6/7/2023 - Mike Kopanski wrote:

A friend had this sitting around for a while, and we were not quite sure if it was beyond its peak. Probably not. Nothing special but relatively solid if not necessarily terroir driven Chenin. Mostly fruit like peach with honey, some lemon and green apple. Balanced.

5/25/2024 - Agoston Haraszthy wrote:

Cherry earthy nose meets cherry earthy palate. Good, having too much fun to right a proper review. Good QPR.

5/25/2024 - JHalvorson Likes this wine:

Yep, very ready to drink.

5/25/2024 - mwneil Likes this wine:

Medium body, lots of flavor, solid rose, 13.5% abv, drank easily with calimari and tuna sushi and corn on th cob, good fruit with a dry finish.

5/25/2024 - dbkitc wrote:

This is absolutely beautiful. Golden color. Nose is filled with hazelnut, honey and glue. Nectarine fuzz. The palate is sunny with slight oxidation but still full of fruit. Rich. Long. Compelling. (93)

5/25/2024 - A L P Likes this wine:

Smooth and Pinot Grigio like in texture. Delicious.

5/24/2024 - dcwino wrote:

Since the champagne and the whites need to be chilled longer, we are starting with the 11 Rayas. Classic Rayas nose displaying slightly dry red fruit, strawberry plum, dry cherry, licorice, leather, tobacco, cinnamon and other sweet spices, tree bark and earth. Good concentration, slightly chunky generous red fruit, round, soft and warm, medium acidity, earthy mineral, and a medium to long ripe red fruit driven finish with tobacco at the end. Both the nose and the palate display the classic Rayas profile, yet it is lacking the energy and the depth. IMO, this will be an early drinking Rayas that slightly lacks the great material.

5/25/2024 - bound4er wrote:

Maybe this wine is in dormancy but it does next to nothing for me at present. Reticent nose (some faint cherry) and shy palate (watery nothingness). Easy to "disregard" this in future.

5/25/2024 - 3daywinereview.com wrote:

Day 1: Very young. Earth, game, rose petals, raspberries and spice. For sure will need the 3 day treatment. Not sure worth $60 I got this for as so many better. 90 points

5/25/2024 - wmccone54 Likes this wine:

Purchased this from the Underground Cellar Liquidation. Very hesitant initially given the ten year vintage and unfamiliarity with the producer. Limited CT notes; but at the end of the day, the single vineyard Howell Mountain address convinced me to buy, especially given the longevity of the close by Beringer Bancroft Ranch. Did not decant, but opened 30 minutes prior to enjoying with a grilled, prime Ribeye, mushrooms and air-fried asparagus.

Displays a deep ruby color, no signs of bricking. Aromatic and flavor profile shows: purple flowers; black and blue fruits; leafy green tobacco; new leather; sawdust; and a very rich, flavorful palate. Grainy tannins and lingering acidity are providing balance; support a long supporting finish. Drink through 2027+.

5/25/2024 - Hrv123 Likes this wine:

Decanted 3hrs and initially very subdued on the nose and palate, hiding behind a wall of tannins. With air, it opened up nicely and showed some well balanced classic Napa fruit with proportioned acidity. This has tons of life ahead of it and I will definitely hold future bottles for at least 10 years.

5/25/2024 - Ecoenophile wrote:

Very good… nice rich deep nose, lots of fruit and cigar box spice in the palate, medium + finish with fine grained tannins. This is in a real nice spot now … sorry it’s my last one…

5/24/2024 - Aravind Asok wrote:

Another spectacular btl.

5/26/2024 - Perouse74 wrote:

Deserve it, despite the age. Still red and dark fruits, with a bit an acidity. Can still be kept (1year). Believe apogee is over but delicious silky wine, in a magnum size

5/24/2024 - Aravind Asok wrote:

Pop and pour. Showing a touch of age. Dense peach and guava with a touch of marzipan. On the palate: fantastic acidity, richness and density. Lovely.

5/25/2024 - Bowmanifesto wrote:

Everything I love most in a Riesling: Dry yet filled with distinctive summer fruits, backed by equally distinctive minerality. Beautiful long finish. Pure pleasure in every sip.

