Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.

The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.

The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.

This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.

It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.

Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.

Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.

@Ek225 — 14 days ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.2

Muted nose with dusty lemons, green hazelnut, a touch of underripe pineapple, and a fresh, uplifting minty note. Great purity & freshness here.
On the palate this shows great concentration- there’s depth & weight and yet this isn’t heavy, on the contrary - poised, elegant, superbly balanced.
Beautiful tension and purity.
Clearly not Burgundy, nor Germany and def not New World. Surprising acidity & freshness for Tuscany.
This really sings! — 18 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Superb as always! Deep purple color. Aromas of black currant, blackberry, pencil lead, tobacco and oak. Black fruit on the palate, cigar box and nice tannins.

🍇95% Cab, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot.

🏅94 Points - James Suckling — 14 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.5

While I love my local Chardonnay this guy is the hands down best domestic Chardonnay I've had in 2025. It has everything you could ask for - elegant fruit, balanced acid, silky texture without being insipid, and deep stone and mineral like you just dunked your head into a glacial stream. This is awesome stuff and I recommend you seek it out. — 16 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Gosh these wines are amazing. So aromatic wafting from the glass with layers of spiced orchard fruit, bread dough and honey. The palate shows incredible richness and concentration that’s cut with racy citrusy acids and a salty mineral finish that just doesn’t end. Incredible Champagne! Egly is stuff of legends. — 18 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

NV. Gorgeous coloring. Hints of frontal palate dirtiness that dissipate quickly in the mouth as it transitions to florals and that Philipponnat-styled acidity. Such a great table-setter. 10.17.25. — 19 days ago

DCH

9.2

An absolute stellar example of Willamette terroir and a steal at <$30. This wine has evident and precise cherry fruit, bright acidity and great balance. I’d love to try this bottle in a few years as the acidity suggests aging potential, but it’s drinking great right now. — 15 days ago

Jason Phillips

9.5

Dark ruby in color. Fabulous nose with hints of cherry, cocoa, clove, and oak. 100% cab, 30 mos in 100% French Oak. Luscious on the palate with lue fruit, blueberry. Well balanced tannins with a long finish. Good oak - tightly grained oak keeps from too much spice. Outstanding. — 16 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium light ruby , garnet wide light garnet rim . On opening this was very fruit forward , strawberry, orange rind, raspberry and with some floral, liquorice and spice hints . On the palate again fruit forward , sweet strawberry , raspberry and some red cherry . Just balanced alcohol with fresh acidity . Tannins were quite rounded and sweet , it seemed to lack a little structure . Coming back to this a day later there is much more tannin which is ripe but gritty and more structure noticable . Bizarre how this happens quite often with young Barolo, they appear lighter and more fruit forward than they actually are on opening . A bit more serious too, showing more nuances . Herbal hints , with lightly smoky darker cherry , liquorice and stony, mineral hints on the medium length finish. You could drink this now (if you do what I did last night and just pop and pour), but will be better in 5 years or so and last well a further 5-10. — 17 days ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Nicely balanced and fresh with sliced apple, pear, melon, papaya, tangerine, and a brush of vanilla from 10 months in barrel (30% new). There’s a salty streak here that I didn’t expect. Not over the top. Entry level single vineyard from Far Niente. — 20 days ago