Joseph Barsky

9.7

2015 Vintage. 14.7% ABV. Wow wine for sure. Thomas Rivers Brown -excellent job! — 4 months ago

Celeste Player

9.2

Hell of a week. One that can only be salvaged with a perfect bottle of Napa Cab, and this one definitely did not let us down. Perfect in every way - juicy, fruit forward, low tannins, and smooth…just like the person I am blessed to enjoy it with. A definite revisit. — 2 years ago

Ming L

9.6

Mesmerizing nose of blackcurrant, creme de cassis, violet, cedar, fresh orange peel, cured meat, and forest floor. Gentle and soft on the entry, with parade of flavors echoing the nose. The full body feels deceivingly weightless on the palate, but with great energy and precision. Velvety tannins. The finish lasts for minutes.

Seamless and elegant. Outstanding already at its young age. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

captivating blend by winemaker Michel Friou, the 2018 Almaviva Red Wine blends 72% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Weighing in at 14.9% alcohol, the wine was aged for eighteen months in French oak (73% new) before bottling, a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch less Carmenère than the ’17 bottling. Right away the allure of green bell pepper notes entice alongside Turkish coffee, creme de cassis and blueberry compote that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and plush but shows a sterling veil of tension that runs through the core of the wine. Layers of anise, green bell pepper, blackberry cordial, and Black Forest Cake all parade on the palate. Absolutely gorgeous to consume in its youth, this really needs a two hour decant fully evolve if you can’t hold back from enjoying this gorgeous wine. Drink 2022-2040- 97 — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1985 vintage. Top shoulder fill. Cork 100% saturated so even with a Durand, some cork “splinters” afoot. Decanted with appropriate sed. Tasted 30 mins and two hours post-decant. Nose was initially tight but yielded cedar, tobacco and fudge/Tootsie Roll scents that carried over into the taste side of things at the half hour mark with some baking chocolate impressions casually tossed into the parade. At the two hour mark, the fudge diminished and an orange peel note started to creep in. Not improving but can hold tight for another 2-3 years before dropping down another notch. Drink ‘em if ya got ‘em. 11.21.25. — 6 months ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.5

Sometimes real treats show up in the endless parade of wine samples. In addition to their current releases, the folks at @kathrynkennedywinery sent along this library release, and…. Wow. This wine is aging beautifully. Gorgeous texture with fantastic cherry, cedar, and forest floor notes shot through with a smoked meat umami character that is positively mouthwatering. I brought this over to a dedicated Bordeaux lover’s house for dinner, and he said it was the best CA wine he’d ever had. ⁣ — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The NV Joseph Perrier ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne includes 15% reserve wine and was aged on the lees for five years prior to disgorgement. Bright lemon zest and crushed seashells mingle with Gravenstein apple and shades of nutmeg infused sourdough bread all parade on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is fresh and vibrant with wonderful verve and a soft texture. Kumquat zest infused Challah bread and a bright salinity combine with fresh Granny Smith apple and shades of marzipan on the palate. This has wonderful length as this beautiful ‘Blanc de Blancs’ will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2020-2028- 92 — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2021 vintage. From a 375 ml format. Dirty nose. Medium/medium-heavy body. Excellent concentration and a big, cracked black pepper finishing parade. 7.12.24. — 2 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

becoming an annual purchase, this bottle was sealed w a Diam 15 and fresh as a daisy. It’s in a good place. The bouquet is complex and expressive, keeps changing, evolving. Yellow-fruited, minerals and acid, but so together and refined. Very bright and classy, it finishes very long and clean. I just hold a mouthful on the tongue and palate and there’s a continual parade of fireworks. Really delicious. — 5 years ago

ESF

9.3

As a friend accurately noted: color of dehydrated urine sample, but man did it smell & taste great! These are amongst the oldest vines in Mosel and it showed: stunning depth & complexity here ranging from a parade of yellow fruit: mandarin orange, cling peaches, apricot, quince all drenched in clover honey to slat-y minerals, allspice, cinnamon, grandma’s dusty attic and basement cellar & marzipan. No petrol here, just a hedonistic journey. Silky & sexy, round, still w/acidic zip and a long luscious finish. — 5 years ago