Daniel Bloom

9.4

Ah, the king of them all. So bitter after fruitier IPA’s. Dangerously refreshing.
Easy to put away, 1,2,3 . 5.2°
Balance of grain/hops. Not too much or too little. With fatty foods, a dream.
Used to be a nicer can. No accounting for aesthetics. Not to mind, in this case, Chicago conquers Philly. I bow. — 9 months ago

Eric Amsler

9.3

Had this bottle with some ramen in Chicago...very good choice by company I was with...highly recommend — 5 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.3

Delicious very meaty great with Gibson’s steak in Chicago — 5 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

In December I took my Chicago Bear/San Diego-LA Charger loving Dad for a trip to to Chicago that culminated in a trip to Green Bay to catch a Packer game. We stopped off in Elkhart Lake with my friend from CA who grew up in the area and his sister runs the Lake Street Cafe in town. This was WOTN of the 4 wines that I brought to this leg of the trip. So much depth here, mouth coating tannins and gobs of well integrated fruit. — 5 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

In the day these guys were Epic! I traded for this wine (Covid inspired) and on a particularly cold, blustery Chicago Saturday... we did big-ass burgers and left over Greek potatoes and green beans. Match made in Heaven! Haven’t seen a plastic cork in years... 16.1... Holy Shit! No sign of alcohol on the palate... did you get that? 16.1... no alcohol on the palate? Dark, rich, cloudy, chewy—classic black fruit, pencil lead, saddle-leather notes. Still alive and balanced. What a fun wine with food on a cold winter night. — 3 years ago

N B

10

Cafe Cancale Chicago — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had this 1year ago. Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 56%Merlot, 28%Cab Sauv & 16%Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Wonderful berry fruit aromas, flavors of cherry, jammy blackberry and rasp with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral. Had this with a USDA prime Fillet. Drink now & over next few years, any longer the wine will lose vibrant quality. Nice! — 5 years ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

9.0

Gluten free Pepp Pizza with Extra Crushed Red Pepper Flakes and side of Jets Ranch, Check. Caesar Salad Covered in White Anchovy’s, Check. HBO’s The Outsider on, Check Check! Cold Chicago Sunday’s call for a Pizza Party with no Italian Wine (sad face) But this will do .... — 4 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.2

Ending a fun day at Oracle Park in SF to see the GIANTS play the CUBS; won the series! Enjoying great food and wine at the Boulevard restaurant. Medium to dark red with a brown hue rim. Has funky wet earth barnyard and blueberry nose. A strawberry cherry fruit initial taste with a smoke and spice finish. Tannins are medium but relatively smooth. An hour after the first pour, the wine really opened up. Tannins are more smooth and there is nice black licorice finish with a hint of vanilla. — 5 years ago

Richard Alfred

9.1

At Gibson’s Steakhouse in Chicago with Bill Dritsas.1/2/19. — 5 years ago