Tripp Borstel

9.6

High proof, dark Carmel, full flavor — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Korte Ranch located north of St. Helens along Napa River, having gnarly head trained vines, at least 70-years old, thriving there, and was a bonded winery before prohibition. Deep Ruby with aromas of black fruits and complex spice adding a bit of floral notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with layers of spices, cinnamon and vanilla with slight citrus tone. Fine structured tannins, long finish on this full-bodied wine ending with fruit, oak and spice character. Should develop nicely over next 5+ years. Outstanding! Tasting Sample! — 5 years ago

Chelsea E

9.8

Brunch at John and Glenda’s for John’s birthday. Shenandoah Valley in California where a lot of the zin vines were saved from prohibition destruction because it was used for sacrament. Old vines. Delicious. One of the highest quality reds I’ve ever had. Absolutely delicious with a a long finish and complexity. Loved it. Will have to visit Shenandoah Valley! — 5 years ago

Wes Hough

9.4

Reims with Sepali!
— a year ago

Deanna Lyons

9.0

Trader Joes — 4 years ago

Connor Smith

9.3

The first European grapes were planted in what is now the U.S. in the 1600s, where Spanish missionaries in New Mexico needed sacramental wine. But Phylloxera was ever-present near the eastern population centers, so the earliest American wine industries were built on hybrid grapes. Cincinnati's sparkling Catawba was America's first cult wine, followed by cultivars like Norton, Isabella, and Concord in Missouri and Virginia. The sleeping giant began to awaken in the 1850s, when Agoston Haraszthy began importing high-quality vine material to California.

It all came crashing down with Prohibition in 1920. Not only were vineyards ripped up and knowledge lost, but the American palate became soft and sweet. Low-quality fortified wine from whatever grapes were available became the standard of the American wine industry.

Things began to shift in the 1960s. Robert Mondavi brought dry table wine, varietally labeled, back to the forefront. Boutique producers like Ridge began to creep toward European quality standards. The 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, a sweeping victory for the Americans, proved that the New World wine was here to stay.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû's Wines 'History of Wine 1453AD-Present' seminar, where this wine was poured) — 5 years ago

Rachel Aka

9.0

Fruity but still dry but not drying. — 4 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Exceptional Turley! From old vines in contra costa county (pre prohibition). This is voluptuous and complex with notes of fresh plum, cinnamon and dried cranberry. This could use a couple years in bottle but honestly why wait? Lovely example of the Turley style. — 5 years ago

Sukhamay

9.0

Tastes bold, full bodied, off dry, medium acidity, medium high tannins, black cherry. Finishes dry & long, complex & beautiful. — 5 years ago

Stuart Scheff

10

First beer sold in the USA after prohibition. — 5 years ago