Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. PNP'd. Heavy bod. Definitely interesting blend and it works. The 15.1% not super-Paso obvious but you just know it'll show up at some point down the road. Tannins no shrinking violet here yet not as fearsome as one might suspect. Pretty good balance now interspersed with spice cameos and the nagging suspicions that another 4-5 years will find this in the sweet spot. Pick up a few bottles for variety's/varietals sake. 10.26.24. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I get why people who generally always review this producer as just good consuming it young. This is ten years from birth, eight years in bottle and it is still not at its peak. it has ten years and perhaps more properly stored. Very good tonight but better things ahead. It takes this long and longer for WS Pinots to shine.

The palate is, juicy, ripe, rich, a bit lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, hues of blueberries, plum and ripe to dry strawberries with a pomegranate overlay. Then, dry earthiness, top soil, crushed rocks & powdery limestone & chalkiness, dark spices, some black pepper, dry brush, eucalyptus, tree sap, sun tea, black and red cola/licorice, drier tobacco, barrel dust to shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, touch of dry herbs-bay leaves & sage, bright red, pink, blue, purple florals framed in dark slightly withering florals, rain shower acidity, the finish is; well structured & balanced in fruit, earth & flowers, some more tension than I like but will soften & fade nicely in 3-5 years. But, wire to wire really even and stunning. Evolution & integration is good but needs 3-5 years to be its best. Coravin glass.

IMHO, one of the outstanding CA Pinot producers. Walter Hansel gives them a run for the money at their fantastic price point. — a year ago

Philip Curran

9.5

For me, at this price point, this is a bargain. High but balanced acidity, medium body but feels full, creamy and soft. The nose is not super strong but some lemon, unripe peach, faint bready notes; finish is medium long and ends on a wonderful chalky note. Excited to explore the Cru offerings from Piuze down the road but very happy with this until the budget allows for that. — 3 years ago

Peter Falk

9.2

Mycket snygg Pinot! — 2 months ago

with Annika Lindh and Carl

Bob McDonald

9.1

Making notes from memory 2 days later. A departure from trying local Gippsland wines back to the ever reliable Yarra Valley for Pinot Noir and Tarrawarra. Red fruited and sappy. Owned by another Melbourne billionaire, and philanthropist, Marc Besen (like the recently visited Point Leo owned by fellow billionaire and brother in law in John Gandel). . Worth a visit if you’re in the Yarra not only for the wines but the fabulous Australian Art Collection. I had lunch here around 5 or 6 years ago and viewed the art and enjoyed their Pinot and Chardonnay. Footnote: Marc Besen passed away 2 months ago aged 99. — a year ago

Timothy Lynch

9.0

A stained cork from bottom to top gave me pause. Phew! All good. Dusty notes dominate early on with stewed plumbs and Aussie scrub (underbrush) not far behind. Let’s see where we are in an hour. Sixty minutes on firmly delivers with a weighty 65% Cab Sauv with, dare I say it, a slight nod to Napa. Chewy tannins with continuous dust rounds it all out. I like this wine. As to down the road…I think we’ve arrived au point. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Low production. Exceedingly high quality. Produced with lower pressure but results in much, much joy. A light golden robe with not many bubbles due to the low pressure. Very creamy however. In that good way. Quite mineral on the nose with an abundance of floral scents. Croissants and orange peel with a schmear of honey. Those citrus aromas really start to take over after time in the glass.

Pure Grand Cru Chardonnay from Cramant in the Côte des Blancs. Consisting of 35/65 of the 2014 and 2015 vintages and disgorged in 2020 with an Extra Brut dosage of 3 g/l. This is one of those non vintage bottles that makes you reconsider not aging them. It’s so clear that this will continue to grow and blossom and be even more stunning a few years down the road.

Subtle and soft with high acid. Saline precision and tension for days. So generous on the palate even at this youthful point in its journey. Fresh citrus fruits tickle the tongue while herbs hold your attention. Long finish with a bite of spice. Will be excellent if you have patience and hold. Or you could be like me and drink now. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

100 point wine!

Deep purple in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose and fruit forward.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Showing black fruits with wood, vanilla, earth, spices, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine-grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley.

Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. Tangy and interesting.

Robert Parker 100 points.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$350. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured. The 2000 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon Terrace Select presents a deep ruby color with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. Signs of significant of sediment made obvious by what looks like top soil that catches the side of the glass with every swirl before it settles to the bottom. On the nose, the wine is intense. Vinous. Powerful notes of dark fruit: cassis, blackberries, and black cherry with huge amounts of tobacco, bell pepper, cedar box, leather and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Everything is well integrated at this point. Alcohol comes across medium+. The texture is absolutely luxurious and the finish goes on for minutes. These are ready to drink yet, they have plenty left in the tank if you’re not in a particular hurry. I just don’t see it giving more down the road from here. Drink now or enjoy through 2030. — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Albeit young, 2008 Cristal is drinking very well at this point in time, even if unsurprisingly not yet showing all that it can be. Drank solo over the course of 3 hours in a Burgundy glass, it had plenty of time to evolve and express. 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 08 Cristal flaunts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh white flowers, yellow orchard fruit, baking spice, vanilla bean and crushed seashells. The palate is searingly intense with ripping citrusy acids, incredible elegance and pin point precision in its delivery before giving way to a saline and mineral infused finish that just keeps going. Again, very young, no doubt, and while already terrific, it’s easy to see what the fuss is about and how special the vintage will be down the road. But in my opinion there’s no harm in drinking now if you accept and enjoy the stage it will be in. — 2 years ago