Bob McDonald

9.2

My first Little Wine #11 from Sami Odi. An unvintaged assembly of casks from 2021 (46%); 2020 (18%); 2019 (16%); 2018 (2%); 2017 (9%); 2016 (5%); & 2015 (4%). The multi vintage adoption adds different dimensions - quite unique. The wine is a deep Ruby with a youthful purple tinge. Light in that it dances on the palate but there is no escaping that profound palate intensity from those old vines. Dark and luscious fruits. Blueberries and blackberries. Little Wine is meant to be drunk young, even Fraser says that, but can be cellared. Fresh, intense and powerful. I have drunk older Little Wines and the premium Cuvée but have found the extra cellar time doesn’t add the expected complexity. I have a bottle of Baby Tui, surprisingly all from the excellent 2012 vintage to put this cellaring idea to the test at some stage in the future. — a month ago

Shay A

9.4

Forgot I opened one of these earlier in the year. Whoops. Wish I had more.

Hour decant, then consumed from decanter over the next 3hrs.

My note here is fairly similar to the 2014 note, but there is more concentration and power going on. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as a kiss of whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, and smoked jerky. Large-scaled mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice but it’s more iron fist in a velvet glove style. There’s black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate.

I love Syrah in all expressions. It’s natural to compare these wines to SQN (and Andremily), and rightly so. These are dialed up to 9, but pull back, whereas the others aren’t afraid of going to 11. No right/wrong answer, just style preference. I happen to love both. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, tobacco, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, light herbs and light alcohol.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, blueberries, light oak, licorice, vanilla, spices, espresso, light earth, herbs and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with round tannins and sweet spices.

This 5 year old red blend from Washington State is drinking at its peak right now.

Elegant and easy drinking right out of the bottle. Gets better after 30 minutes of airtime, when more complexity and tannins come in to play.

Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and spicy, with a really nice nose, once it opens up.

Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.

Showing nice complexity and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 45% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 17% Syrah and 4% Grenache. Aged for 9 months in neutral oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$20. — 3 months ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Light, limpid lemon color…very light nose. Clean, crisp, lemon, tart apple notes with a hint of stem. Delightful long finish with a smooth, supple base note and hints of savory basil. Structured, layered, complex and lively. I love Chenin… particularly Californian with early summer simple lemon roast chicken and cucumber/onion salad. I like the producer and wish I had more. Easy to like as a young vibrant wine. — a year ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Reminds me of Bollinger. — 2 years ago

Michael Lavely

9.0

I have been drinking this for years and each year it has different notes. Great wine, great buy. — 3 years ago

DAL 9000

9.2

Pale salmon color. Bouquet of citrus and apricots? Mild strawberry tartness upfront that builds in the middle. Finishes with a creamy mouthfeel and a mild strawberry/apricot taste. — 7 months ago

Rufus King

9.0

Refined Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, served before dinner in Toronto — 7 months ago

Tom Garland

9.5

+2 hour decant(lots of cloudy sediment). A monumental dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: dark fruit, spearment, licorice, boiled meat, milk chocolate. Taste: smooth, creamy, velvety intense wine with cherry, plum, dark chocolate espresso, anise, black pepper, orange peel and a decent long finish. YUM! — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Ian Hamel

9.1

2021/8-9. Based on some disparity among notes I had read, I was a little apprehensive about the style of this, but it wasn’t annoying (read: not overrripe, no noticeable oak), and the notes suggesting elegance and vibrancy turned out to be the right ones. — 3 years ago