Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

One of the very best QPR’s in Napa/Sonoma. I have had all the top tier Napa Cabernets. On the secondary markets, I pay in the $70 to $90 range. I enjoy this producer more than many of the higher-priced Napa Cabernets. Including; Realm, Maybach, Phelps, Outpost, Lakoya, to name a few.

This 2007 is right around the top of the bell curve. It delivers everything you expect from the 2007 vintage and yet, it’s a Sonoma producer, which lends itself to the expression, don’t judge a wine by its region.

My 5/24 note remains. To that end, for me, this is not a producer to open young if you’re looking for its best self. You can open a wine whenever you want to, but I would pushback that you’re not getting its best self. This 07 still has a fair amount of teeth. The integration and evolution is incredible. It’s flat out near perfect as to when to open your first.

The short notes on this are perfectly ripe/ruby fruits that are;, blackberries, black raspberry, black plum, haunting raspberries, dry earth, cinnamon stick for days, endless far east spices, dark chocolate, caramel, black licorice, mid berry cola, dark & red flowers with violets and hints of lavender, excellent round acidity, a well-made balanced finish that is the definition of elegance with earth and spice on the long set that goes on and on.

In a QPR Napa/Sonoma Cabernet race with the higher-priced Cabernets, it is not even close.

— 12 hours ago

Raul Puga

9.3

So delicious. Paired perfectly with fresh Florida grouper. Yummm — 4 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.7

Mind-boggling confectionary aromas; part cotton candy, part spiced treat in a Moroccan bazaar. Then citrus, quince and vanilla cream. Palate is pure energy. Ripping acid, endless concentration. The vinous equivalent of seeing god?

Need to check in… 15 years? — 5 years ago

Hanibal

9.4

wow....the lenght in this one is endless — 7 years ago

K. Kasper

9.1

If there is better rosé from Sonoma County, I haven’t had it! — 8 years ago

Bryan Hopkins

9.0

Strong flavors of cantaloupe and slight brine. Pleasant and easy to drink. — 8 years ago

Manuel Buergi

10

After the first nose (right after opening), it was clear that the wine needed like 6+ hours of decanting. Following it open it in the decanter was amazing, you could really see and smell how it evolved and started to blossom. It also seemed to get darker in color, as if it was gathering power and strenght (but of course, this must have been my personal impression only).

Crimson red with some light brick-red/brown reflexes. The "Collina Rionda " showed simply fantastic in the nose and palate. A hugely perfumed nose, that just kept me captive for a while. Both in the nose and palate, it was like a kaleidoscope with all kinds of red (partly baked) fruits, fruitcake, a bit of hard candy, plums and prunes, tar, some truffle and hints of tobacco leaf of noble quality. Like an explosion with endless layers of the mentioned flavors in the mouth and a huge finish. The acidity and the tannins was perfectly balanced and integrated and gave the wine beautiful harmony.
Boom!! Vigna Rionda at it's best, a producer at his best and all that in an epic vintage!!

Perfect to drink now! But how will it evolve over another decade? I don't think that it has reached it's very best peak yet.

I 100% concur with Antonio Gallonis score of 100 and Ken Vastolas opinion that this might be the best wine ever made 

Can't wait to open the next one...   — 9 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.6

To close the evening we have an Yquem. Always a treat, never disappoints. The 2013 is still young with decades upon decades to go. The honey, the fruit, the endless flavor that lingers in your mouth forever - what a great wine. — 3 months ago

Dan Weisshaar

9.8

Stunning: tropical, pomelo, rich finish, excellent acidity…endless yum. Treasure from Fass Selections. You wish you were here with my scallop risotto and Monopollage Riesling. Happy 2025! — 2 years ago

with Lyle and Matthew

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 3 years ago

Manny Abascal

9.5

1971. Bright gold color, wax with bit of petrol on nose, gorgeous silky palate with honey, lemon oil, and an endless finish. 30 minute decant helped to blow off some funk. Brilliant wine. — 6 years ago

