Doug Powers

9.3

Excellent GSM blend (42% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre) from the Grampians in Western Victoria (Oz), blue and black-fruited Syrah and tree bark Mourvèdre aromas and flavors, less red-fruited Grenache in this subtly higher acid 2021 vs. the 2022 that is also open, finish is a little cleaner and less tannic, long, lingering finish, my preference of this 2021 vs. 2022 showdown. — 8 months ago

with Jim

Carter Pelham

9.3

Cade vs Davis Howell Mountain showdown - 2016 edition - tasted blind

Cade was the group favorite. Deep blueberry and blackberry, vanilla, cinnamon, but not overwhelming, grippy yet fine and integrated tannin, medium pleasant acidity. Long finish. Ready to go.

Davis: nice redcurrant, red cherry, blueberry notes. A distinct cooling mintiness and some herbal notes. More structured with dusty tannin and higher acidity, very slight bitterness on an otherwise pleasing long finish. This was the more obvious mountain cab. The Davis has at least 5 years to improve...would probably show better than the Cade then. — 5 years ago

with Linh

Jay Kline

9.3

One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included a Chateau Meyney Saint-Estephe. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Rafanelli exhibited great color, noticeable darker than the Meyney and quite a bit of sediment too which left the appearance a bit cloudy but certainly not murky. The fruit was remarkably fresh! Red and dark fruits with leather, red rope licorice, mushrooms and a heavier amount of smoke than the Meyney. Full bodied. This was remarkably tannic still! As I mentioned in my note about the Meyney, it was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! Sort of blown away how well this Rafanelli has aged and it has years to go before it dies. Bravo! — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

A mini ‘86 showdown with this against a Talbot. I found both to be extremely similar with a slight edge to the Talbot. This was lighter on the palate with red fruit dominated primary notes and a mix of cherry pipe tobacco, leather, cedar and herbal spice. Drinking nice. — 7 years ago

with Mark

Darren Clayson

9.3

Super quaffable smooth cab oozing with blackberrys really delicious and amazing everyday wine — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.5

Such an exotic nose. Even Melka is on the Paso wagon. Would like to compare this to the Arkenstone in a side by side Syrah showdown! Not a pop and pour. — 9 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Excellent wine but comes in 2nd in the night of our 2010 Cabernet showdown. 90 min decant and the wine was very good but was missing some of the dark fruits that make this wine pop. Paired very well with the steak — 2 years ago

Seth Masterson

8.9

Balletto Pinot showdown no.3
Second highest rating but third as far as potential. I would wait another 6 mos to a year before opening another '18.
Medium ruby, clear.
Nose: fall leaves, earthy, less fruit expression.
Mouth: Airy, light body. Tart, more open than the '19 Cedar Ridge but not much depth, finished quickly. — 4 years ago

Theo Shu

9.3

Cherries, a touch earthy, nice acidity. Light bodied, but wow the flavors. — 6 years ago

with Greg and Dominique

Jonathan Bennett

8.9

First Zin in a while & the opening salvo in a Prisoner vs Orin Swift showdown..... — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.3

This was my favorite in our little ‘86 showdown. I found the palate to be more lively with higher acidity and more primary fruit than the Gruaud Larose. Underripe blackberries, tar, black cherry and a streak of leather down the middle. — 7 years ago

with Mark

Eric

9.4

The Hyde won the showdown. Little funk and lots of smoky black cherries. Rich and dark. — 8 years ago

John Miller

9.6

This was the night before the la paulee gala. Took a break from burgundy with a 85 versus 02 showdown — 8 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.7

Correcting last entry to Jackass Hill... Round three on the Zinfandel Showdown and this is the hands down winner!! Only 63 cases made of this amazing nectar. Jackass Hill Zinfandel vines were planted by the Martinellis 100 years ago and the slope is at 60 degrees...which makes it almost impossible to farm...but thank god they do! A beautiful and heavy-handed styled wine (probably influenced by Helen Turley who guided the Martinellis early on). 17%+ alcohol really packs a punch. Structured and expressive. If you can find it...get 3! Thank you Randy Burleson! — 9 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.0

Pretty bold for a supermarket wine: a leather, smoke, plum, vanilla. Medium. My first malbec from California. — 3 years ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

Balletto Pinot showdown no. 1
Best in the mouth.
Light ruby-garnet. Visually appears to have age beyond it's 4 years to me.
Not a great nose- overripe fruit, some blue notes, oaky spice- maybe has seen new American oak?
Mouth: wow, great full++ mouth feel, a really nice roundness here, unexpected.
This wine is ready to drink right now! — 4 years ago

Hickoryburger

9.2

2017 coche bb showdown. — 6 years ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.3

One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included A. Rafanelli’s Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Meyney still looked quite youthful and was remarkably clear and exhibited gorgeous aromatics. Tobacco, green bell pepper, leather, berries, forest floor and smoke in that order. Tannins are fine and well integrated. Persistent acid. The finish was long and had a hint of burnt toast. In many respects, an evergreen wine that, while showing certain signs of age, certainly has many years of life ahead. It was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! — 6 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.0

This blend seems to be on fire in the Yarra right now.
@Bob McDonald can tell you the backstory.
Superb sessionable Pinot/Syrah with enough depth to keep you interested. — 8 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.2

2014 pagani showdown- gotta give it to ridge today for the sweet tannins. — 9 years ago