Joel Lara

9.6

This wine was muted initially, but after about an hour in the decanter it started to show beautifully. A sublime black cherry accompanied by bay leaf, anise, orange peel, and hints of bitter chocolate show on the nose. The flavors on the palate mirror the nose, with additional notes of figs, prunes, earthy mushrooms, and cured meat. Tannins provide a smooth mouthfeel, and finish is persistent with the dried fruits and savory elements lingering on the palate. Paired wonderfully with ribeye with hot Roquefort butter and a side of truffle polenta. At the two hour mark the tannins started to become grippy on the palate, but they were still manageable. Put remainder in bottle, and by day 2 the tannins had softened again. The flavors were still humming along. — 18 days ago

ESF

9.3

See my previous note: feeling the heat & ton of cassis - otherwise mirror image — 3 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.4

Complex, aromatic, and in a great spot at 14 years old. On the nose there are slightly bruised apples and pears, warm buttered bread, honey, vanilla, and a subtle maple syrup thing. An oxidative style (which I enjoy) with fine, delicate bubbles. According to one of my favorite retailers in town, this is one of ten bottles allocated to the Natural State. Here’s to putting 2021 in the rear view mirror. — 4 years ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.3

Aging nicely with smooth Tannins. A powerful Cabernet. May 2021. — 5 years ago

Max Hollander-Eberly

9.8

Without a doubt one of the most amazing wine's I've had the opportunity to taste so far. This wine is like a mirror maze, everytime you look around a corner there's another corner, and it's showing you everything. — 7 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.3

Very very nice sake at the offered price range. Lots of lovely character with smooth texture (almost like a condrieu). — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.2

1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣8️⃣

🗞 Lockerbie ✈️, Doppler radar, Prozac, Crack, CDs outsell vinyl
🎵 Red Red 🍷, Never Gonna Give You Up, Man in the Mirror, Sweet Child O' Mine
🎥 ☔️ Man, Who Framed Roger 🐇, Coming To 🇺🇸, Die Hard
🗣 Just Do It ✅
🌍 5.07B

Lovely Pape C @ £102

🍷 Deep ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smashed minerals, gravel, farmyard, soggy earth, black & blue berries/currants

👄 Med body of mineral infused earthy black berries w/ a crushed Darjeeling tea tone

🎯 Med earthy mineral dark berry & black tea linger — 8 years ago

Joel Lara

9.4

This is my second Temperance Hill pinot, and I’m finding I’m a big fan. This opens with striking aromatics. Dark cherry, slow roasted strawberry, raspberry, incense, sage, thyme, and cloves all come through on the nose, with floral notes and forest floor peaking through with time in the glass. The flavors on the palate mirror the nose, with outstanding depth. There’s fresh acidity that amplifies the fruit but doesn’t overwhelm. The finish leaves incense, cloves, black tea, and a saline minerality lingering on the palate. Well balanced with good acidity and medium/firm tannins. I can see this aging well. Vintage is 2019. — a month ago

John W

9.4

Ruby coloration. Translucent. In the nose, cherry, cherry cola, red berry, on the palate, a close mirror to the nose. Medium-Long finish. — 2 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

What a mirror like, transparent expression from the Pfalz. Off dry at 8%, just a lovely kiss of a wine. That said, a serious minerality operating in the background. Light bodied, long finish, & stunningly integrated at this age. Complex apple & raw fennel notes. — 4 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Merry Christmas 🎄 to those celebrating.

Homemade pizza calls for a delish Tuscan, Sangiovese-based blend.

This wine is deep ruby. It has medium(+) intensity in aromas. Aromas are developing and include primary notes of black cherry, blackberry, plum, violet, tomato leaf, black licorice, black pepper, and dried mint, secondary notes of cedar, nutmeg, cardamom, clove, and tertiary noses of tobacco, leather, and barnyard.

This is a dry wine. It has medium (+) acidity, a full body, medium alcohol, medium tannins, and medium intensity of flavors that mirror those on the nose. The finish is medium(+).

Tignanello, Marchesi Antinori. Toscana, IGT. Vintage 2014. ABV 13.5%. — 6 years ago

with Deked1

Shay A

9.3

After having the ‘16, I went back to my notes on the ‘15 and they mirror exactly what I was writing for the ‘16.

Nose was more floral than jammy, with violets, blackberries, nutmeg and some blueberries. Well balanced and approachable on the palate, with a nice black cherry/blueberry finish. The ‘16 had a bit more complexity with added cedar/birch wood notes too.

The ‘15 and ‘16 are their best wines to date in my opinion, and wonderful values at around $45/bottle. — 8 years ago

Benjamin Coutts

9.2

IVAG. It’s only Gavi in the mirror. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Yarden – Pinot Noir – 2022
Galilee – Israel 🇮🇱

Overview
100% Pinot Noir sourced from the northern reaches of the Golan Heights, where high elevation, cool nights, and rocky volcanic soils create an ideal environment for this delicate, thin-skinned variety. Aged for over 16 months in French oak, this bottling delivers surprising depth and complexity. Kosher, and produced in a non-Mevushal style, allowing greater finesse and aromatic purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lifted floral notes, red cherry, wild berries, rose petals, clove, and subtle baking spice. The volcanic influence adds a faint smoky-mineral edge that enhances its old-world charm.

Mouthfeel
Silky, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. Fresh acidity supports a layered palate with refined tannins and an elegant, persistent finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, seared tuna, Mediterranean lamb skewers, or grilled vegetables with za’atar.

Verdict
A sophisticated and terroir-driven expression of Pinot Noir from one of Israel’s most compelling cool-climate zones. Remarkably elegant, with an old-world spirit shaped by a uniquely volcanic landscape. Cheers!

Did You Know?
The Golan Heights sits atop an extinct volcanic plateau. Its basalt-rich soils and high elevations mirror some of the world’s great cool-climate regions, making it one of Israel’s best sites for Burgundian varieties. — 7 months ago

Hilary McCown

9.5

Incredibly approachable for the style.
Interesting aromas of salted golden delicious apple, incense cedar, fresh herbs, baking spice.
Palate notes mirror aromas, with papaya, loads of minerals, barrel spice, and medium high acidity. — 4 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.7

Stunning right out the bottle! — 5 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.5

Love the label. Love this! There is a Meyer lemon peel, verbena, lightly toasted pine nut in the nose and the flavors in the mouth mirror those. While it is mouth watering, it’s also rich. Vintages: 2013/2014. Disgorged 1/26/2018 TBL — 7 years ago

Kirk F

9.4

Hell of a nice chaser for Thanksgiving Day Bloody Marys! Hazy, fruity, well balanced NE style. So smooth. — 8 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.2

Brownish amber color, translucent. Aromatic nose with notes of soy, faint black cherries, tar, a little menthol and some molasses. Very linear in the mouth. Flush face. Nice old wine finish. More structure than fruit. With air some wood notes appear and the soy dominates more. Interesting wine but fruit is in the rear view mirror. — 8 years ago

Mike Rushing

9.8

Inky blackberry/cassis/fig preserves, clove and spice, earth, tobacco, flowery herbs, and tannins polished like a goddamn mirror. Wow. — 9 years ago