Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — 4 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.1

N: Very minty, earthy right out of the gate. It sure smells like Tuscany, one vineyard in Gaiole(sp) I believe. Some liquorice and crushed stone/tar. Dark flowers.
P: Light on it’s feet w prominent acidity. Earth, graphite, black fruit, med finish. It begs for food.
Delicious.
Held up spectacularly overnight in fridge w just a rubberized cork seal. — 3 years ago

Will Stanley

9.2

Heavy and broad-shouldered in bottle, with a wax seal to boot, the 2016 Zorgvliet Richelle conforms to the stereotype of an expressive, extracted wine but does so in a commendable manner. Too young now, the oak needs another five years at least to integrate but the aromas of cassis, graphite and rich chocolate show promise. The palate is incredibly rich, and though it’s quite unapproachable now I’d love to try it in five to ten years’ time. — 3 years ago

Will Stanley

9.1

Zesty and herbaceous, the 2017 Sancerre Les Chailloux by Claude Riffault sports a nose of lemon peel, garden mint, limestone, flint, and a touch of tomato leaf. The palate is juicy and vibrant, characterised by Granny Smith apple, high acidity, and a depth of flavour that suggests some (very gentle, and successfull) use of oak.

I’m not a great lover of Loire whites, but this is a very good quality Sancerre that should continue to improve with age. The minimalist label and wax seal makes for an attractive bottle. — 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.2

The 1999 Latour has a dark garnet color with little aging on the rim. The nose is closed initially and demands coaxing, eventually revealing blackberry, cedar and light pencil-shaving aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins, displaying some secondary notes of clove, white pepper and a distinct earthiness that comes through on the finish. [Post-script: this is one of the few vintages I identified correctly!] Tasted blind from double magnum at a 20-year retrospective at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— 9 months ago

Ron R

9.4

From our cellar. Pure power in need of some relaxation. In my mind, a reference point for champers, not to mention the English royal seal of approval. — 3 years ago

with Diana, David and 2 others

Ellen Clifford

9.2

So much of what I want in a textbook Albariño I love that there’s a body, a weight, and also a almost effervescence. This one massages and lightly scratches like the best of back rubs except it’s your tongue so get into that. Apples and greens and lilies are finished with cream and fleur de seal. Gosh this wine would be a great vegetarian side were it to metamorphosis into solid food. — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.3

Rim to rim color density. Red and black cherries poke through cedar and sweet tobacco on the nose with dark chocolate chunks, plum, prune and date, toasted sesame, cinnamon, rose petal, and cardamom. Chewy tannins that roll satin-smooth initially, then cassis, black currant and licorice flip the script. Graphite and blackberry frame dark chocolate and mocha-tobacco, oak and black bread.


#dunn #dunnvineyards #howellmountain #howell #napa #angwin #cabernet #cabernetsauvignon #cab #cabsauv #2014 #2014napa — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous note from March 2022. Very dark Ruby in colour- impenetrable. Blackberry, smoky notes. A rich full bodied dense palate with a tarry note. Dusty. Granular persistent tannins. Again, Thomas Matthew’s drinking window is way too early (to 2025). This wine will cruise to 2030 with ease. When you taste this wine you have a new appreciation of the allure of Tempranillo, in this case old vine Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. Post Script: The next day - aniseed and a crushed ant note. — a year ago

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2005 Vintage.14.8% Alcohol. Need to open with an Ah So type opener, not a corkscrew as the corks have become brittle over time. Thank goodness for the thick bright blue wax seal as it likely saved this bottle from being corked. — 4 years ago