Jonathan Liu

9.2

nice dark deep red, just a bit juicy, good with meat — 6 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

There is an origins story for me w/ this producer. You can read about it by clicking my post from 55 weeks ago.

This bottle fazed between 92-94 while enjoying. I opened it and let it breathe in bottle for 45 minutes and then decanted it in stages…a 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3. I believe that was the right decision.

This 97 still has not ridden off into the sunset, it is just the other side of its peak. 28 yrs from creation & 26 yrs in bottle. I look at a Cabernet/reds from when it went into bottle vs its birth yr. All my opening decisions are made from that point. Humans don’t count their time in womb, I see wine similarly.

The fruits are still beautiful & its evolution is amazing. There is a core of dark currants surrounded by cassis. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with heavy skin, black cherries, secondary; raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Cherry cola/licorice. Dark spices w/ a touch of heat-hard to find better, moist clays, soft, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark chocolate baking bar, mocha powder, caramel, anise to black licorice, dryish tobacco with ash, used leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone powder, volcanic ash, fire ambers, saline, some black pepper, tumbleweed, dry river stone, black tea, very lightly grilled pork, florals for days that are; dark, red, blue, lavender framed in violets, perfect acidity with a great balance, well structured/tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on dry earth & spice as it long sets. Wonderful style!

To quote Robert Lewis Stevenson, “Wine is Bottled Poetry!” — 6 months ago

Jerry Farinola

9.5

Outstanding California creation! Treat from Jay W. Had it with charcuteries and could have drank it all night. Great out of the bottle and spectacular as it opened up. — 4 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.3

I am a biased Cab Franc lover and this creation by our friends @Schweiger Vineyards is truly an amazing expression. — 5 years ago

Marcin Grabowski

9.0

Fresh, with a note of evening flowers — 6 years ago

John Asbury

9.5

Sandy soils and salty winds, all located within a few miles of the vast Atlantic Ocean lend themselves to the creation of this little-known gem from Portugal. Made in the same way, by many of the families since the mid-1800s, this classically dry red with sharp tannins and a refreshing brightness are a perfect match to grilled meats, and tangy, herb -laden salads. It’s nose is deep and mystical. Is that tar and over-ripe purple plums? The finish stays with you, on and on. It’s a Colares, pronounced “Cool-arsh”. These are a rarity even in better wine stores. But, are worth grabbing if you see one. — 7 years ago

David White

9.4

Very good South African Pinot from Walker Bay Area. Produced by rising star winemakers Carolyn and JC Martin.
Developing nicely with integrated alcohol and tannins.and excellent fruit forward elegant Pinot.
According to latest releases these traditional Pinots are being replaced by new wine making styles and I hope they haven’t thrown the baby out with the bath water!
— 3 months ago

Neal

9.4

2016 vintage, aged well and tastes fresh and still has the Chardonnay butteryness. — a year ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

Garnet verging on brick.
I smell very earthy aromas; horse farm, camp fire and soot.
A real stranger on the pallete. First I'm hit with a red fruit, not cherry or any of the common fruit notes- something more natural and tart, not as tart as a cranberry but I'm thinking of mixed dried currants with fresh goose berries and the Sirah comes through with a touch of black pepper and there is just a touch of effervescence from this natural creation.

35% niellucciu 30% grenache 15% sciaccarellu 15% sirah 5% mouvedre
Thank you Kermit Lynch for bringing in this taste of Corsica! — 4 years ago

Edo Wachters

9.2

Peter Sisseck’s creation, amongst the Flor de Pingus and Pingus wines. This wine is neither of them, but still a very good Ribera del Duero. PSI is medium bodied, dark red, with flavours of blackberry, cherry, some chocolate, predominantly from Tempranillo and a bit of Garnacha. — 4 years ago

David White

9.0

Very good Pinot true to style
Good bright berry colour, nice nose and palate of berries and good balance of acidity length and aftertaste
Not as good as Reserve offering but excellent value for money
Really enjoying SAF wines during COVID-19 — 6 years ago

Will Shuttleworth

9.0

The 2016 Villa Del Lago is absolutely another stunning creation from their prestigious 20 acre vineyard atop Pritchard Hill. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in the finest hand selection of new French oak barrels. The bouquet is powerful as well as elegant. There are hints of rose petals, jasmine, bay leaf, baking chocolate and blackberries. The mouthfeel and flavors are extraordinary. This wine exudes voluptuous texture, rich, round extremely balanced acidity and tannin. Blueberry marmalade and cocoa interweave into layers of black currants and German chocolate cake. — 6 years ago

Armando Klein

10

This Chardonnay is beautiful like a confident woman. There’s finesse, structure and even a little tension. Provocative and interesting. All the fine things in the creation of complex white Burgundy.... — 8 years ago

David White

9.2

Complex and still a little tight, good balance of tannins fruit and acidity but likely will not develop too much further, so I will earmark others for opening later this year. — 5 months ago

Ted Holland

9.1

Very nice right bank creation!! Fresh floral nose is very delicate with hints of violets and strawberry flowers! This wine is about finesse and a balanced palate! Delicious, fine tannins, drink now and enjoy!!! — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, oak and floral spice notes on this Joe Wagner creation. On the palate blackberry and cherry currant flavors with hints of cedar and leather, adding some herb notes. Fine chalky tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a filet! Well done Joe! — a year ago

Z. R.G.

9.4

Smells blackberry, oak & spices. Well balanced, smooth drink. Beautiful Creation! Impressed. — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

8.9

Viscous almond, brown sugar, browned magnolia blossom. A little over. Tastes like a lot of oxygen in the winemaking. Still tasty for a chard fan. — 6 years ago

JCOper

9.8

A go- to great value white — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

She has that swagger, but it’s the saunter that really does it for me. Saunter is the creation of Heather and Josh Clark of Clark Vineyard Management. Thomas Rivers Brown makes the wines. Their Clone 685 Cabernet Sauvignon is from the Red Head Vineyard on Old Soda Springs Road in southeast Napa Valley. Plush, perfumed and inky, with that keep-coming-back-to-the-glass savoriness. Lush and hedonistic, but with layers and length. Stellar! — 7 years ago