Peter Sultan

9.1

Consistent w previous notes but even better- more open & full on palate. Medium bodied but plays light on palate, & somehow feels playful. Fresh black fruits, & in layers so some depth. . A young gun vintner on the Mencia scene. — 2 months ago

with Owen

Martinez

9.0

100% Plavac Mali, Croatia’s most popular red grape variety and also, recently discovered, an offspring of Zindandel, from vineyards on the Pelješac peninsula on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. Aged for 6 months in French oak barrels (and another 4 years in bottle in this case). Notes of strawberry and smoke. A hint of cherry cola that I’ve noticed in some Zinfandels. I thought it would be a fruit bomb, but after some airing it was totally balanced. Earthy, savory, pleasant to drink — 6 months ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Case in point. Same vintner. Same vintage. Same varietal... Softer all around with licorice notes. Acidity at medium, medium plus tannins but not overwhelming.

92+ points — 2 years ago

Dahlia Cox

9.1

Notes if black cherry up front. Smooth on the finish. Super easy, drinking wine. — 4 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.6

This wine colors up a medium-dark ruby in the glass. It has a savory nose, while showing plenty of blackberry, black plum and black cherry. The oak spice is lovely, with clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise and a slight note of coffee. The palate is just as much a treat as is the nose. Dark fruit shows strongly, with a good acidity and tannic grip. It is not a brawny wine, but it is not too delicate, either. The finish lingers awhile and leaves a savory memory behind. — 5 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

The label would normally be off putting to me, but I’m always interested in a female vintner, especially when she is the daughter of a famous Portuguese maker. What a revelation-drinks more like a sparkling Savoie or alpine rose. Close to the bone dry. Lovely pink color. Fine mousse. I love that label now…. — 6 months ago

ESF

9.5

Stunner - just dense & inky, brooding effusive nose of a berry compote, rich ripe saturated with pervasive spine of minerality, Herbes de Provence. Just jaw dropping. So soft & plush on palate, like sinking into an old Cadillac, crushed velvet, gobs of dark fruit, sweet baking spices, pepper and extraordinary length on finish. Tasted w/vintner prior to release (knew it would be epic) - drank & sold a lot of this. In the zone now w/many years ahead — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret 2013, Sonoma County, California

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

This is a delicious Merlot based Bordeaux blend from from Sonoma County.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, chocolates, black currants, black plums, black cherries, cedar, vanilla, light earth, licorice and light coffee.

Long finish with medium tannins.

This 10-year-old is drinking very nicely now, and it will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Would be nice to visit it again in 5 years.

Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. Elegant and rich. Powerful and fruit forward.

Drinking very much like a Napa Cabernet.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 62% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. 14% of the grapes are from Napa Valley. Aged in French oak barrels for 22 months. A small production of only 450 cases.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200. — 5 months ago

Laura Ess

9.1

Rukatac! Trying to decide if we love this wine enough to beat someone up and steal it from them! Maybe? — 7 months ago

with Steve

Good Life Provisions

9.0

It is pretty beastly. 16%abv. — 3 years ago