Brandon Boesch

9.4

Much more forest and earth compared to Rafanelli zin. So fun to drink next to each other. Rafanelli won this evening but love both zins. — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 13 days ago

with Brenda

Bruce Dunbar

9.2

Beautiful: dark, quiet, powerful. Nothing extraneous. Lead with minerals, graphite, tobacco on top of a layer of dry black and red fruit. Tannins were mild. Fit the room (The Grill, NYC) and the meal (Thanksgiving) perfectly. — 18 hours ago

Eric Clough

9.0

Matt bought two for Thanksgiving. Was perfect! — 2 hours ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Black fruits, sweet earth & spice with graphite & tobacco — 6 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 6 days ago

Matthew Sparling

9.2

Excellent wine for the price. Almost has a sutle Merlot taste but without the oaky finish. — 11 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This had black fruits, cassis with cedar, leather, graphite, dried herbs, sweet spice & tobacco — 7 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful that you can approach now showing black fruits, currant, savory spice, licorice, menthol & tobacco — 21 days ago

Dom Such

9.5

Wow. Yes. Tough vintage, cool year with late heat spike pushing ripeness. This 1999 showed the vintage character well, not a powerhouse but well balanced. Gorgeous layers and nuance from black fruited, pencil graphite, savory tobacco. Impeccable balance on palate with melted tannins and well judged acidity. — 7 days ago