Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Recent Malbec release from Laird- Inky purple color. Aromas of blackberry, mocha and cigar box. Fantastic blackberry jam flavors, roasted coffee, tobacco and spice finish. — 4 months ago

Clayton R Strong

9.3

You would have no idea if you tasted this blindfold it was from CA - this is Old World Northern Rhone Syrah. Good acidity, tannins, and fruit. Love wine from this producer! — 5 years ago

with Tiffany

Mark Flesher

9.3

This is definitely more my style of Rosé. This is not your Band-Aid, overly viscous Rosé. And definitely not boring. The nose has hints of strawberries, peaches, mangoes, guava. The entry is the same, with a backbone that contains quite a bit of acidity and crushed rock minerality. Probably would have been a little more rounded if this was colder but I definitely don't think it would have lost that excellent minerality. This was more at room temperature by the time I got around to it, which IMO is not a bad thing! This has the structure to last for probably 3 years or so. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 1 other

Rich Bluth

9.1

lots of life left, decanting helped a lot, wonderful wine, thx Steve — 5 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

I’m a sucker for great Grenache. If it can age all the better. Boozy raisins and blueberries. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The 96 is a nice surprise add from Clyde’s cellar. Thank you Clyde.

This 96 is beautifully floral. The evolution is right around its peak. The body is medium full and the tannins soft. It’s an elegant beauty.

The fruits are ripe and delicious. Leaner blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries and shades of raspberries. Soft earth; dry top soil, dry rock, limestone minerals, old tobacco, soft leather, cedar with dry and withering red & dark florals. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finish is well balanced fruit & earth and in a sweet spot.

Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Finally had a chance to try this out! Nice poolside wine. Nose of peach and minerals and dried wildflowers. Entry is a bit acidic, limestone and crushed rock base with honeysuckle and melon with peach, tropical notes, and a hint of lime. Gritty finish. Lime aftertaste. Really interesting yet also really good. This one has quite a few things going on! — 5 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 2 others

Joe Christenson

9.0

Inky ruby. A bit effervescent. White pepper, mushroom, strawberries, and raspberry. Savory more than fruity. Fairly light and very smooth. — 8 months ago

Al Shikoh

9.1

medium ruby with pale amber rim; bing cherry, cranberry, sage, baking spices; tart red fruits and spice; medium body, medium+ acidity, light tannins, 14.3% ABV; the historic parcel in the Santa Rita Hills was a former thoroughbred horse ranch; $55 — 4 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

I am very excited to drink this. From old vine Zin grapes grown on my favorite site (Beatty Ranch in Howell Mountain). And on cue it delivers that classic Beatty Ranch earthy black peppercorn spice on the nose, hovering over dark, very spicy blackberry and crushed rock. Absolutely attacks the palate with savory flavors. But no jamminess in the least. Very full but the 14.5 is well hidden. Such a long finish. Love this. — 5 years ago