Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 13 days ago

Takuya Namise

9.0

Souvenir
酸味強め — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty aromas, aged in about 35% new oak. On the palate flavors of melon and peach with lemon citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, good balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 6 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.4

Dark and brooding but with a velvety textured and gritty tannins. Prune, dark fruit, cedar, sandalwood. 13.9% ABV — 2 days ago

with Angelina

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Located halfway up the hill dominating the principal valley of Barolo, supported by steep slopes lined by orderly vineyards, lies the 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and strawberry, lively spice, well balanced with savory fine tannins on a medium+ finish ending with mineral character. — 2 days ago

Mark

9.2

Big oaky flavor matched with strong tannins. This wine can cellar a few more years. Nice fruit with cherry and strawberry finishes. Nice wine that is pairing well with smoked pork tenderloin. — 4 months ago

with Jeron and Jessica

Kelly Perkins

9.3

One of the more expensive wines we have tried. Very good flavor and enjoyed with steak. Good pairing — a month ago

Peter M. Heidt

9.5

…solid, solid bottle. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2015 vintage. From magnum. 2.20.26. — 3 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.1

Very good Rutherford Merlot. Dark cherries and berries with red plum. Classic Rutherford dustiness. — 7 months ago

with Angelina