Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and rust colored rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and drying fruits: lightly stewed blackberries, black cherry, plums, tobacco, dried green herbs, old fine wood, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot (or based blend), or Zinfandel-based blend from Spain, Argentina, France or the United States. However, the staining was a bit much unless there was a lot of PS in the blend so I eliminated Zinfandel. I also didn’t think this was purple enough for Malbec. This left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and I felt that this leaned more towards its structure than fruit so I was leaning Spain or France with 15-20 years of age and from a solar vintage. Ultimately, I chose Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Gran Reserva from 2006…from a quality producer like C.V.N.E. Yeah, I can see Pomerol. Shoot. This is stuff and ready to drink now and will drink well through 2032+. — 15 days ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Another wine of interest to me in the Bordeaux masterclass although it looks nothing like the critics’ notes online. Where’s all the floral and mineralic notes? Perhaps shut down at this stage? The nose itself was still interesting though - fruit-dense with lots of irony elements (rust, meat). Sweet fruited, spicy, and concentrated on the palate, but still energetic courtesy of a little more obvious acidity here. Tannins were dusty, fine, and directional. Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot.
— 3 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2010 | from double magnum | a real treat, mature ánd fresh, from a year that in Burgenland not is considered to be a great one. Lovely effort. At the domaine at lunch with a spaghetti carbonara with sheep’s meat. — 2 months ago

Delta Golf

9.0

Easy to drink. You can enjoy this well made wine with food or without. A little fat on your pallet will open up this accessible but not inexpensive wine and you will enjoy some nice fruits. — 4 months ago

Jim Maynard

9.3

1986 vintage opened 1-14-23. Base neck fill. Owned since buying in 1988. Opened with a Durand. Cork moist to top. Decanted and only fine sediment in the dregs. Color really strong, no bricking at edge but you could see just a bit of rust in the overall color. Still opaque. Musty at first but lots of great mature aroma and leather after 20 minutes. Lasted an hour in the decanter and got more smooth. Don’t look for fruit but a great accompaniment to the dinner of a braised chicken with pancetta and tomatoes. — 2 years ago

Paul J

8.9

Medium red color with ample bricking. Nose contains lots of rust with some minerals and blood. Medium minus depth with hardly any fruit. Very earthy and grassy. Medium finish. Probably over the hill as this usually has big, bright fruit. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2022 | this wine impressed me. The vineyard is unlike others located north/south. Has al Blaufränkish typical but also a welcoming fresh plumpness. — 2 months ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.0

lychee with a high acid finish — 2 months ago

Delta Golf

9.2

Very lovely wine. With the famous steaks and chips at RV and plenty of flowers still in bloom, great friends, perfect combination. — 4 months ago

Carter White

9.6

Unique flavor profile: honey, elderflower, apricot, and wet stone. Weighty but still soft and delicate, lifted and aromatic. — 3 years ago