Mark Farrell

9.0

This was an evening out in Raleigh while in town for a wedding. We had a glass of the Nine Hats Red Blend. Medium purple with a nose of blackberry jam, strawberries, vanilla, and a slight hint of sweet tobacco. Very much a fruit forward wine on the palate. Full bodied, this is a crowd pleaser. We had this by the glass at Vita Vite in Raleigh, NC. At $20 a bottle this is a great value. — 3 years ago

Rufus King

9.1

Bold Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, with dark cherry and strong tannin, at Super Bowl Party at friends’ apartment in Back Bay, Boston — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Herbal aromas (typically Margaret River) with Geranium Capsicum and a touch of menthol. Some green notes - medium weight. Savoury wins out over Cassis and black fruits. Not in the upper echelon of Margaret River Cabernet. Just a silver medal. We went to the Cellar Door some years ago and the story goes that the Reserve Cab was served at the wedding of Prince Frederick of Denmark to Sydney Real Estate agent Mary Donaldson originally from Tasmania now Crown Princess Mary and one day will become the Queen of Denmark. Fred is a keen sailor who was representing Denmark at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and they met at Sydney hotspot The Slip Inn where Fred was flashing his Black AMEX so the story goes and was captivated by Mary and the rest is history. — 5 years ago

Amy Mercovich

9.0

Not fruit forward…leather, licorice, cherry pits. Sipping this with a cheese, olive, fig board on our 25th wedding anniversary. 2015 $38 at Mahan’s — 4 years ago

Jeff S

10

This incredible sparkling wine is unbelievable! I visited this wonderful vineyard in 2013. The hue of rose’ is almost pale salmon. It’s medium to full body flavor is off the charts delicious. A touch of mineral and fabulous fruit. At the mid palate there is a heartiness I can’t quite figure out. This can rival any and every pink and brut champagne in the world. It’s that great!!! — 5 years ago

Ira Schwartz

10

Flashback 20+ years ago to the Wine Library in New Jersey. Walking with my 14-year-old niece she was drawn to a double magnum sitting in the corner of the cold room. She exclaimed, “ Uncle Ira , that is the biggest bottle of wine I have ever seen.” Excited by her enthusiasm I told her I would buy it and we would drink it at her wedding. That opportunity presented itself this weekend. I decided this was best consumed at the rehearsal dinner. As one would expect the bottle drew its share of oohs & aahs. The cork was pristine. I should have decanted as the bottle had a ton of sediment. On the nose; earth, hints of leather, and tobacco. In the mouth a textbook example of an aged California Bordeaux blend. Concentrated flavors of red and dark fruit, herbs, vanilla, and graphite flow into a stunning finish that still has a tannic structure. An elegant and seamless wine that has years of life remaining . I have been fortunate to taste wines that could bring you to tears. This bottle brought me to tears before a drop of wine touched my lips — 5 years ago

with Randy, Monica and 1 other

Pooneet K

9.2

Very nice Beaucastel. Always a fun one as this is one of the wines we served at our wedding. There is some bottle variation here. This one had a bit of a medicinal note that blew off after about 1.5 hours in the decanter. Perfect with a varied New Years Eve meal. Quite tasty. — 4 years ago

James RK

8.9

Wedding party dinner with Norm, Jenny and Martha at El Pelicano in Tamarindo Costa Rica. The event makes this wine a perfect 10. — 5 years ago

James Gourley

9.5

The consensus among Biblical scholars is that Jesus turned water into pinot noir for his first miracle. This bottle confirms that, even though it doesn’t quite reach the quality served at Cana that fateful day. — 5 years ago

Lynn Renz

8.9

Lovely wine we had at my daughter’s wedding — 5 years ago