Christopher Vaughn Messer

9.1

This is a polished, crowd-pleasing Cabernet that still shows real intent. Ripe black cherry and blackberry lead the charge, followed by notes of cocoa, vanilla, and a subtle cedar spice. The tannins are smooth and well-integrated, giving it an easy, confident structure without sacrificing depth. There’s just enough oak warmth to feel luxurious, but it never overwhelms the fruit.

I opened this during a family winter getaway in Atlantic City, one of those cold, quiet nights after the lights fade and the boardwalk winds down. It paired beautifully with a relaxed dinner and conversation, the kind of wine that elevates the moment without demanding attention. Approachable, reliable, and quietly refined. Indian Wells continues to earn its reputation as a go-to Cabernet with class. — 4 months ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.0

Bodega del Desierto ‘Desierto Pampa’ Red Blend 2010: Medium-full bodied. Fine tannins. Nice acidity. Black fruits. Blueberry. Tobacco. Vanilla. Oak. Long spice finish. Consisting of 40% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon & 20% Syrah, this wine displayed great richness and complexity. All in all, a lovely Patagonian red blend that was drinking perfectly last night. Additionally, hoping this vintage will provide the inspiration for a winning result vs. Mexico as in the 2010 South Africa World Cup (which I was fortunate enough to attend in person) and let’s not forget in the 2006 Germany World Cup (which I watched from a bar in Mexico City). Vamos Argentina!!! 🇦🇷⚽️🍷 — 4 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Paired with an honest BBQ w Kansas City style ribs & old college friends. Have had this over the years & while it’s a high ABV wine it carries itself more like a compact Bordeaux. Not oak monster rich, in balance. — 5 years ago

Stewart Ben

9.2

Really a nice surprise winery whenever I visit. I think it’s the off the normal lake wine trail path located in the city of Ithaca that throws me off. Really nice dark fruits subtle oak and light tannins that give it a slightly bitter and lingering finish that I really enjoy and could even call a little young. Well done six mile. — 6 years ago

Trixie

9.1

A beautiful seasonal beer from Brossard, Quebec (Canada).

We visited Quebec City 5 years ago and were impressed by their culture, food and drink.

Red lager brewed with spices. Flavours of gingerbread, candied fruit, vanilla, oak and balsam.

The little rocker figurine is my favourite J-Rocker Hideto 🎸 Matsumoto (or hide - pronounced hee-day) from the band [X-Japan].

He was a Christmas gift from our youngest daughter. 🥰

•10.5% ABV• January 3, 2019. — 6 years ago

brando cox

9.2

Buy this. An amazing concentrated with flavor red fruit and balanced oak, ageworthy Portuguese value find.
👃 vanilla blackberry blackcurrant tobacco red fruit cherry dark fruit leather
👄 solid balance. blueberry chocolate cassis raspberry jam
Currently enjoying overlooking the city of Luanda, Angola — 7 years ago

Peter Anthony Riso

9.0

60% Merlot, 35% Cab Franc, 5% Cab-Malbec
In the city of Saint-Emilion.
Deep Ruby Red color, Oak and Red Fruits aroma, Soft Tannins.
May age a minimum of 25 years.
To be served between 15-17C
13%ABV — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Sitting for lunch in the heart of the city of Bolgheri, at a great restaurant, I had to try something I never had before. This entry level Bordeaux blend was a nice surprise.

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, plums, black currants, cherries, light oak, spices, light earth, herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates, licorice and a touch of vanilla.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Bordeaux blend from Tuscany is already drinking nicely, even right out of the bottle. Spicy and rich.

Opulent with lots of fruits, but also some earth notes to compliment the fruits.

Tannins show up after 30 minutes of airtime. A great nose shows itself after 90 minutes in the decanter. Much better once it opens up, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Tangy, spicy and entertaining. I paired it with beef stew.

A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 15% Petit Verdot. Aged in oak barrels for 14 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$30. — 2 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on November 21, 2022 at City House in Nashville with Michael and Rachel]

Purchased wine at winery during visit in September 2022. Fruit sourced from Pope Valley. Wine aged in 75% new French Oak with Medium to Medium+ toasting. Blackberry, black cherry and ripe raspberry fruit, with graphite, mocha, cocoa, caramel, toffee, toasted marshmallow and cinnamon. Darker fruit profile than 2017 vintage. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.5

Holy sweet mother of Moses. The 2016 Royal City is a truly spectacular wine. Full speed on all cylinders with a broad and evolving complexity with new features found in every crook and corner. 
Dark concentrated, ripe but fresh fruit profile, cassis, blackberries, blueberries, plenty of lavender followed by meat, iron and a very integrated oak spice and a pronounced crushed stone minerility that gives further dimension to the nose. There is of course a bit of resistance on the palate with its pronounced tannins, but it manage to shake it with its intense concentration on the palate with an expansive mid palate and bottomless finish. Outstanding.
Please give me a napkin and a bloody steak, sorry vegetarians but you could always pair it with a bearnaise only, accompanied by a large spoon.
27 months French oak (65% new) — 6 years ago

