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. — 10 months ago

Mark Howard

9.8

WOW! One of the best pleasures in life is enjoying a spectacular wine at its pinnacle. Tonight was one of those nights. Dining with life long friends we enjoyed this wine. A dear friend selected this bottle as a backup for dinner. A definite case of Wally Pip taking the day off. This wine is not just peaking, it sings from the glass. Everything you expect from a classic Napa Cab with the style, elegance, and finesse of a First Growth in spades! You want aromatics, here is red and black fruits, cigar tobacco, lavender, anise, scorched earth, Asian spice…okay so we drifted into mid palate yummy flavors. A finish that lingers while dancing over the palate for more than 30 seconds, titillating the taste buds into pleasurable submission. Did I mention the WOW factor? This wine has it! Where can we find more?!?? What a spectacular selection! — 3 years ago

with Elizabeth

Bob McDonald

9.3

One of the pleasures in life is having a 10 year old Clare Valley Riesling. Had the last one a year ago in August 2020. This time some kerosene notes creeping in with the peachy notes. Honeyed nuances on the palate. Delicious. Diminished acid but could be kept for a few more years. A little chalky minerality. I think I have one left. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

A well-made Valpo is one of life’s simple pleasures. This one certainly is. Light, great fruit, nice acids. Perfect for chicken roll-ups with prosciutto and Swiss cheese braised in white wine. — 2 years ago

Willem Booij

9.3

One off the great pleasures working in the wine business is a midweek bottle from El Jeffe. This is a great example of what a great winemaker can do in a lesser year. Just a very good wine with a aftertaste as long as my trip home. — 3 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Buddha’s hand citrus, lots of crushed rock, flint, chalk on the nose. Such an interesting expression, green grass on the palate which is very tart and crisp with just a hint of butterriness. Super herbal, very dry finish so this seems austere at first but its pleasures creep up on you as you keep coming back for more. Structure is evident though it’s just started to take on volume. — 3 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.0

The simple pleasures can be truly gratifying. — 2 years ago

Jack Petras

9.1

If there was a poster for “ food friendly” wine this 2019 would be on it. Nearly perfect in every way. Light lively fresh , fruity, earthy, deep, lingering, literally mouthwatering. A Thursday night wine when your week is just about over and you have a veal parmagiana heating up. Here’s to the simple pleasures of life. — 2 years ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

This was an easy drinking little gem that we enjoyed over a few hours. Dark red and looking luscious, it’s aromas came streaming out in a harmonious orchestra of manly musks: smoky leather, dark cherry, and soft floral arrangements. Handsome. Drinking offers other pleasures like earthy minerality and spiced plum pie. — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

8.9

Weeknight guilty pleasures wine — 4 years ago