Tom Casagrande

9.3

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

I love this style of Brunello. Great balance of deep cherry fruit and terra cotta earthiness. Tannins resolving. Went especially well with the steak that was grilled with garlic and rosemary. — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Tom Casagrande

9.3

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

Everyone loved this one. Deep and complex. Like a great Pessac with its notes of deep gravel and cigar box. — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Tom Casagrande

9.2

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

A leaner styled Cornas that showed more blood and iron than fruit, it was a little severe on its own but was nice with the steaks, more-so with the garlic-and-rosemary steaks than the less-adorned sea salt and cracked pepper steaks. — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Paul H

9.3

Percy at Council Oak always comes up with a great alternate bottle for the table. Tonight was not exception. This is a superbly drinkable wine. Medium body for the most part. Hints of cedar, tobacco, pepper and darker fruits and some raspberry. This matched the veal at dinner perfectly. Already placed an order to stick up at home. — 4 years ago

Dimes

9.0

Good aussie — 7 years ago

Aaron Means

9.0

Very complex and austere. One of my favorites from the Bordeaux Wine Council Tasting. Black smoky fruit, pencil lead, and tobacco. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

California butter, oak, buttered popcorn, citrus, and white florals on the nose. Palate also shows the same buttery oaky notes, but not as strong as some CA Chardonnay's. However, the mouthfeel does show it did spend some extra time on lees as it's creamy. Palate of; Lemon/lime, grapefruit, green apple, the oak on the palate shows a softer presence, secondary fruits are tropicals with dominate green melon, white flowers with good acidity and nice freshness. Spent 7 months in hogshead barrels (300 liters). Photos show the d'Arenberg cube that stands on the high hilltop. Opens later this year. I must say it really doesn't fit well into the McLaren Vale natural landscape in the other photo. Wonder how they got the plans approved with the MV Council?💰💰 — 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

Pregaming wine. Quite a surprise, given the varietal and its age. Fresh and fruity, very fragrant but not over the top (Muscat can be a little simple and cloying at times), quite dry. Lovely — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Tom Casagrande

9.2

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

The evening capper. Delicious. (That’s all I remember about this one after 7 preceding wines. 🤷 — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Three guys polished this bottle off with a couple cigars in no time. As the great Gabe Rosen says “It stokes the council fires of a gentlemanly soul” and I agree. This was drinking just like it was back in 2005. Really nice — 3 years ago

with Lee

Jason Keefer

8.9

Delightful, very well balanced with age and shows the Edna valley terroir nicely! — 5 years ago

Tom Jevert

9.6

Wow - at Council Oak Steakhouse inside the Hard Rock Casino. Great full body cab that I’m going to revisit soon!! — 6 years ago

Victor Hwang

9.3

2010. Really love this. Super bright red fruit with nice medium body and good acidity. — 8 years ago

Kara Speck

9.3

Council oak delicious — 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

Another consensus favorite, the ‘16 version is stellar. So deep, but with that elusive (for Zin) old-world sense of balance, structure, and restraint. Paired beautifully with both kinds of steaks — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Tom Casagrande

9.2

These are recalled impressions, not contemporaneous notes, from two nights ago, when the family council of elders met for a steak/wine pairing event at my brother Angelo’s house.

Balanced and subtle, this developed nicely with air and was quite elegant. — 6 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

John Tan

8.9

Tues Council. Very Japanese. Aromatic tropical fruits. — 4 years ago

Justin Main

9.0

Not a big Merlot fan, but this was delicious — 6 years ago

Kim Brater

9.2

So, so surprisingly good. Oregon Rose Bubbles from Soter Vineyard where 100% of proceeds go to the Oregon Environmental Council. Do good while drinking good! It’s crisp. Faint light pink color. Dry on palate. Hint of berry with nice toastiness. May be hard to find outside the PNW but worth a try. Really good. Typically only around late Fall through holidays or when it sells out. — 7 years ago

Tripp Borstel

9.3

Thank you Tom Miller for introducing me to Tinto at SC Johnson's Council House in 2010 — 9 years ago