Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

This is right up my alley. Very Burgundian in style. Noticeable new oak without taking center stage. Perfectly balanced between the sweet vanilla and the tropical acidic notes. A+ new world Chard! — 2 years ago

with Raina

Darren Dittrich

9.2

Delicious, smooth La Morra imported by SommSelect. Most of the typical Barolo flavors, minus overly grippy tannins and charred oak/leather/tar. Floral and fruit depth is there, as is ample acidity and almond notes... this is a feminine Barolo, more akin to a Barbaresco (full disclosure: right up my alley). This could age, but why wait? It’s a 2013 and drinking well in the near term. — 5 years ago

Doctor No

9.1

This is as classically Virginia as it gets: a Cab Franc-heavy Bordeaux blend that has a combination of moderate-and-definitely-not-California ripeness, a somewhat austere palate and certain lightness, but a Bordelaise nose. Made with a moderate Oak treatment and care taken not to overextract, it will never reach the level of concentration and age ability of higher end Bdx, still it has wonderful aromatics (strawberry, plum, cassis, earth, leather, stone) with ample acidity and a nice, if not long, finish.
These are never cheap, but it ain't easy to grow grapes in Virginia either. Delaplane is a surprisingly good winery, a few miles from the beautifully classic Linden, without the pretentious nature of RdV and more consistent than Glen Manor. Their dry Vidal Blanc was great and right up a wine geek's alley... — 7 years ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.2

v19. Lucious. Creme brûlée nose. Creamy tropical fruit. Full bodied alley finish. Nicely balanced. — 2 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.6

An absolute beauty, pure class and stunning intensity that sits right up my alley. One of the best pure Cabernet Franc that have yet crossed my lips.

Pronounced concentration and perfectly layered complexity with an expensive oak profile of vanilla, mocca and cedar wood that is balanced by sun drenched yet vigorous fruit of red and black currants, plums and chocolate covered strawberries. Fresh herbs and lavender. Everything framed in a stone dusty casing.
Fresh acidity and prominent dusty tannins is balanced by a dense fruit profile and stunning mid palate, with a second wave coming from behind that expands into a long complex finish. — 3 years ago

Joe McGee

9.6

Love it. Crisp but velvety like Chardonnay, but without heavy oak, typical of old world Chardonnay — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2018 vintage. The most approachable young Gevrey I’ve ever had. A little mushroom and dry earth but mostly singing rhubarb and cherry with just a hint of oak/cedar. Medium body. Don’t think I’d want to run across this in a dark alley in twenty years but in ten years? I can see it holding up well for that long. — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Cherry, raspberry, currant, dusty leather, cranberry and oak. Light-bodied and soft tannins. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

This pretty gem is right up my alley. Superbly built wine with a great combination of a rich and ripe fruit profile, with a vibrant freshness and defined stone like minerality that is keeping a tight grip throughout the finish. Wonderful work with the oak as as well. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

@TheSkip this will be right up your alley.

Fun tasting at Weygandt Wines with John Lockwood. The last of four wines being poured.

Deep ruby red. Layered nose with iron from the get go with some spices, and dark red berries, a nice savory backend as well. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Complex palate with lavender, black cherries, black olives and twigs. Solid acidity with dark gravel in the dry lingering finish. Definitely more of a Northern Rhone style Syrah. Drink till 2026

This wine is made up of 100% Syrah. 100% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak barrels (225L) for 12 months. Only 13.5% alcohol. — 7 years ago