Doug Powers

9.2

OK, opened one of these maybe one month ago or so, and it clearly had a compromised cork. I had purchased a box on release on a recommendation of a winemaker friend who was also the owner of my then-wine storage facility in Napa, IIRC the case cost maybe $120-135 or so. That compromised bottle was first one opened, but I had a gut feeling from tasting that prior bottle that another bottle with good cork would be rocking, and this one is, color suggests age, but super fresh, just off-dry fruit (so will pair beautifully with some tiramisu my wife made), great acidity and cut, lovely aged Mosel Riesling (a Terry Thiese Selection)!! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

Gorgeous nose that shows ruby, plush, slightly candied-gummy, floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, moist volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, light dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets.

Gorgeous, seductive entry and mouthfeel. Buyers are going struggle not to open and drink these 21’s early. They are that good now and people that read this nonsense that I post almost never reads as such! But, I’d still hold to get full price of admission. Lithography craft & wine prices necessitate it. Floral, ripe, juicy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dark spice with heat that cools as it sets, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, some black pepper, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove & nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, most volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets. Grand round acidity with a plush, rich, balanced, elegant finish’s that seems not to end, but falls on dry earth spice.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

Modern take on Ribera del Duero from select vineyards. The color is deep purple, indicative of the 60+ year old vine grape selection. An expressive nose with scents of black fruits, tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is equally expressive with cherry, blackberry, oak, vanilla, and licorice. The tannings are soft for such a young Tempranillo, and it is not slander but quite the contrary, it allows for the elegant finish with finesse and length. Very exiting wine!
…
PS The mastermind/winemaker behind Aalto made his mark at Vega Sicilia for over 30 years. It is no surprise the wine is excellent; it will be exciting to see how the wine evolves over the next decade and how it will challenge some of the greatest wines produced in the region.
— 6 years ago

Flora Bokma

9.1

This is another wine we are drinking in the pandemic quarantine of 2020. I love it! Vary dark in the glass... almost opaque. It smells good, dark boysenberry with a suggestion of earth wood and a bit of spice and chocolate. It rolls on the tongue like velvet, so smooth. Pleasant medium length finish. Nice nice! — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2016 'Kathryn Hall' Cabernet Sauvignon is a show-stopping wine from winemaker Steve Levesque. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot with the core fruit sourced from a barrel selection from the Sacrashe Vineyard. Simply captivating, this opens to inviting aromas of ripe dark currants and blueberry compote that collide with violets, tar and shades of sweet pipe tobacco that all sing in the glass. On the palate this is soft and plush, with beautifully round polished tannins and a gorgeous seamless quality, as well as wonderful weight that truly entices. It continues to deliver layers complex flavors including blueberry compote, leather, mocha, creosote and shades of Asian spices that all build up to the long multidimensional finish. While a delight in its youth, the 2016 'Katheryn Hall' Cabernet Sauvignon should also go on to provide enjoyment for twenty years. Drink 2020-2038- 97 — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Proof that, indeed, there is truth in wine.

While Heidi Barrett makes her only Chardonnay and Spring Mountain Cabernet for Fantesca, my understanding is she will not make Pinot Noir. That responsibility falls on Fantesca’s Associate Winemaker Tony Arcudi, who also makes wine under his eponymous label in addition to consulting for Kapcsandy.

Fantesca’s 2014 King Richard’s Reserve is sourced from a selection of prime vineyards in Russian River Valley including Bacigalupi, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli. Reminiscent of my experiences with Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. A rich, yet beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that juxtaposes lush raspberry and black cherry against a backdrop of herbs, flowers, and forest floor. The balance between opulence and restraint is where the beauty lies. — 7 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Selection of small and super lignified bunches.
This selection wants to honor David Herd founder and winemaker of Auntsfield site in 1892. He had been making wine till 1905 and then his son-in-law kept his legacy until the 1931.
Then probhitionism came in NZ and all the vines were displanted at Auntsfield till the Cowley family arrived and put everything in place.
The story is that the Cowleys have a bottle of old fortified Muscat made by David Herd(born in Rutherglen) in his last year of work at the property in 1905 and every barrel of this wine his blessed with a teaspoon of that syrup..."so that we can lick the spoon" Ben says.
The wine is an explosion of flavors, tasters say that blindly is hard to say it is a pinot noir.
It is rich, complex and literally explodes in every direction in your mouth.
Hard to explain, an experience you have to go through yourself.
Extensive persistence on the palate.
1500 bottle only made in the best vintages obviously. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

All their reds show beautiful noses that are ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, sandalwood, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets.

