Ming L

9.4

The nose opens with waves of ripe black cherry, cassis, plum liqueur, and dark chocolate Beneath the opulence lies impressive complexity with hints of espresso, violets, and peppery spice emerge gradually with air. The palate is dense and supple, showing warmth and generosity. Plenty of nuance beneath the lavish fruit.

Possibly the best value for a St-Emilion GCC. Will need to seek out more. — 7 days ago

Matt

9.2

Ah, the "Baronesa de Vilar Reserva Douro Red Blend," a splendid tribute to the enchanting Douro Valley of Portugal, unfurling beneath the nurturing sun and rugged terroir. One savors the deep, ruby-red elixir, where ripe black fruits entwine with whispers of vanilla and subtle spice—like a sultry tango between plum and cinnamon with a cheeky touch of oak.

The producer, the illustrious D. Ferreira, has roots tracing back to 1751, blending a storied past with the art of winemaking. Their devotion is akin to a Shakespearean romance—filled with drama and rustic allure.

Among its noble ingredients, you’ll find Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional; a veritable duo captivating the palate. Fun fact: Tinta Roriz, or Tempranillo, is not one to be trifled with—it’s as versatile as a thesbian on opening night.

Pair this beauty with lamb shanks or a rich mushroom risotto; the umami harmonizes splendidly, like a velvet glove on a glistening hand. Rated a polished 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, let this morsel of joy roll upon your tongue, but be careful—too much may leave you reclining dramatically, proclaiming “what a departure!” — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

It’s official. We’ve taken the leap and registered for WSET Diploma (Level 4)! 😆 We’re excited for, and daunted by, the steep learning journey that lies ahead over the next 2-3 years…

What better way to mark the beginning of this journey than to sip on some lovely Ribera del Duero wine and work through a formal note using the systematic approach to tasting (SAT) wine? 🍷🍷

This wine is made from the ‘Tinta del Pais’ variety aka ‘Tinto Fino’ aka ‘Tempranillo.’ It hails from Ribera del Duero DO within the Duero Valley of Spain. 🇪🇸 Its topography is unique in that it’s largely cut off from maritime influences by surrounding mountains and is situated on the highest part of a plateau called the Meseta Central, over 2,780 feet above sea level. ⛰ ⛰

👁 This wine is deep ruby with notable tearing and extraction.

👃 On the nose this wine has a medium intensity of youthful aromas. Aromas include primary notes of ripe black cherry, black currant, blueberry, pomegranate, violet, anise, black licorice, and secondary notes of cedar, pencil shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove.

👄 On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, high alcohol, medium(+) tannins, and medium intensity of flavors. Flavors include tart blackberry, black cherry, and black currant, dark chocolate, toast, cedar, nutmeg, and clove. The finish is medium.

This is a very good wine that is balanced in its core structure, offers aromatic and flavor complexity across primary and secondary categories, and has solid intensity and concentration of vibrant fruit. 💕 It may be consumed now (especially after decanting), but has potential for further aging.

Protos ’27, Ribera del Duero, Tinta del Pais, Vintage 2017, ABV 14.5%. Named in honor of the 11 vine growers who established Protos in 1927. — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

ANTHIUM 2024, Bellone, Lazio IGP, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
100% Bellone from Lazio, crafted by Casale del Giglio. An indigenous grape with ancient Roman roots, bottled at 14% ABV and expressing the full tropical and mineral personality of this historic variety.

Aromas & Flavors
Explosive tropical aromatics, mango, papaya, ripe pineapple, and golden peach — leap from the glass with remarkable intensity. Beneath the exuberant fruit lies a subtle mineral undertone that keeps everything focused and grounded.

Mouthfeel
Textured, vibrant, and rhythmically expressive. The palate mirrors the nose with precision, delivering layered tropical richness balanced by freshness. The finish lingers confidently, long and resonant without heaviness.

Food Pairings
Grilled prawns, Caribbean-spiced fish, roasted chicken with citrus glaze, burrata with stone fruit, or saffron seafood risotto.

