Lars Miller

9.0

Cherry and black pepper on the nose, with a hint of menthol (eucalyptus). More spice than fruit. And OMG. Gorgeous! Not sure if the alcohol content , but it seems higher. Fully flavored, silky mouth feel. More of the cherry with raisin, and again lots of spice. A winner!

After breathing a bit, getting strawberries and some cedar on the palate, along with the aforementioned cherry and black pepper. This is almost 15% alcohol, and it shows. I feel that the alcohol content competes with the luscious flavors, and would have been much better with lower alcohol, but California winemakers love their powerhouse wines. — 5 months ago

ESF

9.5

Sublime - just so in the pocket, soaring aromas of dusty cherries, spice, tar, violets, almost a tawny character. So textbook. Seamless flawless palate, the tannins are just perfectly resolved & elegant balance w/acidity, just enough secondary flavors mingled w/cherries on palate through lengthy velvety finish. — 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

This had soaring aromatics with dark cherry, berry fruits that was polished, inky & precise showing iron, olive, pepper, licorice, savory spices & violets — 3 years ago

Richard McCormack

9.5

Wow. That's a top class Pinot. I am drinking it with great friends so maybe I'm looking through rose color glasses but wow. — 6 months ago

Brit Young

9.2

At Jay and Deedee’s in Steamboat. I cannot name the tasting notes but everything I love in a Pinot. Hot damn. — 8 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

My favorite expression of Sangiovese. It’s amazing what Stella can do in warm vintages. 2011 Riserva is fabulous tonight, with soaring aromatics, stunning elegance and purity and fantastic intensity without any sense of weight. It’s fresh, floral and red fruited with complex layers of violets, forest leaves and exotic spice. The palate is juicy and vibrant with a silky texture, fine grained tannins and a long mineral inflicted finale that leaves behind hardly any warmth. Love these wines. Brunello for the Burgundy lover. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Presented blind alongside three other red wines; another Bordeaux and two Bordeaux blends from CA. All wines were descanted and returned to the bottle 8 hours prior.

This wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity. Medium+ intensity. The nose was a mix of red and dark fruits with currants and cherries, tobacco, pencil shavings, earth, espresso and baking spice. There’s just a whiff of a barnyard in the distance too. On the palate, again the mixed fruit set with beautifully ripened blackberries and black cherries, currants, earth, coffee and baking chocolate. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Finishes looooooong, dry and immensely satisfying.

The wine is balanced and leans towards its structure. I called 2004 Latour. The soaring aromatics were simply incredible. I just wanted to spend the entire evening with my nose buried in the glass. This is squarely in the drinking window yet has many years left in it. Drink now with an extended decant or enjoy over the next 10-15 years. — 3 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on April 26, 2024 at Tom’s House with Tom]

Wine is Jasper Freestone single vineyard from Sonoma Coast. Red plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit, with vanilla, tea and mineral notes. Silky wine. — 7 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Been two plus years and wow wow wow is this the best bottle yet. Stunning nose of chestnut, soaring minerality, deep mid season cherries but smothered with wet leaves. Also amazing fireplace aromas. The palate is a marvel. Beats the sh*t out of sooooo many Barolo and Barbaresco at much higher price points. Omg the earthy sweetness on this is insanely magical. Perfect balance and elite elite finesse. Insane inner mouth aromas. What velvety texture and insane juiciness. Perfect fruit/tannin delivery balance. Just so so incredibly epic. This estate is magic. — 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.7

This was my 2nd favorite flight with both wines showing red & black fruits, earth & spice. I slightly preferred the RB over the RSV for its soaring aromatics & long finish. Splitting hairs as both wines were really superb! — 3 years ago