Wulf Losee

9.4

2017 opened 2024. Lovely! Juniper, rosemary and blackberries on the nose. Succulent black fruit on the front, but the tannic structure doesn’t let this wine become insipid. Almost immediately I tasted the high notes of the distinctive Law estate calcaire. Its tannic structure is full and silky smooth and full. High and low notes play counterpoint on the mid palate and the finish. Low notes of dark chocolate. Mineral high notes—flint and limestone—that continue vibrating on the extremely-long finish.

I generally avoid 100% Syrah, because like pure Merlot it can tend to be one-dimensional and uninteresting without the addition of other grapes. But Intrepid breaks out of the Syrah mold. — a month ago

Wulf Losee

9.0

2020 opened November 2023. This redeems their uninspired 2016 vintage—which was too sweet for my tastes—although the 2020 may turn into a Manischewitz-style wine in five or six years as the tannins fade.

Black raspberries on the nose with balsamic notes.  bright red fruit on the front of the pallet. It has a thick, almost syrupy tannic structure, but the syrup is offset by the high notes of calcaire from the Adelaida District’s limestone plateau. It has a long mineral finish with a slightly bitter ending at the back of the throat. This pleasantly offsets its syrupy tannins, and it makes the wine much more interesting.

Another commentator described this wine as being warm. Yes! This is a warm, fuzzy, comforting wine that one should sip before a winter fire. What concerns me is that once those intense high notes evaporate (and they’re always the first go!) you will be left with cough syrup.  I don’t think this wine has a long shelf life.  Because of that, I’m going to drink up these bottles of Aspire within the next year or two. — a year ago

Keith Pajonas

9.2

this wine is lovely. regretting my decision to only buy 2 bottles on release. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.4

I’ve had a few Law wines and have enjoyed them all, but this bottle of “The Nines” was a total stunner. In a lineup of 16 bottles of Grenache (Andremily, SQN, Fingers Crossed, Saxum, Lillian, Alban, Pegau Capo, Prefert, Clarendon Hills, etc), this was one of the more surprising wines of the day (in a good way).

100% Grenache. Removed the cork for about an hour ahead of time. Undeniable Grenache aromatics of red florals, cherry/kirsch liqueur, black peppered strawberries, and fruitcake. As Grenache so wonderfully does, it has a weightless yet commanding palate…kaleidoscope of red and black berries, sweet jerky, and an interplay of both sweet and spicy spices. Doesn’t show whole cluster/green hints like some of the others, and it also doesn’t show overwhelming vanilla/oak tannin either. Elegant and delicious.

May have underscored this… — 3 months ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.5

1994 vintage well cellared in my personal collection. A classic Mouton Rothschild. Featured with steak. Family gathering with son and daughter in law. Perfect timing — a year ago

President Obama

9.2

Law firm gift — 3 years ago

Wulf Losee

8.9

The 2019 isn’t aging as well as I expected it would. The limestone minerality that characterizes the Law wines has mostly faded. Sage and chocolate on the nose. Without the calcaire, the fruit and the thick tannins are fully expressed. It now has the consistency of a high-end cab or zin. It’s still very nice, but I miss the mineral astringency. I’m giving it an 8.9. I need to open another 2019 to see if this is a pattern or an anomaly.  — 3 months ago

Brian Hearty

8.9

2018. Last of two bottles gifted to me by my sister-in-law and it paired great with a tomato glazed meatloaf. — 9 months ago

Martinez

9.0

Sparkling Riesling from 40+ years old vines from the Zabala vineyard in Arroyo Seco, Monterey County. Fermented and aged in neutral oak, following the solera system (The Solera V2 includes wine from the 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages). Fresh, citrus, minerals — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Opened another recently, legendary wine, said that in the 18th century was introduced to Sultan of Constantinople's palace b/c of its clarity and called "mineral water from Carbonnieux", defying Islamic law. Pale lemon with pronounce aromas of tropical and stone fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of melon, mango, apple, green herbs and a crisp mineral edge. Medium+ length, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit, citrus mineral character. Nice, aging well. — 3 years ago