Jocholla

9.6

Aging gracefully and will continue to do so. Black fruits, blueberry, blackberry, plum, vanilla, linearity and precision with a plush silky mouthfeel that completely coats the palate. — 2 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.9

This is “will never forget the first time I tried it” level. Definitely greatest wine I’ve ever tasted in its category, possibly best sweet wine. Starts much paler than I expected, light gold. Nose is a journey, surprises with freshness, liveliness though with the highest concentration imaginable. White peach, white nectarine, lychee, rose water, intense white florals, an after-rain sense of freshness. On the palate yet another surprise: so much minerality (!!!) that the intensity gets carried by bright, almost riesling-like acidity and the insane amount of sugar is so well balanced that it’s barely noticeable until the crazy long finish. What a ride!!! — 2 years ago

Marta Jackowska

9.4

Phenomenal wine and perfect accompaniment to a wonderful meal…..
However, this is usually one of our favorite (highest rated……by way of our very complex tasting algorithm 😉 ) wines of the year but for some reason this 2008 vintage was just missing something…..still great but not the best we’ve had — 2 years ago

with Neville

Nagib Nasr

9.1

I loved this wine. — 4 months ago

Tyler Felous

9.0

100% prié from the highest elevation vineyard in Europe. Some honeysuckle. Crisp acidity. Medium body. Italy is full of whites like this — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Extremely fine mousse, possibly the finest I’ve ever seen. Aromas of lemon, lime and honey. Amazingly fresh and vibrant for a 21 year old wine. On the palate medium plus intensity. Notes of over ripe mouldy apple. Jancis gave this 20/20 which is Off the Charts for her. She said that they started to measure glycerol levels from 2001, and 2002 has been the highest glycerol Dom P ‘by a mile’. An interesting comment. Were they only comparing to 2001? The following day the Lime and Honey dominated still. It would be interesting to taste this next to the 2002 P2. The latter probably fresher still and more mineral. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, highest point of Monte Rosso Vineyard, famous for rattlesnakes living among the vines, seeking sunshine by day and coiling around the vines at night. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, tangy herb, pepper and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with black pepper spice, vanilla and earthy sweet herbs. Soft chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy oak. Nice! — 5 months ago

Edward Allen

9.1

More fallback than first pick red blend, but easily solid in my view. Label claims dark cherry and toasty oak, which I do pick up but I could use more detectable toasty oak. The dark cherry is more easily detectable than the oak for sure, so having stronger oak would really drive this up in rating for me. It’s slightly on the dry side but not excessive. Still, I have no problem honoring the barn built in 1900 based on this admirable tribute. I don’t quite know who RoxyAnn is, but I do hope to one day purchase produce and leave payment in the honor box at the Hillcrest barn. — 2 years ago

Edward

9.0

2012 poured in February, 2022. It held up quite well for a 10 year old wine. Deep color, smooth tannins and good fruit on the palette. I think this wine will age well over the next 5-10 years. Well done. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 3 years ago