I sound like a broken record on this sixth wine, elegant, fresh, plush, velvety, round, soft supple tannins on this well balanced elegant entry. They are simple gorgeous and easy to drink young. Yet, I still can’t stress showing restraint on these 21’s and waiting 7 or more years. Wow…haven’t been this impressed in a Napa tasting in some time. Ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, soy dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, dark spice, dry herbs, dry top soil/brush, sandalwood, wet clay, sandstone, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather, right amount of lead pencil with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets. Wire to wire great length & straight up consistency from entry to long finish. Perfect, round, rain shower acidity and amazingly balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant, plush, finish that is without end.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 years ago

Sandy Wolf

9.4

A perfect white, creamy but refreshing. Made with native yeasts and a female winemaker to boot. And a steal at $10. — 6 years ago

Rafal Fisheer

9.2

Very fruitful, fresh taste. Fine and dry — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.


This wine is their Estate Selection, which is 73% cab, 16% malbec and 11% merlot. I believe this was the first vintage for this wine. It sports a very soft profile and is made in a riper style. Aromatically it smells of baked boysenberry, fig and mixed berry pie with milk chocolate chips. The ABV is around 15.2% and it shows here. Extracted on the palate with chocolate covered dark fruits, baking spices, nutmeg and Andes mint. — 7 years ago

with Clare and Weston

Frank Rotello

9.0

Definitely had that wet dog French funk on the nose. Great bramble red fruits. A little poblano and baking spice. Smooth tannins. Well balanced. This Chilean winemaker has obvious roots to the French style of carmenere. Worth picking up for the price. — 7 years ago

JKT

9.1

Lovely nose. Moore B tasting with winemaker last hour with more limited selection. Indeed there’s something special with the Ratzenburger wines, especially the ones with age in the winery cellar. Impressive sparkling to mature Spatlese, all wonderful. — 2 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.3

The 21 edition, 2019. Powerful and smooth, like a Napa origin with a finesse.
selection of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Primitivo, Negroamaro, and MalvasiaNera.

Deep garnet red. Very intense and persistent, with notes of cherry and blackcurrant, herbs, cinnamon, and hints of mineral. Good balance between alcohol and freshness, velvety tannins, and very persistence with a long finish(winemaker notes, I agree with the — 2 years ago

Caro

9.6

Strong berry with a hint of chocolate. Rich taste. So enjoyed this drop. Definitely recommend and buy again. — 5 years ago

Arden Barnett

10

Super fun tasting through a selection of Dirty and Rowdy’s. While there wasn’t a bad bottle in this lineup, the 2017 Enz was lights out... Was a treat having the winemaker Hardy Wallace join us via Zoom. What we expected to be a 30min or so zoom call to walk us through the lineup turned into 2 hours of learning about the various vineyards Hardy works with and diving into his philosophy on wine. An afternoon I’ll never forget! Thanks Clare for making this happen! — 5 years ago

with Clare and Jack

Jeff Thompson

10

Mine is Winemaker Selection Red Blend. My last trip was to Portugal and this is taking me back. Smells ancient, then tastes surprising light but still ancient. Flavour is poppin. Love this so much. Can’t wait to have with BBQ tonight. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.

The difference between this wine and the previous two is that this is their Cabernet (92%) with just a dash of merlot, petit Verdot, malbec and cab franc. Similar to the ‘15 Estate Selection in how this is big and dense but still harmonious. Rich and dark fruits with graphite, cassis, and mocha. Big tannins with a dark and compact core...blackberries, underripe blueberries, violets, and dusty cedar. — 7 years ago

with Clare and Weston

Farrar Langlois

9.3

Andy loved this one. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

Monogram is a project initially started by Domaine Serene owner Ken Evenstad and the 2014 version is a simply breath-taking release. The Monogram is a limited production wine that is a barrel selection of what Ken and winemaker Michael Fay consider to be the choicest of lots. The wine is massive and brooding on the palate, showing a wonderful combination of dark and red fruits alongside wonderful earthy nuance —black truffle and peat moss — which all come into play. The wine finishes exceedingly long with dark fruits and minerals lingering on the stunning finish. This is a simply marvelous Pinot Noir which has the potential to evolve for decades. Drink 2019-2040- 96 — 7 years ago