Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/orange color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of significant sediment and rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly dried and desiccated black and fruit: brambles, cherry, tobacco, dried flowers, old leather bound books, organic earth, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there is a bit of a green streak that may be telling. The finish is medium+. Alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon or blend thereof, a Tempranillo (or blend) or Sangiovese (or blend) from the United States, Spain or Italy. However, I think the fruit (though dried) is too forward facing to be from either Spain or Italy so I’m taking this to the United States. And because of the color, rim variation and sediment, I believe this has over 40 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from the United States, California, Napa from 1981. Whoa!!! It’s a Cary Gott-made Zinfandel from the bicentennial year! Dammit, I keep forgetting about Zinfandel. Proof once again, of this variety’s staying power. The tannin’s are wildly intense, still! So impressive. Drink now. — a month ago

Michelle Mondonedo

9.5

Went well with steak, in addition to chocolate. Bought at Whole Foods West Cary. — 6 years ago

Bill Rollins

8.9

Lean, substantial for a Pinot, pretty good. — 7 years ago

Jeremy Shafer

9.3

Nice. Got a bottle from Cary. — 7 years ago

Igor Beron

9.3

To improve for the next 15 years. Perfumed with lavander, oak spices, raspberry liquor, chalkness. Clean, free of any faults, precise and pure. Polished medium body with perfect extracted tannins. Loads of acidity to cary the minerality through the long finish. — 9 years ago

Anthony Ellison

9.2

Cary brought to Ellen's house. Super tasty. Almost artificial smell, but really good. Not too complex but great with simple food. 2014 Pinot noir. Trader Joe's. $8. Need to buy a case. — 10 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.1

Bright and expressive. Solid Gamay at this price point. — a year ago

with Sarah

Sarah Lyons

9.2

Spain trip 2023
Cary: 9.2
Sarah: 9.8
Surprisingly delicious, one of the best whites we’ve had — 3 years ago

Rachael Taylor

9.2

Yum! Full bodied, dry — 6 years ago

Jon Tate

9.0

The palm with Cary Watson for GMRC — 7 years ago

Sarah Lyons

8.9

Etna house in Sicily with Sarah, Cary, Max, and Hannah — 7 years ago

Andrew Paterson

8.9

Round and long, lime herb, blackberry, hint of rose, vanilla, tannins, teethy, chocolate — 8 years ago

with Marjorie

Lauren Itzkowitz

9.2

Delicious! Medium oak. — 9 years ago

Sarah Schafer

8.9

I really liked it. Just OK for Cary — 2 years ago

Sarah Lyons

9.3

Sarah drank at two schmucks, Barcelona 2023
Cary: 9.2
Sarah: 9.5 — 3 years ago

Michelle Mondonedo

9.9

Beautiful on its own. Went nicely with my carbonara. Bought at Whole Foods West Cary. — 6 years ago

Laura Petty

9.6

40th birthday gift from Morgan — 6 years ago

Sarah Lyons

9.5

Cary and Sarah, Sicily 2019, Baglio Occhipinti — 7 years ago

Russ Kujan

9.0

Very nice carmenere, balanced with a moderate amount of tannin on the finish. Black berry fruits are prominent. Enjoy with “Bringing Up Baby.” Cary Grant and Catherine Hepburn would drink this during weekday dinner. — 7 years ago

Lynn Kirkland

9.0

Very nice white Burgundy. Tart and crisp. Pears, melon, apples. Bubble gum and kiwi notes from Cary — 9 years ago

with Cary