Ellen Clifford

8.9

Delicious, balancing 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot against 22 months in French oak, 45% new; it is straight-up YUMMY (pardon my French). Lively cassis, blue plum and violet play with silky tannins and lightly peppered vanilla bean. It was well-composed but surprisingly refreshing; I’d believe it was twice its 25-dollar price tag—utterly crave-worthy. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2018 vintage. Cedar, plum, allspice, spearmint, graham cracker and burnt rubber (fleetingly) in the immediate nose that slants positively ancient without being musty. Medium-medium heavy body. Spicy cherry-plum combo on the rolling finish that thins out slightly body wise but throws in a slight, milk-chocolate texture gift. Intriguing for sure. Not as rustic and playful as the 2017 effort…this one is much more mysterious, less straightforward and supremely desirable/delicious. Drinking beautifully now and expecting no less for the next 15-20 years. Pardon the water spots...in too big a rush to crack this. — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Quintessential (pardon the pun) fish and chips with mushy peas, UK style. Drinking a Chardonnay with this, and just popped the Quintessa, which is excellent. Lots of barrel toast on the nose and palate. Very suave presentation with prominent tannins. Pristine ripe cherry fruit profile. Depth and layers are here to stay. — 4 years ago

with Anne-marie

vickie

9.1

Purchased Total Wine — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Pardon the label. A humidity malfunction in one of my wine fridges. Luscious and sweet on the front palate yet finishes dry with diminishing acid and an attractive acidic bitterness on the back palate. Quince, nectarine, peach and apricot with that moreish bitterness. A beautifully made new world Pinot Gris which is dangerously moreish. I will now open an Alsatian Pinot Gris to compare. I’m tipping the Dry River to prevail. — 3 years ago

Richard Benitez

8.9

Big and juicy, slight metallic nose. Dry yet balanced juice, not sweet but very balanced. — 3 years ago

Anil Saxena

9.1

Amazing red blend. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. It’s bold,earthy, and super supple. Love this wine. Thanks FirstLeaf!!! — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Such a beautiful wine on its own and with the Cover Ribs from Allen Brothers. Beautiful fruit and earth. Merlot from any other place barks up St. Emilion ass. Pardon my French. Crazy outstanding for the $25-$30 I paid upon release. @ChateauIsbel — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Pardon the water damaged label. Aromas of pepper, spice and fresh garden herbs. Almost like the garrigue aromas you get from a Southern Rhone red. Medium weight palate but M+ Intensity. Even though Hawkes Bay is home to probably New Zealand’s best Cabernets like Te Mata Coleraine it also produces excellent cool climate Syrah like this one. Not so special with Pinot Noir here which is grown by a few optimistic producers. Had another bottle on 7th February 2024 with similar notes. I love the pepper but it does need more mid palate fruit. I have a couple of bottles left. I can’t see the need for extended cellaring and will probably drink these in the next 12 to 18 months. Had another bottle on 24th November 2024 with similar tasting notes. Enjoy the pepper. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

I don’t know what it is but all #chile #syrah and (pardon the generalizations) all Chilean wine have this tell-tale aroma that is somewhat eucalyptus and somewhat smoked meat in all the wines. #movi 2015 still youthful. Has 5-7 more years to it. — 4 years ago