Vin d’Ottawa

9.1

My first taste is Switzerland’s Gamaret grape. Think Zinfandel but drier and more pepper. So happy to try this.

🇨🇭🇨🇭 — 3 months ago

with Gillian

Keith Pajonas

9.1

High class pinot. Feel guilty about drinking it so young, but didn’t taste green. Lovely with swordfish on the grill — 3 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.2

Hey, Delectable— this is the Visions 2018 North Coast Pinot, but the ID wasn’t available.

Unabashedly ripe and warm, but with a distinctive umami flavor (hoisin sauce?) that I’m really digging. Black cherry, black plum and even blue fruit on the nose and palette. Lovely satiny texture. Medium + finish.

Hedonistic in the way you’d expect from a winemaker mentored by the Wagners, but the suppleness and umami notes make this wine stand out in a sea of north coast Pinot Noir, and the absence of new oak lets the fruit do the taking. Perfect with chicken lettuce wraps and haricot verts smothered in Madeira mushroom cream sauce.

Owner/founder, Mac Macdonald, has been making his own California Pinot Noir for more than 25 vintages now and it shows. Side note: he’s also one of the better story tellers in the biz.

Initially sampled as part of a tasting with the #AAAV (Association of African American Vintners) and took the bottle home.
— 4 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.1

Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, coconut, dark chocolate, smoked ribs, forest floor, graphite, game, leather, sweet baking spices. Such an oak bomb but with loads of grilled meaty ashy charcoal. Wet crushed dark stones. Guilty pleasures. — 9 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

Sea breeze, lemon verbena, green melon, mineral (hint of flunky) and an almond/vanilla note.

Greek salad was one of the first foods I learned to “cook” for myself, and it’s still a go to for me: salty, crisp, simple, refreshing, much like this delightful Greek wine. And most of the time, that’s more than enough. Made from the much maligned Savatiano grape (for its unfortunate association with retsina). It reminds me more of a Gavi, (lower acid) Chablis, or Soave than Assyrtiko.

Also, the bird on the label is wearing a bowler hat which is fun. — 3 years ago

Gene Buonviri

8.9

Cannonau di Sardegna wines have been linked to heart health and have attracted attention for their association with longevity.
Cannonau grapes are thought to have originated on Sardinia and are the orgin of Grenache grapes. Taste the sunshine of Sardinia, red berries light finish of tannins and granite. Drink and repeat. — 4 years ago

Amy Huson

9.3

I ask for a sweet wine not from Jerez (Sherry) and she gives me a taste and says do you want a full glass? To this wine I say F*#& yes! Super acidity makes this drinkable as heck! Passion fruit, papaya, beeswax, honeysuckle and bitter orange notes on the nose and palate. Nice mouthfeel, with body yet super smooth. Paired with chocolate mousse and passion fruit ice cream, I am feeling extremely guilty and already planning my run for tomorrow morning! — 5 years ago

Dawn E.

9.5

Celebrating our 29th Anniversary! I am so guilty of opening wines before recommendations.. but I absolutely have zero regrets on this one! I absolutely love this and a huge thank you to @Eric L. for his recommendation on this wine! So many nuances in this glass! Tar, molasses, smoke, expresso, dark berries, red raspberries, licorice, bay leaf, graphite and oak! Positive I could keep tasting and add more notes! Super happy with this wine! — 2 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Already very balanced although still young. Association of Power and Finesse The fruit is still marked with well-melted light notes of oak. Deep concentrated notes of smoked ham, primary peppery and violette notes. Classic style. Beautiful gourmandise that will gain in wisdom with several years of cellar. 😋

Déjà très équilibré bien qu’encore jeune. Association de la puissance à la finesse. Le fruit est encore marqué soutenu par des notes d’élevages déjà bien fondues. Notes concentrée lardées fumées, notes primaires poivrées. Style classique. Belle gourmandise qui gagnera en sagesse avec plusieurs années de cave. — 3 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Still forward and upfront.
Guilty pleasure! — 5 years ago