Phil Kessling

9.0

I love that the vineyard is a mix of very old, middle aged and young vines. When an old one dies, they plant a young one. One of the best values in Etna Rosso. Mix of black and red fruit, little tannic, smoke and fire on the finish. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Not overly familiar with the producer apart from the fact that Kate McIntyre MW is part of this family owned winery, but I love the district in the Mornington Peninsula as excellent for Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Shiraz. Pale to mid Ruby in colour. Dried cherry on the nose, toasty oak,with decayed plant matter. Great palate intensity. A good Pinot with several years in front of it. — 2 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.3

From a 16 acre vineyard in the hills of Bel Air. Probably the most expensive vineyard property in the US. It’s currently owned by Rupert Murdoch, but this is from before his purchase in 2013. This is legit good. Much better than any Malibu wines I’ve had. 13.8 listed alcohol and fairly restrained style. Let’s rip down all of those mansions and plant some grapes! — 2 years ago

Katy James

9.0

Tomato plant on the nose, strawberry on the palate. Very different from other Provençal rosés in a good way - much more depth and flavor but still light and refreshing. — 10 months ago

John Bratincevic

9.1

NOSE:cassis, black cherry, leather, both baking spices and savoury herbs (like nutmeg and bay leaf). Plum and mulberry. Nutty vanilla. Smells like proper, grown-up wine - though not especially heavy.

TASTE: initially very good. Dry, bitter cassis, cherry, herbs, medium weight with nice velvety mouthfeel - but not a lot of the other fruit from the nose (more air improved). Tannins bring a long, dry, bitter finish - sticks on the tongue- burnt-plant. There’s a bitter herbaceousness that is almost like straight cassis berries (which I have in my backyard, so speaking from experience) - very elegant in its way. Went very well with steak and smoothed out with air, the dark fruit became more prominent...I think a long decant is in order. Many different impressions here … real stuff. 91-92. — 2 years ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

8.9

Trippy. Smells like a pea plant. Good. — 2 years ago

ESF

9.5

Transcendent - loved this wine & winery for years, believe this is my last bottle & perhaps caught it at its zenith: deep dark ruby, still inky & opaque - soaring aromas of cherry liqueur, red berry fruit, licorice, dried herbs, tomato plant, tobacco, leather and some Earthy secondary notes. Still w/decent heft from a wine that for me has always had impressive extraction, power & vigor. Juicy acidity & elegant structure, plenty of ripe fruit - on the palate it shows like finely aged Sangiovese. Wonderful accompaniment to Christmas evening ham. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Tastes like a Syrah from somewhere in Santa Barbara County, which is not a bad thing taste-wise. But I’m always puzzled when European countries plant grapes that are indigenous to other countries. That aside, it’s very good. Nose is complex, with animal, vegetable, and mineral qualities (plus some nice fruit). There is an intense iron quality, cured salami, ripe boysenberry, and a little tobacco leaf. In the mouth it’s dark and rich, but the tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive. Acidity is a little lower than most Northern Rhônes, but enough to maintain balance. Despite my predispositions, I like it. — 2 years ago

John Bratincevic

8.9

Nose: dark berries, warm spices, varnish, some plant I can’t identify, plum. Some tobacco?

Taste: tasty, but not as good or as interesting as the professional reviews claimed. Seems one dimensional to me - regular inexpensive bordeaux. Medium weight, a little bitter - a little vegetal, even - perhaps it needs more air or age. Was hoping for more, given the price ($22?) and praise. Won’t bother again. 89. — 2 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.0

Nice dark color. Nose: earthy (earthworm!), something distinctly plant like or vegetal, almost a little seaweed (?), chlorine (???!?), soft cheese / ammonia - herbs - light/bright wood - a little currant. Taste: good! Good mouthfeel, nice drying tannins, dark skinned berries, herbs, all comes together in a nice weighty way. 90! Great deal for $11 on sale, $10 after discount! Definitely need to buy more. EDIT: wife strongly dislikes it, she says it tastes and smells “like a cheap hotel pool.” I know what flavor(s) she is talking about (the chlorine/earth/soft cheese element), but it worked for me. YMMV. — 2 years ago