Linda Jacobs

9.0

Smooth and crisp — 9 months ago

Deborah M

9.3

This full bodied wine leans towards savory, but also gives red fruit, meaty flavors, stewed fruit, and dried herbs. This wine speaks to me in a Chateau Musar kind of way.

Yarra Yering is one of Australia’s most iconic wineries. The 2010 Dry Red Wine No 2 is a unique blend consisting mostly of estate-grown shiraz (95%), with small portions of viognier, marsanne and mataro. It is described as sort of an Australian riff on an old-school Cote-Rotie. I call this one delicious.
— 2 years ago

KAtie Steedman

9.5

Light, crisp, pear, summer wine — 2 years ago

Katelyn Jessie

9.0

More on the dry side, but still crisp with a touch of sweetness.

Paired with garlic lemon chicken, seasoned wild rice, and sauteed veggies in lemon juice. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent both days. The 2017 Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with dark cherries, ripe bruised strawberries, baked apple, hibiscus, toasted coconut, vanilla, new leather and some baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Medium+ alcohol. A lovely pairing with my sort of modern riff on paella for a quick Tuesday evening meal. More please!

Having enjoyed vintages going back to the early 1980’s, I think Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” is one of the last few, true bargains in the wine world. They are classic in the sense that they are unmistakably Rioja and they have the ability to age for decades. It’s very hard for me to think of another wine that is widely available for under $30 that can drink this well and cellar that long. Let’s enjoy the disparity while we can! — a year ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.9

Only about 2 years on wood. This has a bit of pear in it as well which shows in a delicate perfume of yellow skined fruits. This should be very interesting to riff with as a base for white spirit cocktails. — 2 years ago

Ben Stroup

9.0

so this is beaujolais nouveau…. bubblegum, banana runts, blueberries, with an almost beery freshness, mild tannins, and a lingering acidity that’s quite pleasing. Gorgeous ruby crystal color, riff raff saying “Dr. Pepper” is stuck in my head on a loop — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; no formal notes. This is a fun, spontaneously fermented skin-contact blend of Pinot Gris, Welchriesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The 2021 Kobal “Bajta” dry-white wine pours a pale copper color and is redolent of white and pink tree flowers and stone fruits: apricot and peaches with some raspberries, orange citrus and light baking spices. The wine is lightly tannic with a slightly waxy texture and nice acidity. This paired really well with a fancy riff on a hard-boiled egg with falafel, tomato and feta cheese. Drink now. — a year ago

Sean Lyons

9.2

I’ve never had a swing of opinion larger that this. I originally rated this 6.2 and panned it (below). I just stuck this in the back of my bar and forgot about it for months. When I rediscovered it, it (or maybe I) was totally different. Complex, luscious with a long finish and amazing flavors or spice, vanilla, oak, brown sugar and rosemary. It’s a miracle!!
ORIGINAL REVIEW: This just sucks, I guess? Multiple tries over a week and all I get is charcoal and copper. Like, if you took a bottle of Jack Daniels, put 50 pennies in it and left it in a closet for 6 months…you would have this whiskey. Bizarre and terrible. — 2 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.2

Batch prior to the January 2016 name change to Union Horse. Citrus notes and a spicy finish. A little hot on its own, but it makes a great cocktail (tonight was a Red Hook - riff on a Manhattan). — 4 years ago