Sam Lee

9.0

Velvety deep leathery red colors with fragrant cherry blackcherry on aroma
Juicy of ripe berry fruit velvety mouthful tiptoe tongue
Crisp med bodied yet brings vanilla nicely oak, supple structure which greats for appetizers tapas and easy chocolate desserts
Juicy crisp vanilla hint of spices peppery finishing, a great New York City nightside experience
Tobacco and cigar, vanilla and star
🌌 — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.0

Powering through the last of the oak beers on the way to wine immersion. On a positive note, the baby now has a room! Anyway, last year’s Good Gourd! Looks like dark tea or a hot cider, nice eruption of bubbling magic. Orange tinged; good start! Super spiced cinnamon apple, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, and oddly smelling of a California wine. Sierra foothills mascarpone notes and also a hot buttered rum smell. Cinnamon tea, clove studded orange, whiskey-lemon-honey tea, toasted coconut, sweet tobacco, brown sugar, dates, fruitcake candied notes with a nod to its density. A cream soda finish with raisinets. #cigarcitybrewing #cigarcitygoodgourd #goodgourd #imperialale #ale #beer #bier #biere #birra #imperialpumpkinale #pumpkinale #pumpkinbeer #ccb #halloweenbeer — 7 years ago

with Courtney

Shay A

9.4

Today was an absolutely fantastic Friday hosting at the City Club by @Dan Fitzgerald. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine. Served blind. Great job Dan!

This, and the second white, were very similar. Main difference here was there was more power and texture. This showed more toasted oak, Mexican vanilla, lanolin and slightly more heat on the finish. Drinking really well, but no rush. I called this 2014 Sonoma chardonnay. — 7 years ago

with joe, Dan and 3 others

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Really good. Nose has deep chalky, brothy earthiness, ripe Chardonnay fruit, a touch of oak. The palate is ripe and deep, but there’s nice acidity keeping it lively. Loads of dry extract. As the deep fruit fades, minerality and a cleansing bitter note replaces it. Wow. Vaulorent really is a cut above most other 1er crus. Side note: my first Chablis ever (my last year of college) was a Robert Vocoret Vaulorent (‘75 I think) from the close-out bin of a center city Philly state liquor store. I remember being amazed by it. — 2 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Oak aroma. Concentrated. Dry. Black fruits. Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2019 @2200, city s -, 221219-221221 — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Last ‘17 in cellar! In the heart of the Chianti lies Estate of Sette Ponti, 15 miles northwest of the city of Arezzo, past village of San Giustino Valdarno. Has 10% Merlot, aged in French Allier barriques, deep Ruby with red fruit aromas and floral notes. On the palate blackberry, plum and cherry flavors with blossom notes, spice and fine integrated tannins. Good balance, long finish ending with some oak and mineral tones. Nice! Will age a bit more! Tasting well now! — 5 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

Huge amounts of extracted red fruit and a nice layer of fine oak. The tannins are silky folks. Fruit bomb city...🤘🏼🤘🏼🎉🎉🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

Kyle Masson

9.0

Sartori di Verona is a 4th generation family winery driven by a profound love for their city of Verona. For over a century, Sartori has made wines that respect local tradition yet embrace innovation. Ownership in premium vineyards allows for control from vineyard to bottle with a steadfast focus on quality. PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE The grapes are carefully selected, placed in small crates, and air dried for 3 to 4 months. At optimal dryness, only the best grapes are hand selected and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel for about 30 days. The wine is transferred to traditional tanks for malolactic fermentation and is then aged in various sized oak casks for about 4 years. At least 6 months of bottle ag,ng follows. BOUQUET Dried fruits, ripe berry, and plum. TASTE Rich, velvety, and full-bodied. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

First night Oak City. 2nd night the ripe fruits of the unusual blend of Shiraz, Durif and Petit Verdot came to the fore. A full bodied rich sweet red showing ripe plum notes and ripe Tannins with low acid. Great for lovers of big reds. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.

Tasted alongside the Napa chardonnay from Kongsgaard, this was more elegant and finesse driven in every way. The nose wasn’t as bold with the oak and the palate was more acidic with lemon tart, lemon cream, and honeysuckle sporting a lengthy finish. My understanding is that The Judge builds in power with age so this is a peek at the very beginning of its climb. I guessed this was 2014 Aubert Ritchie. — 7 years ago

with joe, Dan and 2 others