Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — a month ago

Atticus Honore

9.1

One of the best zins around. Slight to medium body, not too tannic, almost like a Pinot. Clove and cinnamon, baking spice on the nose, plum and bing cherry — 2 months ago

with Hallie

Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2019 “Lily’s Garden” pours a deep garnet with a bit of purple and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with black bramble fruit, purple flowers, a touch of the animal and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is elevated; calling it high. The finish is medium+. I called Syrah from France, from the Northern Rhône, Croze-Hermitage from a recent warmer vintage like 2019. Dangit…I got the variety right but I should have considered Australia with the elevated alcohol. This is a fairly classic Aussie Shiraz that certainly gives off a French vibe but the fruit and alcohol give it away. Drink now through 2034. — 4 months ago

Raul Puga

9.4

Delicious and still young. Cheers!! — a month ago

Zach D

9.5

A unique wine. Vibrant golden hue, reductive aroma combined with a variety of ripe orchard fruits, saline breeze, pineapple, wet stone. Palate with high acidity, a lingering tannic grip, stony minerality, apple, pear, fresh almonds. I drink the current vintage (which happens to be 2012 this year) with my wife once per year, and have for the last 5 years. Nostalgic. — 13 days ago

Mike Miller

8.9

Big Californian cab — 5 months ago

Jess

9.0

Deep purple-ruby color.
Aromas of black berey fruit.
Dry. Flavors of blackberry, peppercorn, tar, black plum, espresso. Medium-rich, smooth tannins. Dark flavours.

Intensity: 3/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5 — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Light to mid golden in colour. Aromatics of yellow orchard fruits and melon with a touch of honey/beeswax. An oxidative style - almost unctuous in texture. Great flavours. I don’t drink many Loire Valley wines - this was very good. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding earthy spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel, full-bodied, long ending with a nice earthy spice finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Golden , orange tinged centre , lemon yellow rim . Very aromatic, clementines, orange rind , saffron , creme brûlée , caramel. On the palate rich and intense but with very good balance from fresh acidity . Orange syrup , saffron creme brûlée with a slight burnt caramel touch on the finish . Long and powerful , this is ready but will carry on at this level for another 10-20 years — 7 months ago