Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale lemon yellow in colour. Aromas of talc and orange/mandarin skin. Palate of medium plus intensity showing mandarin flesh and lime. A cool to cold climate terroir at Henty on Victoria’s south west coast facing the southern Ocean and ensuring a long ripening period. At 11 years still very lively - the mouth puckering acid of its youth has diminished but enough there to ensure a few more years in the cellar. An exceptional Riesling and one of Australia’s best IMO. Had another bottle 31 weeks later - aromatics of Talc and white peach. HH said a stunning Riesling. — 8 months ago

Jason Strange

9.3

Dark red berry flavour. Light on the palette. Good local drop — 2 years ago

Raul Puga

9.0

Perfect during this summer like spring in South Florida — 3 years ago

K L

9.2

Pleasantly surprised and not characteristic of southern ca Pinots a t all! Balanced and smooth. Year was interesting given how aged it is but really spot on. Would get again. Good mystery case get. — 4 years ago

with Matt

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

Surprisingly complex for only a 2018 from the Southern Hemisphere. Hints of smoke and flint and toast. Purity of fruit. Excellent #hemelenaarde #southafricanwine #southafrica — 5 years ago

Jay

9.0

J’s B-day lunch @ Peli Peli. The Woodlands TX 🇺🇸 — 7 years ago

Melodie McGeoch

9.5

Memorable drinking indeed! Salty west coast winds, reminiscent of Strandveld wines. — 7 years ago

with terry and Steven

Marcus Chacos

9.5

Such a brilliant Chardonnay! At $35, it stands alone AND is perfect with food. It caters to every palate. It's our new go-to! — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Angeleno Wine Company – Syrah 2020
Los Angeles County – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A bold, expressive Syrah from Angeleno’s ethos of cultivating unique Southern California terroir. This wine embodies their natural winemaking approach, minimal intervention, no additives, and full vegan transparency. The estate draws from diverse AVAs inclusive of Sierra Pelona and Clement Hills, plus historic LA County vineyards, anchoring this Syrah in place and intention.  

Aromas & Flavors
Driven by deep blackberry and huckleberry aromas that mingle with pepper, leather, and a hint of smoked meat. Expect a darker berry palette with savory earthiness and a whisper of spice that lingers. 

Mouthfeel
Rich and full-bodied, yet gracefully balanced. Its flavors envelop the palate and lead into a structured finish, showcasing both heft and finesse, a Rhône-inspired expression with California energy.  

Winemaking Notes
True to Angeleno’s values, this Syrah is vegan, minimal-intervention, and terroir-driven, reflecting LA’s wine heritage and the winery’s mission.  

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled meat? think lamb, game, or smoked brisket, and heartier dishes like ratatouille, or slow-roasted pork shoulder with spice.

Verdict
A compelling example of California Syrah done right—bold and expressive yet balanced, layered with both fruit and structure, and deeply tied to its place of origin.

Personal Pick Highlight
A standout in Angeleno’s lineup, this Syrah is a personal favorite for its sense of LA place, natural spirit, and surprising complexity, and absolutely worthy of the next tasting flight. — 10 months ago

Nolan Berlin

9.0

Interesting take on a Northern Italian wine made in New South Wales. Medium bodied and slightly funky with a textural, tanin heavy palate. Good to see Australia is capable of interesting cool climate reds. — 3 years ago

K L

9.0

Pleasantly surprised! Mystery box selection. Didn’t think I’d like it given the southern origin but wasn’t too Smokey or fruity. — 5 years ago

with Matt

Lisa McCosker

8.9

A special Christmas drop
I liked it, the fam didn’t so much — 6 years ago

Lisa McCosker

9.0

A great drop, nothing like I have tried before but is a lighter but full of depth and flavour — 7 years ago

Marcus Chacos

9.0

A near perfect Pizza or lasagne red. A gentle body, low tanins, with easy drinking. — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous Delectable note in July 2023. An excellent Riesling particularly for a “Young Vines Riesling “. Notes of Mandarin with traces of paraffin (TDN) being present. A fleshy luscious palate which is simply delicious - low acid. A touch of fruitiness but finishes dry. From Henty, a little known wine district on the south west coast of Victoria and exposed to the cold southern ocean. A great area for quality Riesling as Crawford River shows. Sadly my last bottle of the Young Vines 2016. — 9 months ago

Joe Cox

Production Assistant, Wine Writer

9.3

Light, bright, and still rocking a full bodied character that sings southern CA all day. — 2 years ago

Dhruba

9.0

Vibrant red berries, hint of dark cherry, silky tannins and great acidity - warm weather red with or without food — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Mer Soleil named after the two forces of nature – “the sea and sun.” Grapes sourced from vineyards in the southern and middle areas of Santa Lucia Highlands, deep Ruby with youthful aromas of red fruits and smoky pepper spice. On the palate flavors of cranberry, raspberry and cherry with toasty baking spice, savory, good mouthfeel. Medium+ finish, fine tannins well integrated ending with fruit and a toasty spice character. — 5 years ago

Andrew Turner

9.0

Reona liked more than me — 6 years ago

Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 7 years ago