Sharon B

9.3

Delicious lager! A beer and a burger out by the pool for lunch today 🍺🍔 @Delectable Wine this is the American Lager thanks! — a year ago

James Forsyth

9.4

It's 1945 in Pauillac... the First Growth Mouton Rothschild celebrates the victory year with an innovative label, drawn by the artist Philippe Jullian, setting into motion a tradition synonymous with the famous estate. The vintage is considered one of the best on record and this Pauillac wine perhaps the pick of the year. Seventy years later a large format of the 1945 Mouton Rothschild becomes one of the most expensive bottles ever sold. It is stuff of legend, "immortal" no less. Down the road Château Croizet-Bages was doing its thing, making tasty wines without fanfare. A bottle of their 1945 found its way into my hands via Darren Scott of Red Room, Austin's excellent speakeasy/wine bar. The fill was almost into the belly. Not a good sign. I was expecting a dud for sure but that's part of the fun with these wines. You roll the dice, winning is an upside not to be expected. The sommelier approached the bottle with caution. (As an aside, all restaurants should have Durands on hand for older bottles.) My heart was in my mouth as the cork was prized from the bottle with a normal waiter's corkscrew. It came out in one piece, a stained but solid cylinder of promise. I tried it. Certainly a little dusty but with underlying freshness and even a hint of ripe, dark fruit. Tobacco, Earl Gray tea and coffee were present. The finish was long. The wine retained vibrancy even at its grand age. The 1945 Croizet-Bages was a gem, in part because of the low expectations, in part because of its proximity (temporal and geographical) to a legend, but mostly because it was just plain delicious. — 7 years ago

Eric Hwang

9.6

I've walked thru Balistreri vineyard out by Freestone. Beautiful ocean views and spectacular fruit. Five different Dijon clones and 70% new French oak give this a complexity that exceeds the price. Extracted yet lighter bodied. Tony Austin's efforts paid off. — 9 years ago

Mari Clemmer

9.3

Smooth, love the taste, perfect for gatherings. — 5 years ago

K B

8.9

Reliably refreshing & delicious. Clean & crisp. — 6 years ago

Adam Corey

9.5

One of Austin's favorite and now I know why. #adoptedfamily — 8 years ago

Jason Chien

9.3

Melbourne dinner — 9 years ago

with Tim

WineMascot

9.7

Maybe some of Austin's best work, 2014 — 6 years ago

Steve Bozich

9.0

Nice to find a bargain, when Trace, in Austin's W Hotel is charging $120 for a Penner-Asch (spelling?) Pinot Noir. A little one note, but probably the best bargain on the wine list ( other than Gruet Sparkling Rose at $44!). Nice dried berries, chocolate, a hint of licorice. OTOH, the local Waterloo gin is a really nice floral gin. Lavender. Makes for a nice, if different, martini. — 7 years ago

Rob Sonogan

8.9

What a surprise for the price point. Great fruit for a young Pinot and smooth as any on the finish. — 9 years ago