Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2023 vintage. Pretty sure this vineyard was dealing with a replanting. Dunno where this offering falls on either side of that. Medium body. Bright cherry and cola right off the bat. Some earthy, durty tones hanging out underneath the bleachers. Some oak influence. Full disclosure: fan of this producer and particular vineyard but not of singled-out Grenache. Likely better in a year or two. 3.16.25. — 3 months ago

Nat Thomson

9.5

Pretty fun character for an $11 bottle. Decant a bit. Medium full bodied with some green bell pepper right off the bat. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

Again, not a wine that passed the drinkability test for me, but there are things that I liked about it, and some that I didn't. Right off the bat, it was way too heavy for me, both on the nose and palate. Heaps of oak aromas covering some sweet black fruits. The palate also came off as being quite sweet, almost syrupy, but here's where the balancing act comes in - just the right amount of acidity to keep it juicy. It's like biting into a very sweet, ripe, juicy plum with a peppering of cinnamon and vanilla. I enjoyed the tannins most, fine and directional, starting at the tip of the tongue, then swinging under before traveling down the inner walls of the gum. What a cool structure! And then there's the underlying minerality with air, which was pleasantly surprising. The finish took a turn for the worse - medium, rich, and oaky, yet bitter with hints of scorched earth character which I dislike. Also quite warm. Generally, more finessed than the 2011 Troplong Mondot, but less stacked and more stumbling blocks. Has potential. — 4 years ago

Tracy Bisenius

9.1

Easy to drink. Fruity right off the bat. — 5 years ago

A

9.3

Luscious, velvety, big ripe red fruit. Smooth and sure-footed. M and L both exclaimed when first drinking. Really like this a lot. — 7 years ago

Nick H

9.5

PnP - awesome brightness and acidity right off the bat. Vanilla, oak (more than other ‘16 PMs in recent memory), and minerality in balance with more subdued tropical and tree fruits. Looking forward to having it with the Pollo in Potacchio simmering on the stove. — 7 years ago

Michael B

9.1

After trying the Painted Rock Cab Franc, had to try another wine from the vineyard and naturally gravitated to the Syrah. Smells musky, herbaceous with mega spice. Taste; right off the bat, heavy, dominant peppery spice with mild cloves and black liquorice. At the beginning there is some dark cherry and stewed plums that is short lived. The spice dominates all phases of the wine. Finish ends somewhat abruptly. Required about 30-45 min to fully develop. I still prefer the Laughing Stock Syrah but this is right up there. Overall, great wine! — 8 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Along with the majestic 2010 one of my favorite Stella vintages. So giving right off the bat, never any heat, just so fresh and clean. Amazing expression of Sangiovese. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark garnet with black purple core. Black cranberry and baseball bat on the abundant nose. Echoed on the medium full palate which adds slightly graphite-y currant and a hint of vanilla. Dusty, medium plus tannins from entry to medium, slightly hot finish (15% alcohol doesn't assert until the end). Surprisingly this $19 Tinta de Toro (aka, Tempranillo) may need some time to settle. Quality and craftsmanship are quite evident, but some time night be beneficial. Drink from 2025. — 3 years ago

Oliver N

9.2

lots of VA off the bat but it blows off, brett, tart red berries, sour cherry, grippy tannins, red hot candies, licorice, high (almost sour) acid.
— 5 years ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.1

I ❤️ dominio 4 wines. Fresh, high energy, delicious. This one is case in point. Black fruit, earth, malabar pepper. Great value and delicious with food. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.6

Benchmarking. Decanted for 6 hours in a wide-bottom decanter. In reality, opened this for Saturday (it is Thursday). On the nose: off the bat, perhaps doesn't have the intensity of the 15, but a coiled density, very much its own vintage...rose petals, leaves, wild strawberry, soft mulberry and pomegranate. By the way, the color is amazing for a Thomas: a dense magenta. On the palate: fantastic acidity, then soft stem notes, black raspberry, wild strawberry, excellent density, then sour cherry and soft finely grained tannin on the finish. Wow..perhaps not as immediately enticing as the 15, but undoubtedly one of my favorite early showings since at least '12. We'll see how this develops over the next few days. — 6 years ago

with Peter

Mike Byrd

9.0

Dark fruit, smoky and smooth. — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Yes, we also collect Australian wine (Two Hands & Penfolds)...but they need many, many, many years so my posts are justifiably far between. Been aggressive on Two Hands from 2002 forward, great stuff, requires patience. WS indicated a 2020 peak, I disagree, likely 2022+ is more reasonable for the top end. We miss the days of paying $48 for these bottles.

Nose has intensely focused black cherry & pomegranate compote, mashed red raspberry and a cedar bat which Big Papi has full swing crushed you in your mouth enough times to know that 'it's there'.

 Palate has a tawny note of raspberry port, plum & blueberry juice, cedar notes are fading but balanced, tannins are resolved and this wine is drinking near perfection. Amazinly long finish.

Still some heat of alchol on the nose letting you know it's still going to kick you in the hind quarters at some point (15% ABV). — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Two bottles I opened this evening. I’ve written about the ‘99 Seavey before (thankfully I have 1-2 left!)

My last of three bottles of Tercero Grenache Blanc. Fun wine if you are willing to sit with it and analyze. Very much a thinking style wine, not your typical Grenache Blanc.

Right off the bat (under screw cap) is a whiff of TDN (petrol). Normally that takes me to Alsace or Germany, but the weight here is undeniable Cali with its tropical kiss. In my opinion, Grenache Blanc normally is a bit subdued aromatically with a distinct pistachio/almond note at the finish. This is a viscous and commanding style (salted pineapple) without being flabbby before it channels that pistachio/almond vibe towards the end. Kind of a bigger version of Paso clariette Blanche. Fun to analyze. Drink up. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark ruby with dark purple red core. Black cherry Kuchen and terra cotta dominate the nose and medium palate. Juicy medium plus acidity. Fine, medium plus tannins bat cleanup. What's not to love about Caiarossa's entry-level red? Everything you want in a Toscana at this price point. Great with food (I'm having penne with sausage… you can try a southwestern steak with a baked potato), and a tasty autumn sipper all with enough "stuff" to lay down for a short while. Drink now through 2030. Preferably now. — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.8

Wow. Just perfect. Amazing off the bat.

Nose: slate made form yellow flowers. As this opens more serious.

Palate: simply perfect. That balance you get only in great wines. The density you only get in grand cru wines. Terrific brightness. Multi spectral inner mouth aromatics. Infinite almost. Sorry. Balance is perfect. If this had a bit more florality on the internal aromatics it would be a 10. It’s that good.

As I enter my senescence I am trying to be tactful Otherwise I would say you are an idiot if you not drinking grosses gewachs. This was like $50. Worth $200. At least.

Bought from fass selections — 5 years ago

Julia Stent

8.9

Delicious, really deep flavour — 6 years ago

Amy Huson

9.1

Bright burgundy color with purple rim. Smokey aromas right of the bat. Rich vanilla, tobacco, and campfire. The fruit is fresh dark cherry and/or red current but remains secondary for me. The tannins are super elegant and savory, and it has medium plus acidity. Minerality comes through as wrought iron or horseshoes. Medium long finish. This is really an exceptional wine for the price. It should age at least 5 years or more, given the generous acidity and 15% alcohol. — 7 years ago

Mark Mascarenhas

9.0

Smooth right off the bat. Would be even better if you decant for an hour or more. Forward with lusciousness. Would definitely have again. — 7 years ago