Damian Walch

9.0

A bright medium ruby color and an elegant, red-fruited profile. On the nose, it opens with fresh cherry, raspberry, and red currant, layered with subtle rose petal and a touch of forest floor and wet stone. The palate is refined rather than powerful, carrying through with cranberry and cherry notes supported by lively acidity and silky, fine tannins. There’s a gentle earthy undertone and a hint of white pepper or baking spice that adds complexity without weight. The finish is clean and medium in length, lingering on fresh red fruit and mineral tones, making it balanced, food-friendly, and distinctly Old World in style rather than bold or extracted. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

This is quite good & somewhat approachable for a Napa Cabernet so young. Yet, not entirely surprising given the vintage, terroir & winemaking team. But, it should lay down another 7-8 plus for you to get your full price of admission.

The nose reveals ripe, rich, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, lots of blueberries, mulberries, black plum skin & deep, very dark cherries. Big cocoa/mocha, fresh with some slightly dry tobacco, soft leather, black licorice and mid & dark berry cola, dark chocolate to chocolate cake to chocolate pudding, soft baking spices, dry herbs with an undertone of spearmint, soft barrel shavings (I like the wood & barrel toast they have selected), soft, elegant forest floor with dark, slight candied with some withering red, flowers that are set in lavender & liquid violets. Beautiful!

The fruits are perfectly ripe, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, lots of blueberries, mulberries, black plum skin & deep, very dark cherries. Big cocoa/mocha, fresh with some slightly dry tobacco, soft leather, black licorice and mid & dark berry cola, dark chocolate to chocolate cake to chocolate pudding, soft baking spices-nutmeg, cinnamon clove & vanillin, dry herbs with an undertone of spearmint, soft barrel shavings, dark Indian/Asian spices-some Allspice mixed in, pronounced lead pencil, soft, elegant forest floor with dark, slightly candied with some withering red, flowers that are set in lavender & liquid violets. Flowers/florals are exquisite. Excellent round acidity with an extremely well balanced/knitted with an amazing glorious finish that goes on and on. Really well made. I would like to try this again in another 7-10 years. One dent, it does show some alcohol burn. 14.8% ABV. Feels above 15. Maybe, 15.5.%.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 years ago

Yaw Awuku

9.5

Aged 8 years and introduced itsself with wonderfully dense aromas of dark fruits and forest floor. Fresh and peppery on the palte, but in a very smooth way. Dark fruits and black cherry. Finely grained mineralic Texture and a long, long finish! — 2 years ago

Ming L

9.5

Crafted by Philippe Melka, aromas of dried herbs, forest floor, and tobacco leaf frame a core of cassis and black plum. The palate is savory yet refined, with fine tannins, graphite nuance, and integrated oak. The finish is long with earthy depth.

I love Napa 2011 vintage, which is very underestimated in my opinion for its cool, extended season with resulting bottlings from top producers leaning towards restraint and classicism. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

The nose is somewhat muted. Yet, still beautiful. Dark, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark cherries with ripe strawberries hues. Dark chocolate, beautiful, soft baking spices, dry herbs, dry top soil, dry volcanic powder, tea leaves, some tarriness, tobacco w/ ash, lead pencil, leather, back licorice, dark, red, withering flowers framed in violets.

This drinks incredibly well now but needs more evolution. Many will find this hard to resist now.

The palate shows; dark, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark cherries with ripe strawberries hues. Refined but medium plus tannins, dark chocolate, coco powder, beautiful, soft baking spices, dry herbs, dry top soil, dry volcanic powder, tea leaves, some tarriness, rich, dark forest floor w/ dry leaves dark, dry brush, fine, powdery spices, tobacco w/ ash, lead pencil, leather, back licorice, dark, red, withering flowers framed in violets. Perfect acidity and a round, plush, well balanced/knitted, beautiful structure, nicely tensioned finish w/ length that lasts two-minutes falling on to nice earthiness. Las Piedras for minerality always.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.1

Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, coconut, dark chocolate, smoked ribs, forest floor, graphite, game, leather, sweet baking spices. Such an oak bomb but with loads of grilled meaty ashy charcoal. Wet crushed dark stones. Guilty pleasures. — 2 years ago

John Tan

8.9

Gout de Jaune. Intense, petrol bomb nose. A little austere.

The textbook 2013 L'Étoile Vin Jaune has a deep golden color and a captivating nose with aromas of exotic spices, iodine, forest floor, green nuts and a touch of volatility that added freshness. 2013 was a cooler year in the region, and despite the 14.5% alcohol, the wine feels quite fresh and balanced, with clean, focused flavors, pungent and long, very tasty, with a bitter and salty touch on the finish. It's very long and has a nice combination of power and elegance. This matured for the mandatory six-plus years in barrels under a thin veil of yeasts and was bottled in the 62-centiliter Vin Jaune bottle, clavelin. 2,500 bottles produced. RP93+, 2013; issue date Apr 2021 — 3 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Medium ruby color with a darker core. Aromas of red berry/cherry fruit, black pepper and forest floor. Savory flavors of red cherry, strawberry, dried herbs and mushrooms. Hint of mint on the long and lingering finish. Fantastic richness and balance. Excellent wine from an excellent vintage. Included in the Fall 2025 Kevin Zraly Red Burgundy Master Class. — 5 months ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Reliably good Loire estate. Fresh and structured. Forest berries, mushroom, soil, lots of grip, epic food wine — a year ago

Vanessa

9.3

Happy Bastille Day!  Joyeux 14 juillet! 🇫🇷

A great day to sip something fabulous and French, like this 2020 Maison Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouches. 🍷

Maison Joseph Drouhin is a dynamic, family-run estate, established by Joseph Drouhin in 1880 in the Beaune region of Burgundy.  It’s now run by Joseph’s four great-grandchildren – Philippe, Véronique, Laurent, and Frédéric – with operations spanning from Burgundy to the Dundee Hills of Willamette Valley, Oregon (Domaine Drouhin). 🫶🏻🫶🏻

This wine has a medium ruby hue and an array of aromas and flavors such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry (red and black), mulberry, rose, spice, potpourri, black licorice, forest floor, toast, vanilla bean, crème brûlée, nutmeg, star anise, cardamom, and clove.

It aged 14-18 months in French oak (25% new), lending those baking spice, vanilla, and confectionery notes.

On the palate, it is dry, with vibrant acidity, creating tension, and a medium (+) body, with warming alcohol (14% ABV), medium tannins that are polished and velveteen, and a lingering finish.

This is an outstanding wine capable of long-term aging with potential to gain complexity unveiling additional tertiary dimensions over time. 🕰️ — 2 years ago

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