Bob McDonald

9.5

A highly awarded Grenache from Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, possibly the best terroir for the varietal in Australia. Its gnarly old bush vines were planted in 1946. It is dry farmed on a 1.7 hectare block sitting on the deepest sand with the lowest vigour and yield. Not as raspberry as many Australian Grenache - more balanced, restrained and excellent. Wine of the Year at the 2020 Halliday Wine Awards receiving 99 points. On the medium weight palate red berries and cherry finishing with ultra fine tannins. Jancis made the comment, “Might give the odd cult Spanish wine a run for its money too.” — 15 days ago

Bryan Vogt

9.0

Great for a hot day. Not too sweet — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.3

Classic cucumbers, lychee, pear, cold smoke, lime pith, light guava core. On the palate, soft on entry, but dragging a desert dry backbone over diatomaceous sands on a steely chain, til orange-lime citrus twists to lemon that jumps from the glass with a nano dusting of white pepper. — 5 years ago

Ben Abrew

9.2

Lovely sipping on top of Marina Bay Sands Singapore — a month ago

Gene Buonviri

9.1

A toast to the “Unification of Italy.” A light garnet red tapering to burnt orange on the edges. Aromas of black cherry and red currants. Hints of orange with a spicy pepper. The palate is dry and bright with a complex mix of flavor. The Sella family’s history in Lessona region began in 1671. This is one of the smallest village appellations in all of Italy with a mere 23 hectares of land under vine. The success of this region is the Pliocene sandy, marine-influenced soils. These deposits of marine sands and fossil shells provide the mineral cocktail which enhances Nebbiolo with a bright energy. — 2 years ago

with Justinian

Sam Lee

8.9

Luv the vibe
Luv the tone rich and balance as it said
Seconds alongside with my Cabernet merlot, this one is typical California Wine, fruity sweet with all fruit dominates
🍒🍇🥭
So much fruit berry here
With touch of green mango 🥭🥭🥭
blackberry plum blackcurrant black cherry raspberry so much cherry plum lots of plum here like a giant plum ground
🎡
Feels of sun vibe beach sands shore
🗺
Like a yacht boat with smiley captain
👨🏻‍🦰 — 4 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.0

2007 vintage. After it slept in my cellar for 12 years, it turned a deep saffron color. Like an oloroso sherry — 5 years ago

Vin d’Ottawa

9.4

I cannot describe how excited I’ve been for this bottle.

From Portugal’s tiny Colares wine region, this is the famed Ramisco grape, grown in vines in the sands off the coast of Sintra. Back when phylloxera destroyed most of Europe’s grapevines, these survived as the parasite couldn’t make its way in the sands the grapevines grew in. The Portuguese crown then nationalized the wine- unique to Portugal- and used it in diplomacy as a form of soft power.

The wine starts with a roughness that smooths into a beautiful, medium bodied flavour of black cherry and blackberry. Think of a juicy California Pinot Noir that manages the punch of a Rioja.

A wine worthy of its great history.
— 8 months ago

with Gillian

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.1

Cantina Tramin Sauvignon 2017. Bright acidity. Lemon. Apple. Nice noticeable minerality. An ideal choice, even for Mr. Penguin! Cheers🍷 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are dark & muted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plums with strawberries come on late. Lots of moist clay, dry soils, deep dark spice, crushed, rock powder, graphite, black, dry soils, hints of green bell pepper, dry herbs with blue, dark withering flowers. The acidity is round but could be better. The long finish is balanced but, for me, comes up short and a little flat.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago