Andrew Cullimore

9.7

Deeper ruby , narrower more intense ruby rim . Pretty closed , lots in there though not yielding much at first at least . Dark spicy cassis , tobacco and cigar , cedar , grafite, cranberry . Lots of weight and ripe black currant and red currant , cranberry , saline , marine influences. Very fine but quite noticeable tannins , longer with more structure than the 2001 . Wonderful freshness from crisp but balanced acidity. Hugely long on the palate. This needs more time , will improve over the next 20 years and probably maintain over a further 20. This gives a glimpse into what a future it has ahead of it . So complex and statuesque , perfect poise , supremely elegant . Wine of the night for me without a shadow of a doubt . — a year ago

Michael Coscetta

9.1

No doubt my favorite appellation in Bordeaux. Excellent value at 38€ — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Saturday lunch with friends. Aromas of white flowers and bath talcum powder. Amazingly youthful for a 9 year old Riesling - a long future ahead of at least another 10 to 15 years. Vibrant acidity will nurture this going forward. Considered by many to be Australia’s premium Riesling. A class act which will no doubt put on weight in the coming 10 years. Had another bottle 42 weeks later on 17th April 2022 with consistent notes. Very contained and youthful. Not a hint of kerosene. Leave the remaining 2? bottles for a couple of years at least. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

The first couple times I tried 08 I was definitely too quick to judge. It needs a ton of air, and it’s different from the rich, oxidative, nutty house style of the past, particularly the warm and ultra forward 2006, the previous release. 2008 is indeed young, tightly wound with a pulsating core of energy.

The first glass offers very little. Subdued, austere and youthfully reserved. But ensuing pours eventually unleash its core of powerful clean orchard fruit, coffee bean and grilled nuts. On the palate it continues to become so much more textural with crazy gains in weight, depth and fruit intensity as the night goes on. It really fills the mouth, saturating the palate with a satin-like texture, ripping citrusy acids and saline laced minerals that follow deep into its finish. Enjoyable now with enough air (needs 2 hours), but no doubt one to hold. To live forever. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.5

When I purchased this five years ago, it was without a doubt the nicest bottle of Bordeaux I owned. 2001 was a good vintage for certain producers, and with Haut Brion being my favorite first growth, I wanted to have one of these with some age to see how they evolve. I slow ox’ed for 1-2hrs, consumed from bottle over the next three hours, and saved the last quarter for the next day.

Amongst quite a few first growths (and a ‘94 and ‘04 Haut Brion) this held its own. Compared to HB, it doesn’t have that brooding power and deep fruit core as intensely, but it wasn’t too far behind. More red fruit/black cherry than the dominant black I normally get with HB. Potpourri, baked black cherries, and cherry pipe tobacco showed strong on both days. No reductive funk to blow off. Faint notes of mocha, scorched earth and peppered strip, but it meshes with the cassis and grippy herbal tannic finish. What I didn’t expect was how vibrant the acidity was on both days. A beautiful example of high quality Bordeaux, and one I wish I had more of. — 2 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

Sublime. Iron fist, velvet glove and all that. Beyond doubt that this cuvée rocks when Capo not made. Decant briefly and sip away slowly. — 4 years ago

Matt Waring

9.2

Grassy Sancerre with pineapple notes and an incredible sense of weight (from the ABV no doubt) but still graceful. Just great — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Something quite magical often happens to Rafanelli Zinfandel after 10+ years of bottle age. I can’t explain it…but these wines begin to take on a more rustic, Old World feel. It’s as if they shift into an overdrive. The fruit is still big, beautiful and pure (no-doubt a testament to their rigorous selection) and yet they can often display a new energy about them which give them remarkable longevity. This bottle is perfectly representative.

Opened to celebrate my daughter’s 14th birthday, the 2009 Rafanelli Zinfandel pours a deep, practically opaque garnet that becomes more turbid the further we delved into the bottle (in typical fashion, this Rafanelli full of sediment). Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, bright cherry and bramble-like fruits, Asian spices, espresso and some black pepper. I do sense a touch of VA. On the palate, the wine is dry and with medium tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed…with a bit of added emphasis, it should be noted. There’s almost a Pop Rocks experience too…with the slightest effervescence pricking the tongue. And again, this is something that I would more expect from a non-interventionalist wine from Italy…certainly not from Sonoma. Hot take here…but this bottle reminded me of something from Paolo Bea (San Valentino) more than anything from Sonoma, let alone California. It’s just so wonderful. The finish is long and delivers minutes of pleasure.

As far as I’m concerned, nobody is making Zinfandel with the soul that Rafanelli does and the proof is in the bottle each and every time. Of course, they are delicious when young but with age, these wines become something else. Drink now with a decant (for sediment only) and through 2034. — 2 years ago

Derrick Blackham

9.1

Rich , oaky full bodied wine . — 4 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

Easily one of the best CA roses I’ve ever had (and at $25, without a doubt the best QPR). Absolutely terrific wine. — 5 years ago

with Vanessa