Donald Williams

9.4

Really nice dry Riesling, from one of the best FLX producers. — a month ago

with Bonnie

Jay Kline

9.5

Perhaps not quite on the same level as “La Romanée” in terms of history, but certainly in terms of exclusivity and intrigue, “Lake” is another one of those vineyards you read about, you hear whispers about, but you rarely see and even more rarely, get to experience. In fact, “Lake” is even smaller than “La Romanée”, less than half its size. The unique characteristics of the site make full ripening a challenge; it’s the coolest site at Diamond Creek and partially shaded. In the last 50 years, “Lake” has been bottled on its own 23 times. When there isn’t sufficient harvest for its own bottling, it usually gets blended into “Gravelly Meadow”. This bottle was graciously and generously brought back from the estate.

Poured into a decanter an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1996 “Lake” pours a deep garnet/purple with a translucent core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with beautiful notes of cassis, tobacco, Poblano pepper, horse blanket, gravelly earth and a balanced mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. What a special wine.

If you’ve followed my tasting notes over the years, you may have caught me using the word “soul” or “soulful” to describe certain wines. For me, this describes a wine that expresses its site with a high degree of transparency and fidelity. This does not describe technical genius. In fact, the wines can often have some foibles. However, coming from me, it is the ultimate term of endearment, for whatever that is worth. Anyway, this bottle of the 1996 “Lake” has it. Drink now with patience and through 2046. — 5 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

Clear deep gold. Abundant, genie-like nose of baked apple and birch. Medium palate confirms the nose -- the apple is green -- with a hint of ripe pear and mineral notes with solid, medium-plus acidity tempered by the barrel treatment. The Classique draws from the top vineyards around lower Seneca Lake, and the result is among the best the Finger Lakes has to offer. Excellent all-around white for rich seafood, pork, or poultry dishes, and especially the Thanksgiving table. Drink now 2021 through 2026. — 3 years ago

JK Robinson

8.9

Yah. This is a good ‘un. For sure would buy again. On the big side of cab at the start, with a light-medium finish. I can use this in my life. — 3 years ago

Sally Rose McCormack

9.1

Bought in Wanaka, best wine out of all the ones during the wine tasting. Delicious!!

Saved the bottle and drank 4 years later, was a little tangy. We probably left it too long. Still really nice though! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 5 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

This is excellent Zin. Has plenty of pluck and zip 6 years in. A hint savory and plenty of acid. Thick with a spiced and smoked fruits side. Very tasty bottle of Lake County Zin. Cool climate-ish even with 14.5% ABV. GREAT DEAL at G.O. too. — a month ago

katarina ammann

9.1

nose consists of black currant with a light mouthfeel and notes of light dark fruits — 5 months ago

John Maltese

9.4

Lots of grapefruit and slate — 6 months ago

with Kim

Seth Masterson

9.0

Crunchy and tasty and refreshing and all the things you would want on a summer Saturday in Sonoma.
It's a Paloma of wines - grapefruit and squirt with a touch of effervescence (served from C02 kegs) but enough tequila to keep it interesting — 2 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.0

Last bottle of this vintage and think it should be drunk now. It will likely last another 10 years but may not be same quality. Decanted this for 30-40 minutes and it opened up slightly. Very smooth on tannins and mellow. — 3 years ago

emily brown

9.2

very smooth and flavorful. hints of fruit on the nose. paired well with vodka pasta — 4 years ago

Michael Greene

9.1

Strawberry, watermelon, hint of funk — 5 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.0

Get to know Riesling Class: dry style. Very golden yellow, a floral nose with camomile tea aromas, light on the palate with lots of acid, juicy grapefruit and apricot, lingering minerals. #gotm2020 — 6 years ago

K L

9.4

Lovely. Doesn’t have as much of the typical nose and is more floral. A bit sweeter on the finish. — 3 months ago

with Matt

Bob McDonald

9.5

This was rich and delicious. It was fair enough for Suckling to pose the question “Is this the best NZ Pinot so far”? Ticks all the requisite boxes - ripe red and black fruits, a creamy texture, a nice garrigue herbal note. This Pinot lives up to the gorgeous site - one of the most awesome views you will see from the top of the vineyard over Lake Wanaka. Most impressive. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Made by Tom Carson (chief winemaker at Yabby Lake) as his side project. 2013 and 2014 (the latter being Halliday’s wine of the year) of this wine were awarded Australia wide Trophies and Tom says this 2015 is just as good. Sweet red fruits (mulberry) with heaps of spice - Barb said peppery notes. A fabulous wine with impeccable balance- a perfect match with the free range chicken dish that Barb created. 98 points from James Halliday. Tom Carson for the last few years has been Chief Judge of the Royal Queensland Wine Show. His expertise shows in his winemaking. — 8 months ago

Daniel P. Drake

8.9

We had the pleasure of opening the 2021 Hermann J. Wiemer.

On the nose there was nice strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, herbaceous notes and green bell pepper.

On the palate there was good strawberry, raspberry, red plum, green bell pepper, a bit of oak and crushed gravel.

This is a medium bodied wine with light velvety mouthfeel medium to medium + acidity and medium to medium + fine tannins that leaves with a medium to medium + red fruit gravel dust finish. Well it looks as though spring can't make up her mind. This weekend looks to be a bit on the cooler side so lets get out and enjoy ourselves. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Maggie Barnard

9.5

ordered at On the Waterfront, absolutely delicious right out of the bottle — 4 years ago

Chris

9.0

Great wine. Lots of fruity flavor. Robust and rich. Paired perfectly with beef Wellington. $21 — 5 years ago