Sarah Nally

9.0

Really good cab with a touch of tang — a year ago

William Paley

9.3

clarion call for consumption. deeply stony pez pulse. reminds me of a photograph of fire. — 5 years ago

with Jess

Bob McDonald

9.2

At Grossi Florentino in Melbourne a week ago. Forgot to photograph the bottle so added via Search. Sandy bitter tannins as one expects from Barolo of this young age especially from a cooler year like 2012. Nose reminiscent of McBarens Plum Cake pipe tobacco which I smoked at University 45 years ago! Medium weight palate with some tar evident with earthy minerality Finishes with some austerity reflective of the vintage. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Over 30 years ago, Jack Cakebread came to photograph Napa for a book & bought a vineyard, Cakebread Cellars was born. I always liked Cakebread’s wine offerings, Chardonnay is no exception, consistent quality year/year. This was an early harvest showing aromas of green fruits, citrus & honey scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, melon & lemon zest, balanced with good acidity & great mouthfeel. Lingering finish ending with sweet mineral spice. Nice now but a few years in cellar will benefit. — 7 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.5

Fabulous champagne that was the opener to an unforgettable bacchanal last week—the only bottle I was able to photograph clearly, in fact. Ethereal, great texture, and a palate that haunts you. I believe this was his first vintage. — 3 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.3

I asked bae if she wanted to be in the picture and she said, no. I continued to photograph her, and this face emerged.

Wildflower, honey, rosewater, elderflower. Sweet herbs.

Deeply aromatic and a one to one transfer of bouquet and tasting notes. Beautiful mouthfeel of silken roses and citrus.

Winner. — 5 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

Dear friends of ours, a couple so delightful in spirit that they adopt aged, abandoned dogs, clean them up and make sure they have the most sublime last few years of their lives, invited us over to visit their latest pooch. Their newly rescued fourteen year old terrier, Audrey, was looking vibrant with glossy coat and waggy tail. A far cry from the dusty critter from the shelter's photograph.

Audrey wasn't the only aging beauty that our friends shared with us that evening. They very kindly opened this 1986 Robert Mondavi. Despite its age, at thirty two the wine retained a good deal of freshness with focused aromatics. High toned fruit, dried leaves and subtle leather combine on the palate and evolve through the long finish. Like Audrey, my tail was wagging. — 6 years ago

with Cara

Raun Kupiec

8.9

Côtes de Provence Pierrefeu. Very hard to photograph a clear bottle with black print... Grenache and Cinsault. Loads of minerality. — 4 years ago

with Barbara

Steve Anderson

9.2

Hard bottle to photograph, but easy bottle to drink. Ready to go and best on night one. Wonderful nose. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Over 30 years ago, Jack Cakebread came to photograph Napa for a book & bought a vineyard, Cakebread Cellars was born. I always liked Cakebread’s wine offerings, Chardonnay is no exception, consistent quality year/year, reserve is special. Aromas of ripe fruits, citrus & honey scents. On the palate complex flavors of crisp seeet apple, melon & lemon, creamy, balanced with good acidity & great mouthfeel. Lingering finish ending with sweet mineral spice. Nice now but a few years in cellar will benefit. — 7 years ago