Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Third generation grower Jim Maresh launched his own brand in 2007. Maresh Vineyard was first planted in 1970 by grandparents Jim & Loie. Medium Ruby color with aromas of aa array of red berry fruits with a touch of cooling mint. On the palate cherry and berry fruits, well structured, with a touch of rustic spice. Fine dusty tannins, balanced with acidity, medium-bodied, long finish ending with earthy mineral character. Very Nice! — 2 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

A robust Zin and multilayered Zin from the best tasting barrels this winery produces. A truly artisan wine, hand-harvested. An array of red fruit flavors, ripe cherry and plums, rich and bold, intense and spicy, some earthy notes and needs time to open up. Tannins are medium-plus, and the finish is long and elegant. Each bottle is hand numbered. This was bottle #3183 and they produced only 4138 bottles for the 2021 vintage. Lovely! — a year ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.8

Voted WOTN for good reason. This has been a bucket list wine for me. Some sections of this famous vineyard were planted in 1860 but all of the vines are ridiculously old. It’s bombastic and really stands out from the crowd. Very expressive both on the nose and on the palate. Full bodied and multi layered. Creamy and rich texture. Dark berries, plums, coffee, cigar, orange peel, eucalyptus, soy, cigar box and an array of oriental spices. Probably at a peak right now, such a joy to drink. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

An absolute monster of a wine. 4 hours in the decanter served perfectly to allow this 2001, perhaps one of the best Hommage vintages ever, to flaunt its incredibly complex aromatic array of black fruits, roasted Provençal herbs, licorice, campfire smoke and Christmas spices.

It’s still youthful with ripe tannins and a ton of muscle. Nowhere near its peak. But it’s entering its drinking window seamlessly, being incredibly giving and expressive with sufficient air. Similar to how VV Gonon differs from the regular bottling, Hommage just cranks everything up to 10 and it’s concentrated flavors come at you in waves. But it never gets heavy as there is just enough lift and precision to keep everything harmonious. A very special bottle from a very special vintage indeed. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded by Cody and Marque Wright, yes that family of the great Ken Wright Pinot’s  very nice small production Pinot, 600 cases, from 115/777 clones. Medium+ Ruby, nose is a bit closed, with aromas of blue and red fruits with an array of spices, clove, tar and wet earth. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cranberry with notes of tobacco, citrus, floral and earthy tones. Fine tannins, lively acidity, long ending with fruit, spice, mineral and earthy notes. Will age a bit! Tasted twice! — 5 years ago

Matt

9.5

Pure class. CDP cannot be beat, producer trumps vintage. Graceful throughout its silky-rich structure and lengthy finish. Gorgeous array of red fruits, moving from fresh berries, to confiture and moving to dried. Raspberry in particular. Fig spice cake, sweet wood smoke, garrigue and lavender, menthol, some espresso and warm spices mingling about. Threads of roast meat, leather, tobacco. Just a lovely showing, this is prime right now, but could easily go another 5-8 years and mature beautifully. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

When I’m not drinking a Napa Cab, and I’m having a fillet mignon, I reach for a Jordon. Blend of 87% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec, aged 13 months in 100% French oak (35% new). Deep Ruby red color with aromas of red fruit, floral and an array of herb spices. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with oak, vanilla spice, leather and cacao notes. Rich fine tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit and oak. Very Nice! Will age well. Just had this at a chophouse, Nice! — a month ago

Vino Joe

9.4

Okay … cork completely fell apart on opening. Wine seemed unaffected though. Deep color but not yet dark. It was not as thick as I would have expected for 16 years. It was a bit underwhelming vs expectation. Not lengthy in its finish and missing the array of tropical flavors but was still good. Just not great. — 3 years ago

Matt

9.6

In a great spot. Appears to have really shed some baby fat, the sucrosity of the fruit diminshing and the mineral and tertiary notes coming to the front. Lavishly textured, great length, a wonderful accompaniment to an array of vegetable dishes. Pineapple upside cake, roasted nuts, cooked yellow plum, marmalade, garrigue, cruahed stones, yellow blossoms, marzipan and honey, cream, olive oil. — 4 years ago

Matt

9.8

Firing on all cylinders. Opening with an edge of reduction, fine oak, balanced lees component, similar to a great WBurg. With air it’s varietal character emerged, with ripe citrus, slight kiss of herb, and a complex array of mineral undertones. Incredible energy at 7 years old, one of the great SBs of the world IMO. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

1991 inaugural vintage by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Tried the ‘13 again and it doesn’t disappoint. Deep Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice encased in gentle oak. Firm tannins great balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Just starting to open now, will benefit from more time! — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Opened and decanted about an hour before serving by request. An initial funk and reduction blows off to show a wide array of florals. It’s vibrant, focused and expressive showing violets, red roses, ripe black and red fruit, a touch of game and pixelated minerals. It’s a little thin on the midpalate and finishes a tad bit short. — 6 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

Right off the pop of the cork, Tuck Beckstoffer’s entry-level “1975” California Cabernet acts as a simple-yet profound introduction to a whole series of extremely highly-regarded wines from one of the most legendary names in all of California. The nose provides a lush and surprisingly broad array of flavors from stewed cherry to a Smokey- bit of charred oak- and its caliber is defined by how those aromas find their way to melt together- even as young as it be. As it breathes and evolves the structure softens and the tannins begin to more gently explain as well as reveal the flavors that are, sip-by-sip, emerging on the palate. Medium-bodied but with plenty of structure to spare, the (just unbelievably) inexpensive 2018 Beckstoffer “1975” Cabernet is one to try. Then buy, by the case. — 6 years ago

with Beth

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. Nice! — 3 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Ripe in flavor, with a vivid array of black currant, blackberry, violet, black tea and black pepper aromas and flavors that zoom through to a long, expressive finish. Shows subtlety in the layers of complex flavor against a refined structure. Tannins are present but nicely contained. #1 Wine of 2009, Wine of the Year* — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

55 hectares of superb gravelly vineyards, often referred to as the "archetypical Graves." A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc & 1% Petit Verdot, Organic, very very dark Ruby red with aromas of black fruits with an array of herb, floral & spice notes. On the palate flavors of berries, black cherry, licorice and cacao with pepper, great mouthfeel. Firm full fine tannins, long finish, ending with fruit, spice and floral earthy character. Extremely Nice! — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Showing just as well as the bottle some weeks back. The first vintage of Dauvissat’s MDT, with just 2 barrels made and hardly any came to the US. It sits in a great place, super giving and ready to drink. It’s seamlessly balanced and finely detailed showing a complex array of yellow fruit, lilies, wildflower honey and hazelnut with lemony acids and a stony minerality. It fills out with air and continues to gain volume and focus. Great bottle. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Mostly Petite Sirah (85%) with small amounts of Syrah, Grenache and other mixed Rhône varieties, aged 14 months in American oak, 25% new, very dark Ruby-purple with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to full spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry pulp, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory grippy tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy character. A powerhouse! Decant first! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Established in 1971 when Giovanni Neri acquired a large estate within Montalcino. Just opened another ‘06, which spent about 45 months on oak. Aromas of ripe dark fruits with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate black cherry and blackberry take over giving in to notes of sweet oak and an array of spice. Soft tannins, well balanced with great mouthfeel, drinking nicely ending with sweet fruit and oak. Very nice! Still have an ‘03 in Cellar!! — 6 years ago

Daron Watson

8.9

An array of citrus & apples with a finish of tomato leaf & bell pepper... — 6 years ago