Grayson Stack

9.7

Amazing. Smooth, full — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours and seemed to only gain momentum until the last sip. The 1993 Octavius pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving towards a slightly garnet rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated black and blue fruits: blackberries, plums, blueberries, leather, graphite, black olive, dried purple flowers, dried green herbs, a mix of decomposing organic and inorganic earth, along with some gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, luxurious and savory with loads of umami. This represented one of the older Australian wines I've ever had and I thought it was fantastic. Drink now through 2033. — a year ago

Brad Jensen

9.0

Dry, but elevated and mineral driven. Drank from a double magnum, there’s little noticeable yeast or brioche-like flavor. Nose is dry yellow stone fruit, lemon and maybe a talc or other dry crushed stone. Great for drinking on its own or as a mimosa, with no sign of losing momentum. — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Back label says “Red Table Wine”, no mention of Bordeaux. Ruby red, moderate to high pigment extraction, yet very good clarity. Herbal and raspberry aromas with a hint of mint and eucalyptus. Cool cherry and raspberry flavors initially evolve into red and black plum, moderate seed bitterness and some skin astringency on finish. Might need a little decanting time for the tannins to resolve — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2016 vintage. Was disappointed with the same bottle tasted a week ago so popped another. This one showing better. Improved nose of spearmint, leather, dust, dark chocolate covered raspberry and sea salt. Light-medium body. That dark choco-covered raspberry flips to a dark choco-covered strawberry flavor along with graphite, menthol and cedar tones. Still big mouthfeel and dry but not nearly as pronounced as their 2014 vintage in that regard. This could still use an extended vacation of, say, a half decade to decade before revisiting. A hint of softness on the finish now may gather momentum in that time period and make this slightly more approachable then. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Tasted alongside the 2013 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was initially more reticent. Eventually, after letting it sit in the glass for about 30min and coming up to temp, damp earth (decomposing leaves), potpourri, sea breeze, mushrooms, and sandalwood on the nose. Cherry, black tea, and dried herbs on the palate. Towards the end of the bottle, this was gaining momentum and rivaling the 2013 in terms of enjoyability. Hold’em if you got’em. Better after 2025. — 6 years ago

Matt

9.9

Superb! Smashing bottle of Cristal. Rich with incredible tension and purity, embodies class and elegance. Leads with a gorgeous mixture of fruit and autolytic notes; fresh baked brioche, tangerine marmalade, lemon and orange curd, nougat, spun sugar, toasted hazelnuts, red currants, spring honey, fine layer of fragrant exotic fruit pineapple or quince. Beneath the complexity really gains with the chalky tones really driving the nose and plate. Crushed and damp chalk, struck stones, the slightest edge of sweet herbs and smoke. The subtle spice and floral elements add dimension. Structurally I fine it hard to describe because the acidity has so much momentum but there is sufficient impact and depth to suggest that it is a rich wine. Overall it is supremely elegant and still holding onto its coiled and youthful state. Great potential but the pedigree is there to admire now. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

Torbreck RunRig Shiraz–Viognier 2021
Barossa Valley, South Australia 🇦🇺

Overview: 
A monumental Barossa Rhône-inspired powerhouse blend of approximately 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier, delivering extraordinary depth, concentration, and architectural structure while retaining aromatic lift and finesse. This is Barossa at its most commanding yet disciplined, massive fruit density wrapped in precision, energy, and length. A wine that commands attention, rewards contemplation, and delivers relentless momentum from first sip to finish.

Aromas & Flavors: 
Explosive black plum, blackberry compote, cassis, and dark cherry saturate the nose, layered with violets, smoked spice, cocoa nib, graphite, and subtle savory meat tones. The palate unfolds in waves of black fruit intensity, crushed stone minerality, licorice, espresso, and warm spice, finishing long, deep, and persistently resonant.

Mouthfeel: 
Full-bodied, muscular, and impeccably structured with commanding tannins that feel polished rather than aggressive. Immense mid-palate density is balanced by freshness and lift, creating a sense of power without heaviness. The texture is authoritative, layered, and built for long-term evolution.

Food Pairings: 
Dry-aged ribeye or wagyu. Slow-braised lamb shank with rosemary and garlic. Venison with black cherry reduction. Smoked brisket. Aged hard cheeses such as Comté, Manchego, or aged Gouda.

Verdict: 
A truly elite expression of modern Barossa Shiraz, concentrated, complex, and unapologetically serious while remaining beautifully balanced and energetic. This is a reference-point wine that delivers immediate impact and exceptional cellar potential.

