Bonnie Chu

8.9

California tasting, more austere — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

92-93 for me.

Consumed half bottle at pop, then corked for another 4hrs before consuming the rest. No change.

What a beautifully elegant and refined ‘09. The highest compliment I can give this is that it was a simplistic joy. Some wines make it easy to get nerdy and command your attention…some wines are underwhelming and not worth your time. This was squarely in the middle. It was a joy to not feel the need to overthink…it’s exactly what it should be. No bricking at almost 15yrs. Decidedly black fruit heavy (black currant, cassis, underripe blackberries) with a sprinkling of raspberries and black cherries. Aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals. Integrated on the palate with good structure and acidity…not a massive wine, but it put on a bit of weight/length the longer it was open. Still sporting a fair bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s balanced. Drink or hold. — 2 years ago

Joe Estrada

9.3

Perfect with an asian chicken salad — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Ruby with complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. Blend of 90% Tempranillo & 10% Graciano, aged 48 months on American oak, 20% new. On the palate flavors of dark berry fruits with spice, oak and smoky earthy notes, slight vanilla nuances on ripe full soft silky tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak, cigar box spice and clean mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip this Fine Wine!! Tasting great, has more aging potential! — 3 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Reduction initially. Decant helped. Really opened up with herbs, vegetables, some dark fruit and cassis. Definitely northern Rhône style. Nothing quite like this one. — 2 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.5

Way too young… but fully enjoyable at this stage. Not much nose… green apple and pear… wonderful balance! Wondering where this will go , but a joy with halibut and salmon in a state where laws make drinking problematic. Assume this will close up like a sea turtle, but lots of pleasure already. Look for a competitive price… but stock up. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Tried this about a year ago, tried again, aged nicely! HALL Wines is located in Napa Valley and employs organic small-vine viticulture and precision winemaking. ‘16 is a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cab Sauv. Very deep Ruby with rich berry fruit aromas, complex but not overpowering adding a touch of floral and spice. On the palate rich fruit, raspberry and cherry flavors with sweet vanilla, cacao and some oak. Smooth tannins, great balance, long finish, a joy to drink. — 5 years ago

Jan A

9.4

This was firing on all cylinders tonight. Caught at a point v.s. my palate preferences. This still had fruit power but also polished, pleasantly drying tannins. It had a lot of spices braced by just the right amount of sweetness. Truly a joy to drink tonight. — 6 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2006 | deep colour, ruby red/brown rim, classic smell with laurel, cassis, autumn forrest, milkchocoalte, taste still powerfull, probably enough reserves to go another 5 years, but it gives joy now. Good balance and fine acidity. | Paired with beef finch, potatoes from the oven and a salad / mixed vegetables. — 2 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.3

Rich, lush red fruit with hints of flint and tobacco. Complex and well structured. It lingers on the mid pallet for an age. High quality and a joy to drink 🍷 — 4 years ago