Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is more tame than the Mud’s Kitchen. Not as astringent. More 93.5.

The fruit is prettier, nice ripe, not over the top. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, hints of boysenberries, black licorice, tarry notes, Indian spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, salted caramel, mocha powder, dry clay, sandalwood, moist tobacco, moist clay, forest floor, eucalyptus notes, volcanic ash, dark, red, flowers framed in lavender & violets. Nice acidity with a highly structured, well tensioned, nearly balanced finish that last minutes. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2020 Red Fiction, a California kitchen sink blend, offers up plenty of expressive dark fruit qualities along with suave floral topnotes. Juicy and energetic, it shows very good depth. Gentle, rounded tannins frame a long and focused finish that leaves sweet cherry and cassis notes behind. $20.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, April 2022) — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Chasing my chaotic self-administered pandemic hair chopping with a Gewurtz from Arroyo Seco which seems to me apropos as I imagine the region as wind-swept and tousled. This wine is not so much and that is a good thing. All is in harmony. There is just the right amount of everything and it hits you in order—the lychees are followed by a green lawn leading to the flower garden full of roses and gardenias all spirited along by a nice amount of acid and powered by a prickling tannin. I’m not normally the biggest Gewurtz fan but I’d reach for this a second time. I’d maybe even pair it with a “hard to pair” thing like artichoke. Something about the floral nature of both I think could line up. Is that crazy? Maybe. But this is coming from someone who just used her kitchen scissors to give herself an intentionally asymmetrical haircut. — 5 years ago

ESF

9.5

Stunner! One of the absolute best wines I’ve had from Chile. This is a kitchen sink blend that poured inky & brooding. No signs of age whatsoever. Immediately wafted gorgeous Left Bank notes of cherry, currant & cassis but there were also plum, blackberry & boysenberry. Distinct charred vanillin almost bourbon oak like. Subtle cedar & medicinal herbaceous quality that added depth & character. Huge plush full throttle on palate, definitely felt the ABV, aromas transferred to flavors all leading to long persistent finish. Kept opening & evolving over several hours. Impressive delineation of flavors, distinctive, integrated tannins, balanced… going back to hunt down every bottle they have. — 3 years ago

M Mastro

9.2

Easter 2022 in new kitchen. — 4 years ago

ESF

9.1

Kitchen sink blend from South Africa: sorta all over the place, complex nose of lemon custard, apple, orchard fruit, white flowers, roasted nuts, butterscotch & honey. Silky suave on palate, oily, vibrant acidity - clean finish w/lanolin - quinine. Don’t know if these varietals belong together but it holds together just enough to pull it off. — 4 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Smells like your kitchen on a Saturday morning.

Warming blueberry pancake syrup, splattering bacon grease, chicory steeped coffee, baked cinnamon and nutmeg, and fresh air passing through open windows directly through a bouquet of violets.

Charismatic and vibrant, it's also chewy with a rich, sweet concentrated core of raisins, dates, and compote.

Not as complex and distinct, and multilayered as I was expecting, but hard to complain in a weekend state of mind. — 3 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Beautiful blend from Paso. Balanced and elegant. 60% Syrah, — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Confrérie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Paulée Dinner; 6 February 2022 at Hooked Market & Kitchen, Latham, NY — 4 years ago

Michelle M

9.1

Sweet tangerine, tart grapefruit, lemongrass, and toasted crackers on the nose. White peach, lime curds, ripe orange on the palate, nice viscous mouthfeel. Should go well with most food. Great value and go-to for entertaining — 6 years ago