Jay Kline

9.2

First pour of this and I was like, “uh-oh”. It was clearly full of flaws (Brettanomyces, VA and maaaaybe some slight TCA) but would they be too much to appreciate the wine? Only time would tell so into the decanter it went. After a lot of air, it became clear this was Brett and VA. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) with notes of blackberries, umeboshi, animale, purple flowers, black pepper, red Flintstone vitamin, horse blanket, wood varnish, and sous bois. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. An elegant, complicated bottle. This is my second time with the 1997 vintage and due to the flaws, a different adventure than previous. That being said, this decidedly grumpy, Burgundian expression of Clape’s Cornas paired really well with the dry-aged steaks. Drink now, with a lot of patience, through 2037? — 2 months ago

Ed Chin

9.0

Not really complex just a solid mid week bottle with tertiary notes coming into play. — 7 months ago

Matt

9.4

Love the high Merlot % this vintage has. There’s a plushness and supleness to the tannin that really impressed. With age the Merlot really bringing that core of sweet stewed red plum. Long, elegant, completely intact, very well-stored bottle. — 3 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Posted this bottle before. All I’ll say is how well it’s aged. This isn’t going anywhere yet I can’t resist drinking it at this stage. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Nose has blackberry jam spread on older, tanned leather, under-ripe cherry, green CT Valley tobacco, ripe blueberry, whole vanilla bean and wet soil.

Palate has dried blackberry, ripe black cherry, slight oak barrel notes, unsweetened blueberry jam with just a touch of (alcohol, only 13.3%) heat on a long, satisfying finish. Tannins are mostly resolved, can hold this bottle until a 30th birthday under proper storage conditions, but our last bottle.

Beautiful wine, fantastically paired with a Belgian-style beef stew over top of Parmesan polenta. — 6 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

Upgrade to 9.2 after one year. Gigantic evolution between uncorking and pouring the last drop (+/- 5 hours). Everything is getting clear. So probably in one year just perfect. And guess what: as always it will be my last bottle...🤦‍♂️ — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Estate pours a bright, yellow/green color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical fruit: pineapple, passion fruit, star fruit, lemon curd, almonds, toasted marshmallow, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2035+. Bottle No. 9032/12960 — 3 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 9 months ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

The Salvador vnd from contra costa is always one of my favorite turley wines. So expressive from those sandy soils.
On the nose it could be nothing other than zin. It is so suave and silky. Not a hard edge to be found. Just a really easy and pleasing bottle of wine. Like a living poet, it requires little fanfare. — 4 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.4

Classic cab. Delicious on the nose, mellow tannins but still well structured. Layers of cassis and red fruit. Nice acidity to balance. Long finish. I love this wine. I decanted, but this wine jumps right out of the bottle. Occasion: Major deal closed in the Covid19 Testing Space. — 6 years ago

Luciana Plaas

9.0

Creamy bottle — 7 years ago

with Carlos

Mike Evans

9.3

Ripe Meyer lemon and minerals with great acidic cut with a tart finish. Outstanding and much fresher than the last bottle I had. — 7 years ago

Dave Parker

9.1

Pretty but needs time in the bottle — 8 years ago

Michael Dierberg

9.5

This one had signs of seepage on it so I opened it planning on throwing it out. What an amazing wine and so fresh! Maybe another bottle seeped on to this one? — 4 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Medium ruby color. Aromas of curry, cardamom, cherry and strawberry. Strawberry flavors, toasted oak, raspberry and black tea. Very interesting Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. Bottle #32187

🏅94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast — 4 months ago

David Shaw

9.0

Last bottle of vintage — 2 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.5

Grassy but also slightly oaky nose, crisp apple, slight hints of yeast or baked goods, maybe brioche. Color is pale, almost clear green, with golden highlights blended in and out, depending on the angle. Acidity is still zingy with a tartness that tightens long after the sip is swallowed. Beautifully balanced, vegetal finish, that lingers up to a slight mineral freshness. Awesome, but could for sure benefit from some aging to see what’s possible. Beautiful Chardonnay, will give Chablis a run for its money any day. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Wanting to open one of these for a friend who is a fan, I pop and poured half the bottle, then corked and enjoyed the rest later in the evening.

I had the D&R Rodnick Mourvèdre early this year and was a bit underwhelmed. This Evangelho was much more lively, fresh and floral. This reflects much more of the D&R style (carbonic flair, crunchy bright fruits) than it does varietal (not meaty/savory in any way). Translucent purple in the glass with violets and sweet carbonic aromatics. The palate sports underripe blue and black fruits up front but the finish turns very herb crusted black cherry and dried cranberry. Zippy acidity. Fun and easy to drink. — 5 years ago

Hayden B. Oothout

9.5

Outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon from a reputable Santa Cruz vineyard. Double decanted for an hour. This vintage is light but bold at the same time. Only clocking in at 13.1%. It is thin on the palette but structured. Good tannin structure, light red fruit, minimal oak and charming acidity. After 10 years in the bottle, this vintage is just waking up. Luckily I have 2 more bottles in my cellar. After the first glass, your palette really adjusts to the light but subtle flavors. Don’t drink this after a big, bold wine. This should be the first wine you consume. Drink now with decanting or age for 20 more years. — 7 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.2

Clear, light lemon yellow

Clean, medium intense notes of white floral, stones, clay, lemon, beeswax. Soft and pretty nose.

Dry, medium acid body and alcohol (13.2% ABV). Flavors of lemon, mild apricot, mineral. Finish is a medium+

Very good, and would love to revisit this vintage in the future. Brie & apricot pizza.

Would be interested to see a Roussanne+Marsanne collaboration with Donkey & Goat (Skin Fermented Marsanne)

NOTES: “Most of the wine was fermented and aged in a clay Amphorae with the remainder in barrel.” — 8 years ago