Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1999 vintage. This review a bit of a mixed bag. “Inherited” this bottle and had been looking sideways at it for the better part of three years. Fill decent but both the front and back labels pretty trashed. The foil up top a tad crimped in places. Ugly duckling syndrome. See a ton of this at work and occasionally able to resuscitate what appears to be an abused bottle. Cut off the foil and there was some seepage at the top trapped between the cork and the foil. Not good. Extracted the cork in three passes (3!!!) with the Durand. Cork was half saturated and dunzo. Did not decant. Color was on point at least. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.1% ABV. Less than expected sed. Poured out a fifth of a glass and let sit for 2-3 mins. Nose was big white pepper, roasted cashews and white sage…three notes that I don’t come across often over the years with Napa cabbage and flavors were hidden beneath for a spell. Gave it 15 minutes. That initial nose dissipated and a bit of magic unfolded. Light-medium body, cocoa powder, graphite, feminine, sumptuous milk chocolate, a little sweaty, dried legumes, spearmint, supremely resolved tannins. Echoes of Haut-Brion/La Mission Haut-Brion. This old-school, Stags Leap District Napa cab came through in the clutch. Seemed to gather strength the longer it was open. Given that this particular bottle was not exactly mint, more than a bit curious as to how a decently stored example of this wine would perform. Van the Man was right. Wild night is calling. Come on out and dance. 05.16.25. @Shay A — 8 days ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

Of course I bought this bottle because I am a chateauneuf du pape slave. But Cockork! I like the label, I like the cork, I like the varietals. I’m a Cali girl with a heart for rhone wine.
Let’s start with the good: the nose. Omg. Seriously dirty, earthy and a hint of cinnamon and spice. Screams rhone. The first palatial flavors suggest soft baking spices and strawberry. The finish has pleasant acid.
Now the bad/ugly: that’s where it stops. The palate goes flat. Void of body, complexity and everything else châteauneuf du pape!
Is it an ok wine? Yes. Would it be appropriate at $18 or less? Yes. But not at $25 plus that I paid. Sorry, just slightly overpriced for underdelivery, but I’m still going to drink it because it is a decently made wine. — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.5

Loved it. Best of the second flight blind of #supertuscan #bolgheri wines #italy is fun and serious once in a while. This is in my opinion a very ugly label for an honest, expressive solid wine. Outstanding — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I bought this as Sofia & I visited the property in September of 2015 when this was being birthed. I meant to enjoy it on her birthday a while back but ended up in the ER from food poisoning I had at a restaurant. Ugly for a week.

Franciacorta is Italy’s sparkling region much like Champagne is to France. It is very near to the Italian summer hot spot, Lake Garda.

The body on this is beautiful, rich, almost fluffy with tiny beads. Starts with lemon chiffons, green apple, grapefruit, yellow melons, some lime notes, white cream, dry herbs, white spice, slightly moist, powdery to crushed chalkiness, saline, yellow & white flowers, perfect acidity and a well made, knitted, beautiful balanced & tensioned, elegant finished that lasts two-minute that falls on minerality.

Annamaria Clementi Reserve is tribute to the founder, Maurizio Zanella’s mother and made in only the very best of years.

It is a blend of; 82% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Nero & 3% Pinot Bianco. 6 months is small oak casks, 63 mg of sulfur dioxide per L. Zero dosage and 13% alcohol.

Happy belated birthday honey! — 6 months ago

TwiLea Fletcher

9.0

02/08/22
Wine tasting #1
Jeffrey’s watch 6:03.
Everyone else: 6:18
Ugly label. Very good white. — 3 years ago

with Neal

Raul Puga

9.0

Ugly rainy Saturday in SoFla. Nothing like a good Albariño to brighten up your day — 5 years ago

Paco Suro

9.2

The ugly duckling not so much. This vintage did not get love. It was pretty damn lovely. — a year ago

Neal Gracey

8.9

I Likey. Smooth clean fruity nose. Musky mid palate. Fruity berry end. Nebbiolo is an ugly grape with a beautiful taste. Therefore May I say, for a cheap wine, it’s a nice sipper. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This wine is massive. Intense and deeply balsamic nose, Worcestershire sauce and iodine, very savory. Some dark berry fruit extract underneath. Dense and intensely mouthfilling. Again, little discernible fruit but copious savory flavors. Massive body. Lengthy finish. A Shrek of a wine. (But the label is awful, very ugly.)

UPDATE: Night 3, this is softer and more in balance, with more ripe fruit peeking through to balance the previously inky savoriness. Upping from 8.9 to 9.1, but for the next few years, make sure this gets plenty of air. — 2 years ago

John Davidson

9.0

Despite the weird, ugly label this wine is an outstanding Amarone and great value. (Costco!) — 4 years ago