Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry, cranberry, violets and oak. Smooth, full of red fruit on the palate, baking spices and black tea. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured, the 2021 “Beatus Ille” Cote du Rhone by Isabella Fernando pours a bright ruby with a magenta rim. On the nose, this is bright and super fresh with predominately soft, red strawberry fruit. On the palate, the fruit characteristics are confirmed however this comes across much fuller, riper, and rounded than the nose would have indicated. It still maintains an overall impressions of freshness and there are some lovely minerals that seem to help with that. Structure is medium; medium tannin and medium acid. The finish is also medium. An elegant Cote du Rhone that I find really compelling; particularly when you consider the price relative to some of Isabel’s other offerings. — 2 years ago

Travis Coleman

10

Semi sweet, smooth finish. — 6 years ago

Nick MR

9.0

2017 vintage. Really enjoyed it. But again. — 2 years ago

Debra Copeland, WSET3, CSWS

9.3

Light and refreshing with just the right amount of effervescence. Palate has crisp Granny Smith apples and citrus. This is a perfect patio sparkler! — 2 years ago

Stephanie Swannack

9.8

Birthday dinner At Brasserie Four in walla walla with Daniel Isabella angela Jamie and Sylvie. From the region of Sylvie’s dad — 4 years ago

Connor Smith

9.3

The first European grapes were planted in what is now the U.S. in the 1600s, where Spanish missionaries in New Mexico needed sacramental wine. But Phylloxera was ever-present near the eastern population centers, so the earliest American wine industries were built on hybrid grapes. Cincinnati's sparkling Catawba was America's first cult wine, followed by cultivars like Norton, Isabella, and Concord in Missouri and Virginia. The sleeping giant began to awaken in the 1850s, when Agoston Haraszthy began importing high-quality vine material to California.

It all came crashing down with Prohibition in 1920. Not only were vineyards ripped up and knowledge lost, but the American palate became soft and sweet. Low-quality fortified wine from whatever grapes were available became the standard of the American wine industry.

Things began to shift in the 1960s. Robert Mondavi brought dry table wine, varietally labeled, back to the forefront. Boutique producers like Ridge began to creep toward European quality standards. The 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, a sweeping victory for the Americans, proved that the New World wine was here to stay.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû's Wines 'History of Wine 1453AD-Present' seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago

Fish Tony Fisher

9.0

Funny wax stop on it makes it seem more fancy than it probably is. Not a bad blend but lacking the complexity of other Bordeaux blends at similar prices. Crimson with cherry and berry flavours. Would definitely have again. — 2 years ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Golden yellow perfectly mature and showing all its faculties. Delicious! — 4 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

One of a kind! Incredible red from a grape you won’t find anywhere else. — 5 years ago