AEL

9.0

Purchased in Fort William, Scotland, near the distillery. Really excellent - smooth gin with distinct piney and earthy notes. — a year ago

Nate Lane

9.2

Beautiful smoke presence without being overstated. Age is irrelevant here. — 6 years ago

with Karalyn

Jeff Kulla

9.5

Ahh! Need I say more? — 10 years ago

Grant Silverwood

9.3

Unbelievably smooth. Brent said one of his favourites. Kurt was not at the event but would have been very happy. Franc was not present - too strong for him. — 10 years ago

Tim Holzer

9.0

The loch of the herring — 2 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Another wine I was introduced to by Monica Stevens of 750 wines. The Shifflett Ranch and Vineyards is situated at the end of Darms Lane in the Oak Knoll AVA of Napa Valley.

William & Mary Wine Co. is the creation of Will Segui and his wife Mary. The fruit is sourced from the Shifflett Vineyard, where Will’s mother-in-law is a Shifflett and the family has owned the property since the late 1940s. It’s worth noting that Will has been the only employee of @riversmariewines for many years. He has long run the operations there along with being an understudy of Thomas Rivers Brown. Needless to say, I was excited to finally taste the wine.

The 2016 William & Mary Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Vineyard displays enveloping aromatics of cassis, blueberry, tobacco, earth, pen ink, and meat. There’s a beautiful interplay between its juxtaposition of vibrant flavor intensity and mellow demeanor, which exemplifies just how balanced the wine is. After several hours decanted the darker, secondary notions of graphite, cocoa powder, creosote, and espresso continue encroachment on the palate in an almost infectious manner. There’s a tightness to the wine that almost surprises because of how immediately approachable it is. Have no doubt it will benefit from years in the cellar, but damn, if it’s not delicious now. — 6 years ago

Gregory P. Smith

9.4

Almost too smooth! — 10 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Really enjoyed my visiting with Will at Mending Wall where he poured Rivers-Marie as well as his personal label William & Mary.

My favorite of the tasting. Co-fermented cab franc and merlot. I’m partial to cab franc, so no surprise this was up my alley. Gorgeous display of violets, herbs de Provence, red and black currant and sandalwood. Great weight on the palate channeling herbal/savory notes next to underripe rhubarb and blackberries. Delicious. — 5 years ago

Diego Flores

9.5

A beauty from a vineyard once owned by General William Tecumseh Sherman. — 7 years ago

Brian Bonacci

10

The Four Seasons, Vail, CO. My favorite American whiskey. — 10 years ago