Wulf Losee

9.2

Anise and fresh leather on the nose. Chalky dry tannins on the front of the palate that lack any expression of fruit (!). If you’ve been following my reviews, you may have observed I enjoy minerally taste profiles, so, this doesn’t offend me in the least— but it is very surprising to taste it on the front  of the palate (because I didn’t think I had taste receptors for that sort of thing on the front of the tongue). To be doubly confusing the fruit appears briefly on the mid palate as candied cherries. But before it can become offensively saccharine, the fruit is quickly replaced by burnt umber dry notes—along with a cool minty substrate—that yield a very loooong finish.

I just realized that I sucked down half a bottle while trying to evaluate this wine. I initially gave it a 9.0 rating but I’m going up it to 9.2, because this wine is intriguing and it kept my interest.
— 5 months ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.4

Nerello mascalese rosato of a garnet umber hue; really a light red. Layers of strawberry, honey and red fruit. But with volcanic dust. Aromas tight at first, but then lush, blossoming into rosehips and burnt caramel, olives and red fruit. Super good. — 4 years ago

Rob Pendell

9.0

Wonderful soft palate with notes of plum and blackberry. Some cherry on the front end with a hint of asphalt. Full mouthful of peach and grapefruit with undertones of almond, tobacco, pine, licorice, cardamom, red velvet, turmeric, oatmeal, cayenne, newspaper, Oreos, bicycle chain, chitlins, camembert, burnt umber, huckleberry, Ripple, plain yogurt, lemongrass, kohlrabe, anise, eggplant, kohlrabi, everything bagel, paczki, aspartame, caramel, coconut, latte, beef carpaccio, pine nuts, Wonder Bread, calamari, watermelon radish Jolly Rancher, aglet, sawdust, gnocchi and red grape. Finish is definitely Bruno Kirby. Pretty complex. — 5 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Transparent ruby verging on umber-red in the glass, showing just a little bit of Nebbiolo development. Nose is barely ripe tart cherries and cherry pits, beef jerky, smoke, and more subtle floral perfume that develops with time. Tart Hungarian (baloton) cherries on the palate, which at first seems rustic but becomes more and more refined with air. Transparent, unique and sure to improve with time. — 2 years ago

Peter Ledakis

9.2

2006 vintage drinking in 2019- color is brownish / burnt umber mixed with burgundy (no pun) Earthy on the nose. Wet soil and mint. You must wait at least a half an hour to taste- On the tongue fresh fruit some red/dark cherries and ripened peaches. The finish is nice and long and tannins are very pleasant not overwhelmingly grippy. Really nice Pinot Noir. Wait! What?? This is is not a french pinot?!!! :P — 5 years ago

with Jana

Ryan Stewart

9.1

Burnt umber in color. On the nose, vanilla, caramel, sherry, cherry, red apples, figs, and plums. Same for the palate, plus very subtle grapefruit, citrus, and toffee flavors. Long finish!! — 8 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.4

2021/6/5 with delivery from Ishikawa. When we ate at Ishikawa a. Umber of years back we enjoyed a bottle of 1996 Ente Meursault, so I though it would be fun to have another mature bottle from the village this time. Deep gold with amber glints, this was clearly mature but not overly so for my tastes - lemon custard and nice acidity balanced the nutty, rich aged flavors. A really mature white Burgundy is such a rare, wonderful treat. — 3 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Black with burnt umber highlights. Low and creamy head springs with bubbles combining to undercut its great form. Fireworks lacing slow falls to leopard spots. Espresso and baker’s chocolate nose boasts licorice and chicory, campfire notes and vanilla. Palate shows none of the sweet elements of the nose initially. Instead, pipe tobacco and unsweetened bitter chocolate, the chicory and burnt toast prevail; a burnt tips taste lingering. Baked pecan, dark caramel, black pepper, and ethiopean coffee, with black chewing tobacco and vanilla bean complete the circuit. Power and restraint, in this lovely offering. This really did set the standard. #samuelsmiths #samuelsmitholdbrewery #tadcaster #NYorks #imperialstout #stout #englishstout #beer #classicbeer #bier #biere #birra #cerveza #cerveja #britbeer #britannia #ukberr #ukstout #britishbeer #britishstout — 3 years ago

with Courtney

MaJ CappS

9.0

Burnt umber. If one could smell it that's what this would be. 5 hours of airtime.
Blackberry rolled up in cedar shavings. Bits of Brett, with high acid. Hot! This tastes as if I could blow fire. Tight still, needs more time.
— 7 years ago

Ryan Stewart

9.0

Burnt umber color. Rich aromas and flavors of sherry, chestnut, raisin, pomegranate, dried cherry, almonds, caramel, and dried herbs. Thick mouthfeel. Long finish! — 8 years ago