Charlie Elliott

9.1

No harm in that — 5 months ago

Noah Chasin

9.2

Peak Grüner. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.2

The 2020 Pinot Nero is such a pretty and finessed varietal expression that mixes alpine herbs with wild strawberries and crushed rocks. It’s elegant with silky textures that usher in masses of lavender-tinged black cherries and spices, as juicy acidity maintains fantastic balance. The 2020 leaves a coating of fruit concentration along with sweet tannins that add a gentle grip, promising a steady evolution. That said, there is no harm in drinking this today. (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2022)
— 4 years ago

Darius

9.5

Honey and apple, good with seafood — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Lovely gift from our besty. @Mike R - thank you so much!
We love Dana, so tasting this was a treat with our sushi. It has lots of texture, with slight underripe tannins. Campfire notes on the nose and palate, give way to ripe plums, hints of charcoal and cedar. More cellaring will do this no harm. Finishes with moderate sweetness. Very enjoyable. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Shay A

9.4

Heintz fruit is some of my favorite and for some reason, it’s normally easy for me to identify, this being no different. I always get an overload of guava with Heintz Chardonnays, like this one, on the nose. Big aromatics of roasted Meyer lemon and ripe tropical fruits. Oak isn’t a star here, as the acidity takes center stage. Sharp and focused down the middle. Apricot, underripe pineapple and lemon oil on the palate. 13.2 ABV. I know Littorai picks super early, so it’s impressive that they are able to get this beautiful amount of pure fruit.

I followed this over 2 days and day 1 was sharp acidity and led me to believe this needs another few years to integrate. Day 2, the acidity mellowed and the fruit really warmed and became very perfumed. I’d probably hold, but no harm in opening now if you have time to follow/enjoy it. — 7 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.2

Still could use a couple more years in the bottle, but no harm in drinking it now. — 8 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2022 vintage. Poured slightly cloudy and remained that way throughout. Intriguing. So so close to rating a 9.2 but wanted a bit more depth and complexity on the finish. Mouthfeel and body were the dueling superstars here. To be fair, super youthful and another year or two in the bottle wouldn't harm the likelihood of this improving substantially. 10.24.25. — 8 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Albeit young, 2008 Cristal is drinking very well at this point in time, even if unsurprisingly not yet showing all that it can be. Drank solo over the course of 3 hours in a Burgundy glass, it had plenty of time to evolve and express. 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, 08 Cristal flaunts a gorgeous bouquet of fresh white flowers, yellow orchard fruit, baking spice, vanilla bean and crushed seashells. The palate is searingly intense with ripping citrusy acids, incredible elegance and pin point precision in its delivery before giving way to a saline and mineral infused finish that just keeps going. Again, very young, no doubt, and while already terrific, it’s easy to see what the fuss is about and how special the vintage will be down the road. But in my opinion there’s no harm in drinking now if you accept and enjoy the stage it will be in. — 4 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.1

Lemon scone - a beautifully fresh and yeasty nose.
Asian pear, curd, apricot acidity. Bubbles that are tight, uniformed, yet take a little bit of air to settle it down enough to not be as foamy, and easier to drink. The age on this has done no harm. Amazing. — 5 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

My god this is an amazing wine. Big nose of blueberry, blackberry, herbs de Provence, floral, lavender, granite, smells chewy and dense. Love it. Palate is deep, dark, ripe and juicy, with stunning fruit purity and density. But so fresh and so elegant. Lithe yet substantial. Amazing freshness and vigor. Meaty, olivey and super granitic aftertaste. Still could use a few years. But no harm opening now. Just insane and shows how great 15 is. — 6 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2010 vintage. Very lean style (that is becoming fashionable), and while it is certainly a very good wine, I feel a bit more opulence wouldn't harm here. — 7 years ago

Charlie Elliott

8.9

No harm in that — 7 years ago

Richard Rosensweig

9.1

Taking a stroll through the Napa industrial wine complex will do you no harm if you stick with Dry Creek. Known for their aggressive maceration and malolactic fermentation. Dry Creek could suck deep fruit out of a cherry pit. But that’s fine. Rich cassis with an almost caramel richness and a heady mint and ox blood nose. Excellent value. — 8 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.5

Had this one about 2,5 years ago and it has made a serious step forward. Still not where it needs to be but it opening one now didn’t harm at all. — a year ago

Severn G

9.1

2020 | Chardonnay
Kirkland Signature (Costco); 1er Cru
Burgundy; Chablis, France

I have little care regarding what parcels this blend is coming from, at $17.49 it's a total value in play. Slightly softer on the acidity front than the 2019 vintage, so even more accessible now. Lemon and seashells can't do harm, drink and enjoy. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A Valentines Day tipple earlier this week. 61% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunière. Quite pale for a 2008 vintage with a fine bead. Initially yeasty aromas of a fresh bread shop. Citrus and toast on nose and palate. More a summer, racy, fresh crisp champagne than a heavy, hearty, rich Winter Champagne. Good but hoping for more from the 2008 vintage. No harm in drinking these now but still years to go in its vintage journey. — 4 years ago

Ed Chin

9.1

Just a touch of Brett. No harm no foul — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Left Bank Bordeaux, likely blinded this is what is I'd tell you, yet a stunning bottle of beautifully aged WA Cabernet sits in front of me. We almost opened a Saint-Émilion (Right Bank) tonight, and so glad we opted for this particular bottle.

Nose has very tarry cherry, fresh violets, canned black olive, licorice, pencil lead (light), crushed blackberry and a touch of heat from the alcohol (14.6%).

Palate has ripe black currant, coffee, ripe blackberry, beautiful silky dark chocolate, light cedar box and fully resolved tannins. Drink now (2019) or hold for 2-3 more years.

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenere.

Paired this along side an experimental beef course. Usually with more expensive cuts we go with the tried and true preparation, but tonight we strayed. Grass fed beef ribeyes mostly cooked sous vide, then finished on the grill. We cooked to 125°F in the water bath, then hit the grill at 550°F for about 6-7 minutes. Perfection on the plate, beautifully medium-rare. The only downside is that the grill temps render the fat to moisten the beef, and do add some flavor, which wasn't fully achieved in this process. A little more grill time, next time around, won't do any harm. — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.0

Nose of cedar, red raspberry, juiced cherry, cranberry and wet leaves.

Palate has rehydrated cranberry, partially dried cherry, raspberry juice, unsweetened cranberry juice, early spring strawberry and light, loamy earth.

Slightly grippy tannins, otherwise a very smooth finish, medium length. Our first go around with this producer. I bought at a local shop tasting event, decanting this was the way to go. The fruit was solid when I first tasted, but the tannins seemed to get in the way. You'll (generally) never get to taste a bottle at a walk around that has had the proper air, so you need to go on faith and experience some times. I'm not disappointed with this bottle tonight, decent show. $25

Another 3-5 years of patience will do no harm to this bottle, likely benefit. — 8 years ago