Brad Jensen

9.0

Bought at the winery in 2021 just as things started to lift for COVID, and we brought our dog Murph along. This has sat for a bit, with three sediment coating the inside of the bottle, and is starting to show some age, with a pale red, somewhat fig color, with amber notes and bricking to the edges. The nose is tart, with more hints of fig, iron/blood, and a little iodine, with some softer fig newton and dark plum notes to finish. The palate is still acidic, with a little smoke or charcoal, super ripe strawberries, star anise, grapefruit, butterscotch, some iodine or apple cider vinegar, grandma’s fruit chew gummies, some iron and age elements of amber and velvet present at the finish. Tiva said Hawaiian Punch! — a month ago

Dr Snake MD

9.7

Attempting to accurately capture the depth of this cali cab is like putting socks of a rooster- you get scratched and your cock gets angry. Don’t let the fight dissuade you though because the cigar box nose lifts you towards a state of transubstantiation as medium minus acidity beckons you towards a bed of tannins. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Okay, so there are haters out there that don’t appreciate Joly’s approach to winemaking and question his vineyard practices. Something about his commitment to biodynamics and not doing his vineyards justice. Well, people are entitled their opinions and if those opinions keep his wines away from some people, that’s okay because it just means more for me. The 2014 Clos de la Bergerie is a wine of tremendous soul. For the uninitiated, it’s going to bend the mind. Visually, it pours an almost alarming, burnished gold color that is slightly turbid. On the nose and the palate, it’s a wonder. Bruised apples, marmalade, honeysuckle, lanolin…whoa. The acid makes the whole thing work so well. This is drinking really well right now but I expect these will drink well over the next 5-10 years…possibly more. These wines really need a crazy amount of air. Like…insane. I really wish I could drink them more often. Unfortunately, I’m not that privileged. — a year ago

Jae Cho

9.2

First time tasting the ‘19 vintage, and the Produttori edged out one of my fave under the radar barolistas this early on. Maybe because it released sooner? Both red fruited with sour cherries and elegant tamed tannin/acid, but the Produttori had another gear of sweet incense and hard candy. The vintage does remind me of a more approachable’13 from a tannin perspective. — 20 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be a 1997 Freemark Abbey. This was the easiest of the pairings to get our heads collectively around as we felt confident this was Bordeaux and the other was from Napa. Unfortunately, I no longer have my notes for that wine but this was particularly memorable because I had held back a glass of the 1970 Montrose and had a lovely time tasting the two of those wines side-by-side. It was remarkable how much they had in common with one another. In fact, the only real difference between the two was that the 2000 just had more of its structure in tact. Other than that, the Montrose DNA was undeniable with loads of all the darkest, blackest fruits: currants and blackberries with coffee, tobacco, and graphite. At nearly 23 years young, the structure remains positively monumental. Despite all of that, it was ever so winsome. The finish was long with wonderful acid and lovely, ferrous minerals. Drink now with patience and over the next handful of decades. — 10 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

RICH. The word is RICH. Muscular Napa Valley Cab essence artfully weaving together fruit, oak, earth, tannin and acid, with an inviting nose, weighty mouthfeel and generous finish. Don’t often drink Napa Cabs these days because the QPR isn’t there, but this bottle doesn’t disappoint, despite the price. I’d buy it again. Enjoyed the 2018 vintage with NY steak and mashed potatoes. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity and some moderate staining of the tears. There appears to be some sign of sediment as well. On the nose, the wine was intense with notes of dark cherries, a mix of red and black bramble fruits, licorice, some leather and dried gravelly earth. I don’t detect any use of barrique but maybe some large format oak. This has an old world nose to it that was really lovely. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose and while the fruit had some power, it came in a body that was pretty fit and tidy. Alcohol is medium+. The finish is long and had some stoney minerals too. I called Brunello di Montalcino from a warmer vintage like 2009. Whoa…2007 Beaucastel! Damn, they hit so different than most other CdP’s. So much more restrained! But now that it has been revealed and I’ve allowed more time for it to breathe in my glass, I totally get its sense of place. One of my big takeaways is that I need more experience with these wines, particularly with age because that’s when they become more interesting to me. This is drinking well now but I expect it will continue to do so through 2032 with ease. — 8 months ago

Norman Gennaro

9.5

Needed more air and as it opened up. Loved the nose. Lightweight. I’m giving this wine off the night just because I won’t have again and it set the benchmark for the night. So happy we started with this one. WOTNDWSE - Wine of the Night Despite What Said Elsewhere ;) — a year ago

with Amit, Gunja and 1 other

Tom Casagrande

9.3

From my brother’s stash, such a beautiful Finger Lakes Riesling. More German GG than Alsace GC. Nose has bright apple fruit, with a fleeting note of almost ripe peach, green herbs, clover, and a minerality that reminds me a bit of Chablis because of a little brothy note. Perfect balance in the mouth: fruit, acids, minerality, alcohol. Lip-smacking long finish, and bone dry throughout. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Very oaky on nose and palate. Far more oaky than the Syrahmi Heathcote X Shiraz I had prior to this. Ripe plums, dark chocolate and a little black pepper from a good vintage in the Barossa. This is the first of 6 bottles and will probably have one every 2 years until the early 2030s. A pity the oak is still so prominent after 12 years because the fruit was excellent - just smothered by mocha. Many will still like the style however. — 2 years ago