Ericsson

9.0

Viognier at its maximum opulence and must say I prefer it in blends. Great wine: dry, complex with substantial nuance but a bit overboard. Cheers. — a year ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.2

Juicy, lively black and purple fruit; sappy blackberry, black currant and mint. Pungent, wafting fruit, musty with a touch of earth. Sweet and extracted (but not overboard) on the palate. Finishes with crushed stone, granite and bitter herbs. Only medium acid, but really packed with fruit and minerals that provide an energetic presence. Savory lingering finish. I think it will age nicely. Underrated (way) on delectable in my opinion. — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Full and ripe without going overboard. Dark, brambly fruit, black pepper, tobacco, vanilla. Not the most complex wine but very delicious. This is in the zone at 8 years old. — 5 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

I typically enjoy white Rioja and this is no exception. Deep golden color, subtle but apparent oak usage - very tactful. Bruised orchard fruit, dry hay, ripe citrus, and a green celery type thing. Heavy and oxidative, without going overboard with either element. Went surprisingly well with seafood gumbo, which I had no idea what to pair with. — 5 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.8

Is this the best zin in the world? Probably. This year is outstanding. Smell of plums, earth, a hint of vanilla, spice, cherry jam, earth. So freaking good! You get all the flavors you want from zin without the 15% abv and vanilla/oak overboard. — 2 years ago

Jim Anderson

9.4

Rochioli Cellar Master’s private label. Bright, yet deep. Classic RRV without going overboard. Cherry, raspberry, cranberry sauce, cola and tea notes. Textbook and tasty! — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

The palest of straw color with a seemingly infinite amount of tiny bubbles. There’s a touch of perfume on the nose upon opening but you quickly get the more customary champagne scents. Apricots, peaches, and honey with faded flowers and toast. 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, this is one of those champagnes mostly concerned with harmonious balance in the glass. Very crisp and cool, there’s nothing overwrought going on here, all the elements are working together. Delightfully creamy throughout with medium acidity and round all over. The palate follows the nose with just enough citrus fruit to please, without ever coming in danger of going overboard. The toasted brioche and lemon meringue compliment things nicely. This is one of the best values from Champagne that I’ve ever tasted, truly wonderful stuff. — 5 years ago

Willie Carter

9.2

California Syrah the way I like it. And I do definitely like it. A really pretty deep dark purple with a wide brim and little cherry red flecks. This nose is just plain silly good and exciting. Plums and raspberries abound here. Blackberries with a touch of fennel go a long way. The olive aromas are jumping out of the glass and my goodness it’s special. There’s a rich meaty, fatty aspect to the nose that just blows me away. Stupendous.

Every wine I have from Big Basin is just as good as the next one. All so good and so well crafted. Hailing from the Rattlesnake Rock vineyard in Santa Cruz and definitely fruit forward. At this age, it’s drinking with more refinement than you may expect. Classy and stylish but never forgets about the fun. A lesson in how to make a big and bold Syrah without even coming close to going overboard. Smoke and grilled meat in the mouth to go with the vibrant red and blue fruits. Black pepper and menthol. The finish is long and fulfilling. Don’t listen to me, seriously don’t. Just go taste it. — 2 years ago

Chris Zitzman

8.9

I may be biased going into this review because the Allegrini Valpolicella (‘17) just happened to be the perfect pick for the mood and tone of the night. So bear with me as I attempt to not go overboard.

Even on the first pour it’s lush and soft but lively, with notes of rhyme, a very pronounced lining of berries that frames the expectation. The pour on the palate, even the first glass on the table is a soft and yet juicy combination of those very berries framed by soft tannins.
...it’s just a joy. Upon decanting the Corvina that’s the main player not only softens and “smiles”- but opens upon the palate with deeper and richer notes. For such an affordable wine. This thing is joy in a glass.

The finish is what I think is the only MINOR gripe regarding the wine from this vintage. It’s good and chewy but a little abbreviated.

But it too grows with time to breathe.

Anyway: loved it. — 4 years ago

with Beth

Mark Flesher

9.4

Pours purple and inky. Lots of young sweet black fruit with a hint of blue. Getting a hint of sweet tobacco on the finish. Really obtuse in the middle but doesn't go overboard. Pulls back right when it needs to! The balance and structure of this wine is quite good. A really dense, inky monster now but I think is quite capable of 96 in a few years. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Weston and 1 other