Severn Goodwin

9.0

Great for a hot day in Columbia Co. NY — 9 days ago

A Human

9.0

It ain‘t fancy , and yes , Augusteiner is better , but I cannot get that in the states . So this works just fine for me . — 4 days ago

Taylor Loy

9.8

Amazing lager that has a lively start that finishes on and on like laying down a flavorful blanket on a field of barley. It’s amazing. Strawberry notes are mild. Floral and honey notes; mild spice and cinnamon. — 17 days ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Been following Dane's wines for a while now and it's safe to say I'm a fan - not just because he's the poster boy for the natural wine movement in Australia (Dane's the most recent winemaker to join the Brutal collective!), but because he makes some genuinely great tasting wines.

This cuvee's "natural" face is perhaps controversial. Certainly the winemaking falls in the category, but I'm not sure we can claim the same for the vineyard (although the grower's working towards it - not the easiest change given their scale). I think this phenomenon happens far too often in the natty scene, especially in Australia. Nothing against it, especially if the fruit quality is there, but these hypocritical actions do nothing but hurt the movement.

In defense of a large proportion of these vignerons, including Dane, it's not the easiest to find growers utilising 100% organic or bio techniques and willing to sell their grapes in Australia. And let's not even talk about starting your own vineyard. Having said that, Dane and a band of like-minded people are en route to farming grapes their way in Gippsland!

With far greater "deceptions" in the wine world, I think as long as your intention's right, philosophy's strong, and you act towards it... It's ok (probably gonna catch some flak for this). For me, the most important thing is that the wine tastes good and that's exactly the case here. Full on salty olives on the nose, with hints of blueberries which faded as the night progressed. A "clean" reduction, I'd say. Needs heaps of air to bring out that fruit. Palate was much better than the nose - light for a nero d'avola, juicy black and red fruits, meaty, licorice, dried herbs, backed by a mouth-watering salinity. Delish! This was so good with a fig and ricotta salad, oddly enough. — 10 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.0

Nice and crisp.
(NB: “the Champagne of Beers”... 😎) — 16 hours ago

Neil Valenzuela

10

It’s just a Coors on a 102* day in Tombstone, Arizona at Wyatt Earp’s Oriental Saloon. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.

Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio. — 3 days ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

Feel like I’ve had this before malty fresh character — 23 days ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

The ultimate lager for hot tropical climates. Turks & Caicos 🇹🇨 — 25 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Bought this recently for $29.99. It’s a property I visited in 2015. So, when I saw this for under $30, I just smiled and plucked it from the shelf. I knew it would be good, just not quite this beautiful. A wine good enough to make you wonder why we spend more money on a bottle of wine. A bottling to acquire to keep you free from the temptation of drinking your expensive & far too young to open reds.

The nose reveals; dusty, dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum and juicy, baked strawberries on the high nose, dark tarry spice, cherry cola, dusty alluvial soils, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dark spice, tarry notes, black olive tapenade, dry brush, dry top soil & clay, dark, rich soil, vanilla, nutmeg, dark chocolate, mocha powder with candied, dark-red florals with lavender and violets.

The body is full, lush & ripe. The tannins are rounded yet still, firm, dusty & tarry. This 07 is nearing its peak form and will hold there another 4- 5 years before it starts its slow decent. The mouthfeel is gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance have really hit a nice groove. Dusty, dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, fresh, ripe, rhubarb and juicy, baked strawberries, anise, dark tarriness & spice, cognac notes on the deep palate set, cherry cola, dusty alluvial soil, dry crushed rocks, dry herbs, dark spice, black olive tapenade, dry brush, dry top soil & clay, dark, rich soil, vanilla, nutmeg, dark chocolate, mocha powder with candied, dark-red florals with lavender and violets. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long, well balanced, juicy, ripe, elegant elegant finish persists several minutes. Just misses 93.

Perfect Tri-Tip steak wine.

Photos from my 2015 visit. Their tasting room, Estate vinesand surrounding vistas from the Bodega. — 19 hours ago