Sipping Fine Wine

10

Wow! This 100% Cab is outstanding!
Deep Ruby color with aromas of berry fruits, earthy oak and floral spice notes, aged for 12 months in new French oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry flavors with hints of cacao, licorice and leather, adding slight wet stone notes. Fine tannins, good acidity, well balanced, long ending with fruit and savory earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a Filet Mignon!
— a year ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

This recently caught my eye, mostly because it was a $75 bottle of rosé — it’s rare to come across any rosé more than $40 (aside from Champagne), but also because of its distinctive design (I should’ve trademarked the drip).

The origin of Château Minuty dates to the early 18th century. The Matton-Farnet family has owned the estate since 1936, with its third generation, brothers Jean-Etienne and François Matton currently at the helm.

The Château’s vineyards are situated on limestone and schist hills outside the Provençal village of Gassin and overlooking the bay and city of Saint-Tropez. They exclusively produce rosé.

For their cuveé 281, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, the Mattons enlisted Hubert de Malherbe to design the bottle, who worked on several Veuve Clicquot designs as well as Dior perfume bottles and stores. The blue is said to represent the Mediterranean Sea and sky, both of which have significant influence in shaping the wine’s character. The exact shade of blue is Pantone 281.

The wine opens with melon, citrus peel, and stone fruit, all of which translate through to the palate. That’s where the intensity ratchets up, with pungent, rocky minerality set against a backdrop of herbs and a generous seasoning of sea salt. Everything melds together before taking the long ride home on a bright beam of acid. Superb. — 7 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

Some GG with a view. Sky high acidity, ripe stone fruit flavors with added ripe pineapple and an awesome tangy finish. — 3 years ago

Lindley Maresh

9.3

Good sweet wine — 3 years ago

michael pandolfo

8.9

Again a restrained style but amazing wine. Nose was slightly closed. I got a distinct stone fruit (white peach?) that intertwined with the black fruit. Not overripe- great for food. Medium weight. Light tannin — 7 years ago

KRISTIE

9.0

An invitation to indulge, this Merlot is a tapestry of dark fruit with sumptuous toasted oak finish. It is composed of grapes from select California vineyards, whose diverse landscapes create a mosaic in the glass. From this unique tangle of flora, stone, and sky comes a velvety red with plush tannins backed by notes of black plum, cherry, and clove. — 3 years ago

Shawn Thompson

8.9

This wonderful soave tastes like a sunny clear sky if you could drink it. On the nose we’re getting lemon citrus, yellow apple and white flowers. More of the same on the palate with a zingy acidity and a unique finish of stone and minerals. Solid soave. — 6 years ago

Diane Withrow

9.0

Chardonnay- stone fruit. Ripe, rich. Red checked cloth spilling out of wicker picnic basket. Cello. Crusty bread. Cheese and honey. Clouds in the sky — 7 years ago