Daniel M

9.2

You're not 40 every day and I wanted a special wine to celebrate that special day. Fortunately the wine bar / open kitchen restaurant we went to had that special wine, amongst 400 references, that I had been desperate to taste for a long while. I didn't take notes so it's all from memory, but the nose is what I liked the most. Coconut notes, leather, cherries, coffee... I spent probably 15 minutes in total smelling that wine. The palate was great with some acid drive, some matter but not in an overwhelming way, some gentle, well integrated tannins in the rear, before a long finish with savoury notes, red fruits, coconut and that gentle grainy tannic layer. A great experience to top up a day to remember.
Oh and if you happen to be in Warsaw, Poland and be looking for a great wine place, make sure to check our Kontakt - wino & bistro. — 16 days ago

Will Stanley

9.4

Some wines knock you off your feet immediately, while others take time to do so. Storm Wines’ 2018 ‘Vrede’ Pinot Noir initially took a lot of examination, and changed dramatically between the hour’s decant I’d given it and the following 2-3 hours of drinking. At first, the very vibrant aromas of this young Pinot from South Africa’s esteemed Hemel-en-Arde valley were reminiscent of a pungent negroni, with a touch of Parma Violet and star anise. With time, however, these slightly confected qualities gave way to an impressive savoury bouquet of cranberry, rooibos, beef blood, iron and bitter orange (that Campari scent stuck around, and all the better for it). The palate, in this wine’s case, was even more impressive, continuing to display a savoury profile with a fabulous, zesty mouthfeel and supple tannins.

All in all, this is a beautifully fragrant, youthful PN with a bright future ahead. South Africa isn’t exactly known for its old vines (some Chenin aside), and those of Storm’s were only planted in 2008. Exciting things, then, for this winery. Everyone’s perception of value is different, but at £32/bottle here, it’s easy to recommend getting a case or two.

94+

PS. An added comment - I love the understated labels of Storm‘s wines, but I do wish they’d go back to the wax seal of previous vintages. Wax over foil every day of the week for me..! — 3 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Somehow I hoped this would unknit how sewn into Beaujolais I am. Nope. I’m knotted up with these wines as ever and damn I’m claustrophobic but these s-wine-ters (aka wine sweaters can we make this a thing) have room to breath. All of which to say is this has a happy friendliness of a buddy you spend every weekend with. It is complex (fruits! acid! honeysuckle blossomfun!) and has a sense of dry wit (acid cutting, bone dry stone, sullen but no it’s just serious texture) to cut through anyone’s pretense. But it feels welcoming and warm. And full. And will let you lay your head on its bosom OR maybe it is just a sophisticated warm knit to keep that bosom both warm and savvy. All the same it has acid, ripe fruit and warming fruit to make it a winter-tastic cold rosé I’ll keep trying every year — 5 years ago

Salvator Felous

9.6

Totally impressed with this one .. and unexpected! This has depth and a joyful Rythm every time you sip and let it in ..
If you actually take the time to respect it as you would with a big one .. and decant it … it will start playing music for you ! truly a gem … — 2 months ago

S.S. Mandani

9.5

Bready in its breadth and then you take a breath and get the apricot and maybe some mango peel.

Whoosh. After understanding my palate, the homies at Frankly have listened and pointed me to a wonderful bottle. What an adventure. I feel seen.

Waxy, slightly effervescent. Refreshing. I’ll say it again. Refreshing as can be. Well worth the wait after a long run in the heat. Edging on orange, but stopping short of zesty and taking a detour to somewhere along Chenin’s spectrum. Minerality.

Really love this idiosyncratic blend. Something new.

Buy the ticket, take the ride type shiiii. — 3 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.3

Melville always over delivers at their price point! This is a delicious blend of dark fruit and smoked meat. At 8 years old it’s showing unbelievably well. And yes we’re pulling corks a little earlier! Stay well - we need every cork dork to support the wine industry (buy a box of your favorite). See if you can do take/delivery from a great restaurant or a club. — 5 years ago

with Kristine

Mike R

9.4

On Rhonda’s birthday, we just decided to do a little South American restaurant and bring along wines from the same region - the Don Melchor reserve cab has actually improved from a few years ago - opened and let catch it’s breath while we’re having a tasty chard and what do you know - first sip was Divine- truly an great example of why we on delectable take the time to post about our treats - finally I am lucky man -married 30 years and she is like wine I am mentioning - she gets better everyday - well played Mike - love you babe - happy birthday — 5 years ago

Jon Bjork

9.0

This is really special! Tastes like there is some zinfandel and Shiraz in there. Makes you take a breath to appreciate every sip and it's fantastic with beef! — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A really attractive medium ruby in the glass with thin, purple edges. Right out of the gate, you can smell the stemmy character of the wine. Plenty of herbs and characteristic Pinot underbrush happening here. Really pretty floral notes come in and really take things to a new level. Red cherries, raspberries, and muted wild strawberries. A nice bit of spice and smoke wafts from the glass after a little air. On day 2, this holds up quite well with a little light chocolate and more expressive fruit.

100% whole cluster fruit and tiny production. Medium bodied and all natural in every way. Purity of fruit is high here and this is a very terroir driven Pinot. Blessedly low alcohol at 13.5 and showing nice balance at this age, even though this is definitely one to cellar. The palate follows the nose with fresh red fruit and spice up front. More savory notes come through as it grows in the glass. One of my favorite Pinots of this year, easily.
— 3 years ago

Steven Lee

9.6

Superb nose. Very floral, perfume, lilac. Abit young now with the tannin and bitter finish but a very classic pomerol palate. I am enjoying this. The wine elvolve and changes every hour like you can take a good pomerol changes across 5yrs every 1 hr with this. Very good value for money — 5 years ago