Ericsson

9.7

Mariano García’s final vintage at Vega Sicilia. What a great bottle.

The nose opens with damp forest floor, leather, cedar, and quiet red fruit; subtle, reserved, endlessly composed.

On the palate, it’s silk laid gently over structure: dried cherry, tobacco, graphite, and savory earth carried by fine-grain tannins and measured acidity.

The finish reads like the final lines of a great novel: inevitable, complete, and exactly as it should be. And already, there’s a touch of nostalgia, because I don’t know when I’ll encounter something like this again. — 4 months ago

Nerida Figueredo

8.9

At Mariano Rodriguez — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

First Mike Smith Syrah I’ve had, great cold climate style
Jeb 96 is spot on this time

Certified organic with 60 planted acres and 11 clone and rootstock combinations, the Fedrick Vineyard is deeply woven throughout Sonoma & Petaluma history. Originally part of the Rancho Petaluma Land Grant issued to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in 1834, the land passed thru several owners from dairy farms to cattle ranches before being leased by the Sangiacomo family in 2000 to become a vineyard. Located in the southern end of the Petaluma Gap appellation, it is set on rolling hills and is known for its high-end Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes that are sought after for their depth and balance. Myriad selected a small rise on the southern edge where growing and drainage conditions harmonize, to make one of our more crowd pleasing bolder Syrahs. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Garmón is the latest project from Mariano Garcia who made magic at Vega Sicilia for 30 years. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2018 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity, with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with beautiful notes of black cherry, Marionberries, black plum, purple flowers, pipe tobacco, baking, chocolate, minerals, and fine 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 and laden with minerals. At this stage, the 2018 Garmón benefits from an hour of air and then it really starts to strut. Drink now through 2038. — 4 months ago

Eric Hoepelman

9.0

@delectable: blanco

94 yrs old wine, still alive! — a year ago

Kim Tobin

9.4

Has citrus but not too much- delicious! — 4 years ago

Tracy Murphy

10

Perfect rioja riserva! — 5 years ago

Seth Masterson

9.3

Note to self: Please buy more. This seems like awesome Temperanillo with an elegance you have not come across in years but you were in no state to give it proper attention.
Your rating may be hopeful or reserved.

*Second bottle:
Uncorking this one with higher expectations and I'm not disappointed. Nose of fresh black and red raspberries dusted with dark roasted cocoa (I've been a sucker for the cocoa flavors I've been discovering in a couple American oak aged Petite Sirah and Temperanillo lately) It's a nose that leaves you salivating before you sip.
The sip brings a balanced velvety weighted liquid that sits pleasently on the tongue while it starts to release medium black assam tea like tannins, and enough acid to keep it all from being cloying.
I wouldn't call it a complex finish but it's an easy finish and gives you the assurance that this will be a crowd pleaser deal at $23 — 6 months ago

dmoore61

9.0

Bright, fresh taste with string lemon zest and grapefruit. Great midday companion — a year ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.4

Superb wine dinner at Casa Mariano with the ever elegant Chantal Gonet. This was my favorite of the night. — 4 years ago