We use cookies for analytics and to improve our site. You agree to our use of cookies by closing this message box or continuing to use our site. To find out more, including how to change your settings, see our Cookie Policy.
Dismiss

Route 128

Three Wine Company

Spinelli Vineyard Mataro 2015

Doug Powers
9.3

128-year-old Mataro vines from the Spinelli Vineyard in Contra Costa County, the dark black fruit aromas and flavors seem unmistakably Californian, quite ripe, still shows lots of structure and old vine intensity, long, lingering finish, last bottle but this is another outstanding wine from Matt Cline!! — 15 hours ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Tom, Vin and 6 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

I used to order these wines through Wine Access years ago. I enjoyed them initially but then over time grew a bit weary of them because none of them weighed in at less than 15%. The fruit was impeccable. I love those old CC vineyards. But I prefer it when people like Ridge, Bedrock, and, to a slightly lesser degree, Sandlands, bring in and vinify those gorgeous old vine grapes at a slightly lower level of ripeness.
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said, I wish these 3 Wines were more 14% than 15%, but I’ve way worse from some “name” southern Rhône wines (my favorite region in the wine world) — I guess it’s “climate change”??
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

If other wineries can source the fruit from the same CC old vineyards and come in under 15, that suggests that the difference is a conscious choice. But in the Southern Rhone, I think your point is more applicable. They’re primarily working with Grenache there, and, particularly in CDP and Lirac, it’s a real challenge to get phenolic ripeness without sugar levels that take you to 15 and beyond. I feel for those folks. Climate change is an existential challenge for them.

Daumas Gassac

Mas de Daumas Gassac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

Ericsson
9.4

One of those unicorn wines. Just a unique wine made of blend of varietals. Mostly Cab but some Pinot in there too. 2003 gives it a brickish color. Gorgeous wine with lively fruit and good acidity; lingering on the palate. “Daumas Gassac apparently has a geological formation unique in the Languedoc: chalky, friable, poor in humus, the bits of earth ranging in size from mere grains of sand to little stones, a soil similar in aspect, similar in constitution, to that of the Côte d’Or and the Italian Friuli.” Excerpt from Adventures of The Wine Route. — 10 months ago

Vanessa, ESF and 14 others liked this

Penfolds

Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2008

Bob McDonald
9.2

Deep crimson in colour. Notes of blackberry and other black fruits, quite bold for a Coonawarra (cool climate) Shiraz. In this warmer year of 2008 in South Australia this wine tastes more like a Barossa or McLaren Vale Shiraz than a Coonawarra Shiraz. Dry herbal notes and verging on full bodied. Being a Penfolds Bin No. red it will easily pass 20 years in the cellar. Hasn’t got the usual spice and pepper of a Bin 128 in this warmer year. — 4 months ago

Andrew, Andrew and 20 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Fond memories of drinking older versions of this back in the day!!

Tardieu-Laurent

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2021

Shane Walker
9.0

Clear, deep ruby colour. Clean, pronounced red fruits and pepper on the nose. Dry, high acidity and tannins, with ripe plum, red cherries and heaps of pepper! Full-bodied with a very long finish. Very good quality.

Great accompaniment to the beautifully cooked, glazed fillet.

Britannia Restaurant, onboard Queen Anne, in the South Pacific, en route from Tonga to New Zealand.
— 8 months ago

Michele Walker
with Michele
Ira liked this

Route Stock

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

David Carter
9.0

At Lay line restaurant last week. Not sure of vintage. Almost Bordeaux level to me. Very good. Glass was $22! — 9 months ago

Summerside Vineyards

Route 66 Orange Blossom Meade

John Johnson
9.8

Sweet, but not too sweet. Nice honey taste. — 4 years ago

Whale Route Vineyards

Old Vines Cinsault Rosé 2021

Ray Vanderhoff
9.0

Light pink color. Aromas of red berries and red and white flowers. Flavors of wild strawberries, pomegranate, green melon, red apples and unripe peaches. A slight citrus note on the medium finish. Medium-minus body and medium acidity. Light, easy drinking and refreshing. Thanks for sharing, Chris B! — 4 months ago

Tom, Paul and 1 other liked this

Spice Route

Swartland Pinotage

setver
9.0

Bomba vino, pio s kumom u Baltazaru — 7 months ago

Silk & Spice

Spice Route Red Blend 2021

Vicki Ausloos
8.9

Mild yet a tad fruity with a spicy finish. — 8 months ago

Spice Route

Swartland Chenin Blanc

setver
9.0

Pio sa Kresom u Alegria. Odlicno! — 3 years ago