Jay Kline

9.6

Okay…so I entered the night fully aware that we were going to be taking down some unicorns…but this?!  I wasn’t prepared for this. I walked into the room, greeted my fellow brothers-in-wine and began to set my contributions next to the other bottles in the line-up. I casually scanned from left to right in complete wonder at what was on display…and stopped halfway, as my eyes recognized a label from the recesses of my memory. A label that had been filed away under the category of “Academic” since there was very little likelihood that I would ever see a bottle, let alone have an opportunity to enjoy it. And yet, here I was, in a small town north of Lincoln, NE, staring in disbelief at a bottle of 1990 Gentaz-Dervieux. I turned to our host who, at this point, was smiling at me; like a childhood friend who had invited me over to play with his GI Joe Aircraft Carrier, the U.S.S. FLAGG. “F***ing Gentaz?!”

The nose? Magic. Brambles, granite, mushrooms, cumin, espresso, purple flowers, leather, smoke; so sanguine, so savory. Vinous. Rustic. Tremendous with Iberico pork cheek, mushroom ragu with lavender and thyme. I took my time. Drink now through 2035+. — a month ago

Skip Smyser

9.4

The last wine was 2016. This is ‘15 and very intense rich dark fruit. The tasting and cave experience is excellent. Hard to get in. We carry at Capitol Cellars so they invited us in. Very good experience 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Mike Lundberg

9.5

Was fortunate enough to be invited to share this 21 year old Grand Cru Classe’ masterpiece! — 5 years ago

with Sylvia, Todd and 1 other

Tates from the States

9.3

To our secret alcoholic club, we invited the big boss and he brought a Condrieu to taste. — 4 months ago

brando cox

9.2

Found this winery in a small German town in the Mosel valley. Knocking on the door, we met the two +90yr old men, owners who showed us around and invited us for drinks. On the wall there were pictures of both of them from the war 😬😳. In the cellar we tasted many different reislings which were all completely stellar. All amazing and may be peaking now, after 7yrs cellaring. Notes of honey pineapple, lime petroleum baked apple & minerals. Great silky mouth feel. 4€ !!!!?! — 3 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.5

We enjoyed this bottle last night, but this is a much cooler picture. Earlier this year my sister was invited to a fundraiser in LA where a friend purchased every seat at Thomas Keller’s table. Not only did her friend invite her to come with her boyfriend, but he also invited her to bring our parents. After Christmas I wanted to let her take a bottle back to LA for the dinner. It was a hard decision, but I went with some old world class. It turns out that he knows the producer well and is a big fan! Phew! I’ll be honest, I was blown away by Alban’s Reva, but then we opened this and it just screamed class. Such a refined and elegant beast. Balanced/Seamless. — 4 years ago

Henry R

9.3

As they say....there's is a party in my mouth, and everyone is invited! — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

I was completely unfamiliar with this winery until a visit to Dry Creek back in 2019. We randomly booked an AirBNB in neighboring Geyserville that happened to belong to the proprietors of Unti. They invited us to visit the winery and I’m so glad we made the effort to do so. They specialize in varieties that grow in and around the Mediterranean. This bottle of the 2016 Montepulciano was brought back from that winery visit and enjoyed over two days. It showed best on Day 2 and these notes reflect that experience.

The wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core and a slightly watery rim; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium intensity with raspberries, blackberries, lingonberries, baking spices, purple flowers and crushed concrete. On the palate, a mixed fruit set with mostly blue and black fruits, figs, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherry, baking spices and minerals. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. This finish is long and dry. Came across quite young and primary. Years to go on these. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

BYOB. We got invited to see Kethro perform some of his latest work at LOW END. Popped and poured into Stainless Steel YETI tumblers while me got drenched in fresh beats. The 2011 “Cuvée Orience”, while certainly showing secondary and tertiary characteristics, is showing beautifully right now! Blue fruits and dark fruits, tart cherry, pastureland, black pepper, and cool damp coniferous forest floor. On the palate, blueberries, dark cherry, spiced and cured deli meat, and Herbs de Provence. The acid, which was quite zippy, has done a wonderful job keeping this alive. The tannins, which seemed well integrated in the first glass, started to gain strength by the second glass. The finish was remarkably looooong and satisfying. While they aren’t dying anytime in the immediate future, there is no reason not to drink and enjoy this now. — 3 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.1

Grocery store bought in Como Mercato. We finally settled into a great Airbnb in Laglio--- a few doors down from George and Amal. We were invited to the Villa, but the heck with that... I haven't had good thoughts about Hollywood since at least 2016. Anyway, decent cab/sang blend, welcome departure from Langhe, but nothing spectacular. I do love other offerings from this winery though.

91 points — 5 years ago