A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

9.4

Poured into a decanter about two hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity and significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a lovely mix of dark and red fruits, cassis, black and red brambles, tobacco, eucalyptus, leather, cedar box, green herbs, some cocoa, and beautiful baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The texture is silky, in fact, down right sexy. Brilliantly balanced. This is a profoundly sensual wine and one of the best young Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve had in many years. These will age for a very long time and I can only imagine how epic the 2021 Terrace Select is going to be. Drink now with an extended decant and through 2051+. — 20 days ago

Tom, Douglas and 12 others liked this

Jay Kline

@Douglas Braun worth seeking out. I think their Cabernet’s are as good as any in California.

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Go back with the Rafanelli Cabs to the 1988 vintage. Always workmanlike, solid and with plenty of rusticity/authenticity. Have consistently placed them at the top of Sonoma Cabs. Only producer from Sonoma I found that topped them consistently was the old Laurel Glen Sonoma Mountain Cabs with Patrick Campbell at the helm...and his Cabs were a definite ringer in CA Cab tastings. Sadly, that property doesn't seem to fire in the same way in my semi-frequent tasting visits. Rafanelli Cabs are a welcome change from the flightiness of the Napa brethren. Have zero experience with the reserve/select offerings as they are rarely seen in these parts.

Jay Kline

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego those Rafanelli’s from the 80’s are still holding strong too. In fact, the 1988 was awesome this past spring when I presented it as part of a vertical spanning three decades of their Cabernet.

Edmunds St. John

Rocks and Gravel Dry Creek Valley Grenache Blend 2014

Matt Perlman

9.3

Second to last vintage of this wine that Steve Edmunds produced. It was special before he decided to hang things up and even more so now. Cali GSM with true old world sensibility — a month ago

Tom, Ben and 10 others liked this

Ravines Wine Cellars

Dry Finger Lakes Riesling 2020

Jason Sliwa

9.2

Riesling, not Gewurtztraminer. Very good Riesling from the finger lakes - Eli’s find. @Eli Barton — 7 days ago

with Eli

Dr. Konstantin Frank

Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2022

Ash Anderson

9.0

Fresh honeycrisp apple, pear, melon and lemon zest. Hint of petrol with nice floral notes as well. Medium minus body and medium plus acid. My favorite Finger Lakes Riesling so far! — a month ago

Dönnhoff

Tonschiefer Dry Slate Riesling 2022

Brian Hearty

9.2

2022. Citrusy lime and lemon with subtle mineral and medium acidity. Paired great with homemade mulligatawny soup. — a month ago

Anthony and Aravind liked this

Pewsey Vale Vineyard

Individual Vineyard Selection Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2023

Alan Johnston

9.3

3.3. We don’t usually drink Riesling, but this dry Riesling from Australia was a gift from a friend, and we very much enjoyed it with cheese and crackers before dinner. — a month ago