Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — a month ago

Mark

9.2

Big oaky flavor matched with strong tannins. This wine can cellar a few more years. Nice fruit with cherry and strawberry finishes. Nice wine that is pairing well with smoked pork tenderloin. — 5 months ago

with Jeron and Jessica

Tom Garland

9.1

Double decant for sediment(lots of chunky sediment) and pour. A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: expressive perfumed notes of cherry, currants, dark olives, worn leather, wet forest floor, smoked meat. Taste: silky, savory, elegant wine with fading dried cherries, tobacco, dark chocolate, bell pepper, earth, and a nice mineral, espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Never disappointed with well aged Bosche or Sycamore wines — 9 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Elliot

Founder Northwest Wines

9.2

Lovely at 23. Pure and stylish. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Located halfway up the hill dominating principal valley of Barolo, lined by vineyards, lies a precious 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with complex aromas of berry fruits, oak and fresh floral scents. On the palate dried cherry, tobacco, licorice, espresso and fresh herbs give this full-body wine grace and elegance. Soft fine dusty tannins, with earthy notes, on a well balanced frame makes this hot vintage wine approachable today as well as have room to run over the next decade. Very Nice! — 4 years ago

Mike Obley

9.4

Still young. My favorite PN from this talented group — 6 years ago

with Lauren

Austin Blackwell

9.4

Dark and brooding but with a velvety textured and gritty tannins. Prune, dark fruit, cedar, sandalwood. 13.9% ABV — 22 days ago

with Angelina

Kelly Perkins

9.3

One of the more expensive wines we have tried. Very good flavor and enjoyed with steak. Good pairing — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty aromas, aged in about 35% new oak. On the palate flavors of melon and peach with lemon citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, good balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Nice nose of chocolates, cedar, licorice, spices and peppercorn.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity. Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, tobacco, spices, peppercorn, coffee, light cola and chocolates.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 9 year old Merlot is drinking beautifully now, and the great 2014 vintage is showing very well.

Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux right out of the bottle, but after 3 hours of airtime it feels like a Napa Cabernet.

This Single Vineyard is showing nice complexity with nice balance, and will continue to age nicely in the 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$60. — 3 years ago

Mark

9.3

Ok the patio in NH on the lake. Good fruit. Balanced. Soft tannins. — 4 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.7

The more I drink these wines the more I’m convinced they are some@of america’a best chards. Laid back remarkable — 6 years ago

Kevin Oliver

9.4

Mmmm a cab I can get into. Heavy but not too much tannins. Very cherry. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry, lively spice, well balanced with savory fine tannins on a medium+ finish ending with mineral character. — 22 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2015 vintage. From magnum. 2.20.26. — 4 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.1

Very good Rutherford Merlot. Dark cherries and berries with red plum. Classic Rutherford dustiness. — 7 months ago

with Angelina

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits with earthy herb notes, aged for 12 months on oak. On the palate flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry with sweet vanilla spice. Fine tannins, vivid acidity, medium+ finish ending with earthy fruit character. Good value, Barolo like without $$! — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Nose has dark cassis, iodine, clove, gravel. Dense but together on the palate. Tacky feel in a good way. Great now but will be better in 2-4. — 4 years ago

Sander Schaap

9.3

8 year old bottle. — 5 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

W&S Top 100. My first J. I’d hang out. — 7 years ago

with Mark