Brandon Boesch

9.4

First Andremily. Pretty great. Decanted for 3 hours. Still evolving. It’s definitely California. There’s a lot of spice, oak, game/meat, big fruit of raspberries, chocolate cherries, baking spice, cedar. It’s pretty well balanced but I wanted more. If I tasted this blind I’m pretty sure I’d never guess Syrah. This is kind of like Herman story Syrah meets merlot from Bordeaux for me rather than rhone. I guess pax Syrah is more my style. — 6 months ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Really delicious. Wasn’t sure what to expect at this stage, have others in storage for some evolution but this was wonderful tonight. Opened the bottle 7 hours before but no decant and it was very giving. Somewhat pale in the glass but so much red fruit on the nose and the palate. Almost feels slightly carbonic in terms of how it is expressing but I don’t think it actually is. Incredible length and freshness on the finish - great acid. Excellent pairing with a Tuscan style roast chicken and mushrooms. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Decanted 7 hours and then poured back into the bottle before service, 4 hours later. No formal notes. The 2019 “Caravina” is showing classic notes of black currants, tobacco, and baking spices with a gentle touch of vanilla. The finish is dry with significant structure. Already lovely with extended exposure to air, I’m looking forward to following the evolution of this wine for the next 10-15+ years. This remains one of Napa’s best values. — 4 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.7

Excited to try this 2013!. A dark inky purple color while the nose takes you in with aromas of dark cherry-cassis, dark chocolate, subtle mint and touch of meat and sweet cinnamon sugar. Oh my! — creamy, luscious and a full body elegant wine. Blackberry-cherry fruit stand out with deepening tastes of chocolate espresso, bacon fat, pepper spice and cinnamon adding to its long finish. What a delight on this hot Friday night inside our cool home! Got to try it!! — 5 years ago

with Karin and Jill

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

For all of you that drink; SQN, Cayuse & Horsepower, if you haven’t tried a well aged Rostaing, you are missing the best aspect of Syrah.

Côte de Rôtie translates in English into Roasted Slope. That’s exactly what this wine defines.

The Ampodium is a blend of 7-8 different Rhône vineyards. 2010 a dynamic vintage in Northern Rhône.

I bought this recently at auction and it has been decently stored but not quite ideally stored.

The nose reveals; roasted chestnut, stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries on the high nose & backend of the fruit, used coffee grounds, soft leather, dry tobacco, savory meats, dark, moist soils, anise to black licorice, fresh sage & bay leaf with candied; dark, red, blue, purple florals in a field of lavender.

The palate is; fresh, ripe, juicy, elegant and nicely resolved. The structure, tension, balance and length are perfect. It is for the palates that love elegance & beauty, not brawn & ABV. Roasted chestnut, stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy, ripe strawberries backend of the fruit, used coffee grounds, soft leather, dry tobacco, savory meats, smoke, dark, moist soils, anise to black licorice, light purple cola, fresh sage & bay leaf with candied; dark, red, blue, purple florals in a field of lavender. The acidity is round & stream like. The finish is in perfect balance, harmony that settled softy yet speaks volumes.

Paired with the Cardiff Chipotle Tri-tip. The best Tri-tip we’ve had. You can order at CardiffCrack.com. Not inexpensive though. The best never is!

Photos of; me in the La Landonne Vineyard, Rene Rostaing and our tour with Pierre Rostaing in their La Landonne Vineyard. What an afternoon!

