Austin Hohnke

9.0

Grapes from Red Hills Lake County. Lots of structure on top of cassis, blackberry, licorice, and cinnamon. Great concentration and consistency for Cali Cab in this range. Might be too broad shouldered for your average fruit bomber. — 25 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Cobb is another solid producer of CA Pinot Noir. A 14 acre parcel bought in 1988 by Ross Cobb and began making wine in 1989.

The nose reveals ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries, hints of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb, tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dry top soil w/ crushed rocks, light, fresh tobacco, volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets.

The palate is ripe, juicy and very elegant. Fruits are; ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; poached strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, raspberries, hues of blueberries, uncooked rhubarb and pomegranate juice. Tree bark w/sap, hints of eucalyptus, smoky characteristics, lightly grilled meats, black pepper, red licorice/cola, understated baking spices, dark, moist spice, very, dry, dusty top soil w/ crushed rocks, crumbled volcanics, dry, grey clay, light, fresh tobacco, cigar & volcanic ash and fresh; dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets. The excellent acidity runs like a cool mountain river with a well knitted, structured, balanced, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts over a minute landing on soft minerality & spice.

This 14 has another 4-5 years of good drinking before it starts its gentle decline.

Photos of the Jack Hill Vineyard, winery gate and founder Ross Cobb. — a year ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

2010 vintage is at the top of its game. Rutherford just with plum and currant notes. Great wine — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Situated at top of Kings Ridge Road along Sonoma Coast, overlooks Pacific at 2000 feet elevation. Ruby with aromas of tangy red fruit aromas, floral and toasty oak spice notes. On the palate a rich full flavor of strawberry and black cherry with exotic spice, earthy oak and firm chalky tannins. Lively acidity gives the wine good balance and carries through the finish with fruit and earthy mineral character ending with subtle notes of cacao. Very Nice! — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Since Michel Naddef has taken over this estate is a top estate in the Gevrey/Fixin/Marsannay space. One thing I have learned is that these wines need serious air. So my note will evolve. Nose is minty with deep cherry fruit and some lovely intense minerals. But it’s not there yet. Not even close. Tree bark and some developing florals. Tremendous mint, Like a wild mint. Truly beguiling. Hint of meatiness as well. Wow the palate is truly gorgeous with such a meaty vibe and a dark vibe. Super elegant and crystalline pure but man it needs air but so similar to barrel. I will be back. Super sapid and deep with amazing sweet and ripe tannins. What a wine. Ah wow, now inner mouth aromas and elite finesse. But still tight. I think it will be better tomorrow like the Fixin and Marsannay. Dark flowers on the nose. So compelling. — 21 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose on all these 2020’s reveal it’s warm/hot vintage. The fruits are quite ripe, some over ripe vs many other vintages. #ClimateChange

The nose shows ripe, even slightly stewy & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark plums, dark cherries, plum framed in raspberries. Dark tarry notes, dark chocolate, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light bay leaf, dark berry cola/licorice, powdered rocks, limestone marl minerals, spice, tarragon, hints of mint with ruby, withering dark red, purple florals surrounded by violets.

The palate is dark lush currants. Fruits of; ripe, even slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark plums, dark cherries, plum framed in raspberries. Dark tarry notes, dark chocolate, dark rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, light bay leaf, dark berry cola/licorice, powdered rocks, limestone marl minerals, dry top soil/sand, dark spice, tarragon, tree bark, eucalyptus, hints of mint with ruby, withering candied, dark red, purple florals surrounded by violets. The acidity big and round. The long well polish finish is well balanced/structured that is fruity running to dry austere and lasts a minutes.

Lots of time needed here.

@Delectable I can post but can’t leave comments back due to error code 500 — 2 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.3

Exactly what I wanted, top shelf, beautiful apple floral, fruit, bark… a lot was captured in the distilling.

Nose,: Large, bright, clean, fresh apple, sweet cider, apple tree bark, rocks, soil.

Palette: Palette cleansing alcohol, followed with notes of fresh cider Apples, apple wood and oak, back palette predominate.

Medium finish

Used for in onions with light crushed anise seed for Moroccan spiced brisket, Apple & Honey Sangria, apples & date stuffed challah, as well as enjoyed on its own.

— 3 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.2

Beautiful: dark, quiet, powerful. Nothing extraneous. Lead with minerals, graphite, tobacco on top of a layer of dry black and red fruit. Tannins were mild. Fit the room (The Grill, NYC) and the meal (Thanksgiving) perfectly. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

So, I have confessed to drinking only Ca Chardonnay in the past. In 2001-02, I had the 99 Pine Ridge Stag’s Leap District and it was the first red wine I gravitated. This 97 Andrus is their flagship wine & a better wine & vintage than the 99 Pine Ridge Stags Leap District that I had so long ago.

I decanted half the bottle and reserved the rest. The decanted was very good, but the reserve is better.

Excellent wine tonight that has sentimental meaning.

I bought 2 bottles on the secondary market for a $100 recently, that included fees & tax. It is like stealing candy from a baby at that price point. This was slightly better two-years ago, but excellent tonight w/ Ribcaps.

The palate is rich, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, sweet me raspberry tones, blue/purple fruit tones, dry, crushed limestone-rock, dry top-soil, some dry herbs, dry tobacco, leather, some black licorice to cola, melted chocolate, some grilled meats, steeped tea to black tea, dry stone, used barrel shavings, withering dark, red, purple flowers round acidity and a well balanced, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on dry minerality. — 2 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

2019 | Pinot Noir
Enderle & Moll; Liaison
Rhine Valley; Baden, Germany
(92-93; drink 2024-29, 2H decant)

Paired to duck confit & green lentils, a favorite meal for cats and humans in our humble abode.

After a mere ~13 month wait after receiving into the cellar, we're finally pulling a cork today. This really wants another year to unfurl for my palate. All the hallmarks of this wine are here; ripe black cherry, tree moss, dehydrated strawberry, damp cedar, past season rose, orange zest, slight VA but unobtrusive, medium finish, dried cranberry.

A very special/unique vintage for Liaison based on this commentary from the winemakers:
"Unfortunately, we had quite heavy frost in some of our best red sandstone vineyards last year and additional problems with hail and high fungus pressure, which is the reason why we ultimately decided to only bottle our "Basis", the "Liaison" and our "Muschelkalk" (shell limestone) this year. The barrels from the other top vineyards ended up in our "Liaison", which is ultimately reflected in the quality of this years "Liaison"..."

With the best of luck, this situation will not be repeated; so 2019 drink happily knowing it's a blend of the best grapes. — 2 years ago