David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Simply stunning! Especially, for a Sonoma, not a Napa Cabernet. 😳

Follow up AB Cowgirl wine after the Saxum. If ever you thought a Sonoma Cabernet could not stand tall with a great Napa Cabernet, have a well aged good vintage of A. Raf..

4 hour decant.

Still medium plus, round, velvety tannins. Lush, rich, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ripe strawberries, hints of heavenly raspberries, plum, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mid/dark berry cola, dark, dry Indian/Asian spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, caramel notes, malt balls, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice to anise, dry, crushed limestone powder, soft, fresh tobacco, dry, used leather, softened tarry notes, some dry herbs-bay leaf sprinkled with sage, dry crushed rocks/river stone, dry top soil, candied & withering, dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets & lavender, crazy, round, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced for days, elegant, polished and an endless finish. Harmony on the palate.

Find an 07, you’ll thank me later. My highest recommendation for Napa/Sonoma Cabernets.

10-15 years of good drinking left in this 07. — 6 months ago

Elizabeth Harris

9.1

A full body wine that delcious and savory with delicious fruity forest floor aromas. It has a lovely blended flavor.

Color: dark red liek black Berry juice or jam. As arthur said liek blood.

Aroma: dark like a forest floor! Smells like currants ans black berries and cherries. There's a slight plum smell, like my plum syrups.

Taste: its mouth filling. Its a savory flavor. It reminds me of Eberle Barbera wine slightly. There's a grassy, earthy flavor. There's a deep plum fermented flavor. My mouth  after water and locking my teeth taste apple like. Chewing the wine releases apple flavors. The deep fruit flavor is so deep to me that idk its savory. There's a metallic feel in my mouth. — 3 years ago

Elizabeth Harris

9.2

Blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.

Color: light Burgundy red that looks like the juice of forest floor fruits, like red currants. Reminds me of a Christmas red. It glows like a warm Christmas light.

Aroma: smells rich and fruity like it has money. Spice fruit like a mulled wine but not the same spices. Smells like red currants, black currants, cherry, deep red berry like fruits. It's a savory fruity like what you would find in a sauce to accompany a roast not a dessert. It reminds me of something with a holiday meal by the fire.

Taste: smooth and light with a creamyish texture. It's light to medium body. Not creamy in taste. It very little acid. It's very rounded flavor, not one fruit note pops out much. It reminds me slightly of cooking fruits in a sauce, like black currants. The taste slightly lingers after swallowing but gently. Slightly bitter taste like I'm ready for a meal.

It's something I would have with a lovely roast dinner at home by the fire. Its warm, smooth, and light that i could drink it on its own. But its also, has enough heft to stand up to gravy I feel. It's delicious. A winter wine. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

We first tried a bottle of Celestins in a restaurant in Gigondas some years ago, and for me it was a WOW Wine. Had this latest bottle on Sunday with Roast Pork. Medicinal to begin with which blew off. Barnyard aromas - horse manure. In hindsight this could’ve been Brett but the overall impression and tasting was impressive and memorable. Glad I have 3 left. Showing a medium to full bodied palate. This is textbook CdP in the old school genre. The tannins are silky and sexy - a liquorice note together with saddle leather. Henri Bonneau passed away in 2016 and the wine making is now carried out by his son, Marcel. A visit to his archaic cellars was keenly sought after and rarely granted. Mould all over the walls, rickety stairs light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and a floor which stuck to the soles of your shoes was how one visitor described his experience in the cellar. Nevertheless this is a CdP up there with Rayas and the top Cuvée from Beaucastel. The blend is usually 90% Grenache with the balance made up of around 4 or 5 different varieties. — 2 years ago

Deborah M

9.4

We tasted a lot of wine at Merry Edwards. The new winemaker, Heidi von der Mehden, even popped in to say hello during the tasting. I will wait to review the rest of what I ordered as I open them, but this was my wine of the tasting for me. I have enjoyed every vintage of Olivet Lane that I have tried thus far, and this was no exception. This wine was full bodied, ripe fruit, and push mouthfeel. I tend to like Olivet Lane after its had a few years of age — really all of her wines are better with a little age IMO. — 3 years ago

Kyle Lockhart

9.0

I honestly don’t understand why people are hating on this wine. To me it does have an uncharacteristic blueberry/blackberry note. It’s has an earthy/cooked button mushrooms/Forrest floor thing going on as well. I think its great, so don’t listen to the haters! — 3 years ago

Paul K

9.7

Upping a point since last tasted 2 years ago.
Nose is blackberries, currant, and light forest floor with floral notes. Black cherry and black berry fruit. Medium + acidity and body. Mouth coating with amazing mouthfeel. The tannins are smooth and well integrated but still leave the lips stuck to teeth.
It’s such a pretty wine. @David T I said I’d wait 10 years and only made it two. I cheated and bought more. I’m not sorry 😜. I do think it’s alot more approachable than it was two years ago tho. Would be interested in your thoughts now. PS when in MN look me up. Have a bottle with your name on it! — 3 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.7

Whew came swimmin’ out this bouquet cause it is rich and enriching, cedar, clove, baking spices, forest floor, the spice of fresh velvet.

Only 16 cases were made and the little wine shop on Jones Street, Jones Street Wine, was nice enough to let me get my hands on one of their last bottles (1 of 5).

Crunchy — ✔️
Brambly — ✔️
Luscious — ✔️

Mouthwateringly good. Nice balance of spice and acid to wake up the buds. Little to no bitterness. Punchy fruit punches through. And that wonderful clove essence throughout.

Few wines make me write longer notes, but when I find one that does, I can’t seem to stop talking about them.

Aight time to drink it though… — 2 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.0

Tassi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2015: Medium-bodied. Elegant structure. Ample acidity & well integrated tannins. Flavor focused on red fruits & dark fruits; tobacco, spice & forest floor. The finish was long & silky. For me, this was an unknown producer that left me very impressed. It’s a top class Brunello with little age yet full of Sangiovese character & goodness. Very approachable and drinking great right now however if you have the patience, it may be worth keeping in the cellar for more years. Great day to all! Cheers🍷 — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A silky deep ruby in the glass with a wide brim and no signs of bricking. The nose here is deliciously perfumed with plenty of cigar box and smoke upfront. The fruit is still alive and vibrant with black and blue berries and very faint notes of wild strawberry. Violets and menthol with a dash of white pepper. Really an outstanding nose for a twenty year old wine.

Truthfully this doesn’t scream Syrah to me at any point but it’s so damn good that you really end up caring about that. While it may not scream Syrah it definitely does invoke Tuscan scenes. Complex, refined, and full of depth and personality. The palate is downright fruity with a repeat of notes from the nose. Forest floor and dirt with more smoke. Full bodied and quite generous, this feels so much more youthful than it is. A spectacular Italian Syrah that still has plenty of time left. — 3 years ago