Alan smith

9.1

A small-production Russian River Cabernet that has enough layered fruit to be an enjoyable drinker, with enough complexity and richness to keep it from being boring.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes from Tara Bella’s estate vineyard in Russian River Valley, Sonoma. Vineyard is planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon, specifically Clone 4/Mendoza and Clone 7/Wente.
No published professional ratings or oak regime info.
Ripe raspberry, blueberry, black cherry, cassis, eucalyptus, cocoa, mocha, and rich oak.
I love Tara Bella and have found opinions tend to diverge strongly.
— 10 days ago

Alan smith

8.9

Alan had this 11 years ago

with Chris

Alan smith

9.1

Refined and polished dark fruit Anglianico with good freshness.

WA93, JS93, AG92.

100% Aglianico.

Grapes from Mirabella Eclano, Irpinia with clay and volcanic soils.

Aged 12 months in oak barrels, about 1/3 new oak per Quintodecimo tech sheet.

Firm, refined tannins.

BlackBerry, blueberry, pepper, tobacco, savory herbs, oak. — 11 days ago

Alan smith

9.4

Probably my favorite Sangiovese so far.

Nose is expressive - cherry, plum, graphite, spice, lavender.

Tastes like cherry and dark fruit, minerals, tobacco.

Full bodied, rich and intense.

With age it probably will live up to the multiple 96+ professional reviews. — 12 days ago

Alan smith

9.4

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec.

22 months in 50% new French Oak. 14.5% ABV.

OB94, WE93.

This tastes more like a Left Bank Bordeaux than a straight Cab. It is thoroughly enjoyable with buoyant fruit, lively acids and rich oak.

BlackBerry, cherry, cloves, black tea, heaping of spices, rich integrated oak.

Equal parts fun and serious. Good Walla Walla red wine. — 11 days ago

Alan smith

9.5

Luxurious, silky, vibrant Bordeaux style red blend at its peak.
OB97, WA 93-95 (barrel sample).

85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.

9 barrel limited production.
15.1% ABV.

Creme de cassis, blackberry, black currant, mocha, graphite, anise, tobacco leaf, black tea, Rutherford dust, charcoal, and cigar box. Just beginning to show signs of age.

This is an opulent, plush and silky wine with stronger tannins that has a sophisticated mouthfeel with vibrant and perfectly balanced acids. — 12 days ago