Fabio Franchella

9.3

Perfect balance between fruitness, leaves, acidity and my mood here at this tiny, fine Osteria in Faenza — 4 months ago

with Kathrin

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Medium dark rubi robe, cant explain but beautiful color. Does not betray the 18 years. Amazing nose of crushed flowers and a constellation of spices. Medium bodied, complex, borderline acidity, its a very compelling wine. Finish is not perfect thanks to the vintage. This is one hell of a great bottle and a textbook sample of this phenomenal wine. We love this dearly !! — 3 years ago

with Adriana

S.S. Mandani

9.4

Honey, roses, apricot. Rosewater and shea butter. Creamy and flowery. Pure and pretty bouquet.

Pink orange hue. Just the perfect amount of carbonation. Fizzles off with just a bit of flowery sweetness. Beautiful, fun to drink wine that made us both smile as we enjoy our new apartment in downtown Manhattan overlooking the constellation of city lights south to north scattershot across the island that will once again, soon enough, sleep no more. — 4 years ago

Ming L

9.0

A collaboration with High West Distillery out of Utah - both are owned by Constellation Brands, this is a curious blends of 53% Zinfandel, 24% Sangiovese, 18% Petite Sirah, 5% Viognier, aged in combination of new and used barrels, 29% of which are used bourbon barrels.

Plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, caramel, nutmeg, and hint of cigar box. Rich, supple, and velvety palate. Long mellow finish. 15.9% abv is well concealed. Might not for everyone, but really well made. — 4 months ago

Shay A

9.2

Last of my bottles. This has a profile that seems to allow for early drinking, and the tannin and acidity here don’t make me regret finishing these (though I’m sure this will be just fine for 5+yrs in this type of profile).

Between a 92-93 here. One of my bottles poured for a big Paso theme (2010 Epoch Block B, 2015 Torrin Akashi, 2012 Saxum JBV, and others), this was close to pop and pour. When I first had this two years ago, it had a reductive/smoked meat profile on the nose that has disappated. Aromatics show lots of black cherry, black raspberries, amaretto, baking spices and espresso. Quite perfumed. The palate is juicy and lush, with more high toned black fruits, cedar, a roasted character and a lip smacking jamminess on the finish. Unabashedly Paso.

As an aside, it’s crazy how these can be found around $50 now after Constellation bought this label out...I paid $75! Good value at $50, not so good at $75. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Wonderful past weekend enjoying some lake time with my family. These TX summers are brutal, but some relaxation by the lake always helps!

My first time trying this and after hearing the recent news (Constellation has investment in Booker now, as well as this wine has dropped from $50 to $30 and My Favorite Neighbor has dropped from $70 to $50), this is pretty killer juice for the price. A blend of 65% cab, 20% Syrah, and rounded out by equal parts petit Verdot, Malbec and petite Sirah. Inky, dark, fresh squeezed fruits abound. Aromatically, it showed spice cake, cinnamon, and baked mixed berry pie. The Malbec and petite Sirah show up on the palate with a hint of licorice and black pepper spice. Charcoal, cedar and grilled blackberries. It’s rich and decadent with a big finish. Paired perfectly with marinated skirt steak. — 4 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Charles, er Constellation, good job — a year ago

with TwiLea

Rob N

9.0

Swiss chasselas — crisp and enjoyable for the price. 16.50 CHF. — 2 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.4

a constellation of factors came together such that I opened this young bottle—recent acquisition of 6 more bottles, the memory of 1990 Comtes on release, a Galloni post on Delectable touting the wine, and a thirst for quality champagne.

Delicious and more open than 08 Dom today, it’s not real creamy but has super balance and drive, delicious fruit, very expansive on the palate as it warms. Each glass gets better. Sweet midpalate fruit that is dense but not weighty, incredible persistence on the palate, really a wow.
— 4 years ago

Max Kelly

9.5

This was fascinating to follow as it changed over the 9+ hours from decanting to the last drop. Initially funky and volatile, it turned hard and ferric, dried out with no fruit around two hours in. Then gradually opening up, with sweet dark berry fruit, leather and a ferric frame. Over the ensuing hours blood and game, iron, earth, and rosemary/minty notes came and went in a changing constellation of flavors. Still delicious on the last drop, showing a little tannic grip despite 40 years of age. Thanks to Chambers Street Wine for the great recommendation. — 5 years ago