Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — a month ago

with Brenda

Matthew Williamson

8.9

True old vine depth in both texture and flavour. A nice departure from Tempranillo or garnacha while retaining all the bold characteristics of Spanish old world reds. — 3 years ago

Andy Hall

9.5

Always strong! Old world nose, robust fruit and balanced acid. — 4 years ago

Francesca Caldara

9.4

little bit of spice, then juice — 4 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.7

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — 4 months ago

Aaron Rankin

9.5

Vinous 98! Feels like the stock market last November. I like my DDLC and this shows with their classic style. The only truly old world Pinot I’ve experienced from Cali, but bolstered with a savory and dark fruited depth you don’t see in Burg. — 3 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

60% Cabernet Franc 25% Merlot 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec! Luscious Bordeaux Old World style! Smooth..Stewed Black fruit..Cherry licorice.. pencil lead..leather..dried flowers and herbs! Very nice! — 4 years ago

Marc Melser

9.1

We had the 2006 Vintage on 7/27-28/24. A nice Old World, medium to full bodied wine with a long finish. Scents and a palate of blackberry, black cherry, plum, graphite and camphor. The tannins were fine and smoothed out with aeration. A very good wine. — 5 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

A lovely melding of Old World finesse and New World exuberance. Green apple, pear, white peach, ripe lemon oil, flint, acacia, and the barest hint of toasted brioche. Mouth watering acidity but not at the expense of texture. Long, beautifully ripe finish. Stunning. — 2 years ago

Tobin Spratte

9.3

For an old world Syrah, this is showing significant fruit: cranberry, black currant, and blackberry. Background aromas, however, shine through with smoked minerals, black pepper, leather, and vanilla.
I love the juicy, lengthy, peppery finish on this wine. — 4 years ago