Jay Kline

9.1

This is the last time that Tegan will offer this Mencía from the MacIntyre Estate in Sonoma; he only made it once before. No other details have been shared so I’m not really certain as to why. The wine, however, is quite lovely and very much the Mencía as I have come to know from my countless experiences with Raul Pérez and Palacios from Bierzo.

Popped and poured. This was enjoyed over the course of two days; marginally better on Day 2. The 2022 Mencía pours a deep ruby/purple color with a transparent core and a magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with fresh, tart blackberries, granite, purple flowers, teriyaki and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium; lean and loaded with minerals. Drink now through 2032. — 18 hours ago

Andrew

9.0

Light and lovely — 6 days ago

David Shaw

9.0

Lavender, blackberry and a little funk in nose in initial pour. Dense ruby red. Light body, slight skin astringency finish. Needs some time to open. Fairly tart. Raspberry flavor emerges first, then cherry. 24 hours later, fresh table grape character and seed tannins predominate. This is a solid light tasting table red with plenty of tannins for aging. I do find I miss the Zinfandel portion from earlier vintages but get more bottles of these and the style will grow on you — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Soft, light-bodied blend from a favorite producer. Strawberry, cherry, nice earthy stemmy tannins in ethereal balance. Low ABV and seemingly weightless. Tegan is my hero for producing increasingly small amounts of amazing shit and holding his price at a level that makes me smile. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Fairly consistent throughout but best on Day 2. The 2022 “Lodi” pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with juicy ripe cherry and red plums. Strawberry/watermelon, red ripe licorice, red flowers, crushed gravel minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The texture is silky smooth and finish is long. Overall, this comes across so fresh and juicy; and unbelievably quaffable. I would drink these now or over the next several years.
— 22 days ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Bright and juicy ripe Syrah. Minus 25 windchill… braised Swiss Steak with Robichon mashed. Playoff Saturday with the wine out-shining the football. — 4 months ago

David Shaw

9.1

First pour of the vintage for me. Smells like I just pulled fresh table grapes off the stem. Initial flavors of red fruit herbs and something floral, followed by unripe plum and cola. Light bodied but medium pigment extraction. After sixty minutes, flavors integrate. — 3 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Significantly better on Day 2 as the wine completely opened up. The 2021 Amador County pours a pale yellow color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean; developing with notes of golden apples, quince, lemon verbena, white tree flower, lanolin, and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is dry with super sneaky, high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a woolly texture. Lovely stuff. Drink now with patience and a lot of air otherwise better after 2026 and should be great through 2035. — 21 days ago

John Wilmot

9.3

3 days open and it is coming into its own — 2 months ago

David Shaw

9.1

Purple, medium pigment extraction. Aromas of black currant, barrel smoke and a hint of mint-eucalyptus. Raspberry and blackberry flavors with crispness. — 4 months ago