5/25/2024 - soyhead wrote:

nose - fennel, vanilla,
mouth - impressive richness here verging on gran cru quality if i didnt know what i was drinking.

5/25/2024 - oldwines Likes this wine:

Delightful, refreshing and classy Rosato with light plum, steely floral notes and bright acidity. Lots of minerals and hints of strawberry on the finish.

5/24/2024 - dcwino wrote:

Medium expressive nose displaying rich yellow fruit, baked apple, a hint of lemon curd, brioche, smoke, white pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg, and fine limestone mineral. Very good concentration, generous rich yellow fruit, rich and deeply toned, very fine shy mousse, bright acidity and mineral, and a medium to long ripe yellow fruit driven finish with brioche at the end. This shows good complexity, concentration, and creaminess.
I prefer the cuvee 1809, however.

5/25/2024 - KillerJones Likes this wine:

This is a delicious ST from Bolgheri – 50% blend of Cab & Merlot. I feel it may give the big boys a challenge (Sassicaia, Ornellaia be warned).

With a 30-minute decant, the nose offers an insurrection of savory, metallic aromas: black olives, capers, potting soil, black pepper - a sensory delight if you will.

This gives way to a palate delivering balsamic notes enhanced with rosemary, porcini mushroom & a tannic, salted-dark-chocolate finish.

Easily lay another 5-6 years.

5/25/2024 - MrD Likes this wine:

Drank one memorial day weekend in Anna Maria Island with family for dad's 80th bday. This is delicious. Not great at describing - it has interesting diversity of flavors. Not as thick and juicy as an Outpost Howell Mountain but perhaps more interesting. Excited I have one more l. Wish I had a lot more.

5/25/2024 - Virescit Vulnere Virtus Likes this wine:

Short, ~bold, oaky

5/25/2024 - hermitkingdom wrote:

Deep garnet in glass. Eucalyptus on nose. A bit muted on palate,with some black fruit and mineral streak. High acidity. Went better with lamb than pizza. Better on day 2.

5/25/2024 - mywine1350 Likes this wine:

Vernice light smooth but dry and crisp had with bbq salmon

5/25/2024 - ppandian Likes this wine:

Cherries, earth, mint and medium+ tannins.
Recognize that it’s still quite young. Will benefit with a couple of more years in the cellar.

5/24/2024 - Nibbies wrote:

EXCELLENT!!!!

5/25/2024 - bomber99 Likes this wine:

You can’t pop and pour…. After about an hour in decanter it blooms. A recent last bottle buy and I’m kicking myself for not buying more.

Great balance, the subtle macerated balsamic berry gives way to baking spices, caramel, vanilla, coffee and raw cocoa bean.

Fire up a rib eye and indulge.

5/25/2024 - ginfizz wrote:

Perfect mousse of small persistent bubbles. Coppery pink color, nose of strawberries and sweet spice (rather get that sandalwood idea!) followed by strawberry, crisp green apple. Minerals and crisp acidity in the finish which goes on. Nice package, and I think will improve. A real stunner. Giving an extra point for the delineation of flavors...well done!

5/25/2024 - lovanc@outlook.com wrote:

Thought that this was over the hill after opening but on day 2 it was bursting with an interesting combination of strawberry, and yeasty straw flavors.

5/25/2024 - tanduybui Likes this wine:

Elegant and refined but no complexity.

A medium body bottle still with lovely colour purity. On the nose, it ticks all the boxes of a fine cabernet sauvignon with cedar, pencil shaving, cassis and oak. Body, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. Very refined tannin and supple freshness but it has an empty soul, no core, i.e. nothing! Long finish to wrap up the show.

Drink now to 4+ years.

5/25/2024 - sstein19 Likes this wine:

Dark gold in color; almost honey. Nose of brioche, lemon, honeycomb, orange blossom, toasted almond, and a bit of caramel. Caramel flavor that goes right in to tart apple. A high end caramel apple. Some orange and honey sweetness. Smooth through the palate.

