Chris Zitzman

9.0

The 2023 Degani ‘Ciciolo’, Valpolicella Ripasso shows an almost-opaque shade of black cherry that brightens on the edges. The nose, as it breathes, is ripe with deep and rich, smoked cherry tobacco that softly opens onto another plane of intensity, but this wine is much about the finish.

The palate is rich, lush, and loaded with all kinds of levels of texture, and the finish follows all of that up gracefully. — 5 months ago

with Beth

Waitschacher

9.5

Golden yellow color, topaz shade. Beautiful clarity and significant viscosity.

Discreet nose at first glance. Allowed to breathe, the second nose opens up with aromas of dried fruits (apricots, grapes, oranges and peaches).

The attack is supple, structured and tangy.

The palate is spherical, rounded with the impression of biting into a ripe tangerine, then melon and acacia honey complete the aromatic palette during the evolution in the mouth.

Elegant finish with a retro olfaction of fruit paste.

With a lamb tagine with apricots. Or on a caramelized apricot with Etivaz honey, vanilla ice cream. Or on a duck foie gras cooked in a cloth. — 3 years ago

Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew

9.4

Purchased from Dan Murphy’s for $16 and a real crowd favourite. Very yummy and would definitely buy it again.

Pink diamond shade in the glass with notes of strawberry, grapefruit and some kind of herb, maybe coriander, on the nose. It’s super smooth and easy drinking with hints of watermelon 🍉 and nectarine 🍑 on the palate. Light and bright 🥰

All opinions are my own. Drink what you enjoy!
— 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

There's been a lot of shade thrown on these wines and particularly, towards the wine maker...most of it probably deserved. As for some of the more recent low scores, there must be some bottle variation because I’m not gonna lie, this was a really strong showing. Popped and poured; consumed over two hours. Bruised strawberries, tart brambles, rhubarb, forest floor, and sandalwood. Tannins are well integrated…but still there. Acid is pretty high but perfect for a nice meal of whole, roasted chicken and root vegetables. The wine is otherwise quite balanced and if my bottle is representative, this still has a long life ahead of it and should drink quite well through 2030. My last of the Maison Ilan “Les Chaffots”. — 5 years ago

ESF

9.0

While this was only a 2017 it surprisingly showed a darker shade of gold color denoting a far older wine. Also, nose immediately emitted petrol and then seductive mandarin orange, peach and yellow nectarine. Just fantastic. Dry and round, silky and zippy. Spot on — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is an insiders wine. You have study, focus and taste a lot wine to know how special this wine can drink. Especially, at its QPR.

There are a lot of people that covet SQN, Caycuse, Horsepower and No Girls. For my palate, these wines either burn the palate with ABV or choke off the fruit with way too much bacon fat and or deeply marinaded grilled meats. Yes, you are drinking expensive, flashy producers but, I would humbly disagree they are better wines than this 2011 Le Clos Du Caillou Vielles Vignes Cuvée Unique. Those other wines should aspire to be everything this 2011 shows and delivers.

This Le Clos Du Caillou has the balance the above wines lack and at a fraction of the price point. I would drink this 2011 over any of the other fore mentioned wines. While this Le Clos Du Caillou is a shade hot, it is not nearly as hot as SQN etc.. Hot ABV alcohol that burns the palate & back of the throat will forever be a fatal flaw in a wine.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, black, dry earth, savory, grilled meats, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals.

The body is rich and mid full. Tannins just 50% resolved with round, dark tarry teethiness. The structure, tension, length and balance are harmonious...just before their peak. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blue & purple fruit mix, raspberries that haut the center palate on the long set, poached & back strawberries, black raspberries and both plums. Dark, sweet tarriness, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, steeped teas, anise stretching to black licorice, hint of dry herbs with bay leaf leading the way, dry brush, dry black earth, dry stone wrapped in moist clay, savory, grilled meats, some bacon fat, medium, dark spice, understated baking spices; clove, nutmeg, vanilla and a touch of clove, Mix of caramel & mocha powder, dark & mid red fruit cola, just a whiff of incense with candied, fresh and withering red & dark florals. The acidity is phenomenal. The long, ripe, well balanced & textured, elegant finish is memorable and is persistent for several minutes.

Wine paired perfectly with our marinated Tri-tip.

If you are over paying for the above lesser wines mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to seek out and cellar this wine appropriately.

Photos of; Le Clos Du. Caillou, their barrel room, Owners-Sylvie Vacheron & Bruno Gaspard and one of their vineyards. It’s amazing they can grow anything in that stone soil structure.
— 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Still a shade early but excellent w/ my Veal Bolognese last night. — a year ago

Will Stanley

9.1

This needs more time to knit together, but does show promise, even if I feel a shade less impressed than the first time trying a couple of years back. It’s initially very herbaceous, with tomato leaf and green pepper, eventually giving way to a svelte personality with plush oak and sweet fruit. Not perfect now, but should be great in four years’ time. — 2 years ago

David Kline

9.3

Softest golden straw with glints of green gold. Hint of gunpowder melts to reveal a pudding-soft, dried lychee which peels away to white roses, citrus pith and avocado cloud glistening with flintlock shavings in ginkgo shade. Extraordinary palate leans hard into a soft wall of olive, evaporating lemon oils, cottonseed oil, and lime nodules. Tangerine-pear impossibilities flower, riveting the tongue with pithy, zesty, and blossoming evocations. Ginger, tea and nano bits of Wrigley’s original juicy fruit.



