this about a year ago and it was somewhat shut down. Not sure if the extra year has helped or decanting this time. This wine can probably go a few more years but really no need to wait any longer. Cheers! — 4 years ago

TheSkip

9.3

My now-annual mid-January sampling of Rivers-Marie Pinot noir in anticipation of the forthcoming release.

Incredible how far this has come in a year. Singing! — 6 years ago

Paul K

9.1

Nose is cedar, herb, and leather. Medium body. Raspberry, red currant, and dark chocolate with really nice tannin throughout. Long finish is currant and cranberry. This wine is delicate. Overpowered by aged Gouda. Drink with Brie and French bread.
I pulled a classic and was just a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, still great, but for the anticipation... I have one more bottle that I’ll wait a long time and hope there’s a big payoff.
Interesting note, the 2013 Heitz Cellar in the background was remarkably similar in fruit, weight, and profile. 1/3 the price and I’m giving it a 92. — 7 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.5

1997 Paradigm Estate Cab. Well worth the wait for this 21 year old beauty. Bold, inky, cloud-covered appearance (similar to that of Rivers Marie Pinot). I won’t wait another 21 years to drink the next bottle. 💓 Took my time with the decant and the fruit showed it’s appreciation through an immense 1st sip. Reminiscent of anticipation and desire of a 1st kiss. Breathe deep... move slowly... come a little closer. — 8 years ago

with Isaac

Anne Carman

9.3

Gorgeous dark spice on the nose with a vanilla bark wrap. Deep draughts are richly rewarded and heighten anticipation of the old world earthiness balanced with new world dark fruit and spices. Evident tannins belie the soft dark smooth finish. Everything we love in an Italian wine. Rich, earthy, elegant not fussy. We had the 2008 vintage. — 8 years ago