Aaron Rankin

9.2

Excellent partner to homemade Alaskan spot shrimp Alfredo, in the great oak/acid balance. Kumeu is great with further age, but couldn’t resist the screw cap on a Wednesday. — 9 days ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

This wine’s nose is really fruity - full of fresh strawberries, cherries and a hint of raspberry. The palate is delish. The fruit dominates, with minerality and citrus peel filling it out. The acidity is bright and fresh, but is just a tad laid back. — 6 days ago

Eric

9.3

I wasn’t a Rochioli fan until now. This is plush and structured to cellar for at least 5 years, perhaps more. Made by Terry Bering as a side project. Delicious. — 15 hours ago

E & K G

9.1

Playing catch up so notes will be brief for a while...

Tart cherry cola and the tart note is key in keeping this pinot from becoming to fat/flabby. A great food wine! — 5 days ago

Will Stanley

9.2

Kumeu River’s Estate Chardonnay (one above their Village, but below the single vineyard bottlings) is a good value Burgundy-inspired wine that fans of the grape should seek out.

There’s butterscotch, vanilla, toffee, and gunflint on the nose. Quite oak dominated at this stage. On the palate it’s bright, lively, has a briskness about it. Very supple mouthfeel, with a creamy mid-palate. It isn’t rich; actually, it’s quite light on its feet and glides over the palate with purpose. I think it’s too young at the moment and needs a little time for the oak to integrate. Other than that, it’s great. — 22 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Coravined bottle from mid week.

The 2012 is still a little early for me but, drinking beautifully.

The nose reveals; ripe, slightly dried fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dried dark cherries & cranberries, both plums, poached strawberries with some raspberries & blackberries. Radiant, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dark colas, steeped tea, black & red licorice, moist & drier clay, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herb, soft, understated eucalyptus, lightly, grilled meats, dry tobacco, well, used leather with ruby, candied, fresh & withering floral that are; dark, red, blue & purple.

The body is medium full, round, lush with dusty, light tannin presence with excellent viscosity. ripe, slightly dried fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dried dark cherries & cranberries, both plums, poached strawberries with some raspberries & blackberries. Radiant, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry stems, dark, berry colas, steeped tea, black & red licorice, moist & drier clay, dark, rich, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herb, soft, understated eucalyptus, mint notes, lightly, dark, Asian & Indian spices with heat, grilled meats, dry, used, pipe tobacco, well, used leather with ruby, candied, fresh & withering floral that are; dark, red, blue & purple. The round, lush acidity is like a cool stream in Spring. The long, steady, rich, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish loads as ripe, juicy fruits falling onto to spice & earth persisting several minutes.

Shows all the beauty of the vintage & still has 8-12 years of good drinking ahead.

Cheeses; Jasper Hill Alpha Tolman & Willoughby, Mimolette. Dried Turkish Apricots, Cashews & Columbus Italian Dry Salami. Otherwise, tonight’s dinner.

1/8/21 — 14 days ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

10

This is how we spent our Saturday night. Can you really go wrong? I don’t think so..

A big thanks to Cape Mentelle in WA’s Margaret River region for sending over this sample for us to try. It’s an intriguing blend of Shiraz 65%, Grenache 15%, Tempranillo 7%, Sangiovese 4%, Zinfandel 4% Mourvedre 3%, Viognier 2%.

For me, I found this Rosé on the savoury side, which I really enjoyed. It’s also has a bit of age on it being 2018 which I believe gave it a bit of extra complexity.

In the glass it’s a pale peach colour with a vibrant pink hue. On the nose there’s savoury berries, citrus and floral notes. While in the mouth it has wonderful bright citrus acidity with orchard fruits, lemongrass and a sprinkling of pepper. It’s more than just a fresh and fruity Rosé, it’s got character and sass 💁‍♀️

This #wine was sent to me as a sample, I was under no obligation to post about it.

All opinions are based on my own taste buds. Wine is subjective & always evolving, so make sure you drink what you enjoy! — 13 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.3

Donum 2017 Russian River Pinot. A clear bright true garnet color. What a nose! Dark candy cherry and spice burst from the glass with hints of vanilla and subtle cedar and hay. Taste—a dark cherry flavor full of body with a savory feel that sits on the tongue to the mid pallet absorbing the taste of the fruit trickling on the sides of the pallet. The flavors change to a more metallic bitter taste at the back of tongue where the tannins need to integrate with the other flavors of the wine. Can’t wait to try this wine in 5-10 years. A must wine cellar! — 3 days ago

with Karin and Jill

Jerae Knutson

DuMOL Member Services

9.6

If you snagged a few bottles of this wine in your allocation you can feel comfortable opening a bottle soon - let the wine evolve in your glass. If you’re patient, you’ll be greatly rewarded by tucking a few bottles in your cellar for 5+ (and up to 11) years. 77% of the fruit comes from DuMOL’s O’Connell Estate Vineyard and 23% from Occidental Road Vineyard. Finn is always layered with a velvety finish, and always a Member favorite. — 12 days ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

It is Friday night and tonight I have opened the 2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Great Oak Vineyard Pinot Noir.

On the nose there is cherry, raspberry, hibiscus, allspice, licorice, vanilla, oak and a good earthiness.

On the palate there is cherry, raspberry, strawberry, allspice, vanilla, light oak and a nice earthiness.

This wine is medium bodied with a fresh and vibrant mouthfeel, medium acidity and a medium fine tannins that leads to a long red fruit earthy finish. A wonderful way to start the weekend. Have a healthy and safe weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 14 days ago