Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 San Valentino pours a slightly hazy, ruby color with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, red fruit: sour Montmorency cherry, wood varnish, horse blanket, black licorice, old wood, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. One of the more wild vintages of San Valentino I’ve ever had and this bottle wasn’t quite as good as the one I had a couple years back. Drink now and enjoy what nature gave to Paolo and Giampiero. — 16 days ago

Dennis Burke

9.0

Great white without the acidic bite — 7 years ago

Brian Feist

9.0

Had at San Pietro in Positano 2010 — 8 years ago

Clare West

9.1

Deep honey colour, almost oaky flavour — 9 years ago

with Martin

Jess

9.0

Pale straw color.
Aromas of citrus, nuts, garlic mash.
Dry. Flavors of lemon, garlic, saline, nuts.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Something quite magical often happens to Rafanelli Zinfandel after 10+ years of bottle age. I can’t explain it…but these wines begin to take on a more rustic, Old World feel. It’s as if they shift into an overdrive. The fruit is still big, beautiful and pure (no-doubt a testament to their rigorous selection) and yet they can often display a new energy about them which give them remarkable longevity. This bottle is perfectly representative.

Opened to celebrate my daughter’s 14th birthday, the 2009 Rafanelli Zinfandel pours a deep, practically opaque garnet that becomes more turbid the further we delved into the bottle (in typical fashion, this Rafanelli full of sediment). Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, bright cherry and bramble-like fruits, Asian spices, espresso and some black pepper. I do sense a touch of VA. On the palate, the wine is dry and with medium tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed…with a bit of added emphasis, it should be noted. There’s almost a Pop Rocks experience too…with the slightest effervescence pricking the tongue. And again, this is something that I would more expect from a non-interventionalist wine from Italy…certainly not from Sonoma. Hot take here…but this bottle reminded me of something from Paolo Bea (San Valentino) more than anything from Sonoma, let alone California. It’s just so wonderful. The finish is long and delivers minutes of pleasure.

As far as I’m concerned, nobody is making Zinfandel with the soul that Rafanelli does and the proof is in the bottle each and every time. Of course, they are delicious when young but with age, these wines become something else. Drink now with a decant (for sediment only) and through 2034. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured. The 2019 Antonelli “Spoleto” pours a slightly turbid, deep golden color. Yellow flowers, quince, and dried apricot with medium acid and a medium finish. Crushable. 1/2 the Paolo Bea at 1/2 the price. I’m shelling out for the Bea if I can find it. Otherwise, this is a nice alternative for sure. Drink now and over the next 5 years. — a year ago

Carlo Maria Rossotto

9.4

Fantastic gift from the owner of La Libera - great evening with Gianluca Ferruccio Paolo and Cristiano — 7 years ago

John Dolewa

8.9

Fresh, spicy delicious. — 7 years ago

Nunzio Castaldo

9.2

A real treat.. VERDICCHIO OLE' — 9 years ago