Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Medium Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, cedar, floral herbs and mineral spice. On the palate flavors of sweet cherry and strawberry with notes of tea, herbs and pepper spice. Full-bodied, fine savory tannins, long finish ending with fruit, herb and a savory earthy character. Nice! — 17 days ago

Aaron Tan

9.6

I think how the wines were picked off in our little G-Max vertical is a nice way to rank the vintages: 2017, 2016, 2014, 2015. The 2017 was clearly everyone’s favourite and 2015 the least. I enjoyed the 2014 more at this stage, but the 2016 saw more fans. Frankly, all nitpicking when operating at this level, but I loved seeing all the wines side by side. A privilege really.

The 2015 stood out as the ripest of the lot. Just so different in style from the rest - exotic fruits dominating, creamy nuances coming through, monstrous concentration and density, and even a touch oily. Nevertheless, like the others, it was all wrapped in searing acidity and stoney minerality. A very Baroque wine and to me stylistically reminiscent of another era of KP’s wine (the era that established his wines as the Montrachets of Germany), though really its simply a consequence of the vintage. Open for business now, but will only really hit its peak in a decade or more. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

WNH Italian Night.

This is without a doubt one of the most unique wines I’ve had in some time. Coming from an area of Italy that isn’t far from Austria, had I tasted this blind, not only would I have guessed northern Rhône (just a step above crozes-hermitage), but there is no way I would have taken this to Italy.

A mix of ruby and purple in the glass, you get the sense this will be heavier than the average Italian wine, and it is. But when you smell it, I was immediately taken to northern Rhône. A beautiful array of potpourri, dried black cherries, bacon fat, cracked black pepper, iron, and juniper berries (added notes of charcoal and dried plums on day two). Vibrant acidity on the palate. I followed this for two days, the first with about 90mins of a decant and it bulked up throughout the night. Heftier on day two. Underripe black cherries, grilled red and black fruits, tar, forest floor, and some funk trying to channel its way in. I don’t have a lot of experience with the lagrein grape, but this is a syrah imitator. Really enjoyed this. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.9

This is Stephen Henschke’s favourite vintage of H of G he said. This was the first vintage he bottled under screw cap and all subsequent vintages have been bottled that way. They have also experimented with the Vinolok glass stopper. As Stephen said “I love tradition and it is very important as a 6th generation family owned winery. However when tradition lets you down as it has with cork, there is time to evaluate better closures. “ He went on to say the 2002 has that distinctive Hill of Grace nose which you can’t define but it does have the trademark mint, spice and sage. The palate is profoundly intense and could go on for another 10 years but flirting with perfection right now. — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.5

Schramsberg’s top of the line portfolio is always so incredibly consistent in quality and taste. Every time I finish a bottle it reminds me I need to snag some more from @jesus g (so good seeing you last month in Napa!)

Beautiful pink-orange hue in the glass. The aromatics sport underripe peach, orange zest, rhubarb tart and ginger, alongside a small layer of oxidation. Chiseled acidity yet not too overpowering on the palate, giving way to a richly balanced mid palate with flavors of strawberries and cream and dried apricots. The finish really brings in a bit of limestone/minerality to snap everything back in line. Really nice now, but these can hold beautifully. — 3 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.0

Consumed 01/2020. Received in a shipment but not sure when. I am afraid I have cellared it for too long. The cork broke off and I made a mess getting the cork out so that I could strain it into a decanter. The wine stains are evident on the label.. They use for varietals to make this. At the time that it was released it was phenomenal. But now that I have kept it too long, I would say not as good. I need to drink the rest of it pretty quickly. 14.1% alc/vol.  — 5 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.4

Shade: red tinged cranberry, almost like a christmassy red

Aroma: red fruit, spice, cloves, sage, woodsy

Wow, flavor bomb forreal. Packs a punch of red fruit, juicy acidity, tart, cherries, little woodsiness comes through — 8 months ago

Alissa B

9.0

Smooth, cherry, a bit of earth. Nice finish and complexity for a drinkable wine — 2 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.3

Drinking surprisingly well now for a ‘15. Pretty close to PNP. Lots of fruit but not too ripe. Red and black fruit. Drinking very smooth. — 4 years ago

Ana E

9.3

A new favorite! — 4 years ago

with Ryan