Tom Casagrande

9.1

This is a delicious, if not the most complex, Grenache. Very fruity nose has plummy, kirschy rhubarb, and a wee bit of stony minerality. Intense and soft in the mouth. Super-fine tannins add some structure but noticeable alcohol detracts a bit. Very nice with food. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I tasted this at cork pull and it looked & tasted a bit brickish. Waited to decant but it still needed a hour in the decanter. 97 a great Napa vintage. Well stored bottle bought from auction.

The fruits are lush, velvety & ruby; blackberries, black plum, plum pudding, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, malt balls on the long decant, black licorice, there is a touch of v/a-bandaid but it’s not spoiling and dissipates some in time, dusty to slightly moist top soil, olive tapenade, herbaceous notes, soft, dark spice, half used, dry tobacco w/ ash, sandalwood, moist, grey volcanic clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, notes of black pepper, candied, liquid, fresh & mostly withering, dark, red, purple flowers, very round acidity and a very well balanced, tensioned, nicely structured and a smartly polished, round finish that lasts two-minutes.

Second wine to pair with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — 8 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When things are great, they’re worth redoing!

The Wagyu Ribcap & Rib Cover steaks comparison from Allen Brothers. The sell only the top 1% of beef.

The Barton is 100% steak wine.

Classic Caret even in a marginal vintage...Anthony to the rescue.

The body is medium to full & sails on the palate. Ripe & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, uncooked rhubarb with hue of raspberries. Cedar, sandstone/limestone, tobacco, leather, graphite, dry river stones, dark, rich, earth, licorice, dark cola, dark spice with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, moist clay, melted caramel & mocha, dark chocolate bar, black pepper with bright, candied, fresh, dark, red, purple & blue florals. the acidity is a gentle, cool to warm rain shower. The finish is, all St. Julien elegance, well intergraded, balanced, landing on earth & spice that is persistent for days. — 4 years ago

with Christina and James

Pooneet K

9.2

Very nice but not quite at the same level as the one we had a couple years ago. Certainly extremely Bordeaux in terms of typicity. Paired with some La boite peppercorn blend crusted wagyu filets from Allen brothers. Definitely ready to go, opened with cork pop for 3.5 hours and decanted for 1. — 4 months ago

Brett Banfield

9.1

Solid but don’t wait to drink it. 2008 on March 20th, 2022. Dusty leather on the nose, nice age. Dark fruit flavors w a hint of cherry in the finish with some late acidity. — 3 years ago

with Bobbi and Darby

James Rosenheim

9.0

With Nathanael. Bottle #2 of the case from brothers Dan and Andrew.
Wonderful with pasta and a medley of eggplant, onion, green tomatoes, and garlic, sautéed in olive oil. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

In 1879, 2 brothers decided to set up a wine business, C.V.N.E., Compañía Vinicola del Norte de España (Northern Spanish Wine Company) or la Cuné, as it is commonly known in Haro, was created and still kept in traditional neighborhood of Haro station today. Deep Ruby with ripe berry aromas and complex spices, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. On the palate blackberry, cherry and sweet currant with herb, leather and pepper spice. Fine tannins, well balanced good depth and structure on a long finish. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2004 vintage. Decanted with very little sed and tasted after 45 mins and 1.5 hours. Initial richness in the frontal palate but the mid-palate decided to nap. Finish glided along without speed bumps. Really nice but not great. 7.19.24. — 5 months ago

Nicole Ocasio

9.8

Born from stone, cloaked in elegance.
J & B Krupp — 8 months ago

Eric

9.4

My last -05 went with an Allen Brothers dry aged bone in roast. Incredible wine with plenty of road ahead. Bright rusty red fruit. The roast was amazing and blew more funk than any meat I’ve ever had. Great pairing. — 4 years ago