Erik Longabardi

9.4

A historically significant grape on Long Island as well as Portugal. There’s some great research I’ve found over the years about the Isabella grape. If anything, this is a vine we should plant more of here on LI. This wine is really compelling. Tart, saline and joyful. — 5 months ago

Tony Wiersielis

10

Don’t care for reds, but this is good stuff. Semi sweet-Nice! — 3 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) — 3 years ago

Ross Bathgate

9.3

Golden yellow perfectly mature and showing all its faculties. Delicious! — 6 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

Fair amount of Malo. Buttery. With well balanced oak. Pineapple, vanilla. Medium full bodied. Almonds, custard. Will age well. — a year ago

Matt Konopka

9.0

Enjoyable, great drinker — 3 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 — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Purchased this 5 case barrel at Premier Napa. Dalla Valle’s oldest planted Cabernet Vineyard named after the oldest daughter Isabella. I remember this being the best barrel I tasted over the 3 days at PNV showing 1st growth quality, balance & finesse. This was the 1st & only time she has ever produced this rare wine. — 2 years ago

TH

9.3

@ italian restaurant — 3 years ago

Rufus King

9.1

Nice dry sparkling white blend (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) served at Gala at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston — 3 years ago