Ryan Guy

9.5

Dusty cellar notes. Earthy, dried cherry, strawberry, dried sagebrush, raspberry too. Integrated tannins, with plush red fruit and a gentle warmth to finish. Vanilla, cardamom, and subltle spices on the palate too. Stand out wine. — 9 months ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.2

Medium ruby color. Medium+ intensity aromas and flavors of ripe dried red fruit (red cherry, red plum and dried cranberry) some black fruit (dark cherries) there are some herbal earth aromas and flavors of sagebrush and dust, dirt as well as a roasted pepper (reminds me of Carmènere) On the palate it is dry, medium acidity high alcohol and a medium+ velvet smooth tannin. Medium(+) body and medium+ finish. #valpolicella #amaronelover #amarone — 3 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Sourced from their estate vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley, the 2018 ‘Fred’ Syrah is an awesome new terroir-driven wine by a’Maurice. Right away you notice the dusting of white pepper that falls upon tar, bacon fat and shades of violets on this evocative nose. The Syrah shows great verve and sense of tension as beautiful red and dark fruits march on with chocolate, sagebrush and dried herbs on the palate. Beautifully balanced and showing great texture and poise, the 2018 ‘Fred’ Syrah will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93 — 4 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.1

2010 vintage. Still rather sturdy and structured. Fruit quality seems ripe and roasted, with red plum, raspberry, black cherry, tobacco, allspice, sagebrush. Seems like it still had quite a few years left in it. — 2 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Dark maroon color of a perfectly ripe Bing cherry. Smells like soapstone, damp sagebrush and lavender candies. Bit of cedar perhaps too. Tastes like Winesap apples covered in black cherry jam and wild fennel fronds. But also Russian black tea which has fruit leaves and flowers in it. It’s dense and hearty. The edges are soft and rounded though. This is a tasty blend of the grapes of Boudreaux grown in the dry river lands of southern WA. — 3 years ago

Jamie Lauder

9.2

2014 vintage. This is great wine from Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.
The nose is full blown blueberries with cloves, smokiness and black pepper. More a combination of Washington State and Northern Rhone.
Tasting, bright blue/black fruit with hints of mint, sagebrush and bacon......mmmmmm.....who doesn’t like bacon??
This wine finishes so smooth with acids and tannins in beautiful harmony and balance.
— 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This outstanding 100% Merlot was largely sourced from the Loess Vineyard (66%) with smaller portions from the Mill Creek Upland and their 40-year-old original block at the Leonetti winery. Needing a two hour decant to fully open, the 2018 Leonetti Merlot slowly unveils layers of toasty oak that are woven together with black cherry cordial, sagebrush and milk chocolate tones that all come together in the glass. The silky texture truly impresses, as the wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Cocoa powder dusted red cherries greet you, while flavors of underbrush, damp earth and espresso bean all enliven the senses. A complete wine, the 2018 Leonetti Cellar Merlot will enjoy a long life in the cellar. Try to resist this stunning new wine for at least another two years. Drink 2022-2040- 95 — 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2018 ‘Sestina’ is a gorgeous blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Sourced from some esteemed sites like the Red Willow and Dionysus Vineyards, the wine showcases anise and sagebrush aromatic tones alongside dark currant jelly and shades of black cherry syrup that all meld together. The palate is soft, round and generous, showing a beautiful sense of balance. Ripe blackberry jelly and mocha tones collide with smoky minerals, saline drenched boysenberry and firm tannins holding everything in place. This has a long life ahead of it and try to give this at least another year before consuming. Drink 2022-2041- 94 — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

An excellent example of #valpolicella #classico #superiore it’s almost too good for the category and seems more like a #ripasso deep ruby color. Medium+ aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry, and red fruit (ripe red plums and red cherries) then there is a undertone of herbal (sage and sagebrush and thyme) secondary aromas and flavors of subtle oak (tobacco and cedar). — 3 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Made by superstar winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards, the 2017 ‘Feather’ by Long Shadows is a masterful effort from this exciting warmer vintage in Washington. Once on the nose there is a lovely round core of toasty oak that wraps around the rich dark fruits, sagebrush and chocolate fudge aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing a round and generous mouthfeel. The seamless effect created mid-palate is utterly fantastic. Black currants and blackberry cordial dance with shades of Black Forest Cake and espresso bean on this highly complex palate. This finishes long with dark fruits and a beam of minerality. While enticing to savor now, the 2017 ‘Feather’ will have a long life ahead of it. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to afford a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 4 years ago