Did You Know?: 
RunRig is sourced from some of Barossa’s oldest and most revered Shiraz vineyards, with Viognier co-fermented in the traditional Northern Rhône style to enhance aromatic complexity, texture, and freshness.

🍷 Personal Pick: 
This wine completely captured my heart 100%, layered, commanding, and dangerously irresistible. One of those bottles that makes restraint impossible and reminds you why great wine can be genuinely emotional. A true benchmark experience.
— 6 months ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.1

2015 - ages nicely - with homemade pizza. Perfect pairing. Easy to drink red. Sad when the bottle was empty!! — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

The 2020 Côte a Côte is youthful and coy, displaying a subtle blend of dusty stone, lavender and wild blueberries. It's pure pleasure on the palate, velvety smooth yet full of energy, with crisp red and black fruits that cascade throughout. This finishes spicy, leaving a primary concentration and subtly grippy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum. The 2020 is an understated beauty that will require some cellaring to blossom fully. (Eric Guido, Vinous, May 2023) — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2003 vintage. Decanted for approx 3 hours. The usual LB nose. A little pickled mushroom/forest floor flavor profile off the bat, then settled into dark plum and cocoa powder shortly thereafter. Light-medium body and slightly “bigger” than expected at this point. Lots of stuffing still. It’s in the sweet spot/top of the bell curve currently…seems like it could sustain that momentum for at least another 4-5 years. — 5 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.1

Really pretty bottle of bubbles. There’s plenty of delicate citrus and orchard fruit, but the minerality steals the show. Gains momentum with air and a little better on day two. Very easy to enjoy. — 5 years ago

Laith A

9.6

Fantastic wine!! Gained more momentum with air in the decanter but loved every sip of this!! — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2017 'Evenstad Reserve' Chardonnay follows an exceedingly long line of beautiful releases, as the consistency of this wine is unparalleled in Oregon. The wine is a barrel selection sourced from a host of great Dundee Hills AVA vineyards. On the nose this takes on gorgeous aromatics of toasty lemon infused brioche with peat moss and lighter cantaloupe tones that all collide in the glass. The exceptional texture entices and adds to the drinking enjoyment. Ripe pear, apricot, lemon oil and shades of Challah bread with wet stone all collect momentum on this distinguished palate. While gorgeous in its youth, this stunning wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 95 — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Almaviva (EPU) – Blend – 2022
Puente Alto – Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
The second wine from the Franco-Chilean partnership at Almaviva. The 2022 EPU is cabernet-dominated yet crafted for approachability. The blend reads approx. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 
It delivers a more accessible expression compared to the flagship Almaviva, with plenty of power and Chilean terroir signature.

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis and blackberry liqueur wrapped with violets, graphite, cedar spice and a touch of mocha. The ripeness stands out, yet the freshness and terroir voice anchor it.

Mouthfeel
Deep and plush, yet polished. Velvety tannins and a full core of dark fruit make it substantial , but it remains more approachable than the top-tier bottling. Strong finish with good momentum.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, aged lamb chops, porcini risotto with truffle, or char-grilled vegetables with smoked paprika.

Verdict
An expressive, polished, and beautifully balanced blend. While it leans toward powerhouse, the finesse, lift and Chilean elegance make it stand out. A top pick in its category.

Did You Know?
“EPU” means “two” in Mapuche (indigenous Chilean language) and represents Almaviva’s second label, crafted from the same estate terroir as the flagship bottling. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036. — a year ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.6

A rich and darkly inviting blend of plum sauce, clove, cocoa and camphor makes the 2016 Taurasi Riserva Radici impossible to ignore. This is pure class, pliant and enveloping on the palate, with silken waves of ripe red and black fruit guided by brisk acidity. Citrus and inner herbal tones add tremendous depth. The 2016’s regal tannins come forward through the close, framing the experience with youthful poise without slowing its momentum, leaving chalky mineral tones and nuances of nectarine to linger. The balance here is something to behold. Bury this beauty deep in the cellar. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2023) — 3 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

The nose is made of lemon zest, pear white flowers, a petrol thing too. I could have mistaken it for a Riesling somehow. When tasting it there is no way to mistake it for Riesling. This is dry Yes, but there is a viscosity too it, a matter, that could be only encountered is a very sweet wines. Some lemony, zesty and pear notes, a good width, that cushiony, viscous mouthfeel that makes it very soft, a good acid drive too, yet not that strong but taking some momentum to power some freshness into the finish. This is good stuff! — 4 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Like a gyroscope - give it a little push and it gains momentum and reacher a higher altitude and rides a longer wave than you thought on first impression. Keeps going - mostly Pinot with lemon and light notes of brioche. — 5 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.4

Building momentum! — 6 years ago