Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

From makers of Sassicaia, Deep Ruby color with aromas of fresh red & black fruits and earthy floral notes, 55% Cab Sauv, 27% Merlot & 18% Cab Franc. On the palate flavors of cherry, plum & blackberry with floral, licorice, cacao and earthy notes, well integrated. Fine tannins, a wine with a solid structure, elegant and smooth, long finish, great mouth feel ending with fruit and oak. Will age well over next 5+ years. Nice! — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Forgot to take a photo of the Half Bottle at No. 19 Restaurant at The Darling at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast. This was the 2017 William Downie from Gippsland. Interested to try this as Gippsland is the home of Bass Phillip, one of the most accomplished makers of Pinot Noir in Australia as is William Downie. This was more beetroot and earthy root vegetables than red fruits with classic Burgundian sappiness. A classy effort although has some developing to do. — 7 years ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 5/26/28

#steakandclaret night. Paired nicely with a pan seared ribeye.

This is another Chateau owned by the makers of Chateau Dalem.

Nose of plums and black cherry start to reveal some earth and graphite notes with time in the decanter. Palate with more red fruits. After a couple of hours more mocha flavors emerge. Medium, well integrated tannins and a relatively long finish in the 40 second range. Like many of the '15's I've had, you can drink now for primary fruit, or age a few years. Nice, but I do prefer the Chateau Dalem for a few more dollars.

3/21/8/4/4 +50 = 90 pts — 8 years ago

Andrew S

9.3

Deep and tasty. One of my favorite paso wine makers. — 8 years ago

niels mesotten

9.5

As velvety and feminine as the wine makers, beautiful!
— 9 years ago

T. Berghaus

9.8

Had the wine at the Château with the wine makers daughter. It was such an amazing experience to get to know the philosophy of the vineyard and I can highly recommend every one of the vintages (we tasted 2000,2015,2016). Amazing wine! Out of the norm! — 9 years ago

Janet Ross

9.4

Now it's my turn to try this bad boy from Perliss. It was indeed an experience getting through the tough wax seal, but after a couple of YouTube videos and a few attempts I got the damned thing open! Seriously there needs to be a better way. Use the pull-tab a la Makers Mark. Anyway on to the wine, which is indeed really good! 100% Cabernet, the 2012 is made by Aaron Pott and I've become a huge fan of his wines. This one's from Calistoga and is brimming with dark fruit as well as chocolate and some toffee flavors. Totally drinkable now. Cheers! — 10 years ago

Benjamin Hall Jr

9.8

I got this magnum from Last Bubbles being sold on the rather regal description of the wine makers and the various plats from which they choose their blends. This was likely one of the best glasses of champagne I’ve ever had! The bright citrus followed by a nutty character backed by a sublime measure of acidity create a brilliant example of what champagne can be! — 2 years ago

Kelly Seiler

10

3rd generation women wine makers. Owner was a ballerina and all wines are named for a pose. Natural wine. Lovely and tart. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

One of my favourite Australian Pinot Noirs and does improve with cellaring - up to 15 years say the makers. Arguably at its peak right now but will still be drinking well in 4 years - on the plateau. A lovely complex aroma of earthy, compost heap, forest floor notes with savoury Plum. Medium + Intensity on the palate with incredible length and persistence. This wine like all good Pinots speaks of its terroir which in this case is this special amphitheater in eastern Tasmania. Usually buy this annually. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance. — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.2

From the makers of Roda this £42 RdD is fab for the money & should age into something lovely 👍 but easy drinking now w/ a good decant

🍷 Opaque black ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Spiced blackberry, black cherry & sweet blueberry w/ light cedar/oak tones

👄 Med body loaded with sweet black cherry, black berries & strawberry in fine dry tannins w/ a touch of mocha & liquorice

🎯 Med+ dark fruits & sweet vanilla w/ a dry mocha end — 9 years ago

Jim George

9.0

Dark amber color. Aromas and flavors of ripe grapes, cherries, pomegranates, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla. The underlying earthy character is present, and a silky texture in the mouth flows into a long vanilla and oak spice finish. Notes of spice, underbrush, some sappy flowers, hints of sappy herbs, and darker raspberry fruit. Medium bodied, supple, beautifully polished, elegant and seamless. 7 months in French oak. (Wine Makers Tasting Notes and Wine Advocate.)
— 9 years ago

Carmen

8.9

Gruner Veltliner and Welschriesling from 35-year old vines… I loved reading about these incredible wine makers too:

https://swurlmedia.co/wine/everything-is-connected-an-interview-with-gut-oggau — 2 years ago

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.5

Cult wine lovers rejoice! This Swiss Pinot noir has some Smokey and almost sweet characteristics on the nose, while the palate of black cherries and tobacco. The winemaker cold soaks the grapes prior to fermentation for maximum extraction of aroma and flavor.

Between the 3 wines, the transition from red to blue to black fruits, and development of smokey qualities epitomizes the different terroirs and techniques Pinot makers are using across the world. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Aromas of citrus and pineapple juice. Fermented in a clay amphora on Skins with no Malolactic Fermentation. No oak. This wine making gives another level of freshness, intensity and minerality. An excellent wine from one of Australia’s pre-eminent wine makers, Steve Flamsteed. Winery says cellar up to 6 years - I cannot see my bottles lasting that long! — 8 years ago

Robert Evans Jr

9.2

Honoring Women Wine makers. Makes one hell of a Sauvignon Blanc. Happy Mother’s Day — 8 years ago

with Nicole

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

Great Malbec. Complex layers of fruit and vanilla. Smooth and elegant. As I find out Pepe Galante is one of the best wine makers in Argentina, and it definitely shows. — 9 years ago

Camille Offenbach

8.9

Nice balance of acid and fruit. Very drinkable. A touch of green Jolly Rancher (in all the good ways). Bought at Table Wine. We met the wine makers at a tasting. Nice folks and great wine. — 9 years ago

Bart Bartlett

9.4

Great dark cherry start that evolve into a deep, earthy, deliciously bitter tinge. The wine makers note rhubarb, which is an excellent description. The dirt like ending lingers on the pallet. Love it! — 10 years ago

with Jennifer