Jakub Kalinowski

9.3

A beautiful Rousanne blend with some Marsanne & Viognier from Rasteau.
The nose is amazing - white peach, white flowers, green mango, underripe pineapple. Broad, warm, exotic. There’s a bit of green chilli sharpness. And some warm stones. Just beautiful.
On the palate this has breadth, richness, creaminess but also brilliant freshness!
White peach galore, dried herbs, a chalky, stony undertone, a hint of green chilli spice. A whisper of tannin frame. This has breadth but also amazing depth and great character. Wow. Anything but a fat, bland standard white from the southern Rhône.
A grand wine. And completely unexpected, too! — 2 years ago

Jennifer Perry

9.4

Bright and acidic red fruits up with very unexpected old world flavors in the secondary palate. I took a chance and only purchased 2 bottles last year, I wish I bought more! Highly recommend, a great counterpoint to typical US Pinots. — 4 years ago

Craig Shilowich

9.4

Alone at a hotel bar. Unexpected and perfect. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.6

Another year in bottle has added unexpected depths and dimension to the 2016 San Leonardo. It wafts up with an alluring bouquet of smoky black currant and plum skins, complicated by savory herbs, hints of white pepper and fresh tobacco. It's hard chiseled edges have formed into smooth contours now, velvety yet youthfully dense, washing mineral encased dark red and black berries across a core of brisk acidity as a combination of saline-minerals and grippy tannins add tension toward the close. This finishes incredibly long yet also structured, begging for time in the cellar, as hints of licorice and earth tones grumble under an air of inner violet florals. The potential within the 2016 San Leonardo is off the charts, yet it will require a good amount of time to come fully into focus. Bury your bottles deep. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022)
— 2 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.2

The best CDR I’ve had in recent memory and first from this producer. Huge nose of dry red (strawberry, raspberry, cranberry) and black fruit, underbrush/earth, black pepper, sage, and a subtle minty thing. The flavors had an unexpected depth, and continued to open and evolve over a meal (Asian bbq lamb chops). Tannic for sure, this may have been a bit much without food. Cairanne has become a go-to for me, especially for drinking young. This was just very good. — 5 years ago

Pete Cheslock

9.1

Tart and lightly acidic. Smoky and herbal too. Unexpected. Nice to try a Pinot from Germany. — 5 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

Mature calm fruit. Vanilla oak. 2005 and staying alive. An unexpected treat. — 4 years ago

Scot Southworth

9.0

Interesting and totally unexpected. Last dinner out before COVID-19 at the Naschmarkt. — 4 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of light black tea. Nose is quite spicy, a bit smoky and peaty, ripe apple, and more spiciness in the nasal cavity. Taste is unexpected sweet, with spiciness takes the backseat, flowering and honey notes, a bit minty, and some more hotness, quite smooth and dense enough. Aftertaste of more honey note and lingering warmth. Not bad at all as crowd pleaser. I am surprised by the low ratings overall from the community. — 5 years ago

J Chechik

9.0

Just opened the ‘08 & had massive, rich chocolate notes w/ plenty of cherry fruit left.. Unexpected treat. — 6 years ago