Matt Waring

8.9

Ample mouthfeel, tart red fruit, dried herbs, a little funky. V good — 8 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

All about the fruit with this wine. Bright aromas and flavors of red berry/cherry. Beautifully balanced acidity. Time has been very good to this vintage. Just a light floral note on the nose. Soft texture and little tannin and a touch of mushroom on the finish. Great with food especially our Thanksgiving Meal! Thank You John P. — 3 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

Caramel, cashews, figs of all types. Sweet, tawny. Enjoyable, but this bottle is a little old. — 4 years ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Not as dark & opulent as the 97 ZD Reserve. But still another very good properly stored bottle. Cork looks great for the age. A little brickish at the edges . Give it 30-45 minutes to blow off the age. Can’t put it down now, this is a 1 person bottle. Had to give it an extra couple points Parker 88 back in the day. So much better now — 5 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Since 2020 wild yeast fermentation with at least 20% whole cluster (layering in fermenter). They’ve been using whole cluster since 2010 hovering around 10-15% gradually increasing. 1992-1995 vintages not destemmed completely either. Sweet cola nut, cranberry, red juicy cherry, sweet baking spices. High acidity, medium soft tannins. 2018 meatier and weightier locking in at 13.6%. In 2020 they separated the native yeast vs non native yeast ferments. According to Tim, native yeast led to better alcohol conversion, richer wine at same alcohol compared to without.

Precious old vines and newly replanted vines. Completely dry farmed no drip lines at all! Some of which are suffering from Pierce’s disease and leafroll virus.

I was told back in 2016 Kelli White and her husband had a deal with John and Nancy to lease their vineyards but they backed off at the last minute… I for one memorized every little detail about School House from Kelli’s tome Napa Valley Then and Now
— 2 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

8.9

Deeply extracted, purple. Vegetal-dominant nose. Not much else. Palate adds a little vanilla, wood, and some bitter cherries. Quite serrated. Not well-integrated. Disappointed, considering past experiences with this producer.

89+ points — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1.5 hour decant (some cloudy sediment). A majestic dark ruby red color with little bricking. On the nose: popping notes of earth, olive tapenade, creme de cassis, red berries, pencil shavings. Taste: A smooth, semi rich medium to full body wine with muted flavors of red plum, currant, leather, sour cherry, pepper......a gravely cedar medium plus finish and just a slight tannic kick. Enjoy, and drink em if you got em!! — 4 years ago

with Brenda

William Feinstein

9.2

Still quite inky with just a little lightening at the edges. Starts a little tart and astringent but then presents cassis, plum, chocolate and black tea. Finish is quite long with a hint of bell pepper and lingering tannins. — 2 years ago

with Maryalice

Richard Rosensweig

9.1

Tons of apricot. Bit of honey and honeysuckle. Some grassy notes. Very little oak. Delish. — 3 years ago

Deborah M

9.0

Blackouts are not “rolling” in Dallas. Power is just out forever. Opened this to make the evening a little better. I have power now, but I know it won’t last long. This wine is helping. A little funk on the nose. Herbal notes with a hint of spice on the finish. Don’t hold these for much longer. — 4 years ago