John Martin

Nickel & Nickel

John C. Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Wow! Had to buy a few more bottles 😍
Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry, red currant, herbs and baking spices. Perfectly balanced, red and black fruit with an oak finish.

🏅95 Points - James Suckling
— 7 days ago

Ted, Douglas and 16 others liked this

Crous St Martin

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2018

[80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre] Quite ripe and youthful, red fruits mostly, a touch of heat (14.5% ABV), but an enjoyable CdP nonetheless. — 17 days ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Dave, Tom and 4 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

I would call a 14.5 CDP “restrained” these days, and quite rare
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Tom Casagrande, sadly, I totally agree!!

Foxen

John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

2021 vintage. Medium body. Plenty of earthiness and frontal fruity chunk that both set the tone and hung out all day. Foundation good but back-end finish, while definitely there, lacking the oomph that other vintage/versions have thrust out there. Vineyard getting replanted currently and will be completely out of the Foxen pantheon in the near future. Other (SRH) vineyards stepping up and in. 09.03.25. — 2 months ago

Tom, Pinotman and 8 others liked this

John Duval Wines

Entity Barossa Valley Shiraz 2017

A perfect balance between oak and fruit (blackberry) from this Barossa Shiraz. Great winemaking from John Duval who has quite the CV. John was Chief Winemaker at Penfolds from 1986 until 2002 being only the 3rd custodian of Penfolds Grange after Max Schubert (creator of Grange) and Don Ditter. In 2020 this wine received Shiraz of the Year and 99 points from the James Halliday Wine Companion. The product of old vines in the Barossa. Luscious but in balance and overall - delicious. — 19 days ago

Aravind, Shay and 19 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

John is a very nice guy and an excellent Winemaker. Tasted with him at Taste of Barossa in 2018.

Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Increíble cab de Napa, redondo en Boca , frutas negras, en nariz no le hace justicia, excelente vino! Entre más dure en copa se descubre más intensidad y desarrolla ma notas interesantes ! — a month ago

Rustenberg

John X Merriman Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2007

8/2025. Very nice cab Merlot blend. Nice flavor and finish. Nice on the palate. — 3 months ago

Ted, Robin and 1 other liked this

Gramercy Cellars

John Lewis Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2008

Shay A
9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush.
— 23 days ago

Joseph, Tom and 19 others liked this

John Duval Wines

Plexus Shiraz Blend 2021

This Aussie GSM was much richer than most Rhône wines that I’ve enjoyed - more red fruit and compote. Enjoyable albeit not overly complex. — 15 days ago

Ceritas

Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Decent but could use a little more oomph — 3 months ago

Tom, Pooneet and 5 others liked this