Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage, Decanted and tasted after 10 mins and 45 mins. Medium body. Big concentration afoot paired with the (usually) lighter MM style. Verdict...guilty of requiring a mandatory 12-15 years in the cellar. Too powerful now to settle into domesticated drinking life. If you absolutely must here and now, give it a thorough 2-3 hour spa day/decanter sesh first. 8.23.24. — 5 months ago

Lisa Jackson-schebetta

9.2

Minerals and earth. Neither grassy nor citrus. Sage in ballston spa Carrie’s — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Stags Leap Manor, as it was called in the 1920s, was known as one of the prominent country retreats in the Napa Valley at a time when resort and spa business was big. Pale lemon stone fruit and citrus aromas and toasty yeasty notes. On the palate melon, pineapple and pear, fresh & crisp with notes of oak, a bit creamy. Long finish with wet stone and mineral character, well balanced, stays crisp on ending. Nice! — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

The wine exhibits a brilliant golden hue. On the nose are aromas of apricot, apples, citrus and a slight pineapple note. The palate is savory, with all the fruit mentioned plus salinity and a nuttiness. The acidity is quite fresh. Pair this one with anything from the sea or a pasta dish in a creamy white sauce. — 7 months ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Lioco Chardonnay is MVP level QPR. This is dynamic, textured, layered, and complex in a tax bracket where Chardonnay usually sucks.

The aromas are subtle and steely lemon, smelling fresh as spa water. Flavors of jasmine and blanched bitter almond and yellow apple. Where there's zero oak, there's texture and acid.

I've always liked this wine but this year seems particularly good. — 2 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

Wow—so much happening here. Explosively fresh & zesty: key lime curd, spa water (cucumber, mint, lemon slices), green melon, barely ripe apricot, white pepper and marzipan on the nose. Equally as expressive on the palate, with a punctuated saline-tinged finish. A screaming value and at least one good thing to come out of 2020.

Attempting to sharpen my blind tasting skills by tasting Gruner, Albariño & Muscadet (evil triplets) in succession.
— 3 years ago

Jason Phillips

9.0

Excellent blend. Bold, complex body and smooth finish. Great for the price point. Enjoying with ocean in the back at One Ocean Resort and Spa. — a year ago

Jody Wycech

9.3

An interesting primitivo. The fruit is a bit more subdued favoring light kisses of plum and currant. The cognac barrel stands out prominently. I get cocoa powder and a bit of vanilla, maybe a touch of tobacco. It's full bodied that balances out a tannic and alcoholic finish. Still has the intangibles of a primitivo but makes me want some brandy. Creamy mouthfeel, touch of slate. Would love to have again. — a year ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other

Carly Lunde

9.2

Wine with Kelly and Rod 8/21 — 3 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.5

New Years Eve at The Farm Restaurant, Carneros Resort and Spa. Opened some of my favorite wines: Marcassin Chardonnay, 2012 with oysters and caviar and salmon dish. Structure of wine is layered with apricot-orange, floral blossoms, lemon, cedar and vanilla. The Next of Kyn, 2013 Syrah blend paired nicely with the Wellington beef. Covers the pallet with dark blackberry, licorice and chocolate changing in taste as it opened up. Tannins still present but not over powering. Both wines deserve a 9.5 rating with plenty of age left on them. — 5 years ago

with Karin and Jill