Heath & Johanna VanDeLinder

9.0

Nice dark color, full body, character consistent with story, with smoky notes. Definite repurchase at under $20. — 2 months ago

Kirsten Spalding

9.3

Iron and blackberry right off the nose. There is airy clove and black current quality to it that seems to disappear on the tongue. It reminds me of super fine, dark chocolate. The image that comes to mind is a living oak tree— it tastes alive. Pair with pets for a Beauceron, a loyal, intelligent, devoted dog breed that is known for guarding livestock. Sit in front of a fire, drinking this wine while eating some dark chocolate. Or better yet, a hearty filet mignon that you can share with your new Beauceron best friend. — 2 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.0

On the palate this one absolutely shines with blackberry throughout and so many candy, licorice, and liqueur notes that you'll be picking out brands. This one was really lovely in front of a roaring fire. — 3 years ago

with Anita

Ivor

9.3

Margaux perfume with underneath the red fruits; wood fire, rose petals, iron and cigar box. Palate of summer forest floor, black tea, rosehip, prunes and dried strawberries. Gently drying tannines guide you to a smooth long finish. A lovely wine. — a year ago

DomDoc

9.2

2015 is reporting for duty. Balanced with brighter fruit and acid with cassis, plums and pencil elements. One could drink this with a variety of meats, fowl and fish. This wine is locked and loaded and ready to fire. — 2 years ago

GV

9.2

This was enjoyable. Smokey aroma, and then a nicely balanced dark beer with a smokey flavour created through the malted barley being kilned over a fire of beechwood logs.

This is, as the brewery says, a traditional German approach to brewing beer, but for all my years living in Germany I had not had a Rauchbier. More needed please bartender... — 3 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.2

The yin to 2005’s yang, the 2008 is ethereal and elegant, very Burgundian like. The fruit is more red to dark red, slightly more high toned and fresher - red cherry, currants, and pomegranate, with elegant spice and savory notes. The pepper here is a little more perceptible but is also very well integrated with the style the vintage has borne. The palate has med/med+ concentration, with more perceptible acidity, but in a mouthwatering, refreshing way. The tannin are med/med+ and fine, and this finishes long, cool and fresh. Another example of a great vintage/terroir wine. — 2 years ago

Charles Nebolsky

9.0

Nice Merlot. Mellow and smooth. Very drinkable. — 3 years ago

David Koenen

9.1

Give it enough air. Pulled the cork three days ago. Kept two third of what was left in the fridge. Now, it shines. Bramble, wood fire, underbrush, chalky tannin. Good effort. — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

I'd still prefer wine after a dry run, but this whiskey sure did hit a spot. The balance and complexity of the Machir Bay is just undeniable, evident from the score achieved here. Fresh, zesty fruits are starkly juxtoposed with pastry-like nutty, creamy vanillin notes. The peat straddles the line between salinity and camp fire smoke. A rockstar finish that just lingers with sweet, malty flavour and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Needs a little air to sort out some initial aggression, but once that settles, I felt nothing was out of place. Best entry-level Islay for me! 2019 bottling here. — 4 years ago