Jeffrey Woo

9.3

Dark ruby hue. Aromas of cassis, cherry, earthy, leather, licorice, plum, smoke, tar, violet. Full bodied with full tannins and high acidity. Soft tannins. A little hot at the outset and needs time to open up. But otherwise beautiful and expressive. A definitive pairing with red meat. 100% Tempranillo. — 6 months ago

Chip Hughes

9.2

Ultimate badassery from one of the most underrated growers in Beaujolais. A real throwback to the ‘60s and ‘70s crus from giants like Thorin. Burgundian sap and an almost Northern Rhônish savor make this what it always is: the definitive and most geographically faithful example of the transition between Pinot Noir and Syrah that great Gamay offers. The hipsters can have all the natty, stinky carbonic swill they want; I’ll take this. — 5 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.5

The definitive NEIPA for me. Crunk, but not dank. Detailed, fine and something you can actually enjoy with food. Like what ale used to be 10-15 years ago... — 5 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.2

2020 vintage. Young and primary, with a definitive soapy/detergent-like character. Green apple, lemon syrup, small white flower, laundry detergent, hay, chamomile, green pear, chalk. — 2 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Definitive weight and texture of Chenin. Gold in the glass and slightly oxidative. Honey and beeswax but very dry. Even better on day two where the acid has settled down and the palate is brimming with yellow orchard apples. — 4 years ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Great restraint here at 12.9% alcohol but with the definitive fruitiness of California. Really delicious and easy drinking. — 5 years ago

Neal Schaffer

9.1

Low yields in Northern Rhône 2013, but the quality of the fruit is prevalent here. Structured and well-integrated fine grained tannins at the five year mark. The nose explodes out of the glass with finesse and doused complexities. Definitive Syrah nuances of black raspberries, black plums, black olives, fresh cut violets, cracked black pepper, Indian spices, grilled and smoked meats, and stone dust. Light weight but packs a continuous release of flavors. Nose and palate changes from fruit to floral to spicy to meaty. As you move to different areas and rooms the wine changes. The more air it gets, the more meat starts hanging out. Complex indeed for a $20 bottle. Great showing. — 6 years ago

with Dana

Bob McDonald

9.5

See many previous notes for this wine and vintage. Last year I had 6 left and I decided to have one each year until they are finished. This is the one for 2021. Pure Penfolds DNA - plum prune mocha and chocolate. Tannins resolved - the wine has great balance. A gorgeous medium weight plus palate. The definitive Australian Cabernet Shiraz blend - 54/46%. Next one in 2022 — 3 years ago

Hayden Hamilton

9.0

Very definitive. Big dark fruit. Cherry and plum. Little bit of tannin. Fun one. — 5 years ago

Bart Brassil

8.9

A nice Pinot Noir that matches well with my filet mignon I cooked up tonight. Need to sample more than the one glass to give a definitive review. I may prefer Oregon Pinots but it was a really great pairing to the meal. — 5 years ago