Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Another solid vintage of this 100% Corvina gem. Dark purple/ruby color. Aromas of ripe and cooked red fruit, burnt chocolate, cola and purple flowers. Flavors of cherry compote, red currants, cocoa powder, coffee and black pepper spice. Long and luxurious finish with some sweet oak overtones. Rich, dense, complex and plush. Tannins are so smooth. Easy drinker that can handle a chill. Not quite as outgoing as the stellar 2016 Vintage but still quite good. Thanks for bringing this one out at the New Year’s Day brunch, Keith S! — 6 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Pretty light straw , green reflexes . Quite taught and herbaceous on the nose, cut grass with grapefruit , honey , wax , touch toasty , nutty richness . Lemon and lime , slightly toasty notes on the palate, quite long and fresh , saline on the finish . While quite light and not that intense this is still young and could go on like this for another decade or more . — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Second Label Grand Cru is Full of black fruit aromas along with hints of violets, leather and blueberry. Bright black raspberry fruit flavors along with leather and freshly tilled earth notes. Touch of Smokey ash on the finish. Merlot based Bordeaux Blend that includes some Malbec and Carmeniere. Lovely softness and character. Thank You Keith S! — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Aromas and flavors of dried black cherries, dried currants and prunes. Hints of minerals and Forrest Floor. Long (but a bit astringent) finish and smooth tannins. Good structure. Revisited in March 2023. This bottle was less astringent. (Thanks Keith!) Taking rating up to 9.0. Revisited again in October 2023. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.6

A few wines from last week’s 4th Friday event!

The sheer opulence of this is astounding. Obviously young, this was actually my first Realm BTK courtesy of @Keith Fisher . When thinking back to the last stunning 2016 BTK I had (MacDonald), where the MacDonald is more dusty, slightly more herbal and full of tightly coiled BTK power, this was an embarrassment of rich dark fruits, baking spices and sporting a creme de cassis like profile. Classic To Kalon power, with so much to unpack. Thank you, Keith! — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

The balance here is impeccable! Sweet oak, red, blue and black fruit, plum and nutmeg on the nose. Cascading dark chocolate/Andes mint on the palate to go with ripe fruit and mocha...youthful tannins. Just wonderful. Thank you @Keith Fisher — 7 years ago

with Dan

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Bright ruby color with garnet highlights. Aromas of ripe red and black fruit, Asian spices, wet soil, garrigue and wood ash. Flavors of cranberry, red cherries, red plums, tobacco, Earl Grey tea, dark chocolate, grilled herbs and baking spices. Long and lingering finish. Dusty tannins, firm structure and bright acidity. Lovely concentration and mouth coating texture. Bring on the grilled meat. Great choice, Keith S! — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Medium golden color. Aromas of white flowers, green melon and fresh herbs. Melon, pear, green apple and citrus fruits (grapefruit and pineapple) on the palate with hints of butter and those fresh herbs. Pleasant mineral component on the finish. Lovely smooth and creamy texture (malolactic fermentation) but no sign of oak. Medium acidity. Nice start to the day, Keith S! Revisited in November 2024. Aging beautifully. Taking my rating up to 9.1. Revisited again in May 2025. Still outstanding! — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Grenache based Red. Light garnet color. Intense aromas of tar, asphalt, rubber, and dark cherry. Pallet is still reasonably fresh with notes of cooked dark cherry, plum tobacco, roasted nuts and herbs. Hints of watermelon on the long and Smokey finish. Oak has integrated very nicely. Acidity is well balanced. This is an example of a wine that has improved with age. Thank You for sharing Keith S! — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Nice Chianti Classico. Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot. Big black berry and black cherry fruit aromas and flavors. Slight touch of baking spices, tobacco and wet earth. Bright with mouth watering acidity. Bold with a Brilliant texture and wonderful balance. Elegant. Thanks Keith S. — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Incredibly fresh tasting for a wine of this age. Deep ruby color with a slight garnet rim. Aromas of black figs and plums, dried cherries, purple flowers and iron. Same on the pallet along with hints of leather and tobacco. Long and lasting finish. Plush, full and round. Tannins are present but well in check. Amazingly youthful expression of Agloanico. Pleasant surprise. Outstanding!! Thank You Keith S. Revisited in November 2025. Still fresh and even more smooth. More life left. — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Interesting Super Tuscan. 60% Sangiovese with the balance a blend of Cab Sauv and Merlot. Powerful but bright. Nice red fruit notes. — 7 years ago

Victor Hwang

9.2

88 mouton with Keith harding art work. The nose upon opening was sublime. As it decanted and opened, it was a bit disjointed. Has a lot of potential but at this age I think it’s not going to come together. The nose weakened, and the body to finish is a bit jarred. — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Medium (but translucent) ruby color. Aromas of red and black fruit, lavender, mint, toasted oak and wet gravel. Flavors of red cherries, raspberries and plums, tobacco, black tea and roasted nuts. Hint of wet soil on the long and fresh finish. Plush tannins. Well rounded and intense but with quite the delicate structure. Bright acidity and full bodied and ripe. Excellent! Thank you for opening this one, Keith S! — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Dark ruby color. Aromas of red and black berry fruit, violets as well as the carbonic style of vinification. Dark cherry, raspberry and plum on the palate with notes of woody stems, black pepper and vanilla. Medium earthy finish, high acidity and well balanced tannins. Nice combination of fruit and savory elements. Appreciate you sharing this one, Keith S. — a year ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Bright garnet color. Aromas of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of earth/barnyard funk. Ripe red fruit on the palate with additional notes of minerals. A pleasant bitter note on the finish. Complex and juicy with a bit of power. Nicely balanced. Interesting. Thanks for sharing, Keith S. — 2 years ago

Joe Estrada

9.7

An AMAZING Cab Sav from @Keith Saarloos — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Right Bank Bordeaux. Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Ripe dark fruit aromas and flavors, but not jammy at all. Hints of cranberry. Plush but not over extracted. Graceful and elegant. Long finish and smooth tannins. Excellent. Nice Surprise. Thanks Keith S. Revisited in January 2024. Still expressive and beautiful. The fruit aromas and flavors are dissipating. Expressed more dark chocolate and tobacco notes. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Great pull by Keith. My first Relic. Up front, holiday baking spices, eucalyptus/Andes mint, and sandalwood aromatics. The palate was rich without being dense or flabby, showing chocolate dipped blueberries and blackberries, ripe jam over graham crackers, cocoa, and some sweet tobacco. Delicious. Thanks @Keith Fisher — 7 years ago

with Dan and joe

Shay A

9.4

Drinking so well and was improving the longer it was open. So fragrant and aromatic...crushed potpourri, cherry pipe tobacco and baked blackberry pie. Dusty on the palate and still youthful. Dark cocoa dusted dates, roasted plum, blackberry and raspberry pie with strong acidity and tannin. A great drinking window. Thanks @Keith Fisher — 7 years ago

with Weston