Adam Baker

9.3

Wine from chime. Drank for Christmas Eve dinner at dads - 2022. Light and fruit forward, but as it’s opening the earthiness is coming out. Very good. — 2 years ago

with Chris, Brud and 1 other

Paul J

9.6

It’s Neal so of course it’s insane! 30+ minute decant and could use more. Dark purple color. Strong nose of cedar, smoke, and tar. Wine has excellent texture, lovely dark fruit, and nice smoke. Medium finish. Great wine, but not sure it’s worth double the cost of the standard Neal Cab. Probably .1 or 1pt higher than the standard Neal Cab. Begs the general question of what is .1 or 1pt worth? I’ll chime in at $25, but it’s definitely not linear by any means. Neal is amazing!! — 6 years ago

with Brooke

Michael Tobin

9.3

This is very tasty! Good value. — 7 years ago

Martin Riddett

9.0

Great meal and a good wine to go with it. — 8 years ago

David Koenen

9.0

Fresh, lip smacking acidity, saltiness and candied lemon. White pepper and chalky mineral chime in at the end. A great appetizer. — 3 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

I never ever get tired of this...

Very deep dark dried fruits. Medium plus bodied stellar notes of old blueberries, raisin, settled wood, but with something still fresh. Dessertish--- without the sugar. It rings caramel, but again it's tough to pinpoint. So many other Gran Riservas post meat and animal.notes, but not this. It's delicate and delicious. I still have half a case so I will continue to chime in....

92+ points — 6 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

My notes on this from May of 2017 still apply. Popped and poured. Drank well over two days. Immediately this wine impresses visually. Sure, the color is an expected deep garnet but what's most striking is the fact that it's never completely opaque at the core. You can just barely get the faintest amount of light to see through it. It's quite beautiful, really. The nose is initially a bit reticent but a few minutes of air in the glass does the trick and then it really begins to show off the most lovely perfume of mixed red and dark fruit; so fresh and pure with just a flash of garrigue. No perceptible heat on the nose. On the palate it's a veritable wonder of berries, Rainier cherries, black berry liqueur, and just a touch of fine white pepper. The body is perfectly proportioned and the finish lasts for over 30 seconds. In summary, this is an incredibly balanced 2010 CdP that is already hitting its prime. Personally, I felt it was really at its very best about two hours in which leaves me to believe it should be a great pop and pour for the next couple of years and potentially has the balance to be great for longer. That being said, there is no need to decant, just pull the cork, pour and enjoy the evolution in the glass. The hard part is allowing it to last for two hours and longer. It should be noted that this is dangerously quaffable wine and it wouldn't be hard to take the whole thing to the head. Might as well drink these sooner than later as I'm always a bit wary of CdP much beyond the 10 year mark, where I tend so find many of them fall apart on the palate. Perhaps others with more experience in the long-term ageing of CdP can chime in though. Absurd value at $30.

As a side note, this paired very nicely with pan fried pork savory bacon wrapped filet mignon. — 7 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

90 minute decant. Very deep ruby. Earth, soil, licorice, white pepper, most primary fruit has passed. Some subtle root vegetable, and ash. Super hot alcoholic burn. Full bodied. Medium acidity. Smooth yet firm tannins. Medium plus finish.

Compared to the Crianza earlier, to me, this is only marginally better. I craved leather and tobacco, but couldn't find it. No meat or barnyard funk. Moreover, the alcohol.puts it a bit out of balance.

In short, the nose on this wine is better, but the palate of the Pesquera wins. I'll give the nod + to the Prado Enea--past vintages have offered much more (leather, coffee, meat)

92+ points

UPDATE: Listen, I can't do it. This wine is not better than the 2015 Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza. It's just not. I have both glasses in front of me. The former is hot and choppy, and latter is round and the secondary oak notes are balancing it perfectly.

Lesson learned: this is an example of how you can easily waste 30+ dollars.

Back down to 92 points. The other gets the bump to 92+. Thanks for listening!!!

Maybe @Antonio Galloni can chime in on this one?! — 4 years ago

Frank Rotello

9.0

Had this in my cellar for 5 years. Forgot who brought it for me at a party. Surprisingly refreshing. Light bodied and fruity. Full dry with smooth tannins. Reminds me of a Provençal style — 7 years ago

William Langley

9.0

Heady nose with graphite, smoke, and cherry. On the palette the red fruits chime in with a hint of mintiness. At ten years this wine still has legs. The Mariner is a testament to what meritage is in Dry Creek. — 8 years ago