Bob McDonald

9.5

First sentence is a tester. Now full note. Pale to mid gold in colour - such clarity. Aromatics of pear and white peach - Barb thought a sandalwood note. Musky. So clean - not a hint of TDN (petrol/kerosene). A great texture and mouthfeel verging on luscious. Light to medium weight palate. Low acid. Thoroughly delicious. — 14 days ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon, apricot, melon and blood orange. Racy acidity and bold minerality. — 4 months ago

Al Chew

10

One of my all-time favourites. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim

The nose is still tight with red fruits and light oak notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, black cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, herbs, earth, herbs and black pepper.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced, with an Italian feel. Complex and entertaining.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 19 months in (65% new) French Oak barrels.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$115. — 4 days ago

Neal Krishna Devaraj

9.3

This is amazing! — 2 months ago

Steve S.

9.1

Enjoyed this bottle on NYE. did not disappoint. Interesting subtle tangerine tastes lingered on the tongue that I’d forgotten about. This one n/v was bottled in early 2022. Been in my possession about 2 years. — 5 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.9

Beautifully aromatic with exotic spice, peaches, a touch of of Freire ha & herbs.
Amazing purity on the palate with energy & precision. Rich yet bone dry. With minerality & salinity. The length is just insane. The depth even beats that. Shy apricot & peach in the background but it’s really not about the fruit. The terroir here - wow!
A spectacular & profound wine. — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Bodegas Faustino – Faustino V Reserva
Tempranillo-based Blend 2018
DOCa Rioja – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A standout vintage combining freshness, balance, and precision. The 2018 shows the most complete expression among the last two vintages (v16 & v17), harmonizing fruit, oak, and structure beautifully.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh red berries, cherry, subtle vanilla, cedar, and refined spice with a lifted aromatic profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity, polished tannins, and a beautifully balanced, lingering finish. More energetic and refined than prior vintages.

Food Pairings
Versatile, grilled meats, tapas, roasted vegetables, or even casual pairings.

Verdict
The most complete and balanced of the last two; Fresh, elegant, and structured this is the sweet spot vintage.

Did You Know?
2018 in Rioja is widely regarded as a balanced vintage, offering both freshness and aging potential, often outperforming expectations at this price tier. (I have also reviewed v16 & v17).

🍷 Personal Pick
The winner of the lineup, precision, freshness, and balance all in one. A textbook example of why Rioja Reserva remains one of the best value categories in the world. — 2 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

This was the Rosé of the Cremant. It’s got plenty of apricot and other stone fruit on the nose and in the mouth. Complex and interesting. Beautiful in the glass. A great sparkling wine at a good price. — 4 months ago

Jim O’Gorman

9.1

Enjoyed this ultra full bodied Cab with nice steak. Let this bottle breathe a good 4-5 hours before serving. And then decanter. It was worth the wait. — 7 months ago