Bob McDonald

9.4

Hopefully Delectable will allow me to write a complete note. Here we go ….
Dark Ruby with a crimson rim. Closed on the nose initially. Straight from the bottle - should have decanted it. Rich on the palate. Latent power with much to give. Dark cherry with dried herbs still to come with further cellaring. This is the first of 5 bottles. In the early days Block 3 was the undisputed best Pinot in NZ but now Block 5 is considered along with other contenders from around NZ. Have the next one in a year. Many good judges think this is the best ever Block 3 up to this point. — 18 days 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. — 3 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. — 3 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

The 2022 Desti, a Grenache dominant blend from the middle elevations of Merum’s vineyard in the Priorat, is wonderfully ripe and approachable even at this relatively early stage. Sweet black and red fruit, minerality and concentration showing the rocky soil of the region, a bit of balsamic and mild spice. The tannins are stiff, acidity is brisk and it runs a touch hot at 15.5%abv, all of which point to the potential of a long future and softer wine down the road. — 4 days ago

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 year ago

Somm 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. — 3 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

This was very stinky upon opening. Not convincing at this point at 100$. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Not sure. Expected some unique flavors. Yet this turned out to be kind of a middle of the road good Chard. — a year ago

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. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Here is a delicious 100 point wine from Australia.

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Not showing age much.

Strong sweet nose of black fruits with tobacco, raisins, dried fruits, oak, licorice, eucalyptus, light vinaigrette and peppercorn.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on and fruity on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead, dark coffee and dark chocolates.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Shiraz from Barossa Valley. Rich and elegant, with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

A good quality wine that needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

This 27 year old is still drinking very nicely. Past its prime, but still very enjoyable.

Robert Parker 100 points.

Good by itself or with food. A good sipping wine.

100% Shiraz grapes were aged in American oak barrels for 3 years.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 3 years ago