#chassangemontrachet #guyamiot #domaineguyamiotetfils #bourgogneblanc #whiteburgundy #burgundy #appellationchassagnemontrachetcontrôlée #whiteburg — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

First off, just look at that color. Mesmerizing! A beautiful shade of clear deep red with almost no bubbles. At this point it’s reminiscent of a nice liqueur. A subdued nose featuring strawberries and sweet cherries. Plenty of smokiness and a little nearly stale bread.

Deep, rich, and almost nectar like. It’s such a delightful pour. 70/30 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, with 10% of the Pinot vinified as still red wine from Verzenay. Disgorged in 2010 and still showing well. The acidity has certainly mellowed out making it exceedingly smooth.

The smoke travels to the palate but never overwhelms. Herbs really take charge here along with more autolytic notes. Yeast and whole almonds. The fruit grows more ripe as it evolves in the glass. A nice bit of ginger on the long and persistent finish. A rare, aged treat for me and one that definitely did not disappoint. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

That Krug at lunch today was good but, it’s Friday and I need some Rosé Champagne.

Nose is showing a lot of blood orange, tangerine, slightly baked strawberries, cherries, lean watermelon near the rind, rhubarb reduction, yellow peach, black cherries, some blackberries, oyster shell, sea fossils, saline, grey volcanics, dry yeast, grainy chalk, bread dough, baguette crust with fresh pink & red rose petals.

The palate shows deeper, richer, riper & juicy; black cherries, blackberries, blood orange, tangerine, slightly baked strawberries, cherries, lean watermelon near the rind, rhubarb reduction, yellow peach, oyster shell, sea fossils, saline, grey volcanics, hints of white spice with just a shade of heat, touch of fresh Provenance herbs, dry yeast, grainy chalk, bread dough, baguette crust with fresh pink & red rose petals. The acidity is fresh, round & lively. The long, well balanced & nicely polished finish lingers nicely with volcanic minerals & white spice on the long set.

Photos of; Champagne House of Ruinart, painting of Dom Thierry Ruinart, their caves and one of their rolling Grand Cru Vineyards. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The 15 is starting to round out and show even more elegance.

Look up smooth in the dictionary and you’ll find this label.

The beauty of this lush, ripe fruit stuns. Blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, caramel, milk chocolate, layered baking spices, soft, dark spice with a shade of heat, nice dry earth, soft leather, dry stones, fresh tobacco with a hint of ash, mint, dry herbs, bright red & dark florals. Great acidity and length/polish for days.

Nice seeing Micheal (GM left photo again). — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Superb. It’s drinking really well now with a punch of fruit forward notes...sweet blackberry, mulberry, ripe blueberry. Fantastic shade of red/purple in the glass with beautiful translucency. Violets, baked mixed berry pie and cedar underbrush. Downright delicious. — 7 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.1

Very interesting variety to propose here in Australia
Indigenous to the area south of Rome
It does have potential
It is easy drinking and also quite complex
After the Cesanese this is probably the most appealing red grape from Lazio

The wine is light but complex with depth
Quite long too
I like the licorice shade of this wine — a year ago

Pooneet K

9.2

In a nice place at shade under 10 years. Popped and poured and was surprisingly ready to go, though 30 mins in the glass helped for sure. Nice mouthfeel and density. Tannins are there but very well integrated. Good dark berry fruit and some pepper on the long finish. Delicious with steak and a pork chop at The Grill. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over three days. No formal notes. Best on Day 3. I know there is some shade being thrown on the 2018 vintage in Piemonte but when Cavallotto is producing a Langhe Nebbiolo that’s this enjoyable, perhaps the vintage should be explored a little more. I found this to have really solid balance in fruit and structure. It was enjoyable on the pop and pour but fleshed out quite nicely over a few days. Charming, very charming. — 4 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Nose is dominated by flowers and cinnamon. Palate displays coffee notes, sandalwood, smoke and star anise. Tannins are still prominent, as is the acidity. It’s so vibrant and textured. The finish just extends and expands. Another one of our domestic pinot faves.
I was thrilled to read in a recent WS article shared by a friend, that TRB has taken full ownership of this winery. He has a compelling vision for its future. Schrader inadvertently threw shade on this. That’s going to change going forward. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

ESF

8.9

tasty - darker shade of yellow w/effusive nose of ripe mandarin orange & stone fruit, some vegetal notes along w/a savory muskiness. Rich & round, well-integrated acidic backbone thru to clean finish. Fairly muscular effort here & very well done. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.

My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.

The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.

The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.

Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.

Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.

Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.

@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 7 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Deep dark purple with slight garnet tinges in the glass. Abundant and bosomy nose of red currant and cherry pipe tobacco. Echoed on the full-bodied palate with plum and (as my dinner partner noted) a shade of beets. Medium plus tannins. Medium acidity. This is one big wine. As much so now as when it was young. Hearty omnivore fare will serve it well as would, frankly, a few more years laying down. No really. 2025 is not out of the question. — 7 years ago

with Jay