Doug Powers

9.1

Very fresh, lively, primarily redfruited aromas and flavors, some spicy notes as well, super nicely balanced, great acid, shows admirable restraint, should age nicely midterm (5-10 years?), very good “entry level” Zinfandel, long finish!! I’d read that the 2023 Zins, grown in a relatively cooler year, had a very long growing season, with excellent acidity, and I’d say this shows all of those characteristics. Morgan nailed this, it was great to finally meet his “adult” version, my wife and I first met him about 35 years ago at a ZAP event at Ravenswood hosted by his father Joel. — a month ago

with Jim

Ellen Clifford

9.4

Palmer turned my head in general at a recent tasting—if you can get your hands on the 1996 vintage my gosh…but for exceptional Champagne at (if not everyday) more frequently do-able prices lean in. Toasty white bread with these citrus notes that…can I be honest? It reminds me when as a teen vegetarian in St Louis I’d do late night runs to Steak and Shake where my friends got burgers but I’d order toast and butter with a lime freeze. Those toasty but piquant and refreshing notes. Expect like that on a platter with even more nuance. Obvi it doesnt taste like that precisely but its toast and citrus vibes don’t let go and cream and apple butter are backup singers. Do drink Palmer. — a year ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

Yesterday for the 4th of July we opened the 2019 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon. From Napa, California Napa Valley.

On the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum sauce, black currant, spice, graphite and earth.

On the palate there is a black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, chocolate, spice, green bell pepper, toasty oak and earth.

This is a full bodied wine with a smooth mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium + grippy tannins that leaves you with a long dark fruit graphite finish. I hope everyone had a blessed 4th of July enjoying family and friends. Please have a wonderful week ahead and stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 2 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.0

Scratches that itch. Hard to tell whether it’s a “true champagne” or a very good cremant, but at closeout prices who cares? 90. — 2 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Aged Yolo County Tannat. With a whimsical name. Dark color with a rusty edge. Smells a bit funky. Spike of berry liquor. Hint of wood chips. Flavors are very heavy on the black currant with a hint of plummy-ness. Might be a bit past perfection. Not as much as much tannin and funk as some Tannat, but has plenty of style. Drinks a bit like a French wine. Wonder who is using these grapes now that Rockwall is out of business? — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2018 vintage. Spicy and fleshy with both hands on the wheel for a concentrated finish. 7 whole barrels made so an entire 170-175 cases made. Composed of 100% Clone 114. Maybe that means something to the cork dorks, maybe not. Regardless-delicious. — 2 years ago

Michelle M

8.9

Blackberry bramble, hints of mint and pine needles, vanilla, and char on the nose. Chewy cherries, blueberries, kirsch and cooked down plum, vanilla extract with a medium body and soft tannins that linger on a medium-long finish. Great crowd pleaser and solid value. — 3 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This medium-dark wine offers a nose of black plums, blueberries and blackberries along with aromas of earth, tobacco, cedar, clove and nutmeg. I understand that the three segments - Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre- were vinified in both barrels and tanks, with no more than six months of aging. Given that, it is understandable that oak does not take a more prominent position.

The palate is loaded with dark fruit and savory notes, and it has a firm tannic grip with lively acidity. I had it with some sautéed meatballs and Petit Basque cheese. It paired excellently. — 6 months ago

David Kline

9.0

Chalky grape and balsa, blackberry, and plum nose with soft smoke and jasmine with a sweet petrol gloss. Soft mouthfeel turns bing cherry and underripe blueberries bordering green. Chewy. Big fruit tannins. A spicy pepper that always turns piquant-fruit. Young in every way, would love to see this chrysalis emerge.


#lajotavineyardco #laJotahowellmountainestate #lajota #howellmountain #merlot #napa #napavalley — 2 years ago

Timothy Lynch

9.3

My father (a man of very humble beginnings) suggested to me that if you need to ask how much it costs you probably can’t afford it. Thank heavens I can. Absolutely terrific commune effort. — 2 years ago