Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

As I have said, Charles Hendricks is my favorite new world winemaker for Malbec. This 12 is perfect with chocolate truffles.

Many would not get this blind. They would call Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux blend.

It is around its precipice. Ripe, juicy, lush fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, strawberries, blueberries, mocha powder, dark chocolate to chocolate mousse, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, dry top soil, moist to dry clays, tumbleweed, some light dry herbs, chard barrel shavings, dark spices, black tea, black licorice, dark cola, dry, crushed limestone/rocks, leather, dry tobacco, dark, withering flowers, liquid violets-lavender, grand, round, acidity, well; balanced, structured, tensioned with a polished/elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on spice & dry earthiness. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

My second bottle of five. This better than the first. I can tell you I didn’t pay $150 as shown on Delectable.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, dark dry cherries, poached strawberries, some raspberries & blueberries. Soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, steeped tea, dry top soil, crushed, powdery limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, whiff of pepper, mixed darker berry licorice/cola, forest floor w/ dry leaves, bay leaf, old, used leather, dry tobacco w/ some ash, dry brush/tumbleweed, spice, withering yet brightly floraled, red, dark, blue and liquid violets.

The palate fruits are, still ripe & juicy; floral; blackberries, black raspberries, dark dry cherries, poached strawberries, touch of purple fruits, some raspberries & blueberries. Soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, steeped tea, celery, dry top soil, crushed, powdery limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, hints of pepper, mixed darker berry licorice/cola, forest floor w/ dry leaves, bay leaf, old, used leather, dry tobacco w/ some ash, mushrooms tones, muddy grey volcanics & clay, dry river stone, dry brush/tumbleweed, spice, withering yet brightly floraled, red, dark, blue and liquid violets, rainfall acidity, the finish is amazingly well structured & tensioned, balanced, elegant, nicely polished finish that lasts minutes falling onto spice & minerals.

Style & age 94. Technically 93. — 2 years ago

Richard Fadok

9.0

Fruity, low acidity, refreshing — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

There is an origins story for me w/ this producer. You can read about it by clicking my post from 55 weeks ago.

This bottle fazed between 92-94 while enjoying. I opened it and let it breathe in bottle for 45 minutes and then decanted it in stages…a 1/3, 1/3 & 1/3. I believe that was the right decision.

This 97 still has not ridden off into the sunset, it is just the other side of its peak. 28 yrs from creation & 26 yrs in bottle. I look at a Cabernet/reds from when it went into bottle vs its birth yr. All my opening decisions are made from that point. Humans don’t count their time in womb, I see wine similarly.

The fruits are still beautiful & its evolution is amazing. There is a core of dark currants surrounded by cassis. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with heavy skin, black cherries, secondary; raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Cherry cola/licorice. Dark spices w/ a touch of heat-hard to find better, moist clays, soft, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark chocolate baking bar, mocha powder, caramel, anise to black licorice, dryish tobacco with ash, used leather, dry crushed rocks, limestone powder, volcanic ash, fire ambers, saline, some black pepper, tumbleweed, dry river stone, black tea, very lightly grilled pork, florals for days that are; dark, red, blue, lavender framed in violets, perfect acidity with a great balance, well structured/tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on dry earth & spice as it long sets. Wonderful style!

To quote Robert Lewis Stevenson, “Wine is Bottled Poetry!” — 15 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The better steak wine over the 2009 Ormes de Pez but, not the more beautiful, elegant wine.

The 2010 Rioja marries the Wagyu Ribcap while showing its Ranchero characteristics.

The palate shows tumble-weed, tannin fruits that are; brambly, ripe, slightly candied; blackberriesblack raspberries, dry, dark cherries with skin, ruby, black plums, very w/ ripe strawberries. Tumbleweed, straw, dark spice, tough leather, clove, sage, dry clay & top soil, crushed rocks, black pepper, dark, berry cola, mint, oak barrel powder, used charcoal with candied florals that are fresh & withering; dark, red, purple & blue. The acidity is top flight. The long finish is well balanced fruit & earth, persisting nicely falling onto earth & dark spices.

Photos of; Margues de Murrieta & vines, large oak vats and their wine shop.

1/15/21 — 5 years ago

Erin Sweeney

9.8

58% petite sirah and 42% Syrah. House mountain vineyard — 6 years ago

Kevin Brozek

9.1

Like a Tyler Warren tuddy? This is just automatic. Letting the chips fall where they may this weekend. Drink up JK Dobbins, drink up! — 2 months ago

Simon Floyd

9.0

Lovely soft red with hint of spice — 4 months ago

Maria Roots

9.0

Good with Thai food — 3 years ago

P A

9.2

Tumbleweed IPA produced by Lewis & Clark Brewing Company Helena, MT. Voted the best IPA in Montana. 7.7 alc/vol. — 6 years ago