James K

8.9

I’ve grown up. It can’t be 100% Pinot. It’s 15.2% with residual sugar on the finish. Good nose, but after that disappointing. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1999 vintage. This review a bit of a mixed bag. “Inherited” this bottle and had been looking sideways at it for the better part of three years. Fill decent but both the front and back labels pretty trashed. The foil up top a tad crimped in places. Ugly duckling syndrome. See a ton of this at work and occasionally able to resuscitate what appears to be an abused bottle. Cut off the foil and there was some seepage at the top trapped between the cork and the foil. Not good. Extracted the cork in three passes (3!!!) with the Durand. Cork was half saturated and dunzo. Did not decant. Color was on point at least. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.1% ABV. Less than expected sed. Poured out a fifth of a glass and let sit for 2-3 mins. Nose was big white pepper, roasted cashews and white sage…three notes that I don’t come across often over the years with Napa cabbage and flavors were hidden beneath for a spell. Gave it 15 minutes. That initial nose dissipated and a bit of magic unfolded. Light-medium body, cocoa powder, graphite, feminine, sumptuous milk chocolate, a little sweaty, dried legumes, spearmint, supremely resolved tannins. Echoes of Haut-Brion/La Mission Haut-Brion. This old-school, Stags Leap District Napa cab came through in the clutch. Seemed to gather strength the longer it was open. Given that this particular bottle was not exactly mint, more than a bit curious as to how a decently stored example of this wine would perform. Van the Man was right. Wild night is calling. Come on out and dance. 05.16.25. @Shay A — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1996 vintage. Tasted 3 hrs after opening. Light-medium body. Exhibiting the softer side of fruit and tannic grip/punch. Seemingly on a decent-sized plateau of steadiness for a spell. 4.7.23. — 3 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.7

Wow! Not sure if it was only the wine or the paring with our home made Dutch style savory macaroni (I know, sounds paradoxically) but the pairing blew our tops! This is why you drink wine. There is no such other experience to be had on this earth. Vibrant dry penetrating tannins in full harmony with dark fruit juice with under notes of tar and cedar took a hold of everyone of your senses. Kept you in a spell for minutes. Kept evolving. Ahh. Live can be great!! — 6 years ago

with RoAnne and Tammy

Martinez

9.0

Elegant orange wine from Brda, in the Primorska region of Slovenia, right on the border with Italy made with 100% Jakot, previously known as Tokaj Friuliano (due to legal disputes, winemakers outside of Hungary are no longer allowed to use the word Tokai/Tokaj, so they now spell it backwards). Macerated with its skins for 12 hours, aged in stainless steel for 6 months. Very aromatic, with notes of yellow apples, tropical fruit, quince and some resin. In mouth it has flavors of citrus, minerals, saltiness and a touch of spiciness in finish. Structured, great acidity — 6 years ago

RobertoS

9.1

Sat on this for a good spell and showed very well. — 8 years ago

Max Kelly

8.9

Lovely if not that spell binding. — 8 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2014 vintage. Last tasted 07.04.25 (9.3) and 01.30.25 (9.3). Decanted with some sed and tasted after 30 mins. Consistent with previous tastings in 2025. Hint of richness up front, then very businesslike afterwards. Fairly dry but began to fold a modicum of fruit into the proceedings a spell ago. Quintessential, affordable BDX with a decade of service tendered out in the boonies but back in town again and starting to hit the hot spots. Lean but not mean. Strike up the conversation in the next year or so and you two just might hit it off. 09.25.25. — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2012 vintage. Medium body. Subdued nose with just some slightly tart, dark cherry afoot. Some frontal spice box married to that tart, dark cherry and a light muddiness (¿word?). Back end/finishing richness makes an appearance for a spell. Nicely made. Not overwhelming (nor underwhelming) for CA but should go forth and prosper for another 5-7 years at this level. 02.09.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2020 vintage. Investigating +-$20 red Bordeaux, part two. PNP. Some decent depth for the price. Medium body. Good concentration. A little, minty note amongst the chunk. Finish hangs in there for a spell. In this price range, would tap this again. 5.28.24. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