5/25/2024 - Combo wrote:

Immediately after opening: fruit faded into the distance and now overwhelmed by a thin acidity - appears we may be 10 years too late opening this. Will update after it’s had an hour or two to breathe

5/25/2024 - Dr. Bee Likes this wine:

At it's prime

5/25/2024 - SumCellar wrote:

When I first tasted this wine at the Summer’s tasting room more than a decade ago, the host spoke about how they had recently opened a 30 year old charbono and how wonderful it was. Well this wine is holding up well 18 years in as foretold. Still strong fruit, low tannins, a bit of sherry character.

5/25/2024 - Dr. Bee Likes this wine:

3 hr slow ox. This vintage is peaking believe it or not. All the key players are there. Drink up

5/25/2024 - ewasowicz Likes this wine:

A REALLY GOOD Chardonnay

Nose; Lemons, chalk
Taste: smooth, lemon, steel, light oak.

5/25/2024 - gmbdds wrote:

Lemon, cream and vanilla bean. High acidity gives this freshness to go with body. Fine stuff.

5/25/2024 - oldcabman Likes this wine:

So beautifully balanced, with black cherry, vanilla, crème de cassis and a long, detailed finish.
Won’t get any better - drink up!!!

5/25/2024 - DanyMorcos Likes this wine:

Cerises griottes, blueberries, blackberries violets and pot pourri.

Decent but lacking length.

5/25/2024 - englishman's claret wrote:

The 1990 Cos Labory is pleasant enough with a whisp of naturally ripe red berries but there’s not much else there. Whereas Brettanomyces might serve to obscure and anonymize a great wine, here’s an example where a tiny dose serves to add interest (in the way of smoked cigar and a little barnyard) to one that’s rather modest.

7/11/2017 - Mike Kopanski wrote:

My experience is the result of standing in the Rhône aisle at Total Wine when the staff person asked if I needed any help. Usually I say no, but this I didn’t much to my advantage. Surprising ripe full bodied dark red wine. Lots of earthy French stuff. Some vibrant maraschino cherry supported with evergreen, hemlock and menthol. Lively blackberry. sone grainy but well controlled tannins. Hints of cocoa powder and dark tea.

5/25/2024 - BottleScholar wrote:

Not sure of the percentages in the blend. M+ tannins are a touch grainy, rough, and mostly ripe. Purple fruit, light ash, and woody herbs.

5/25/2024 - Zins&Fins Does not like this wine:

Undrinkable.

5/25/2024 - TONOFBRIX wrote:

Lovely. No surmaturite, surprising given the vintage and producer. White pepper, sage, basil, smoked meats, lavender, pastille. Ready to drink but not on the decline.

5/25/2024 - denniswdern@gmail.com Likes this wine:

Deep ruby color, with some fading beginning to appear around the edges. Pronounced aromas of blackberries, plums, black olives, leather and charred wood. Soft to medium tannins, a nice, moderate amount of acidity, full bodied, high alcohol (but not at all hot). Pronounced flavors consistent with the aromas. Long finish.

I am really enjoying this wine. I think I opened it at right about the perfect time.

5/25/2024 - Divebrat wrote:

Fruit forward. I dont think age will improve this wine.
Not worth the price

5/25/2024 - goodvitis.com Likes this wine:

A lovely nose of sweet preserved lemon, slate, poached peach, Opal apple, and honeysuckle. Medium bodied with a plush, juicy acid of real precision. Flavors include lemon, tart pear, green apple, satsuma, and cranberry. This is quite good, and improves with a few hours of decanting. Just a bit of residual sugar. I imagine it's starting to open now and will be at its most expressive in five or so years.

5/25/2024 - Mandamus Likes this wine:

Reasonably good, but nothing exceptional. (Consumed with seafood and good company.)

5/25/2024 - The Guzz Likes this wine:

Bold round fruit. Lemon/lime citrus profile. Very open with good presence. Fruit is full on the palate tightening into a sweet citrus finish with very good length. A big wine but not showing exotic or hot.

5/25/2024 - robseconti@aol.com wrote:

I’ll agree with the previous reviews in that this is a really solid wine. There’s a definitive vegetal element to the nose and the palette but as one previous review said it’s in a good way! In addition to the vegetal hints in the nose, I also get eucalyptus on the nose as well as the palette which I really enjoy. Fine tannins finish the the medium to full body and add to the long finish. Open but not decanted for 90 minutes prior to enjoying with a grilled rib eye. Really enjoyed!