Bob McDonald

9.5

Dense Ruby with a Crimson rim. Aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, and smoked meat. Full bodied and muscular. From a single vineyard in McLaren Vale which was planted 124 years ago. Silky tannins. A great red on a cold night in Winter. Love the old fashioned label which probably hasn’t changed in 100 years showing the two Kay Brothers. Hope to have the patience to drink the last bottle in say 2028 to 2030. — 25 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 Riserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, red flowers, old wood, dried green herbs and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. A young, taught Monsanto CCR and I believe this will open with some more time on its side. Drink now if you must but better after 2031 and through 2046. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.6

Cherry, raspberry, vanilla, plum, and a touch of pepper. Fruity and warm but still has structure and oak. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Pretty nose of blackberries, black currants, black plums, cedar, licorice, vanilla, chocolates, herbs, eucalyptus, light spices and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, plums, currants, cedar, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cola, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs and light earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins, red chili pepper and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville is already drinking beautifully. Nicely balanced, complex and engaging. Elegant, tangy and rich. Soft and smooth.

Delicious right out of the bottle, easy to drink, and very approachable. As it opens up, more earth notes show up.

Showing a great nose. Spicy and entertaining.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years, and showing good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent, and so much better with age.

A great sipping wine that paired nicely with my Leg of Lamb dish.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 24 months in (60% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$80. — 4 months ago

Meredith Moody

9.5

This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 5 months ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 5 months ago

Amanda Drazka

9.0

This full bodied reserva wine offers big aromas of cherry, black licorice and black pepper. It was tight upon opening but I let it breathe in the glass for an hour which allowed vanilla aromas to come through as well. It offers silky tannins that keep the structure and mellow out on the persistent finish. This wine has flavors of ripe cherry, black pepper and leather. This is a beautiful and complex wine that I think will be even better in a few years. — 6 months ago

Rick Phillips

9.7

Bold Blackberry Cherry with earth tones! Has room to grow in the bottle! — 7 days ago

with Letha

Andrea Watt

9.4

Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, cinnamon, and oak. Maybe a touch young but still delightful. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

From magnum. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2012 pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with punchy notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, orange rind, red flowers, and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is almost chewy. The 2012 is still an awesome value; really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2042. — 2 months ago

Andy Stabile

9.0

Big ol’ Pinot… if by name only

Heavy body….. deep ruby color.
Musty, earthy nose
Powerful Friit - maybe black cherry
A touch earth / bitter lingers. A touch of oak.
Zin / Cab vibes
Nice glass of wine…
(Remedy 21)
With Sue and Riley — 3 months ago

Jamie Amann

9.1

Had a blood red color that was consistent throughout the glass. Smelled of red fruit and tasted of cherry and had a dry feeling from tannins. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2023 (S) pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe strawberry, Bing cherry, red and purple flowers, red rope licorice, rocky earth and cool spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This vintage of Lapierre shows the warmth of the vintage and oozes generosity. In some ways, this reminds me of the 2015 vintage. Drink now through 2033+. — 5 months ago

Andrew Belzer

9.6

Cherry, dust, raspberry, dried rose petals. Firm tannins and balanced acidity! — 6 months ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Classic Liaison cherry leather cranberry must. Add in some acetone and sandalwood. Fleshy, full, compared to the leaner years. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with very faint staining of the tears and no signs of sediment or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some tart and dried red fruits: Morello cherry, dried orange peel, roses, tar, dried green herbs, talcum powder, dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and so is the alcohol. Powerful and delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese or possibly a Grenache blend from Italy or France. But if I’m trusting me notes here, this has gotta be Nebbiolo so that’s what I’m calling. Final conclusion: this is Nebbiolo from Italy, Piemonte, Barolo, and for the hell of it, I’m going to call Serralunga d’Alba…from a producer like Massolino, 2021. Ha! Vietti!! And I don’t hate my call because Castiglione Falletto is right next door. Tasty stuff, of course. Drink now with patience and through 2051. — 14 days ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle of the 1984 Insignia was opened about 30min before service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine pours a deep garnet with a slightly browning rim and an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and plenty of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated black fruits: blackberries, black cherry, Chunky beef stew, mushroom, eucalyptus, leather, organic earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A mature wine what’s still lovely; full of secondary and tertiary notes. Drink now. — 4 months ago

Kevin Løk

8.9

Surprisingly decent. — 5 months ago

with Caroline

Ted Holland

9.3

Beautiful wine full of fruit and structure. The nose is delicate but I am pulling baking spices, violets and dark fruits. This wine brings balance and finesse that can easily go many more years. Tannins are elegant but strong, not grippy but structured. Delicious leading with dark cherry but developing into an elegant display of terroir and artistry!! Enjoy!! — 5 months ago