Shay A

9.4

I’m scoring as is today, but I really think this inches upward a bit over the next 5-7yrs.

This fell victim to curiosity (as well as a ‘21 Modus Operandi UV-Laguna Pinot). I’ve had a few of Lato’s entry and mid-level offerings, but this was my first Pisoni from them. Loved it.

Profile wise, this is similar to Dumol (not as big as Aubert, but not a lean style either). A very pretty down-the-middle style. While the aromatics here were lovely (honeysuckle, faint lemon cream, citrus and sweet baking spices), the texture of this wine was a standout. Sports much more depth than initially expected (yellow fruits, peach, apricot, pink cotton candy, limestone)…not quite a lees-y style, but close, while remaining elegant and light on its feet (good acidity). Oak is there but plays a supporting role. For being so young, this was a supremely balanced wine. I need to consider buying more. — 2 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.1

Another hidden treasure...I know we should have popped it earlier... but this joint venture between Morgan Twain-Peterson from Bedrock and Michael Havens (first producer of New World Albariño) is still alive. Medium gold/yellow in the glass... perhaps not quite as vibrant acid-wise as at release, but very powerful and pleasant. Slightly waxy and round, sporting a bit of funk, but notes of unripe pear, green apple, and green papaya bring a smile. I don’t think this wine is currently made, but I always thought it a real QPR bargain. — 5 years ago

Richard Portes

9.2

17.5 still deep red, with amber rim. Good acidity, fruit better than I thought at the outset . Decanting wise, oddly the fruit emerged. — 6 years ago

Myke Morgan

9.0

Very fruit forward cab, with minimal tannins or chalkiness. A nice quality everyday wine. — 7 years ago

with Anjanette

Ned Gray Creed

9.2

Praise the Moon Mountain AVA. Hashtag old stomping ground. — 7 years ago

Mike R

9.4

Forgive me for not color coordinating correctly (say those last three words quickly ten times - ha) but that is what happens when two great friends get together for a dinner with wives to celebrate birthdays and we are left to our own decisions so our wives are definitely needed to dress us - man is that picture busy except for the wine

Rick brought a treat - 2007 treat - we only decanted for 40 minutes - when first opening I was worried - it was lacking any smell but it was a terrible restaurant decanter (love the food and atmosphere but not a wine heavy place)

We drank (more line devoured) the first wine (Dyer) while patiently waiting for this bad boy to wake up- when it did - wow 😲- I had a @David L expression experience happen - “I don’t like - I LOVE IT”

So the wine and this vintage and this bottle for me was opulent and silky - it opened so progressively in the glass - like a Lexus LC 500 speed demon (sorry but I do have some preoccupation with this car) - color was a daaaaaark deeeeep puuuuurple (deep purple was a great band but I degress) - smell was full of vanilla and spices and amazingly was very ripe and was made in a flamboyant cult style - It soaked my mouth with melted blackberries, cherries, raspberries, cocoa and sweet oaky favors - the rush from the taste came from the silky tannins which were rich and refined - now it was also really dry - but overall I am totally impressed and the finish was medium long

Word to the wise - in my humble opinion this bad boy needs to be experienced sooner than later - still ripe but the smell is going fast - crazy to say this but the 06s have years left but my 07s are fully matured - Drink up and definitely smile . — 8 years ago

with R

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Tastes like a Syrah from somewhere in Santa Barbara County, which is not a bad thing taste-wise. But I’m always puzzled when European countries plant grapes that are indigenous to other countries. That aside, it’s very good. Nose is complex, with animal, vegetable, and mineral qualities (plus some nice fruit). There is an intense iron quality, cured salami, ripe boysenberry, and a little tobacco leaf. In the mouth it’s dark and rich, but the tannins are well integrated and unobtrusive. Acidity is a little lower than most Northern Rhônes, but enough to maintain balance. Despite my predispositions, I like it. — 4 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.0

Dirty earthy dark cherry and dark compact fruits. Currants and minerally prunes. Grainy texture and dense leather in the age. Bigger Pinot that I expected. Pleasant pairing fir mushroom dishes and even dark cherry pie. — 5 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.3

Smooth velvety delicious mouth symphony. Perfection in a California Cabernet. www.freerunjuicewine.com — comment and tag me if you would like a discount code! Cheers friends! — 6 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.4

Ripe and supple berry pie. Dark dark spicy fruit in a velvety coat of midnight cacao, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Big tannins that cling to palate all the way through the finish. Relax back in your recliner near the fireplace for this one! Perfect rainy day wine. — 6 years ago

Marc Pimentel

9.1

Cami really likes this wine. Grape dvine — 7 years ago

Matt

9.2

70 CA 30 GR old vine bottling that proves how important Carignan can be in arid, warm climate winemaking. At 15% abv this wine carries balance, life, and most importantly complex interplay of deeply hued fruit and savory layers. There’s an air of roasted meatiness, leather, wet slate, and roasted black and purple fruits that stands out. In the background purple flowers, smoke, talcum, licorice, brown sugar. Palate is expansive, rich without being too heavy, kept in check by balancing acid of the carignan. Tannin wise there’s grit, nothing overpowering but flowing nicely about, keeping the texture present with its length. — 7 years ago

SJ Charlson

9.2

Really great Sonoma cabernet. — 8 years ago

with Joe and Mark

Maggie Harrison

8.9

blend of communes, high elevation. boysenberry, firm and fruity juicy tannins, lighter on palate weight wise. lots of complexity. dusty tannins that open up. not grippy. — 4 years ago

Alex Kate

9.0

Easy drinking — 5 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.4

Awesome bottle of bourbon that I picked up while on vacation at the recommendation of a friend. Spicy/sweet oak, charred vanilla nibs, and torched Demerara sugar granules. Paired nicely with a Luke Bryan exclusive Davidoff. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Hanibal

9.1

Ready to go with a pop and pour. Likely to improve with another 5 years. Hard to beat price wise vs quality in this region. Very good — 6 years ago

Jason Dunn

9.1

Not tannic. Lightly fruity. An excellent red for lamb. — 7 years ago

David Watts

9.0

Oak and marzipan on the nose, with a whack of fruits of the forest. Taste-wise, it's warm red fruits, quite soft and viscous to begin with but then some solid grip to follow through. Very nice. — 7 years ago

Jean Herndon

8.9

2015 Bronze winner @ CA State Fair comp but underrated IMO. Red fruit, spice, earth. Good stuff. — 8 years ago