When Abele Bolla opened up Al Gambero Inn in the northern Italian town of Soave over 100 years ago, no one could have guessed that the favorite pastime of winemaking would continue for four generations. Deep Ruby with aromas of jammy berry fruits, spice and oak. On the palate cherry and dried plum with bold spice, floral, cacao and cedar. Structured firm tannins, nicely balanced on long finish ending with fruit, cedar and earthy spice. Just starting to drink well now with room to age. — 4 years ago
One of the nicest in the Iron Horse portfolio, and that’s saying a lot. — 2 years ago
Andrew Will’s top selection, I was stunned at how good this was.
This was consumed from bottle over the course of about four hours. Dark purple at the core, with just a touch of red starting to grow around the rim. The first hour this was open, it seemed disjointed as it had a pronounced herbal twang and sawdust note. Hours 2-4 this totally blossomed and became one of the best WA state cabs I’ve ever had, especially at the price. This leans to the dark fruit side of the spectrum (blackberry, black currant) highlighted by streaks of bright/high toned red fruits. Beautiful nose of tobacco, dark chocolate and mocha to go along with the fruit. Mid palate has a beautiful mineral/and scorched black cherry core and finishes with silky tannins. Extremely well balanced and seems like it’s nearing the top of its potential. — 4 years ago
The 2018 ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah is one of the wines of the vintage from this famed estate. Due to the shade of the vineyard, this is a later ripening vineyard for their program which allows them to utilize roughly 70-80% stem inclusion in this wine. They also choose not to use any new oak on the wine, only used demi-muid aging. Weighing in at 13.8% alcohol, this provides immediate appeal with its downright intoxicating bouquet, delivering loads of white pepper woven together with steak tartare, cigar ash tones as well as Hoisin sauce, Umami and menthol that all meld in the glass. The aromatic range here is extraordinary. The textural elements of the wine are just gorgeous. The 2018 edition displays more mid-palate weight than the ’17 bottling but also embodies plenty of finesse. Rich ripe dark cherry and dark raspberry tones mingle with wet stone, seaweed, green olive tapenade, and salted meats on the palate. This finishes exceedingly long. Gratifying to enjoy in its youth, this sensational wine will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2020-2030- 98 — 5 years ago
Donald Williams
One of the best Chardonnays on the planet. Typical of Iron Horse. — 6 months ago