Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet with a translucent core and burnished orange rim. Some signs of sediment. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, cherry lozenges, Corinthian leather, rich mahogany, old books, espresso, baking spices, desiccated flowers…like something that reminds me of my great aunt’s potpourri, and bit of umami. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium (+?) tannin which is well integrated. Medium acid. The fruit and non-fruit characteristics are confirmed. The finish is laden with dried fruits leather and earth. I felt that the wine was old with 15+ years of age and leaned a little more towards its fruit character than its structure…so I called Barossa Valley Shiraz, 2005, from a quality producer. But then, someone said 2012 CdP and I was like…”ooooohhhh, I like that CdP call”. But if that was the case, it would have to be older…from a great vintage like 2001. Well…I was on the right track. Who cares, this was an awesome showing and the oldest Chateau de Saint Cosme I’ve ever had. Drink now and enjoy. — 2 years ago

Daniel M

9.3

Along with different cheeses (reblochon, fourme d’Ambert and a goat cheese I couldn’t identify) it was superb. A wonderful nose of apricot, honey, wax, dried Corinthian raisins. I could spend an hour just smelling my glass without tasting... the palate is a model of balance. The botrytis thing does its trick (brioche, honey, raisins) but the acid backbone is so intense that the wine is very easy to drink, not heavy at all. The finish goes for ever with sugary notes and spices. Is this a touch of mint that I feel in the end? — 6 years ago

with Jb

Jeff Sidwell

Owner Bon! Gourmet

8.9

Smooth and silky like corinthian leather — 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Elyse is a benchmark Zin producer IMHO and this is a solid effort. Needs some air because it’s a little locked up initially. Then it gives off classic Napa Zin scents of restrained and pure black raspberry and warm gravel. It’s also got a thing that reminds me of an old rich guy’s mahogany and Corinthian leather appointed library. It’s low-toned in the mouth, with a peppery scorched earth thing initially, with fruit coming on later. For me, the scorched earth thing brings the composite down a bit. — 3 years ago

Dean Bernal Sr.

9.5

2014 Voir Dire. n. an oath taken by jurors to tell the truth. Crisp & clean. Hints of light tobacco and soft corinthian leather with a light fruit finish. Smooth and silky. Great with a hearty meal of slow cooked pot roast and earthy mushroom rice. 👍🏼 — 5 years ago

with Jeff, April and 2 others

Phaedra Brucato

9.1

Bruised yellow apples, crumbled Corinthian capitals and my grandmothers wool jacket. — 9 years ago

Doug Cranmer

9.5

A Santa Barbara County Proprietary Red Wine. Unfiltered and unfined. Entirely constructed of Estrella-clone Syrah from two ends of the Santa Rita Hills and a sprinkling of Viognier. Native-yeast fermented with 40% whole cluster inclusion and raised in large neutral barrels for 26-months. Matthias’ expression of great Syrah from a great Syrah growing region, cool coastal vineyards north of Santa Barbara. Recommended to a little above cellar temperature.

NOSE
Young boysenberries. Steeping Darjeeling tea. A hint of barbecue smoke drifts by.

COLOR/MOUTHFEEL
The color of a deep burgundy Chrysler Cordoba. Big, velvety mouthfeel, but not Corinthian leather.

TASTE/FINISH
Taste: Black cherries, just before 100% ripe. A touch of blueberry pie, but savory, not sweet. Finish: A finish of black pepper with a touch of cocoa nib at the last few touches of finish. Juicy, bustling tannins right to the point where you think they’re a touch too bold, but then the finish reaches over and says “I believe you were mistaken”.

MUSIC
Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt with the track “I’ve Just Seen Her” on his album “The Art of Intimacy”. The Jazz Crusaders with the track “Young Rabbits” from their “Festival Album”, 1966, recorded live at the Newport and Pacific Jazz Festivals. — 4 years ago

Robert McCall

9.1

Nice nose of Dark chocolate cherry, spice, mint , a little bit of funk/smoke. With about 30 minutes of air this fleshed out nicely showing dark berry, Corinthian leather, and a soft tannic backbone. Nice and clean on the palate. Good juice. — 6 years ago

Robert McCall

9.1

As usual well a balanced and mouth-coating Ridge. Violet, red berry, and minty nose. Palate notes of blue/red fruits, spice, and Corinthian leather. Always consistent, and one of my all time favorite wineries. — 7 years ago

Richard Crone

9.7

Wow! Totally different from the 2009! Massive fruit/jam! Last vintage! Can only purchase at Angela Estate tasting room in Dundee, OR! — 10 years ago