Jack Petras

9.2

This w 2021 Viognier is exceptional. Great balance between its vibrant acidity snd lush fruit and flowers. Having it in a Solvang Airbnb courtyard probably 30 miles away from where it is grown. A true classic. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Picked this up at Nickel & Nickel’s Entrecôte en Baguette Futures Tasting. Seems similar to the movie “Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade,” from the 15-16 reds we tasted, we chose the Sori Bricco wisely. 😂

The nose is very brooding. Big, dark, black ripe ruby & liqueured fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, poached strawberries & creamed raspberries. Dark chocolate, non distinctive baking spices, steep tea, limestone, bay leaf, sage, dark berry fruit cola, dark, rich soils, dark spice, dry crushed rocks, anise, dry tobacco leaf, graphite, dry twig, slightly, moist clay, volcanic ash, saddle-wood with fresh, candied; dark, red, purple flowers framed in lavender with accents of violets.

For a 13, the palate is nicely round & full. Still showing big dark, chewy & somewhat tarry tannins. It’s fresh, juicy, concentrated & gorgeous. This wine is delicious tonight but, my next bottle won’t be for another 6-7 years. It has big teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are good but, it will be at least 6-7 more years before they show their best. There is a sexy flow over the palate. Big, dark, black ripe ruby & liqueured fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, poached strawberries & creamed raspberries. Dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel notes, understated; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, steep tea, limestone, bay leaf, sage, dark berry fruit cola, dark, rich soils, dark Indian & Asian spice with palate heat, dry crushed rocks, anise, dry tobacco leaf, graphite, dry twig, pronounced, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, volcanic ash, saddle-wood with fresh, candied; dark, red, purple flowers framed in lavender with accents of violets. The acidity is round & excellent. For me, It holds the slightly higher ABV in check. The finish is; big, lush, ruby, nicely knitted & balanced elegant and slides into dark, tarry, chewy, silty, dusty tannins that persist minutes and then tailing off into dark spice.

This is easily a 20-25 year wine & perhaps more, properly stored of course.

Photos of; buffet of decanted Nickel & Nickel red wines (pretty sure the decanter buffet will go away after Covid), the branded archway you drive under to get to the property, courtyard pond & guests of the event enjoying lunch made to pair with their wines. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

Hard to beat this wine in this setting! Courtyard dining at TFL. October 2020 disgorgement is utter perfection with an ultra complex aromatic profile and chiseled palate with riveting energy and a seamlessly balanced expression of layered rich red berry fruit and chalky minerality. VO base with a touch of still Pinot from Francis Egly. Magic every time. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.

One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.

Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio. — 5 years ago

Corson Fidler

9.1

Nice medium bodied red with some spice, we loved sipping this in their courtyard with the grilled cheese, my chicken caprese sandwich, and out Italian chocolates dessert! — 5 years ago

with Kelly

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

All in at $50.

The nose shows; ruby, floral & candied fruits of; mulberries, gooseberries, ollallieberries, boysenberries blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries with raspberries hovering across the top. Grilled, savory meats, black pepper, dark spice, dark cola, dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, dark expresso grounds, sweet tarriness, older tobacco, very used leather, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, incense, ambers, dry tree sap, dry herbs-sage, bat leaf, eucalyptus notes, moist, forest floor, moist, grey clay with withering, fresh & candied florals that are; purple, dark, blue and red set in pronounced lavender & violets woven in.

The body is; full, lush, rich, round, juicy & velvety. It glides across the palate in total gorgeous elegance. The structure, tension, balance & length are at their high point with another 5-8 years of solid drinking with a few years beyond if you enjoy that later stage. I am one who doesn’t protest that part of the life cycle. The tannins are round, pulpy and are still meaty. Fruits are; ruby, touch jammy, floral & candied fruits of; mulberries, gooseberries, boysenberries, ollallieberries, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, blueberries with raspberries hovering across the top. Grilled, savory meats, black pepper, notes of Worcestershire sauce, dark combo of Indian & some Asian spices that bring heat, dark cola, dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, dark expresso grounds, sweet tarriness, older tobacco, oak barrel shaving dust, somewhat card toast, very used leather, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, incense, ambers, dry tree sap, dry herbs-sage, bay leaf, eucalyptus notes, moist, forest floor, moist, muddy, grey clay with withering, fresh & candied florals that are; purple, dark, blue and red set in pronounced lavender & violets woven in. The acidity is round & excellent. The finish is stunningly well knitted, balanced fruit & earth, elegant, gorgeous, that loads lush & juicy and falls on to deep spices persisting for days.

Photos of our April 2017 visit; the walk up to Two Hands, waterfall in their courtyard in the back, utility building & their stand up tasting bar right as you walk in.

Stunning example of what Australian Shiraz can be with the right patience.

1/9/21 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I did not get to write notes on the last three wines, just scores. We had to get to Russell Hamilton.

However, I wish I had been able to write them as these were the wines I was looking forward to spending some time on.

Peter & Andrew Allan of Crystallum are the third generation of winemakers and sons of the man who pioneered Pinot Noir winemaking in the Hemel-en-Aarde which; is what drew me to the region that is about another hour plus SE of Stellenbosch and a very good area to produce Pinot Noir.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose reveals beautiful dark, ruby, cassis. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum skin, hints of raspberries a cinnamon/spice blend, clove, dark rich soils, black licorice, sweet tarriness, a little tobacco, leathery notes, whiff of graphite, stones with fresh, dark, red, blue, purple flowers and violets.

The body is medium. The tannins round and powdery. The wine is gorgeously elegant & sexy. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum skin, hints of raspberries, cinnamon, spice blend, clove, dark rich soils, black licorice, sweet tarriness, a little tobacco, leathery notes, whiff of graphite, stones and fresh, dark, red, blue, purple flowers and violets. The acidity is ridiculous. The well polished, balanced finish is simply sexy & gorgeous.

Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 5 years ago