David Shaw

9.3

La Combe Verte Vineyard. Herbal and Marionberry notes in the nose with a hint of butter. A panorama of berry flavors - blue, black, rasp - in the mouth. Soft, good acid but needs some time to open. Hint of black licorice on the finish. After an hour, a fine grind of seed tannins emerges while fruit flavors integrate and acid softens. Nice fluid mouthfeel too. More time needed? After three hours, hints of lavender and black currant emerge. Overall, a wine of subtlety with some remaining aging potential. — 4 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Vibrant Rioja with bright flavors of pie cherry, marionberry and tart plum. Needed opening for at least 60-90 minutes to get a deeper layers of earthy, leather and oak. — 3 years ago

with Tammy

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Blend of dark dry red and blue fruits of cranberry, cherry and marionberry. Distinct tannins on the finish. Limited depth. Drank more like a Syrah than a hot climate Shiraz. — 3 years ago

with Tammy

Jay Kline

9.2

Splash decanted and then poured back into the bottle about 5 hours prior to dinner. This is my first impression of the 2021 Zinfandel which is even more exciting than usual because the 2020 vintage was skipped due to the LNU Lightning Complex fires which rendered that crop a write-off. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core moving towards a magenta edge and a slightly watery rim. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. There seems to be some sediment already, however this is not uncommon with bottles of Rafanelli both young and old. On the nose, the wine is clean although I do detect some VA, well within the “charming” range. Very expressive fresh red and black fruits, primarily brambles: Marionberry, ripe blackberry fruit, and raspberries. These are accompanied by white pepper and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. Alcohol is medium+ but not out of balance. Finish is medium. As usual, these wines upon release tend to be super primary but I like what I’m experiencing! Personally, I would recommend some patience when drinking these young. While they are no-doubt good, they tend to fill out with some time on their side in the cellar. Best after 2024 and should drink well through 2035. Oh…and this was an awesome pairing with grilled rack of lamb. — 2 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.4

We had to step it up for tonight. With a Malbec from El Enemigo. Fantastic. Dense drippings of marionberry and plum. An ‘asada’ at Matias. — 3 years ago

with Paulo and Matias

Jan de Weerd

9.0

Easy drinking Bordeaux. Again left bank. Plenty of acidity that brought it out of balance for the first hour but mellowed and started to present vibrant blue berry, marionberry fruit with light, small grained tannins.
— 3 years ago

Kelsey Shattuck

9.4

Absolutely delicious pinot. Black cherry, marionberry, plum, and anise. — 2 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.4

Rose hips, red cherry and marionberry, sous bois, med body, med + acid, takes on a bit of weight and sweetness with air 🥰🍒⚡️ — 2 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Rutini! The go to wine you can trust when being on an asada in Argentina. Dark spiced cherry and marionberry. Earthy layers supporting the expression of the wine. — 3 years ago

with Paulo and Matias

Jan de Weerd

9.2

Fresh Cab from Margaret River in Western Australia. Vibrant notes of currant and marionberry with aging under notes of fine tobacco and cedar. Grippy, lingering tannins on the finish. — 3 years ago

with Tammy