Joe Christenson

9.0

Funky mixed berry. Brambly, some hints of green pepper, black pepper, black tea, and good structure. Off the beaten path. Fun find. — 3 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Elegant. Minerals and spices from oak. Vinosia Rajamagra Taurasi Reserva 17 @9500, AKB Gr, 241023 — 2 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.3

2005 is the current vintage for the GR in 2023. Total bargain for a ready to drink 28 year old bottle. (~$60)

What probably used to be bright plum and dark fruit flavors are now elegantly fading into dried plums, baking spices, leather, tobacco, and some dried orange peel. Scents of vanilla and dill provide complimentary aromas.

Flavors of balsamic and baked fruits, more plums and cigar. Delicate tannins that have lost their edge but the body remains firm and acids still gripping. Long intense finish. This is my happy place. — 3 years ago

TJ Maxwell

9.2

Tasty and refreshing — 5 years ago

Stephen

9.0

Very dry but full and flavorful. Had at Souvlaki GR restaurant on w 56 between 7th and Bway — 7 years ago

Matt

9.2

70 CA 30 GR old vine bottling that proves how important Carignan can be in arid, warm climate winemaking. At 15% abv this wine carries balance, life, and most importantly complex interplay of deeply hued fruit and savory layers. There’s an air of roasted meatiness, leather, wet slate, and roasted black and purple fruits that stands out. In the background purple flowers, smoke, talcum, licorice, brown sugar. Palate is expansive, rich without being too heavy, kept in check by balancing acid of the carignan. Tannin wise there’s grit, nothing overpowering but flowing nicely about, keeping the texture present with its length. — 7 years ago

Matt

9.0

Snagged this on an impromptu visit to Epoch several months ago. I remember it being a favorite with its healthy dollop of Mourvedre yet considerably tight, this is much more open. Tannins still run a little coarse and oak heavy, but that beautiful black and blue fruit is hitting its stride. There’s a lot of exotic and sweet spice notes balanced by earthier notes of sage brush, pine forest, volcanic rocks. It carries weight yet some nice lift too given how much ballast is here. Not a style I reach for often but enjoying this 49 GR 34 MV 17 SY — 8 years ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.1

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of cherries, hibiscus, and charred oak; on the palate, it's dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, high (but well integrated) alcohol, medium body, and pronounced primary flavors of stewed strawberries, black plums, and camphor with a long finish. This wine is balanced and complex. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Nellie likes it, too. — 8 months ago

with Nellie

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2016 | 450 gr/l sugar | very rare | wagonloads apricot — 2 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2018 | 92 gr rest sugar | this Riesling has such a fine balance between sweetness and refined acidity | perfect for Asian food ❤️ — 3 years ago

Matt

9.1

Why not my favorite vintage so far, I feel this carries the warmth well. Rich and ripe without pushing the limits too much. The extra SY and MO components lend themselves well and this has some flash and darkness that bring a wild side to it all. Ive found some ‘17s to have significant brett but I think this balances well. Tannins are ripe but could use some more time to integrate a touch and soften their chew. Ripe black cherry compote, Chambord, roasted plums, animal, sweet spice and clovey layers of brett. 60 GR 20 SY 18 MO 2 CIN — 6 years ago

Matt

9.0

This captures the style of Saint Préfert quiet well with its sleek profile, freshness and lifted aromatics. This has some serious class for its CDR origin, very pure and elegantly structured. Fresh to overripe black fruit, stones, candied olive, smoke and lavender. There’s a hint of meaty-ness as well. The florals are this wines most intriguing component, coupled with the snap of acid the blend has, tremendous value. 85 GR 15 CI, “la Lionne” in Sorgues, gallets soils, full concrete — 7 years ago

Alex Jones

Marketing/Development Kunni/Westerly Wines

8.9

Shows more like a carbonated Jura pinot. Just delicious in all ways. — 8 years ago

Matt

9.3

Incredible value, punching well above its weight class. Classic CNDP character and texture, true to form and class. There’s a deal of finesse here not often seen at this price point. To me another example of Mourvedre’s place in CNDP’s future regarding climate change. Nose is ripe and confitured blackberry, roasted black plum, Provençal herbs, mocha, hot stones. Palate confirms nose; plump black fruit framed by stony minerality, garrigue, and white pepper. Underlying savory elements of meat and smoke. Tannins are assertive yet very fine, again very stoney in character. Acid is fresh, almost has a Gigondas or elevated character to it. Pure class with plenty if soul. Will develop quite well but so delicious right now. 70 GR 30 MV — 8 years ago

Mario Zillner

9.3

Along with Egly-Ouriet, simply the best entry-level grower champ on the market (IMO). This is 70% base vintage, and 30% reserve wines. Blend is 33/33/33% Pinot/Chard/Meunière. 30+ months on lees… damn delicious. Disgorgement: June 2023 / Dosage: 6 gr/l — a year ago

Jol

9.0

2 gr donc brut mais assez doux car pinot meunier — 2 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.4

Tannins resolved but shockingly young (this was the crianza, I mistakenly thought it the GR). Squinting, there’s a note of brown at the rim but the core is a translucent dark black with red glints. Huge nose of tobacco, vanilla, forest floor, cinnamon, and clove. Massive palate, still superb balance of acid and fruit/secondary. Maybe misses a touch of length on the finish vs the GR, but a very solid finish carries by the acids. Last of the great aged Rioja bargains (where you can find it?)? — 3 years ago

Nancie Hemminger

9.4

It was a very hot day on the coast of Los Angeles and this chilled Greek gem from the island of Santorini hot the spot. Crisp, light and citrusy with a steely minerality and a slight bitterness on the finish which literally stopped me from gulping it too fast. Paired with a German style dinner of pork schnitzel and potato salad. The cider vinegar and mustard dressing of the potato salad pushed aside the slight bitterness and bounced playfully with the citrus acidity of the wine. Riesling would have paired well of course, but I just adore an Assyrtiko. It makes me feel like I am on vacation. — 6 years ago

Matt

9.6

This 100% GR was killer, one of the better grenache varietal wines I’ve had lately. Incredibly fresh, great purity and length, seamless. Lively acid and elegantly laced tannin. Cranberry, crushed morello cherry, red apple skin, sweet medicinal herbs, crushed flowers, baked earth, ceylon cinnamon. — 7 years ago

Matt

9.3

Interesting cuvée here, it really wears its 50/50 SY GR blend on its sleeves, switching between the two over the course of a few hours. Like many Kongsgaards of the past this has one foot in the OW and one in the NW. Deep black fruit, savory meat, white pepper, chaparral. — 8 years ago