Simone Pizzi

10

Tasted at the estate with the owner, it has been an emotional explosion. It's hard to describe... Authentic, elegant and complex, although still young this wine is pure emotion, with an endless aftertaste that favours meditation. The vines are grown according to respectful and natural methods, Flavio is a true depositary of piedmontese ancestral viticulture. The vineyard itself is idyllic, bursting with biodiversity and showing all the mastery of the man who works it. The winemaking technique is traditional, slow, the cellar is carved in the tuff soil, extra humid with the bare stone still visible. For me it is a perfect match — 7 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.2

Tooo smashable but at the same time easy to savour the endless red fruit spectrum. — 8 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.8

2006 Alban Estate Syrah Reva from the Edna Valley. A whopping 16.2% alcohol! Blacker than Midnight in moonless, starless sky. Telltale iodine Reva nose with blackberry jam, fennel and just a hint of oyster shell? A smokey, mineral-esque quality lurking in the background. Big and bold and luscious with more of that ripe, dark fruit, blackberry liqueur and cherry compote on the palate. Additional notes of graphite, black olives, a touch of smokey bacon, and that trademark Alban tar. Finishes with a salinity that just makes my mouth water. Wonderful silky texture. Positively chewy. Rich, concentrated and beautifully structured. John Alban has been cranking out these beauties for decades now, but never seems to garner the love he so richly deserves. I’m including myself here as I tend to forget about Mr Alban until I open the occasional bottle. Now you all know that Manfred is my main man, but hear me when I tell you that while you are mired in that seemingly endless SQN purgatory of a wait-list, do yourself a favor and grab some Alban. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Astonishing nose of crystallized lime, sea air, pulverized limestone, silver-mine minerality and a tiny glow of buttery richness. The palate is outrageously pure, sleek and refined, with immense sap, mouthwatering freshness and extraordinary richness woven seamlessly into the wine. A full mineral blizzard on the finish, intensely saline, crystalline and endless. Complete Meursault, combining Coche-Dury-like force with Roulot-like finesse while remaining unmistakably Brisset. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nice evolution and well integrated. 92 that pushes 93.

The other wine from the great Napa producer, Philip Togni.

The mouthfeel is supple, round, soft, yet meaty and tarry tannins. Ripe, juicy, rich; blackberries, baked plum for days, dark cherries, black raspberries, hues of raspberries & boysenberries. Black licorice, berry cola, muddy, volcanic clay, herbaceous notes, soft baking spices, slightly, melted chocolate, dark spice with a touch of heat, coffee, dry crushed, rocks, dry stem, dry tobacco, new leather, oak to cedar shavings, volcanic ash, dark, slightly withering, red, blue flowers framed in a field of endless violets, rainfall acidity, great balance, nice tension/structure and a smartly polished finish that last a full minute.

If you own, I would drink over the next 3-4 years before it starts to slide.

Photos of; Philip Togni vineyard, barrel room, vineyard soil & Philip Togni and his daughter Lisa. — 3 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.9

Vintage 1989 | 3/4 transparant, Italian rooftiles brown rim. A very intense bouquet: cedar, forrest wood, laurel, flint, cherries, só multi layered you tend to smell endless. Powerful taste, prominent bitters, still too young imo, the taste comes together with the entrecôte, awesome harmony. A benchmark for wine lovers. Fine that HB delivers to mark a special moment! I bought this when my daughter was born | at restaurant Pollevie — 5 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

From 0,375l.
So unique, so rare. Equally thick, concentrated and complex.
What a privilege to savour this elixir.
Dark nuances of dried fruit (dates, raisins), mocha, spicebox, orange marmelade, earlgrey tea and honeysuckle.
Endless finish....
Heartwarming and humbling...
A wine for contemplation. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Angelo Gaja, owner of Gaja Winery, began a new venture - Ca'Marcanda, Piedmontese term for “house of endless negotiations”-Blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah & 10% Sangiovese, aromas of berry fruits and sweet oak and floral notes. On the palate fresh red berry fruits with a smoky oak character. Fine tannins, lingering, ending with fruit and oak character. Nice! Tasting Sample! — 8 years ago

John Van Trijp

10

Today is a day to celebrate life. I saw this bottle in my cellar and did not look any further.....Unendlich.....(Endless).....perfect wine to finish this day — 8 years ago