Shay A

9.4

In the running for shocker of the year so far. Not only because of how youthful it was, but in how it cleaned house at a small Syrah tasting with my local group.

I popped this ahead of time to try a glass because I was a bit skeptical of how it would show…my jaw about dropped when I smelled this wine. My goodness…deep and dark florals, violet, stemmy green herbs, black pepper. Wonderfully balanced and integrated on the palate. Whole cluster profile shines through in a supporting role, with the pepper-crusted blackberries, mocha, olive, charcoal. Not rich, not lean, fastball down the middle. Nervy acidity still. This has a cool-climate vibe to it with just a kick of richness to really seduce you. Brilliant. I may have underscored this. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

From a small Champagne house, blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, pale lemon gold color with aromas of citrus, floral and biscuit notes, fine bubbles and light mousse. On the palate flavors of crisp apples, pear, peach and lemon notes, savory mineral and honey. Long ending with fruit and slight toasty biscuit character. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Post House Cellars derives its name from the small Post Office used to serve the local missionary community of Raithby, now a winery office and residence. Name Missing Virgin refers to printing error on Virgin Island stamp, virgin figure was omitted. Blend of 70% Pinotage & 30% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with purple hues, aromas of fruit and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blueberry and cinnamon with notes of wet earth. Medium+ finish, dusty fine tannins, ending with fruit, spice and earthy notes. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.0

As far as I’m concerned, these School House Mescolanzas are like, the anti-Napa Zinfandel. They are just so different from anything else out there. Until they get close to 10 years from vintage, they are backward; lean, green and mean. But if one has the patience, they eventually become quite charming. For this bottle, I did not follow my own advice.

Popped and poured, consumed over four days. On Day 1, this was completely coiled and the oak seemed a bit out of balance. I finished my glass and placed the cork back in the neck of the bottle. I checked in for a small taste on Day 2 and 3. By Day 4, it had opened enough to really enjoy. The 2016 School House “Mescolanza” Zinfandel Blend pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. There appears too be some very faint signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing. Expressive of dark bramble fruits, stone minerals, and baking spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium(+). This has all of the trappings for very nice expression of this wine but it’s a little young to my taste. Best after 2025 and these will drink well through 2037…and possibly longer. — 8 months ago

Deborah M

9.0

2017 School House Pinot Noir. School House is a very small producer of entirely estate wines located in the hills of the Spring Mountain. The 2017 has both earthy and savory character on the nose. It also shows a decent amount of acidity, balance and fine tannins that result in a rich Burgundian style. A very “un-Cali” like Pinot.

This was my second School House. I tasted my first School House (2010 vintage) a couple years ago and recall how youthful it presented. While the 2017 is drinking nicely now, I can see how it might benefit from a bit more bottle age. — a year ago

Martinez

8.9

Old-school red Burgundy by Pierre Bourée et fils, a small négociant house in Gevrey-Chambertin. This wine comes from one of the family’s four own vineyards, the Clos de la Justice, a 2-hectare walled plot located on the eastern side of the Route Nationale 74 (generally considered “the wrong side” of the road. Virtually all of Burgundy’s notable vineyard sites are west of the RN 74). Earthy, rustic. Aromas of red cherries, pepper, forest floor. Fresh, not particularly complex, easy to drink. High acidity — 3 years ago

Rob DeShane

9.2

Small Champagne house in Rilly La Montagne. Drank with the owner, a wonderful and kind man. This champagne is 100% Pinot and just lovely! — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Brought from my cellar to a friends house and paired with our dinner of burgers and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. Popped and poured; consumed within about 90 minutes. The 2017 Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a translucent, but near opaque core and only a small sign of sediment. Viscosity is medium+ and there is moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense: expressive of cassis, black and red bramble fruit, tobacco, green pepper, baking spices, espresso, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry and there is pretty significant structure, which I would place at medium+. The fruits and non-fruits are confirmed. Finish is long and comforting; like a warm blanket on a cool night. To my palate, the 2017 Cabernet is just entering its early drinking window. It's showing really well on the pop and pour with everything in deft balance. It's worth noting that this was consumed after enjoying a bottle of Christopher Tynan's "L'Enclume de Velours" and while that is a very nice wine in its own right, the Rafanelli really showed its pedigree. These should drink well over the next 10-15 years. — a year ago

David Kline

9.4

Soft, lovely, bread-y nose of black currant fur, licorice, light mint forcing upward, sprouting through potting soil. Cinnamon and blueberry warmly embraced by dark bread and small specks of black pepper. Fruit tannins thickly house-painted across your front teeth in a real sense. Muscle. Licorice-charcoal, bitters, blackberry, black currant, graphite-smoke halo, black cherry, oak and cedar, wound up and closed in places, but powerhouse lurking in the shadows.



#lajota #lajotavineyardco #lajotahowellmountainestate
#howellmountain #oakville #napa #napavalley #cab #cabernetsaugvinon — a year ago

with Courtney

Jay Kline

9.2

This is in a splendid spot right now. It’s still light, refreshing and crushable in the PJ-style and yet has a touch of added complexity thanks to some time in the cellar. In the glass, the color was light straw and the bubbles were lively. On the palate, bright citrus and white peach with a small touch of brioche; the slightest bit of nuttiness but just barely. Great minerals...again, in-line with the house style. Very well balanced. There’s a lot to like here. Paired very well with homemade Nashville Hot Chicken. — 4 years ago