Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1991 vintage. Last tasted 4.22.26 (8.4). It was quite the saga then with a triple-decker self-loathing, regret and sorrow sandwich. This visit...bottle #2 of 3. Opened with a Durand. Cork 25% saturated. Color a ridiculous, majestic purple. Decanted and tasted after 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 45 minutes and one hour. Decent sed vacillating between powdery and Dippin' Dots sized. Gamey, smoky, meaty Côte-Rôtie-styled rhythm guitar nose that definitely rolled over into the flavors. The lead guitar went on an extended rhubarb, cranberry and boysenberry solo. Fascinating wine and will open the last bottle in exactly a month. We can't wait for June. We're on surfari to stay. 5.22.26. — 3 months ago

vickie

10

Bought Rays - from Austria served Thanksgiving 2923 — 3 years ago

Bob Yoon

9.3

Long overdue annual post for Gustav Meier. He would just turned 90. A very worthwhile #merlot in Gusti’s honor! Elegant and charming. Like him! — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Intense aromas of tropical and exotic fruits. Flavors of pineapple, limes, green apple and spice. Dry, fresh and vibrant. Great value. — 8 years ago

with John

Lindsey King

9.4

Raspberry compote, creme de violette, a handful of wet soil with crushed twigs and leaves. Balance and structure like the work of a romantic carpenter building his dream house. Like a semi-lucid dream where a warm, hazy sky is breaking like a glow stick into twilight hues and you’re on a beautiful old double decker steam train with a rooftop standing area. You’re whizzing by vibrant green fields of gigantic flowers, their petals flapping slowly in the wind like sheets drying on a line. Old oak trees growing fruits in colours that don’t exist yet. Glowing fireflies just above your head like painterly orange astronomy. In the dream it’s New Years Eve but in the dream everyday is New Years Eve and you could very well spend everyday alone with your dream power. — 9 years ago

Sara Kobilka

9.2

Amazing, beautiful balance of blackberries, a hint of smoke and plenty of the Earthiness reds from Cochise County are known for. — 9 years ago

with Brandon

Bob Yoon

9.2

Does not suck. 2010 doesn't mess around. Also this is of sentimental value: We got this for Gustav Meier when he gave the Schleicher studio a masterclass. — 10 years ago

Bob Yoon

9.3

A few days late but here is my annual tribute to Gustav Meier. He was loved dearly by six(?) decades of students and colleagues. As worldly and as sophisticated as he was, this great man had terrible taste in alcohol. There’s a Belgian style brewery near school where he would only order Coors Light from. His go to scotch was Cutty Sark. For wine, he preferred those gaudy Californian merlots that got deservedly dunked on in Sideways. Whenever I brought him a bottle of wine, I always got him a right bank Bordeaux. Perhaps my hints at how wonderful merlot can be were too subtle. It’s been nine years but we all miss him dearly. I may no longer be a conductor but I can still hear many teachings of his as if he is standing next to me. “Get out of their way and just trust them!” I need constant reminders of this invaluable piece of advice whether I am parenting or working with a client. Raise a glass for Gusti! — a year ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.6

Everyone else who opened this before 2020 is missing out. 1 glass tonight then the rest with 🥩 tomorrow after a 2 hour decant, buts it’s drinking great at p&p. Fantastic nose

The 2012 Collina Dalla Valle, produced mainly from younger vines on the estate, highlights the delicacy, precision, and richness of the vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the wine brings forth the best of our terrior—aromas of dried flowers, red raspberries, black currant, gravel, and smoke.

In 1983, Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle began planting vines on the hillside of Oakville, overlooking Napa valley. Their vineyards produce excellent quality grapes, resulting in wines of great intensity, complexity and balance. Gustav passed away in 1995 and Naoko Dalla Valle continues the legacy of Dalla Valle wines. Dalla Valle Vineyards produces three wines: Maya (55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Cabernet Franc), Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Pietre Rosse (100% Sangiovese). — 6 years ago

Chelsea Spring

10

Brick House Tavern; Louisville, KY — 8 years ago

Julie Hamberg

8.9

Earthy, a bit peppery and spicy. Paired well with Moroccan chicken thighs. — 9 years ago

Jean

9.3

Great. With Steve Perna and Jenny decker. — 9 years ago

Cecil Ramirez

9.1

2014 Gustav Lorentz Gewurtztraminer. Starbright, golden color. Apricot, lychee fruit, rose petal, white pepper, stone. Off-dry, crisp, short finish. Love it! — 10 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

Vintage 2018 | Obscure half bottle sold in December for Xmas, no information on back label , shipped by Gustav Adolf Schmitt Weinkellerei in Nierstein. But it is a real treat with tropical fruit, honey. Nectar taste. Paired with a Guadeloupe melon and ham. — 2 years ago

Jane Folske

9.1

Served this to Robin and Marian when they came for dinner the first time at Gustav-Gull Platz 11. It went very nicely with the lasagna and sausages. Oh, and also with a charcuterie. Marc didn’t have any, so he couldn’t weigh in on the rating. But it was easy to drink and very nice. — 2 years ago

Friday Hill

9.8

Earthy Riesling / golden beers
Biodynamic
Spontaneous fermentation — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Surprisingly good German Pinot Noir Rose’. Steely strawberry and mineral flavors with a hint of peaches on the nose. Great acidity, body and mouthfeel. Super Value! — 8 years ago

Matt Feinstein

9.0

Well balanced. Green apple. Good value. — 8 years ago

Ryan Kaltenbach

9.0

Part of the Decker family lineage - enjoyed for Thanksgiving dinner. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Nose of slightly syrupy and jammy blue fruits of; olallieberries, blueberries, huckleberries, black raspberries, blackberries, spiced plums, dark cherries, dark cherry cola, expresso roast, dried dark flowers, spice, cinnamon & anise, dry stems and leather. On the palate, full bodied, round, juicy with fine powdery tannins and darkly elegant. Fruits, of; blueberries, olallieberries, black raspberries, blackberries, plums, dark cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg. mocha powder, light vanillin, anise, espresso roast, black tea, soft leather, finely dry crushed rock powder, graphite, underbrush, poached strawberries hit the long palate set, dark rich earth, dry red flowers, liquid violets and notes of tarriness. The finish is nice resolved dark tannins, great balance of fruit & earth, solid structure, nice tension, rich, full elegance and perfect acidity that rains over the palate. Lail owns and uses fruit from two estate vineyards; the Totem Vineyard in Yountville; which is part of the original Inglenook vineyard estate. This vineyard is named after a Totem pole that was the founder of Inglenook Winery, Gustav Niebaum. Their Mole Hill vineyard is located high on the slopes of Howell Mountain at about 1600 feet. Still has 8-10 years of good life ahead of it. Photos of the Lail Vineyards and small estate building without a tasting room. — 9 years ago