When I lived in Houston in the aughts, I drank a few fragrant Cotes Du Rhônes from this estate, so I was eager to try their Giggie, even though I’ve grown tired of Southern Rhônes as the climate has warmed and Phillipe Cambie seemingly put a spell over the majority of producers. Well, this is a bit better than the typical blocky, heavy wines that seem increasingly prevalent there. It’s densely colored (of course), but the nose has a bit more elegance and nuance than the typical Gigondas estate these days, showing fresh dark berry fruit, really interesting almost chaparral-like garrigue/earth notes, warm stones, and meadowy wildflowers. In the mouth it’s dense, but a little lighter than the new norm thank goodness, with nice savory flavors and decent acids. Tannins are soft. It won’t make me forget Giggies from the early ‘80s, but it’s nice. — 5 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

The first German Riesling we ever sold. Always has a spot in my heart.

1er cru from young gg grapes. The more muscular of the two most known vineyards. I’m not going to try and spell it here.

Had pork in cider for dinner. Was in no mood for subtlety.

Nose is a big-un. Dense as heck. Stone fruit. Herbaciois but not vegetal.

Palate has great minerals but they take a back seat to the concentrated stone fruits. Still has that mineral grip. Bracing acidity keeps it fresh. So damned well made. Mountain stream freshness.

Needs 30 minutes to strut its stuff. And strut it does. Ass whips grosses Gewachs from all but the tippy top producers.

Bought from fass selections. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; brighter fruits than the organic blend...more grassy notes although they are not heavy. It’s creamier. Oak notes from used barrels. Beautifully soft. Round, ripe, fruits; green apple, lime, lemon, grapefruit, white peach and ripe green melon. Light creamed buttery notes, chalk, gentle minerality, yellow lilies and spring flowers.

The body is light and flows gently on the palate until some white spice and minerality come on as it sets. Ripe, fruits; green apple, lime, lemon, grapefruit, white peach, ripe green melon, light creamed buttery notes, just a slight touch of green bean, thyme, white spice, powdery chalk, gentle minerality, yellow lilies and spring flowers. Amazing acidity with a delicate finish that is well balanced and persists sneakily for minutes.

Photos of; the entrance to Reyneke, blocks of letters that spell out their name on their tasting room mantle and the mountain view from their property.
— 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Medium heavy body. Little acidity with ample golden mead and honey vibes. Wanted some acidity and/or mineral visitation. Alas! Still definitely delicious and should hold up for a spell. 06.11.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2012 vintage. Smoky, spicy, plummy, earthy. Medium-heavy body. Quiet power and presence without flexing. Can't imagine this one getting better but can hold tight in this place for 7-8 years. 04.23.25. **edit** Picked up the last 4 cases available in San Diego County for an unbelievable price so we'll have it for a spell. 05.05.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2018 vintage. Last tasted 4.26.24 (9.3). Tasted alongside the 2019 vintage (9.4). This didn't suck. Medium-heavy bod. Nice nose but it was the back end complexities and fireworks that performed the magic here. Sure, you can age it for a spell and it'll jump through all the hoops. Drinking beautifully now and for the foreseeable future. 11.22.24. — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.2

When in limbo, take a trip to the inferno (or Danilo Thomain’s enfer d’arvier). If this is hell, then I think I’ll settle in for a toasty spell. Crunchy pomegranate, cranberry, blackberry, raspberry (so much bramble!) and dried alpine herbs on the nose and palate. Dark stones. Volcanic spice. Vivacious, hypnotic. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Haven’t had a southern Rhône wine in quite a long time, and this was a fun one to break the dry spell. Definitely on the deeper / richer end of the spectrum (and 15% abv) but that’s also partially just 2005. Overall this has very deep just barely jammy red fruit. Actually good acid which keeps it somewhat balanced. Oak somewhat drying on the finish which keeps this from being truly great. — 6 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

This is a delight. A light strawberry hue leads to a nose of robust red fruits. As it warms of course it comes to life and expresses deeper flavors of cherries and even a bit, I THINK, of some lightly fleshy tobiko. Think that’s how you spell it. It’s opening beautifully, evolving into a richer/smoother, more lush display across the palate. Pick it up and try it if you can find it- in more ways than one, it’s in its own league. — 7 years ago

with Beth

Edward Tisdale

9.6

What an excellent find. Tasted this at the winery and it was the standout of the offerings. Shipment arrived and after letting the open bottle rest for a spell, this Pinot Noir reads like one of the best around Sonoma. — 8 years ago

with Cory