Richard Rosensweig

9.0

Once upon a time, one could argue that Vacqueras was a poor man’s CNP. But at this point CNP may be the fool’s Vacqueras. A little menthol on the nose. Lots of dark fruit, leather, crushed stones, maraschino cherries and a hint of leather on the palate. Rustic and sublime at the same time. Great wine for fall and colder weather. — 2 months ago

Rhonely Boy

8.9

Once upon a time, Lynmar had a Syrah in their portfolio.

Smooth and pleasant, sediment stuck on wall of bottle and cork. Drink now. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.1

Week 4 of our virtual tastings, this week’s theme being burgundy chosen by Joe, ideally from Chambolle-Musigny or Vosne-Romanee. Always good for some laughs and lots of knowledge being dropped! @Mike R
@Ron R @David L @Joe Lucca @Shawn R @Bill Bender @Eric LaMasters @Carl Fischer

A village level wine from a reputable producer in a solid vintage. Upon opening, I put this straight in to the decanter with a goal of two hours. I had a small sip at the beginning and realized it would need every bit of those two hours, and likely more. Extremely coiled, herbal and thin. At the two hour mark, fleshy black cherry skin, potpourri and tart red fruits started to appear aromatically. Once this hit the four hour mark, it gained heft (still retaining good acidity) with forest floor, a touch of iron, and added some spice and black peppercorn toward the finish. Evolved continuously throughout the evening. Definitely youthful, so if opening now, I’d give this 4+hrs to reveal itself appropriately.

Edit: tried another glass the day after and it stayed in line with how it was at the 4hr decanting mark, with a slightly more pronounced truffled mushroom note. — 5 years ago

emilie cycz

9.8

Wonderful earthiness, over ripe plums, but still has some acid to it. — 6 months ago

Dolores Padron

9.8

Well deserved rating! This wine has a peppery aroma upon opening, but once it airs, pure chocolate in both aroma and taste. Smooth tannins with a lovely body to it! — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

I wanted to open a Ceritas bottle during @Antonio Galloni ‘s interview with Ceritas winemaker John. I initially opened a 2015 Heintz Chardonnay, but it was corked. I moved to this bottle and it was intriguing to hear John say this is their earliest harvested vineyard, but their richest in profile wine. Crazy.

Upon opening, it had a very thin finish. I think there was a two part reason: it was too cold and it needed more air. This got substantially better once it warmed above cellar temp and was at its best with 3hrs of air. Very Chablis like with an oily texture and hardly any trace of oak. Hint of reduction. Very pure fruit...lemon oil, underripe melon, crushed seashell, and honeysuckle aromatics. Shockingly, the acidity here was fairly mellow. Not as razor sharp as I expected or have experienced with other Ceritas chards. Tart stone fruits, steely and grilled lemon rind round out the palate and finish. I’d hold this another few years to see how it blossoms. — 5 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Parigot is the stuff. I was looking for the red sparkling I’d had once upon a time but was super okay to settle for this (albeit if you have a source for the red TELL ME)! Red berry blend (there are hints of it all—strawberry raspberry currant) plus watermelon freshness and this slight earthy funk that—-is there a whiff of brett on it?! Slight white pepper and some greens that are both bitter and sweet. It’s a hug and a loving smack all at once. — 5 years ago

michael pandolfo

9.0

Really enjoyed this ganache-based blend. Upon opening the wine shows much restraint, and this is where I think it shows its sense of place. Once it’s been open for a bit you get that hit of ripe cherry with a baking spice edge. Medium finish. — a year ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

Every bit dazzling even at the four year mark, the 2016 Colgin ‘Cariad’ Red Wine (WWB, 97) is a massively dense wine that embodies tremendous verve and shows a seamless texture. Every working part of this wine (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot) creates not only complexity but a harmonious effect once on the palate. You are greeted immediately with the pillowy mouthfeel upon the attack. Layers of dark currants, tobacco leaf, red bell pepper, anise and chocolate cake all come together marvelously on the palate. This beautiful wine is delightfully hedonistic now but will cellar well for decades to come. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this beauty at least a two hour decant, as the wine evolved considerably after extensive air time. Drink 2022-2040- 97 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I bought this bottle about a year ago from K&L. The bottle was in pristine shape. Like the 1985 last weekend, the neck fill today was as high as the day they filled it.

I purchased two bottles. The first, I didn’t post. It had waned. Tonight’s bottle is giving me everything thing I expected when I purchased it.

The nose reveals a little barnyard (v/a) that blew off fairly quickly, slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice, peppery notes, tree bark/sap, mint, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets.

The body is just full, fresh & lush. There is still a decent, tarry, slightly chewy tannin structure even after a little over 22 years in bottle. For me, the length, tension and balance are perfect. This bottle has another 5 and perhaps 7 years of good drinking ahead. It’s really delicious tonight. Slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries that pop on the palate, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone/dry top soil, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, melted, salted caramel, dark baking chocolate & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice with perfect palate heat, tree bark/sap, mint, savory meats, peppercorns, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather, French oak barrel shavings, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets. The acidity is round, phat & perfect. The long finish is delicious, an elegant lady, well balanced settling into some of the nicest, dark spices I can remember in sometime.

In terms of pleasure, I would give this wine a 94 but, in technical terms, just misses it.

Once again, I really love the 13% ABV. I wish Napa Cabernets had never risen above that level.

Photos of; the Estate of Flora Springs, long view of their beautiful barrel cellar, happy dog running through their vines and their very modern tasting room on Hwy 29. — 5 years ago