Shay A

9.4

Last bottles from a 6-pack. I had two bottles that were sadly riddled with EA, but the other four were sound.

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

65 semillon/ 34 Sauvignon Blanc/ 1 Muscadelle

Always love these, more so than most domestic Bordeaux Blanc style white wines, mostly because of the texture. Straw color in the glass. Quite the tropical aromatics (white peach, mango) but it’s not overpowering. The barrel ferment is apparent with the rounded profile on the palate…the vein of acidity that was there a few years ago is fading, so this showed even more opulent than normal. Honeyed lemon, guava, orange blossom but a backbone of sea salt and herbs snap the structure in place to show nice balance and a nod to Bordeaux. I’d recommend popping now and over the next couple years to enjoy the freshness. — a month ago

Shay A

9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — a year ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

A splendid new wine from Marques de Concha Casa - 92% Cab Sauvignon, 6% Cab Franc, 1% Merlot, 1% Petite Verdot. Ripe aromas of vanilla (25 months in French oak, 71% new), loads of blackberry, violet, black cherry, tobacco leaf, forest floor, fennel and sage. Ripe, silky tannins give the wines an opulent, creamy mouthfeel. Medium finish. Very nice wine, probably best in the near to mid-term. — 3 years ago

AJ Gubser

8.9

Nose of lemon, lime, honeycomb, and sea breeze. Very dry and high acid on the palate. Lots of citrus, minerals, and a touch of honeycomb on the finish. Mayb ea touch of yellow apple as well. Crisp, clean, and tasty. — 6 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.1

Preferred the 15 with its tropical fruit to this 14 which was very reduced and ‘lanolin’. Still a lovely wine but I just had the 15 so this stands a bit behind even though I like the 14 overall vintage better. Pm me for some @ $43 ea — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.0

American oak nose of coconut and dill. Baked and jammy boysenberry fruit, and almost some EA but not quite. Dusted ripened black cherry and blueberry. Sweetened fruit all the way through with old fig. Solid for 17yrs. — 7 years ago

with Dan and Clare

Andy@andyberke.com

9.1

Set good at the price. Good tannins — 2 months ago

Joe Flo

9.6

Wine Spectator #1 wine dinner. With a good decanting this was a great wine. 🍷 — 8 months ago

Shay A

9.2

If you can calibrate your mind for Turley (or Zins in general), these are fun and hedonistic wines to simply enjoy.

My first experience with the Turley Dusi. Initial impression is this has Paso all over it (as it should, since it’s a Paso vineyard) with a sense of weightless gravitas. Wave after wave of ripe fruits from the entire spectrum (red, blue and black berry fruits), cedar, espresso all on the nose. Little bit of EA sharpness (as I’ve found common with Turley) but only at levels to elevate the aromatics, not enough to detract from the overall profile. Mixed berry pie richness on the palate with more cedar, spiced plum, dark cocoa and just a faint profile of chewing tobacco leaves (not sure if that’s the profile of Dusi, or if that’s evolution after almost 8yrs). ABV is noticeable when warm but drinks nice closer to cellar temp. Pop corks and enjoy over the next few years. — 2 years ago

JeremyC

9.1

2016 in 10/23. From winery visit on our way to Sta Barbara in the cali yrs. Forget which one. Bought on faith. Didn't disappoint. Oak, acidity, fruit all played well w ea other. Love when new world chard holds up well. 14.5% — 3 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Pretty wine with “lifted acidity” (aka VA /EA / hint of nail polish). The wine relaxed and became more expressive with roses (fresh and dried) fruit (cherry, raspberry, red currant, pomegranate) as the meal and conversation wore on. Tannins are fine-grained and well integrated, but very much present, making the wine a little aloof and muted at first. Give it time to unwind and reach a happy place. — 5 years ago

with Kristie, Nicole and 1 other

Katherine Dominguez

8.9

This was a tremendously surprising wine in the richness of flavor. My boyfriend and I loved the depth of taste. — 6 years ago

Nick Davis

9.0

Confused for Nerello Mascalese. Deep color, EA/VA. — 7 years ago

Blake Walker

9.1

Small producer from Provence. Organic. 25% ea. Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache, Carignan. Punches way above its weight class. Balanced, fresh red fruit with earth /mineral notes, smooth finish. 12% ABV. Case buy. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Almaviva – Red Blend – 2022
Puente Alto – Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
A “pure evil” expression of ultra-fine winemaking produced by the collaboration between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. The 2022 Almaviva blends precision and power from Chile’s premier terroir in Puente Alto.
Varietal Composition: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Carmenère, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 

Aromas & Flavors
Cassis, blackberry liqueur, violets, graphite, cedar spice, and a touch of mocha, all densely packed but beautifully lifted.

Mouthfeel
Velvety, deep, and resolute. Superb tannin refinement with a long, elegant finish that balances richness with precision.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, lamb chops, charred mushrooms, or a luxurious truffle risotto.

Verdict
Expressive, beautiful, and undeniably classy. A solid, velvety powerhouse that is enjoyable now or will age with grace.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
The finest expression I’ve tasted from Chile’s greatest terroir, Puente Alto, with roared potential and impeccable balance. — 7 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Nose: lovely florals.

Palate: good toast. Good fruit.

1/3 ea pn pm chard

$43 Monteray bay — a year ago

Fabio Franchella

9.3

Vom@Regen in die Traufe? Nein! Vom der Terra di Ea (mit unfertigem Zimmer) zum Emidio ins Zanobi. Welch schöner Ausgang! — 2 years ago

with Kathrin

Enrique

9.0

Equilibrado, balsámico, refrescante. Lo pruebas y quieres más — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.4

2014 Napa cabs are in a sweet spot for the “fruit forward” stage of wines without ripping the enamel off your teeth. TRB is a favorite winemaker of mine for his ability to pull the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue, black), when applicable, which is evident here.

This is a pop and pour for the big fruit loving Napa enthusiasts (which I can enjoy ever so often). It is uber ripe and high toned...not quite sporting levels of EA, but close. With this being Calistoga fruit, it undoubtedly shows that warm profile. There is a kiss of red fruit initially on the nose before it is dominated by freshly squeezed blackberries, creme de cassis, dark chocolate, mocha and dark mixed berry pie. It begins on the palate somewhat lighter than expected before picking up steam and really gaining heft/density on the mid palate. Just oozes fresh and ripe dark fruits, fondue dipped fruits, plenty of baking spices like vanilla and nutmeg, and a sweet finish that sails on for a good while. Completely smooth and soft tannin. Not failing off a cliff for a while, but this style has me thinking earlier consumption is best. — 5 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.4

You want? I have a couple cases of half bottles in pristine condition. Stored at a private cellar In pebble beach since release. $25 ea! Absolutely fantastic. Light ruby color. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice with red cherry, sandalwood and tobacco. Ready to drink or cellar for many more years. Decant for sediment though ***Don’t forget to sign up for my emails at Alex@nolimitfinewines.com for up to date offers on rare and limited wines at the best prices USA... ask anyone, I don’t disappoint!** — 6 years ago