Bob McDonald

9.4

A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

You would never pick this as a 26 year old red wine from the colour. A rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. This has the Penfolds DNA of ripe plum, mocha, coffee bean and chocolate - a trace of liquorice. The palate is medium plus weight, balanced and harmonious maintaining that core strength. Those initially firm tannins have become supple. Drinking at its peak but could stay on this plateau for a couple more years. My last bottle of the 96 but I still have a few more bottles of the Bin 707 from 1996 which was a huge wine. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2014 Trotanoy has a more complex bouquet than the 2014 Gazin, with more Pomerol DNA in the mix, iron-tinged red berry fruit, black truffle and cedar. Fine delineation and quintessentially Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and harmonious, soy-tinged black fruit with white pepper sprinkled over the finish. This has personality and class but needs time (comme d'habitude). One of the standouts in what is an inconsistent Pomerol vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— 6 months ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.5

This is the 20th release of this wine and has the Pisoni DNA written all over. Always a bit shy on the nose at first, a few minutes of aeration do the trick and reveal well defined, fresh aromas of violets, red and black cherries, forrest strawberry, dried herbs, cola and wood smoke. The lively acidity balances the fruit concentration and the ripe, fine grained tannins neatly frame this medium to full bodied anniversary vintage. Drink now until 2032. — 2 years ago

Andrea Silverstein

9.2

Surprisingly one of the best Cabs I’ve had under $20. So good, will stock up if I see any, next time I’m at TJ’s! — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Birth year wine for my daughter and since we had some family over and I had a couple bottles of this, I figured it might be fun to check in on it. The cork pulled perfectly with a thick cake of sediment on the end but no sign of creep. The wine pours the deepest of ruby colors, bordering purple. The core is completely utterly opaque with moderate staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity and there is quite a bit of fine sediment clinging to the side of the glass. High intensity on the nose with an enormous amount of ripe fruits: dark cherries, spices and the most charming kiss of Brett giving it a slightly rustic sort of sensibility while remaining unmistakably New World. This just has Rafanelli’s DNA all over it. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (which is fairly well integrated at this point) and medium+ acid. Drop dead gorgeous fruit, some of it desiccated, confirming the dark cherries with some dark brambles mixed in for good measure along with baking spice, leather, and pipe tobacco. A wonderfully long finish and the texture gorgeous, completely enthralling. This vintage is voluptuous, sexy and real. Ready to drink now however it should drink very well over the next 5-10 years. The last glass was full of fine sediment. — 3 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

I loooove to look to Chartreuse for color references because it's a hell of a pretty shade. But its a prettier, maybe legendary taste and smell and this little humble library Muscat from Oregan has two copies of green ferry DNA.

Vegetal peppery herbs - arugula, sage, thyme, lemongrass, mint, marijuana, pine. Wild flowers and candied orange liquor. Perfumed green vibes with sweet undertones.

Familiar, complex, mystical magic. — a year ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

There was a sense of disappointment with each waft of petrol aroma from the glass. It just shouldn’t be there in a Riesling this young, and especially in one from KP. Clearly the journey taken by this bottle hasn’t been the kindest on its condition. Nevertheless, the DNA of KP’s Kirchspiel still shone through - the regal elegance, palpable minerality, and youthful tannic tartness. Discounting the infuriating petrol note, it was all ripe citrus fruits, herbs, chalk, salt, chalk, salt, chalk and more salt. It was just so mineral, and even more so on day two! I do like it, but I can’t help but feel robbed of the full enjoyment of this wine due to the petrol notes (doubly so when you consider how long I’ve craved for KP’s wines - nearly a year since my last fix). Onwards to a better bottle! — 2 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.3

Blackberry, plum fruit and aromas of spring flowers are supported by a subtle touch of road tar and graphite in the airy nose.
Palate is a great combo of red and black fruits with precise mineral tone, lithe tannins supported by vibrant acidity. Plum minerals and freshness lead the way on the finish. One of the freshest St Joe expressions I have had from the domaine. Shares a lot of vintage dna with their 2011 L’Ermitage Rouge. Drink now for its bright fruit but based on the wines balance I see upside over the next 3 to 5 years. — 3 years ago

Paul T HB

9.6

New to Barolo, definitely a 2nd day wine in its youth. Much better than last nights glass,

James Suckling 98
"The fruit feels so comfortable here, in the ripe-red zone; it ranges from cherry kernel to chocolate-coated red plums to glazed cherries. Integrated hints of bark and sandalwood. Full-bodied with strapping tannins and muscular, imposing structure and power. Notwithstanding, everything is in striking balance and delivered with remarkable precision and grit."

Wine Advocate 97
"The Damilano 2016 Barolo Cannubi shows depth and a profound nature. This is the DNA of the Cannubi cru, maybe the most celebrated in the appellation with mildly compact, well-draining sandy soils (actually, a mix of 45 sand, 35 silt and 20 clay, to be precise). These conditions contribute to the dark concentration and the firm textural support found here. These assets are particularly apparent in this classic vintage. Dark fruit and dried cherry cede to earthy truffle and licorice. Of these various single-vineyard expressions, the tight tannins on this Cannubi definitely suggest a long drinking window. This wine is my favorite in this flight from Damilano, and this vintage of 40,000 bottles is distinguished by its sheer excellence." — 3 years ago