carl thornblade

8.9

Pleasant mixture of earth and fruit, subtle aromas and palate. — 17 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others, located in Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark Ruby, purple edges with floral fruit aromas and floral spice. On the palate blueberry and sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great mouthfeel, 24 months aging on French and American oak, the 70% Monastrell and 30% Cab Sauv has fine soft tannins, well integrated with oak, long finish ending with mineral tones, Will age well! — 4 months ago

Turd Ferguson

8.9

12.4%. On the lighter side. Still fresh. Nice wine but maybe this vineyard isn’t really a killer. Possibly the first syrah I’ve had from AV?? I’ve had several of Wells Guthrie’s other 2016 Syrahs and they’re all great. This one didn’t knock me out. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Intense aromas of dark cherry, chocolate and blueberry. Abundant on mulberry flavors, mocha and fresh cut beets, a bit hint of medley jelly, mouthfeel is on the fresh side of dark fruits with solid taste of cacao coating on the back end of the palate. Not overly lingering finish. — a month ago

Zach Ratner

9.6

Summer in a glass — 4 months ago

Rob Mayes

9.1

Fantastic minerality — 5 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.4

From Yesterday, Scribe Syrah, so stinking perfect, might be the best Syrah…. — 3 years ago

Herb Listen

9.5

Nougatine is out Cheryl and Chris and Melissa — 18 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

A huge intense glycerin notes of blackcurrant, black cherry and violet. Pretty hot in the palate. Very pure. A monster. 17.7%!! — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Many of you that see my posts know I don’t open a Napa Cabernet this young. However, this was selling at my Costco for $69.99. K&L Wine Merchants $99.99. Delectable at $115. So, I had to buy a four. I coravined this bottle for a Somm friend last weekend who likes his Napa reds young. 🤷‍♂️

While this has seen a bit of bottle evolution, it still needs another 6-8 yrs before I open another and has the potential to pick up another point or two then.

Nose shows; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, anise, dark, rich, turned earth and withering, dark, slightly candied flowers.

The palate expresses some evolution. It is rich, ripe; brambly blackberries, stewy black plum, black raspberries, darkest cherries, boysenberries, hints of blueberries and strawberries off the glass edges. Tarry, dry medium plus tannins. Dry tobacco, leather, dark spice with a touch of heat, mixed darker berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon notes, vanilla, black tea, anise, mixed fresh & drier herbs, dark, rich, turned earth, barrel shavings/dust, a hint of black pepper, moist, grey clay, dry top soil, dry river stone and withering, dark, red, slightly candied flowers with violets, very round, phat acidity with a well; balanced, big structured, tensioned, lush, elegant and nicely layered & polished finish that lasts a full 90 seconds. Still kind of in its primary stage.

This is made by Chris Carpenter who also makes; Lokoya, Cardinale, La Jota, Hickinbotham (Australia) made at Yangarra. Sofia & I tasted at Yangarra and after tasted his Hickinbotham with him in 2017.

Photos of; staff picking on Mount Veeder, Chris Carpenter in the cellar and scenic shot of Mount Veeder. — 9 months ago