Shay A

9.2

Today was my annual hosting of the Wednesday Wine Committee. There was 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert, all provided by me. Tasted blind, as always.

I served this blind as the first red out of four in a flight of all cab francs. Every person in the room guessed Pinot based on color, and it’s hard to disagree. Certainly more translucent in color compared to most dark Cab francs. Chinon like and as far as the style of the wine itself, I think it’s also Chinon at its core with just a touch of new world flare. Not sure I’ve had such a floral cab franc. Lavender and rhubarb and the finish did a great job of requiring you to get another sip to analyze. Nice complexity. Nothing vegetal or green about this. One of the lightest cab francs I’ve had, and pairs well with lighter style meats. — a day ago

with Dan, Andrew and 3 others

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

9.0

Ancient Peaks - Oyster Ridge - Paso Robles. 2014 blend 51% cab, 36% merlot, 5% syrah, 5% petite sirah, 3% malbec. Santa Margarita Ranch is known for the oyster shells in the soil. Anyway, on to the review. This blend is amazing. My first impression is OMG! Blackberry and dark currants with a vanilla and spice explosion. The mid palate is leather and mineral soil. This could be the oyster soil impact. The finish is dry and long. This is the longest finish on a wine ... wow! However, day two... SOUR. I did use my Coravin so maybe the Argon affected the wine. Im still out on the Coravin. Just not sure. I do know if you pull it out of the bottle after use the cork does leak - synthetic and natural both. — 3 days ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

D9. Enjoyed at Monsieur Paul at the French showcase of Epcot. Food was fantastic and this wine hit it out of the park. Called the night before and paid for the bottle using a little Disney magic. It was open for a few hours last night, recorked, and opened upon arrival. Whoa Daddy. Love Nuits St Georges when it's firing on all cylinders. The nose is dirty raspberry, black cherry, black tea, mint, peppery, and you could almost envision the soil that gave life to these grapes. The entry has all of these things, with the middle gaining some dates and tobacco. Hint of herb. Finishes with a lot of youthful tannin despite being extremely expressive for what this one is. I don't think this bottle was incredibly expensive, but it really killed tonight. Drink or hold for a decade. — 5 days ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.1

A giant burst of goodness. A explosive blend of cherry juice, nectarines, blackberries, dark chocolate. — 6 days ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2017 magnum. Oh yeah baby! 15.6% Alcohol. Rose of Grenache. Strawberries raspberries seems sweet but it’s ripe fruit. — a month ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Glorious bottle. Nose has a tiny bit of funk but glorious cherry fruit, soil tones, mineral, minty, menthol, gloriously fresh, deep, silky, velvety, crushing acidity but gentle as well. Savory, umami on the finish. Finishes so mineral. Tasting granite. — 11 days ago

Ben Richardson

9.5

One of the best roses. Salty crisp unexpected perfume and mouthfeel. Volcanic soil! — 9 days ago

Donald Williams

9.2

Lovely with sea bass and asparagus. Just the kind of quality we’ve come to expect from Smith Story. — 13 days ago

with Bonnie

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Not your father’s Pinotage. Deep blackish red with color fully to the rim. Abundant nose of cocoa and blackberry compote. Full bodied palate echoes the nose with juicy medium plus acidity and moderate (medium minus) tannins. Finish is moderate to long and is easily recalled with a deep inhale. Pinotage has finally hit its stride and this is an excellent example of what the variety can be. Drink now through 2026. — 23 days ago

with Jay

Aryn Foland

9.0

Light bodied, earthy and touch of minerals, hints of pepper and soil, tasted like a beautiful summertime garden — 5 days ago