Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.7

If it didn’t have such a weird name I probably wouldn’t have bought it, hefty decant needed but 😳👍🏼
Wine Advocate 95,
Reviewed by Jeb when he was with Parker,


Showing beautifully from barrel and not disappointing from bottle, the 2012 Hommage a Francois Durif No. 1 (I reviewed this last year as the Petite Sirah) is a blend of 100% Petite Sirah that's certainly one of the finest examples of this variety coming out of California. Inky colored and a big, voluptuous and decadent beauty, it offers terrific notes of blackcurrants, plum, toasted spice, leather, graphite and espresso. Full-bodied, concentrated, rich and yet always balanced and light on its feet, it has sensational purity of fruit, a big, rich mid-palate and tons of sweet tannin that coat the palate and lengthen the finish. I wouldn't open another bottle for 2-3 years, but it will have 15-20 years of longevity. — 10 days ago

Trixie

9.0

Chocolatey, peanut butter with hints of cream and caramel.

Has the best aroma for a beer it smells like homemade caramel topping.

Medium bodied sweet stout that reminds you of a peanut butter milkshake.

•4.5% ABV• January 22, 2021 🍫🥜 — 4 days ago

Dave Olson

9.2

Beautiful cab franc. Full, smooth. I'm glad that I bought several bottles. — a day ago

Ki Punwar

Owner, California Wine Republic

9.6

Plush, lush and pure. Very approachable and drinkable now. Notes of Iron and blackberries, pine needles. Tannins on the finish but surprisingly open. — 3 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Nose has smokey over-ripe plum, prune, mashed black cherry, strawberry jam, dark chocolate, Finnish licorice, (minor) black pepper, dried meats and wet steel.

Palate has ripe plum, dried cherry, light molasses, wet earth, wet clove, blackberry, black raisin, (minor) moist cedar, strawberry fruit leather with a medium viscosity; Long finish improving with extended airing.

Cork pulled for slow oxidation at 6H, then 2H in the decanter. Considerable sediment in the bottle, as expected. Doing quite well, still some years ahead, but we've had other Turley Zinfandel at about this age with a stronger showing. Perhaps the 'Juvenile' is not intended for a 13-14Y slumber. — 10 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

This is K&L Wine Merchants private label wine. Named after family, Kay & Linda.

It is always a mystery who’s juice they bottled or who they bought fruit to and made the wine. Regardless, it always over delivers at $21.99.

Might have waited a couple years too long to get its best. Need to let it settle on palate before sharing more thoughts. Starting a little lean on the palate but, what a floral nose. We’ll see what a longer decant and palate coating brings.

As I mentioned, the nose is singing with ruby, candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The fruits are a little stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries and blueberries that hover. Mid, soft, dark spice, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf.

The nose is more captivating than the body. It’s complex but at the same time flatter. The palate shows; ripe, stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate and blueberries on the backend. Mid, soft, dark spice with just the right amount of heat, cherry kirsch, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, moist to dry clay, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf. The acidity is a cool Colorado stream. The finish is; well knitted, balanced fruit & earth elegant, lush, despite its complexity, a little hallow yet persisting minutes, falling onto dry soils & spice.

As I stated, still enjoyable but, at its peak two years ago from my secondary storage. However, the longer I sip it, it pushes 9.0 on the long set. Time to start drinking a number of wines I’ve stepped over for bigger experiences & more notable producers.

Photos of, the K&L store in SF, tasting bar & two different photos of K&L Bordeaux Dinners we’ve attended with Owner Clyde Beffa Jr. — 9 days ago

Lord Nigel Higgenbottom XII

9.1

Not really a "purist" wine but who cares?... Those guys are a bunch of Jackwagons. It's best to not think of this as a wine and more as a delightful hybrid alcoholic beverage. It is really obvious that the bourbon barrels are heavily influencing the flavor here and that is right up my alley. I wouldn't want every wine to be like that but what this one does, it does well. It's really in a completely different category than a straight-up Zin and should be judged accordingly. — 9 days ago

Jim McCusker

9.2

Reached back a bit in the cellar for this one. From the third vintage released by the folks at Epoch, this is a GMS blend that’s almost equal parts of all three varietals. Definitely on the downslope - some of the vibrancy of the grenache has faded - but it’s still excellent. Stopped getting Epoch wines a while back because of what went down there early on between the original winemaker (Dave Jelinek) and the owners - didn’t think that was too cool - but there is no denying the quality of the wines they produce. — 10 days ago

with Vanessa

Shay A

9.2

A bottle that I had forgotten about in my cellar. Curiosity got the best of me as I think 2012 Napa cabs are entering a sweet spot.

This deserved a decant, honestly. Consumed from the bottle over the course of an hour or so, and the last glass was the best. I wouldn’t say this is an old school cab (although their history is), I’d say this is more in between old school and modern. Something for everyone to enjoy here. Aromatically, this was very floral...potpourri, slight note of herbs and just starting to channel a bit of secondary notes (tobacco, bay leaf). It sports a beautiful red/purple/black color variation in the glass with some translucence. On the palate, very classic...tar, kirsch, black currant, mocha, dark chocolate covered black cherries, and some baking spices toward the finish. The finish here really is starting to integrate as there is no harsh tannin or overt oak. Not quite warm vintage left bank Bordeaux, but trending that direction style wise. If opening now, decant 2-3hrs, or hold for another 3-5yrs easily to enjoy this drinking window. — 3 days ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of gold. Nose of ripe fruits like banana and papaya, roasted nuts, mix of flowering note spice and alcohol, and a touch of salty mineral. Very Chardonnay like. Taste is interesting, with good mix of sweetness and acidity. On top of that, jasmine flowering note. Almost like jasmine tea. Sweet citrus and melon on the 2nd sip. Quite soft and clean. Some minerals show up later on. Light on the aftertaste yet done well in quality. — 12 days ago