Verdict
A show-stopping indigenous white that commands attention. Profound aromatics, dimensional palate, and unforgettable persistence. This is not just impressive, this is emotional wine.

🍷 Personal Pick
Yes. This is a 2-bottle strategy candidate. One to relive the shock. One to cellar and remember exactly where you were when Lazio changed your axis. — 3 months ago

Jeremy Samuels

9.3

This to me is what a white wine should be in my uninformed opinion. Soft, light, but very complex beneath the surface. Doesn’t go down like juice, but delicious & you can’t quite stop sippin. Parents anniversary :) — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Drinking this, you get a sense that you're staring into a bottomless lake - it's waters calm and dark, offering very little to what lies beneath. Perhaps a function of under-preparation or in it's dumb phase of aging, the 14' Les Clos was surprisingly underwhelming. Popped and poured, it started off with a sweaty reduction, before opening up to classic Chablis aromas. Palpably concentrated and deep, yet it lacked all the high points and clarity of the stellar 14' La Forest I just had 3 months ago. The table enjoyed it, but it was a disappointing pull for me. — 4 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.0

After our little vacation (what a pleasure and luxury after the year we’ve all had) it’s back to home cooking and drinking, and this bottle was sitting aside in the cellar because I was too lazy to reshelve it after pulling it out a few weeks ago and not getting around to drinking it. It smells of dusty dried sage and other herbs with a touch of cedar and red fruits beneath. Exceedingly silky, with dashi and miso notes mixing with raspberry and dried herbs that have this lovely aromatic sweetness that lingers with the herbs in the finish. Very pretty. — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1999 vintage. This review a bit of a mixed bag. “Inherited” this bottle and had been looking sideways at it for the better part of three years. Fill decent but both the front and back labels pretty trashed. The foil up top a tad crimped in places. Ugly duckling syndrome. See a ton of this at work and occasionally able to resuscitate what appears to be an abused bottle. Cut off the foil and there was some seepage at the top trapped between the cork and the foil. Not good. Extracted the cork in three passes (3!!!) with the Durand. Cork was half saturated and dunzo. Did not decant. Color was on point at least. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.1% ABV. Less than expected sed. Poured out a fifth of a glass and let sit for 2-3 mins. Nose was big white pepper, roasted cashews and white sage…three notes that I don’t come across often over the years with Napa cabbage and flavors were hidden beneath for a spell. Gave it 15 minutes. That initial nose dissipated and a bit of magic unfolded. Light-medium body, cocoa powder, graphite, feminine, sumptuous milk chocolate, a little sweaty, dried legumes, spearmint, supremely resolved tannins. Echoes of Haut-Brion/La Mission Haut-Brion. This old-school, Stags Leap District Napa cab came through in the clutch. Seemed to gather strength the longer it was open. Given that this particular bottle was not exactly mint, more than a bit curious as to how a decently stored example of this wine would perform. Van the Man was right. Wild night is calling. Come on out and dance. 05.16.25. @Shay A — a year ago

Ming L

9.1

Oaky and buttery for sure. But by no means this is a one dimensional. Beneath the surface lies depth of flavors, vibrant acidity, and refinements. A wine I don’t mind drinking everyday, young or aged. — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Woo-eeee does this ever smell like California Chardonnay—I was worried my delicate sensibilities might take umbrage, but my senses adjusted (maybe I’ve just been drinking weakling wines) and on the palate this wine is less an overly enthusiastic suitor and much more a gentleman who actually reads—more beneath the surface than I expected based on smell and soon we were holding hands and I was flirtatiously fidgeting with my necklace, and and wondering if we’d kiss at the end of the bottle (probably don’t pick a mate that way though their smell when you meet them is kinda important methinks). Anyway, what did this wine (I’ve decided is Ryan Gosling type) have to say? A lot! But fortunately I don’t mind a wine with more to say than me. Butterscotch and yellow apple, and most intriguingly both up front and on the finish I get that gunflint-y smoky minerality I adore and it finishes with citrus peel, creme, and browned butter. Glad I gave it a chance. — 5 years ago