Kaushal Kantawala

9.2

Rich plum and dark fruit, low acidity in the mid-palate but a smooth finish. — a month ago

Adam

9.0

My review may not be beneficial to all because of my drinking style. I drink the bottle myself over the course of a week. With this Freakshow Cab Sauv, my review changed from the first to last glass. The first glass was strong, thin, and barely enjoyable. With subsequent glasses tasted a developing sweetness and thickness. I realize this is counter intuitive to wines normally being best when being allowed to breathe a bit after opening. Just wasn’t the case for me with this one. Rating was a 6.5 to start and a 9.5 at the end I’m grading with a curve to give it an overall 9. Will buy again based on Freakshow reputation and hope for a better early result. — 2 months ago

Martijn

9.1

Pure Cab S from Lodi.
Nice spicy wine with delicious sweetness. — 4 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

2/2026. Good fruit and finish. Medium boldness. Very good for the price point. — 5 months ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Always reliable. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 9 months ago

KP

9.4

I would absolutely buy this one again! Especially at the $20-$25 price point.
Delicious blueberry and rhubarb pie on the nose. Silky tannins with low acidity, and a long vanilla finish with mild oak. Well balanced and very enjoyable. — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

N: pink roses. Lovely. Perfumed.

P: lovely slightly sweet fruit. Perfect balance. Long. Elegant. Hint of bitterness.

Source 85 — 4 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

N: closed.

P: lovely cherry fruit. Mineral. Very interesting. Iron.

Source 78 — 4 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Tons of floral, wild dark berries and spice on the nose. Mid season cherry. Palate is so good. Rich, elegant, deep, gritty and nimble. Some nice amplitude in the mid palate and great tension and red fruits on the finish. Needs mega air so I can only assume score goes higher tomorrow. — 4 months ago

Mark Osmers

8.9

The 2020 vintage of Michael David Freak Show is a blend for everyday drinking. A blend of Syrah (appx 54%), Petite Sirah (appx 42%) and Souzao (appx 4%), it is a balanced, fruit-forward red wine with notes of dark berries and plum. Although it does not provide the complexity and tannic structure of a Napa or Sonoma Cabernet, neither does it come with the same price tag.

I recommend this wine, but just find the circus-themed bottle label a little freaky. — 6 months ago

Sharona

9.1

Stockyards, November 17, 2024, Palomino Supper Club — 2 years ago

CA Haynam

9.3

Fruit forward and jammy with light tannins — 4 years ago

Bob Rodgers

9.5

A beautiful wine by a brilliant producer. Deep purple color. Bacon fat hints with earthy and truffles on the nose that evolve into dark fruits. Soft tannins on the mouthfeel linger to a grapey finish. Excellent — 2 months ago

Joseph Barsky

9.8

2010 James Berry rough by our buddy Rob went up after the 2013 Alban Patrina. Wow, a Syrah blend with plenary of Grenache, it was more elegant and very smooth with velvet mouthfeel and red fruits. Long finish. Lovely evening. — 3 months ago

Paul Masson

9.1

Developing bruised apple complexity, sufficiently balanced with zingy citrus and minerality. — 4 months ago

Patrick Litle

9.2

Great flavor, spice, smooth — 4 months ago

Anthony Kluska

9.2

This is what new world should be. Pepper fruit oak. — 5 months ago

JKT

9.1

Very nice balanced well aged complex blend. — 7 months ago

Janet Coleman

9.0

So big and bold but fruity nonetheless. Loved it with a steak. — 3 years ago