Bob Boyle

9.3

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 4 months ago

Daniele Cuzin

9.0

Wine bought at the Ehret testing room in Healdsburg. We had the 2018 vintage for father’s day 2023. We enjoyed it paired with grilled lambshops and fresh spinash. — 3 years ago

Charles Mires

9.3

Excellent+ — 5 years ago

Pam Kershaw

9.0

Full flavor, slightly jammy, Rick and I like it a lot — 6 years ago

RustyR

9.3

Boom. Gehrad makes a phenomenal wine. All can has the selected spice cinnamon cardamom eucalyptus super soft on mouth really really good — 7 years ago

pat Lansing

8.9

First taste...was very smooth. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 2016 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides has been nothing less than stunning on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. A wine of extraordinary purity and depth, the 2016 dazzles from the very first taste. The richness and power are simply breathtaking. Bacon fat, smoke, grilled herb and lavender are woven into a graceful, seamless core of inky blue/purplish fruit. Even with all of its intensity, the 2016 remains remarkably light on its feet. The Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend of fruit from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffin's Lair and Walker Vine Hill, done with 100% whole clusters and aged in a combination of concrete and neutral oak, with no SO2. I am not sure how the 2016 will age, but I am also not sure it will matter, as most bottles will be long gone before that is an issue. Quite simply, the Sonoma-Hillsides is a total pleasure bomb and a modern-day benchmark for Syrah in California. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2018) — 8 years ago

Her Mir Tage

9.6

The Legendary 1990 and 2005 Vintages, and the 'Rouge' Aroma They Revealed!

I was meeting friends for a tasting, and I said I would bring a wine with a "rouge aroma" (*Yānzhī xiāng*). My friend also promised to open one with the same scent. If it's a cool vintage, a DRC might not reveal that distinctive rouge scent, but it's more common in warmer vintages, especially older ones from hot years. Of course, 2005 is a legendary vintage—it was warm but with significant diurnal temperature variation, resulting in balanced acidity and concentration, which also creates a very strong structure.

Thankfully, the 1990 Clos de Tart, despite having a very low fill level, wasn't spoiled. Its condition wasn't as potent as a previous bottle I had opened. This one took about 1.5 hours to fully open up in the glass. When it did, it revealed that signature Jiangnan "rouge" scent—very soft, enchanting, and feminine—along with some notes of dried longan. The fruit was balanced, though the acidity was relatively weak.

Today, I'll mainly write about this DRC. Its structure is incredibly powerful. For the first two hours, it was very closed. I believe this wine needed at least four hours of decanting, primarily because the 2005s, despite being a warm year, aren't that easy to open up. The aromas only started to slowly emerge around the third hour, and we were using large decanters and glasses, waiting for a long time. Initially, for the first half-hour after opening, there was a reductive note that was a bit funky. Later, after it opened up, the nose was primarily an interplay of cypress pine, violets, and that rouge scent intertwined. Honestly, this wine felt androgynous to me—it evokes an image of a knight and a princess playing in a forest. It wasn't overly soft, and its layers were incredibly complex.

On the palate, it was abundant: primarily black fruit, sour plum, sandalwood, coffee beans, a hint of dark chocolate, and a touch of earthy notes. The tannins weren't very soft—but then again, I'm so accustomed to drinking old wines. I feel this wine will need another 10 years to truly reach its peak. Its structure is exceptionally strong, unfolding layer by layer, with beautifully balanced acidity.

Comparing these two wines, their styles are completely different. One could say it's a contrast between an iconic Eastern beauty and a Western princess. I personally adore the soft and elegant style, but the 2005 is a wine with immense structure—it possesses a feminine power that is very potent, almost like the vision of a woman holding authority in a man's world.

Drinking such magnificent wines brings me great joy! — 10 months ago

Eric

9.4

Dark red cherry and underripe plums. More refined than the Castelli Knight. — 5 years ago

Scott Soren

9.5

Wow. I would have blinded this as Syrah. So damn good. Olive , smoke ,and fruit pie on the nose. Deep macerated raspberries with olive tapenade on the palate. Rich mouthfeel, long finish make this another exciting pax wine. Love this. — 6 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.0

We call this the house wine and a darn good bodied, balanced goodness in a bottle. Dark fruits, hint of leather and all around masculine wine. Gerhard's best value — 7 years ago

David L

9.2

15’ Montagne Russe Silver and Gold Chardonnay. Holy mother. This is a beast of a wine.
Butterscotch, Banana foster👍, apricots.
Creamy finish with flavors such as caramelized peaches and custard. This wine is not everyone. If you enjoy Rombauer Club Selection Chardonnay $65 .
Bingo you’re a winner. — 8 years ago

Rico Shea

9.0

Enjoyed on 1/5/25. Vintage 2019. $26. Nice, Dry and oaky. Although dry, smooth. Peppery. Would buy again. — a year ago

Kath Rt

8.9

sabe mejor si está al tiempo :) — 4 years ago

Patrick Fishman

10

Phenomenal — 4 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Not an everyday village. This is an absolutely epic red burg even when this young! A wine I just wanted to smell all knight. — 6 years ago

Paul J

9.1

30+ minute decant, but didn’t really need it. Some funk on the nose like sweaty feet developed after a while. The wine was deep and meaty, with blackberry and dark cherry flavors. Medium finish. Very good value for £27 but no wow factors. Surprised to the upside if I’m honest. — 6 years ago

with Brooke

Jarrett Galbreath

9.1

Estate grown, unfined, and unfiltered. Medium body with bold flavor. Dark fruit. — 8 years ago

Chris Freeman

9.3

Cab sav up front and great intensity. Dark juicy fruit in the middle with mild earth, peppery spice and chocolate moka on the finish. Tannins grip nicely. Spice makes me sweat. Well integrated and balanced, elegant. Love every sip — 8 years ago

Rob Moose

9.1

Always a great pick. One of the better uses of 30 red dollars. Thanks to Jim Knight for the tip! — 9 years ago