Eldon Sproule

10

So for those who don’t know, this wine is a collaboration between one of the most famous California winemakers and one of the most famous Bordeaux wine makers (the grapes are from Napa).

The young expression when I first had it 10 years ago was big bold ripe fruit, probably the quintessential Napa cab.

The aged expression had more secondary and tertiary characteristics, terroir, and represented Baron Rothschild in respects of crafting a wine that could grow and develop and express the care that goes into winemaking as opposed to simply growing good fruit.

The young version of it perfectly expresses Mondavi and Napa. The aged version captures the elegance of Bordeaux winemaking and Rothschild’s fingerprints. You cannot fully experience this wine unless you’ve had it young and old. Unbelievable experience tonight. — 7 months ago

Adam Kincaid

9.0

What a wonderful little gem this wine turned out to be. A rather young blau but one that is light and drinkable with opportunity to age and grow in the bottle too. Has a ruby color, looks lighter body from the onset. Lively scents of rose petals and cola, but mostly red berries like currants and cherry. Drinks beautifully with a bright quality and low to medium acidity featuring some pepper but mostly sour cherry. Has a refreshing quality that I like. — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

In 1989, Melville Vineyards, was founded in Sonoma, where Ron Melville grew high quality, Chard, Merlot, and Cab Sauv. In 1996, Ron's desire to grow Pinot Noir brought Melville Vineyards to Lompoc's Sta. Rita Hills, in Santa Barbara County. Ruby with aromas of sweet red fruits and vivid spice. Flavors of raspberry and strawberry, currant like, adding cinnamon and leathery notes. Fine tannins, long ending with nice mouthfeel bringing back fruit and subtle spice. Drink now starting to lose luster! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

The origins of the Damilano family dates back to over a century ago, when Guiseppe Borgogno, the great-grandfather of the current owners, started to grow and make wine from his own grapes. Medium Ruby with aromas of fresh berry fruits and generous spice. On the palate this medium body wine shows flavors of juicy cherry and blackberry with notes of citrus and vanilla spice. Light tannin structure, lively acidity, medium ending with fruit finish. Nice value. Drink now, consistent, no aging benefit. — 2 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.2

A beast that needs yet to grow up. — 3 years ago

Patrick O Driscoll

9.3

Soft red that is maturing well with ripe forest fruit nose, will grow into a great wine with time. Does need to be aired to enjoy it — 4 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.1

Clean & clear as a mountain spring, with salt, crushed rocks, a whiff of herbs and some reductive naphtha. On the palate this is linear & clearcut yet with precision & depth, good pure yellow fruit and lemony acidity following. Finishes off with, again, a salty mineral streak.
I find the Alzinger Rieslings much better than his Veltliners. And they improve immensely with time. This is still a baby and will continue to grow, even though it’s ‘only’ a Federspiel.
Delicious stuff. — 6 years ago

Ashish Pant

9.4

Fantastic, had one in Fuengirola with fantastic Iberico feather. Soft is the word that comes to mind. Berries and tobacco. The 2018 can grow with age. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A really pretty dark garnet color in the glass, almost impenetrable. The nose is very interesting and lovely, especially as time passes. Black and red cherries with some soft vanilla. There’s a bit of coffee and cigar smoke. On day two, chocolate and floral notes come to the fore. Earthy and fruity in equal measure.

This starts off as a very well balanced, quite nice wine but becomes so much more if you can let it grow into itself a little bit. Full bodied but not clunky. Smooth with vibrant energy. Soft tannins and nicely dry. On the palate you’ll find tobacco and chocolate with dark fruits. A nice streak of spice brings us on home to the long finish. This is no novelty, it’s just good wine. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light straw color, lots of bubbles and nice energy in the glass. Has an exciting nose that expresses Blanc de Blanc attributes and the potential of a great young champagne. Opened for 30 min before trying it, I think it came out of the blocks as closed and not showing much. With air it opens up somewhat – but this definitely needs years more lying on its side to gain some age and complexity. Notes of citrus and some toast, some creamy floral notes, some river stone and some fresh cut apples. Wanted to try this out, and will wait for another 5 years before touching the next one. Reminded me of the 2002 when I first tried it. Will be great, and patience is needed to watch it develop and grow up. — 5 years ago