Ira Schwartz

9.4

There’s nothing like the excitement of head to head competition. Unfortunately, that excitement ends quickly when one of the participants has to withdraw. The 2013 was extremely advanced with a heavy petrol nose. The 2014 on the other hand was a great example of what this wine should be. A clean nose of grapefruit and grass but not in that overbearing way that can be the case with SB. Once in the mouth SB steps aside and the Semillon becomes the “boss”. Apricot and pears pop up and the initial dose of mouth watering acidity gives way to a wonderful roundness that allows for a long finish. — a month ago

with Stephen

Ira Schwartz

9.5

When you have the opportunity to drink a wine like this I do not worry about infanticide because I might be a corpse when this is at its apex. Decanted 2.5 hours . Head spinning aromatics of flowers, spice , and plums. One should bottle a perfume with that nose. I always ask myself can the palate equal the nose and in this case the palate does exactly that. The palate seduces you with pure elegance despite the enormous concentration of fruit. Delicious flavors of perfectly ripe fruit that somehow takes great structure and turns it into silk. Tremendous density and energy that handles the vintage heat effortlessly. Most importantly the bottle was shared with my friend who made my wine journey in life possible, if that was factored into my rating this wine would score a 100. — 3 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.2

2nd wine of the night and it acted like it. Needed a lot of time to open up in decanter but never really hit its stride even after 4 hours. Was solid and good but not great. Seems like a lot of the great fruit, oak and vibrancy left the bottle. Maybe better to drink young. Lost the head to head to beringer pr — 4 years ago

Willow Taylor

9.9

2022 laithwaites — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Sourced from over 70 tiny parcels of old-vine, head-pruned Tempranillo blended with a small percentage of Graciano, aged 15 months in French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe plum with notes of vanilla, spice, tobacco and floral herbs. Fine firm tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and earthy character. Very nice! — a year ago

Tobin Spratte

9.3

Aromatic and complex with immediate notes of pineapple, honey crisp apple, vanilla, and tinges of white grapefruit, mango, white peach, orchard blossoms, and dolostone. Definitely some gewurztraminer in here, likely some Riesling and Pinot Grigio, too. Acidic, but in a good way, as should be expected from any Alto Adige white. I love it, but I can see why others would have trouble aligning it with their palate if you aren't into cool climate whites (Alsace, Mosel, Alto Adige). Those expecting a White Burgundy alternative will be disappointed, though the oak is Burgundian, even Oregonian in character in this blend. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Pop n pour - a treat from a friend before we head out. My first experience with this vintage. Nice mousse and color. Notes of toast and bread yeast, some citrus and stone. Not as vibrant as an 02 I last had, which is not surprising. And not as energetic as other 96 vintages I’ve had in the last year. Am told this was bought in release and stored in perfect conditions. Supports a premise that Cristal might need to be drunk within 20 years of the vintage. — 3 years ago

Brenda Lambert

9.8

Has continued to be good in multiple vintages — 7 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.6

I must have sniffed the glass 4-5x before I put the wine in my mouth. Funk , in the best sense of the word , leather , cured meat and old furniture . When I finally tasted , the complexity of flavors were head spinning. A melange of flowers , spices , game, red fruit and some dark fruit . Reminds me of some aged Burgundy and Barolo that I have consumed. What I imagine being on LSD would be like, hopefully there are flashbacks. An amazing trip ! — 2 years ago

with Richard

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2015 is the current release of the zesty and potent Montefalco Rosso San Valentino. It’s composed of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, all from 50-year-old vines within the San Valentino vineyard. Also worth mentioning is that this doesn’t spend any time in wood; instead, maturation takes place over three years in stainless steel tank. That said, the intense mix of wild berry, cherry, clove, sweet mineral, violet and dusty rose that forms the bouquet is all terroir, varietal and vintage. It makes its presence known with tart red fruits, sour citrus and spice, as nervous acids force the mouth to water, adding further sweetness and thrust. The expression suddenly turns feminine and perfumed, with a mix of gorgeous inner florals resonating above a tug of subtle tannin. The 2015 is a seductive, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head expression of San Valentino. (Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2021)
— 3 years ago