Lillian Winery

Lillian Winery

California Dundee Syrah

Blueberry and vanilla driving Bonnie and Clyde style up to the edge of a cliff — 5 months ago

Law Estate Wines

The Nines by Law Grenache 2016

Shay A
9.4

I’ve had a few Law wines and have enjoyed them all, but this bottle of “The Nines” was a total stunner. In a lineup of 16 bottles of Grenache (Andremily, SQN, Fingers Crossed, Saxum, Lillian, Alban, Pegau Capo, Prefert, Clarendon Hills, etc), this was one of the more surprising wines of the day (in a good way).

100% Grenache. Removed the cork for about an hour ahead of time. Undeniable Grenache aromatics of red florals, cherry/kirsch liqueur, black peppered strawberries, and fruitcake. As Grenache so wonderfully does, it has a weightless yet commanding palate…kaleidoscope of red and black berries, sweet jerky, and an interplay of both sweet and spicy spices. Doesn’t show whole cluster/green hints like some of the others, and it also doesn’t show overwhelming vanilla/oak tannin either. Elegant and delicious.

May have underscored this…
— 9 months ago

Tom, Andrew and 24 others liked this
James K

James K

Shared a bottle of the Audacious with @Paul K
Paul K

Paul K

I think the three of us need to get together to discuss… @Shay A @James K
Eric Urbani

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@Shay A one of the great Paso producers!

Lillian Winery

Gold Series No. 04 Syrah

Still a total baby. Needs a lot of air but after that a smooth beast. — 2 years ago

Paul, Tom and 17 others liked this

Tench Estate

Lilian John Oakville Red Bordeaux Blend 2021

4th of the K Laz tasting - this is the Lillian John blend - maybe it’s too young but find it very thin - apparently next door to Screaming Eagle but pretty sure this is a very pale imitation - nose is slightly off, good fruit but again on the sour side — 7 months ago

Paul liked this

The Glories

No. 02 Chardonnay Blend

I feel glorious, glorious. Macklemore

A chance to try the Glories, Antica Terra, and Lillian wines by Maggie Harrison. These were spectacular. Truly elegant wines. (The Glories were 2018 & ‘19, Syrah was 2013). @Classic Wine & Storage
— 2 years ago

Severn, Ira and 6 others liked this
Shay A

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Love Lillian and Antica Terra wines. Wish they would have poured at Fort Worth too!
Deborah M

Deborah M

@Shay A bummer they didn’t get out there. We had a few South Lake and Frisco people in for the tasting. Definitely try to catch it when they are back in the area, it’s a great one.

Azienda Agricola Valentini

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2017

The unicorn Rosé from Valentini! I’m not really a fan of still Rosé generally, other than Prieure Roch, Lillian and now this one! Deep, intense and complex with wonderful texture and density. Some reduction. Crushed cherries, blood orange, red roses, smoked herbs and wet stones. Finishes with very good length, precision and energy. — 5 years ago

Clive, Josh and 5 others liked this

Kobayashi Winery

WeatherEye Vineyard Syrah 2020

Shay A
9.3

I’m fortunate to have had a lot of Kobayashi wines, both with and without Travis, but his “regular” Syrah is a wine I’ve probably had the least amount of times. I brought this as a part of a massive Syrah lineup (‘83 Voge Cornas, ‘91 Chapoutier Hermitage, ‘18 SamiOdi HD, ‘13 and ‘20 Lillian, etc) and it showed very well.

Compared to Travis’s other wines, this showed very primary/fruit forward. Deep purple in the glass and the aromatics were, astoundingly, similar to the ‘18 SamiOdi HD next to it (sweet perfume/potpurri)…so deeply floral and intoxicatingly intriguing. The palate is commanding with an interplay of ripe and juicy black berry fruit and savory/smoky notes toward the finish with just a kiss of sweet blue fruit. The finish is massively structured (even after following this for a few days). Wish I had an older vintage to see how these evolve, but it’s undeniably balanced and a tasty expression of WA state Syrah.
— 7 months ago

Tom, Jan and 24 others liked this

Lillian Winery

Gold Series No. 03 Syrah

Shay A
9.5

Last of a 3-pack and another wine (and producer) that I always ask “why don’t I buy more of this?”, especially as prices climb for so many others, yet these stay fairly consistent. Consumed from bottle over the course of an afternoon.

Gold label (extended barrel age). It’s tempting to want to compare these to SQN (or Andremily) due to winemaker, and while they share many similarities, Lillian seems to have a more elegant and floral profile. Deep black/purple in the glass, immediately smells of green whole cluster spice, black peppercorn, lavender and black berry fruit. The palate is very spice driven (herbal, pepper), with ripe red and dark fruit (raspberries, blackberries), and potpurri. Nothing about this is rich or extracted. Still sports a grippy finish, but the acidity right now keeps this well balanced. May get a tiny bit better, but this seems to be in the zone at the moment.
— 2 years ago

Tom, Steve and 36 others liked this
Bryan Kesting

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Agree Shay. Nice note.
Shay A

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@Bryan Kesting : You were the first person to open one of the gold labels for me! Hope to see you back down this way soon, my friend!
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Like both and think you might have put me in them way back when? Found them at K&L which makes it easy for me to add given the cellar is over loaded

No Girls Wines

La Paciencia Vineyard Grenache 2013

Shay A
9.4

My contribution for a massive Grenache theme wine tasting (being as socially distanced as possible). This was alongside Cayuse God Only Knows, a 2011 No Girls Grenache, SQN Female, Saxum Terry Hogue, Lillian Grenache, 06 and 07 Beaucastel, and others.

Broken record, I know, but these wines are insanely delicious and so well crafted. Very much in the “love it or hate it” style, as typical with Cayuse wines. Much more spice and herbal lift here compared to the 2011. Stemmy, black peppercorn dusted rhubarb, olive, and smoked cherry jerky aromatics. Vibrant, almost nervy, on the palate with beautiful acidity. On the palate, it’s a back and forth between saline, iron driven savory notes and underripe fleshy red fruits. Compared to their Syrah, this is always a bit lighter and more bright. Seems to be drinking at peak.
— 5 years ago

Ryan, Peter and 45 others liked this
Joseph Barsky

Joseph Barsky

@Shay A Any notes on other wines tasted in this grouping?
Shay A

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@Joseph Barsky : There were so many it was hard to focus on them all, but I did write down the following: 2016 Lillian Grenache...wow! So much lifted fruit in an elegant profile. Reminded me of Andremily’s Syrah. 2011 God Only Knows showed more depth than the 2011 No Girls. 2013 Saxum Terry Hogue was VERY good...lots of spice and grilled dark fruits. 2013 SQN Female was hedonistic...all encompassing style. 2006 Chateau de Beaucastel was nowhere near as good as the 2007.
Joseph Barsky

Joseph Barsky

@Shay A. Great tasting! Thank you.