Producer notes, Pierre (son of Rene & now Winemaker) uses up to 100% of the stems - believing they contribute to Côte Rôtie’s ineffable perfume. Macerations last from 7 to 20+ days, and the wines enjoy a long élevage in a mix of barrels and time-honored pièce for aging, so that no more than 15% of a given vintage sees new wood. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Rising star 💫 — 8 months ago

Raul Puga

9.3

Delicious — a year ago

with Mariana

Jay Kline

9.6

We pulled this from our cellar and brought it to V. Mertz for dinner. We enjoyed a couple of other wines as aperitifs and then ultimately did what anyone given the opportunity should do: pair it with lamb chops. We poured it into a decanter while we enjoyed the conversation and opening courses. Given the setting, there were no formal notes however, I can confidently report that the 2015 “Tintot” absolutely slaps. From the first sip to the last, it was all balance, power and class. It was also a spectacular showcase for Mourvèdre. It was hard to fully judge color because the lighting was so low but it appeared to be nearly opaque. A touch feral with a slightly gamey element to it but there’s a great big ol’ basket of black and blue fruits with red and purple flowers, garrigue, some black pepper and cedar chest. Structure is still quite firm but totally enjoyable. While this is an unusual assemblage for the region, it still comes across as a wine from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This was my first “Tintot” and it has left quite the impression. Drink now with an hour decant or over the next 7-10 years. P.S. it probably goes without saying, but the pairing with lamb chops was sublime. — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

An enchanting pale rose petal pink color in the glass. A fine perlage with plenty of small bubbles. A classic rosé nose with nice red fruits and a floral character. Black cherry dominate with cherry blossoms and wild strawberries. Fresh herbal aromas are underlying with hot buttered toast.

70/30 CH/PN from Grand Crus in Louvois, Bouzy, Avize, Cramant, and Chouilly, this has an impressive pedigree. Non vintage but a blend of a single year, this can withstand more time being left alone for a few years but it oh so pleasant right now. As much as I love the no or low dose champagnes, the 7 g/l is more than welcome here. Bright acid throughout.

There’s a definite intensity to the fruit on the palate. More of those nice red fruits occupy most of the attention here with a touch of chalky minerality. That familiar yeast makes a quick appearance backing up the herbs and spice. Immensely enjoyable. — 5 years ago

Sam Lee

8.9

Fruity of lemon lime and green apple goodness
Slightly honeycomb and lemon tart ricotta cheese
Texture is buttery hint of mushroom yet good dry acidity
Good refreshing and as well dinner wine
🥚 — 6 years ago

Stephen Long

9.4

Juicy, delicious, a ton of weird funky tastes, barnyard, minerals, orange zest. — 7 years ago

Dennis P.

9.0

Some days, you want something stronger than wine, and today has been well.......one of those days.

Old No.7 brand, since 1866, a sour mash whiskey favorite. Jack & Coke works for me.

40% abv. 80 proof — 7 years ago

Richard Rosensweig

9.0

Txikolina is always underrated because of the price. This is no exception. Lots of saffron on the nose. Starts off with mild citrus and grassy notes on the palate. Finishes with orange and grapefruit. Medium bodied. — 9 months ago

Ron R

9.5

Fully ripe, intense and concentrated. Nose displays black cherries and coffee notes. Palate presents a muscular structure of dense tannins and cedar notes. I also detect hints of maple and blackberry spice. For a second wine, I just shake my head as it’s brilliantly made and so expressive. Why pay triple for the Buccella, but then most of us like to display our net worth I guess… no rush to consume these. I estimate another 7 - 10 years of runway ahead of this, maybe more. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Andrew McIntyre

9.0

Some nice toffee notes but there was a bitterness at the end that took some of the pleasure away — 5 years ago

Sydney

9.2

Jammy, light but still has depth — 5 years ago

DAL 9000

9.0

Big jam bouquet. Jammy raspberries with a dry smoke almost tobacco finish. — 6 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.2

Deep deep wine, and a little hot for me — 6 years ago

Steve Pollack

9.1

Very sweet, rich, and low acid. — 7 years ago

Rina

10

I loved the juiciness of this red blend. Very smooth & easy to drink. Didn’t need much time to open up. I poured it & was able to enjoy it within 5 minutes. Beautiful notes of cherry jam nutmeg & hints of plum. Would buy again no doubt!! — 7 years ago