Peter Sultan

9.1

Only 150 cases imported of this Villages that swings close to Cru Beaujo . Dark ripe cherries, a savory edge, a plummy, mineral depth. Grown on sandy & schiste soil 200 meters outside of St. Amour. For about 20$ might be one of my favorite Beaujo QPRs in the last few years, especially as they’re growingly extinct. — 22 days ago

Bridget Meagher

8.9

Spoletino Trebbiano grape Josh almost extinct varietal produce 3000 Nyla per year. Aging on heavy lees big white without being heavy — 2 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.4

Nerello Mascalese (85%) Nerello Cappuccio (15%) from very old head-trained bush vines co-planted in a tiny parcel named “Particella n.587” on the steep slopes of Monte Serra an extinct volcano located on the south eastern slope of Mount Etna at almost 1640 ft. Remarkable typicality, elegance and longevity. 215 cases made. Superb — 3 years ago

Gene Buonviri

8.9

As you open this wine you begin a trip to the arch of Italy’s boot. Although this southern, mountainous region has a few small vineyards under vine. The big red grape Aglianico is limited to the slopes of an extinct volcano Mount Vulture. Notes of blackberry, black cherry and wild herbs. Well-balanced and tamed. On hold for 5 years and it’s sensational. — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Unusual Single varietal (almost extinct) Greek White. Abundant lemon and mineral aromas and flavors. Hints of pear and white flowers. Straw yellow color with a greenish hues. Mouth watering acidity with a long and somewhat creamy finish. (Some oak aging here?). Totally interesting. Revisited in September 2023. Color was a bit more golden. Aging gracefully. — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Nearly extinct red grape named (Kalecik, Turkey) after its place of origin. Wonderful aromas of black cherry, black licorice and menthol. Dark cherry, cranberry and blackberry fruit flavors are highlighted by notes of basil, eucalyptus, black tea and pepper spice. Ruby red color, medium bodied with a soft and lovely mellow finish. Hints of the French Oak Barrels this wine was aged in. Quite good. Thanks Ron B! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Had this 2 yrs ago. Mather Teresina, flagship wine of Celler Vinos Piñol, made with grapes grown in high elevation region of Terra Alta. The nearly extinct Morenillo grape is indigenous to the area & makes Mather Teresina a unique wine, a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Cariñena & 20% Morenillo. Nice aromas of berries & sweet spice. On the palate cherry flavors with vanilla spice adding pepper notes on fine smooth tannins which opened much quicker. Long ending with sweet fruit tones & bits of earthy floral. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.

Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The Ariston Aspasie Cépages d'Antan is a blend of one grape that is nearly extinct in Champagne, Petit Meslier and two rare grapes that get blended into Champagne. It parses into 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. None of the three main grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Crazy good body and super soft mouthfeel. There is soft precision in the palate. Excellent micro oxygenation. Shades of the 2007 Taittinger Comte’s. Leads with the white citruses.- lime, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, some pineapple juice, tropical green melon, what softer than soft powdery chalkiness, limestone, volcanics just as soft, spring flowers for days, perfect acidy and a purely beautifully balanced, knitted, length that has length and a singing finish that goes on and on. @ K&L Champagne tasting. — 3 years ago

Jody Wycech

9.3

Enjoyed this somewhat exotic wine. Recommended by a sommelier at a wine shop. Apparently the grape was assumed extinct for 400 years until it was discovered growing on someone’s property in the 1980s. Taste is akin to a Nebbiolo. Blueberry and blackberry on the nose. Bright berries with balanced acidity and dryness. Would love to have again. — 5 years ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Peter Sultan

9.4

CDC approved interior dinner with my homey. Time to celebrate. Think aged Rioja but super charged with acidity. Collares is One of the great growingly extinct wine species so please support it. Briefly decanted to rid it of some decayed cork but otherwise not too much sediment if at all. Iron red rim, tertiary flavors of Unami but still so fresh & vibrant, with crushed red fruits & currants. I’ve read the half life on Collares wines can be as long as a 1rst growth Bordeaux. — 5 years ago

with Owen

Douglas Braun

9.0

2018 vintage - Love this variety can’t believe it is almost extinct King Henry III and I have this in common - scented geranium , wild fruit , (maybe done whole cluster) — 6 years ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

So when you first read anything about this wine the words “rare” and “almost extinct” keep popping up everywhere you go. So whenever I had a chance to try this varietal I leapt at the opportunity. An interesting nose, earthy and leathery with some dusty/musty odors. Made me think of a library. For a wine that supposed to be tanin heavy and historically was only regarded for making vinegar it has a remarkably smooth taste. It comes off bold and brassy with ripe jam plum notes with some flavors of raisins. The wine hits you mid tongue and goes all the way back. You can feel the fullness and the structure of the tannins, but fortunately they don’t come across as bitter. Reminds me of a balsamic-port reduction. Flavor is strong and heavy throughout and even though it doesn’t feel hot and heavy with alcohol on the tongue you definitely can feel it going down your chest as you swallow. 100% Vidadillo from vineyards planted in 1910. 24 months in French and American oak. Very fun to try what is basically a dinosaur of a grape that used to be used for other things, hopefully these “forgotten“ grape varieties will start making a comeback. — 7 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.0

Did a bit of research on this wine since I was bringing it to an Apulia themed dinner at Anthony’s in HH. This grape was once nearly extinct and happily its back. There was a lot of black and red berries and some licorice. Nice finish and a structured wine. — a year ago

Julia Indik

9.0

This is a wine from the Pelaverga grape, which I learned was almost extinct decades ago. Reminiscent of Pinot noir with bold contrasts of strawberries and floral notes and an edge of acid and bitters. Level and elegant and also easy to drink. — a year ago

with Robert

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Sourced from one of the oldest vineyards planted in Valdeorras, Avancia. Godello was almost extinct at the end of the 1980s, so it is extremely rare to find a Godello produced from a single vineyard planted in 1904. Pale golden color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral and spice notes, fermented in oak on its lees for 10 months. On the palate flavors of peach, ripe apple and lemon citrus with floral spice. Long finish ending with fruit, subtle oak and mineral character. Nice! — 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2016 Cenerentola is darkly alluring and spicy, showing ripe strawberries, plums, ginger, clove and hints of cocoa powder. It’s silky with broad textures, energized by brisk acidity, as tart wild berries cascade across a mineral core, adding tactile grip toward the close. This finishes long, as fine grippy tannins tug at the palate, along with tart red fruits and a bitter twang of sour citrus. The Cenerentola is an exciting wine to taste, as it contains 35% Foglia Tonda, a native grape of the region which almost went extinct, with Sangiovese as the balance of the wine. The 2016 isn’t quite ready to reveal all of its charms, yet another year or two of cellaring should result in something very special. (Eric Guido, Vinous, January 2022)
— 4 years ago

Gene Buonviri

9.2

Petite Sirah is not a smaller version of Syrah. It is an offspring of Syrah and the nearly extinct French Alpine variety called Peloursin. The 2012 is definitely drinking well. Dark red, luscious with a hint of tannins . Maybe this wine can be pushed out 2 more years.
— 5 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.4

Surprising and amazing. The Shypoke Charbono showed charred cherry, bramble, smoke, caramel... etc. Great balance of fruit and tannin. At 13 years old it opened youthful and never faded but did start to turn port like after 8 hours. A real lost gem. Apparently this is a grape in fear of going extinct in California. Don’t let it happen! Seek these out! — 5 years ago

Dave Olson

9.0

Almost extinct varietal. Unusual mix of tastes. Very nice. — 7 years ago