Matthew Cohen

9.4

On open some sun dried tomato. Hints of complexity.

Palate is very fresh. Can’t believe this is 34 years old from the freshness. Very good. Cherries. Grippy tannins.

Let’s see where this goes.

As this opens menthol and pine.

Palate is dusty cherries. Old wine. Sweet wood. What you pay for in an old Nebbiolo.

2 hours in this is Deep pine on the nose.

Palate is piney. Pine needles a bit. Intense Cherry. Mere hints of tomato skin.

Day 2 nose has a little menthol. Mountain herbs. Palate is a bit tired. Still fresh. Better yesterday. — 3 years ago

Sam Murr

9.1

Really quite good, especially for the price. — 7 years ago

Thelma Melk

9.0

I had the 2013 & was pleasantly surprised. I'm more a white wine girl so I went in a tad cautious. What a wonderful surprise. I loved it. — 9 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened nearly 7 hours prior to Tasting Group and slow-ox'd. Even though this wouldn’t be considered testable, I figured it would be fun to taste with the group, you know, to keep them on their toes! Presented double-blind.

The 2013 Merlot “Passata” pours a deep ruby color with medium viscosity. Moderate intensity; developing vinosity. The nose is redolent of raspberries, cranberries, jasmine, a mix of dried and fresh purple flowers, smoke, some spice, dried herbs, and stone. There are some pyrazines lurking underneath as well which , if nothing else, should have been some clue to others. On the palate, the wine is dry and generous with ripe red fruit mixed with some dark fruit, smoke and spices, leather, and tobacco. Acid is high with medium++ tannin…grippy, juicy tannins. High alcohol. Long finish.

Calls were all over the place, from Dry Creek Zinfandel to Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Truthfully, I didn’t expect anyone to call Langhe Merlot. That being said, there is an underlying Italian sensibility to this wine. The structure is all Italy and even though the alcohol was high, it’s not terribly unusual to see balanced wines from Langhe bumping up close to 15%. Anyway, this was outstanding and universally adored by the group. As far as age-ability, this is drinking quite nicely with a hefty amount of air. That being said, taking the structure into account, this should easily drink well over the next ten years. — 3 years ago

WC Fields

9.1

Delicious. Great tannin and fruit. 6h decant did this well. — 9 years ago

Emil Den Dulk

9.4

Beautiful Sauv blanc. Nice balance flintyness and no high acidity — 9 years ago

Murielle Ange

9.2

Easily enjoyable on its own. Wine and yourself. — 6 years ago

Andrew Townley

9.3

Really like this wine much better now than before. Wish I had more in the cellar — 7 years ago

Matt

9.0

Perhaps a bit past it's prime but the freshness and purity this still had surprised me. Dried mountain berries, cool herbs, dried flowers and crushed rocks. I would not put this at 30 years old. — 7 years ago

Jim Ward

9.8

Wow, recommended by a friend this is outstanding. Nice and soft oak, nice pear and tropical fruit notes. Vanilla and warm spices — 9 years ago