Sine Qua Non

Testa dei Cherubini Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache 2014

9.5

2014 vintage. Last tasted 11.18.22 (9.3). This sample open for approx 18 hours and still packing a wallop. 16% with heavy body. Not my style but phenomenal. No rush to crush. 12.04.24. — 25 days ago

Jan, Bob and 10 others liked this

Shay A

Not all wines are made the same. Saxum, Andremily, and others are made in a similar style (even some CdPs, Cote Rotie’s) but don’t get the same comments.

Pinotman /// Andreas

We’ll agree mostly but. One needs to still look 👀 at these as a Somm at a major restaurant.

David T

@Shay A You know I have been buying & enjoying Saxum for many years, not one vintage of Saxum has ever shown hot alcohol period or the way SQN does. Justin knows how to ferment alcohol in a way SQN does not care to. I have studied w/ 7 Master Somm’s for months & months before passing my Sommelier exam. They have on many occasions have referred to hot alcohol as a wine flaw and I have never disagreed w/ that statement. But I love 80’s Bordeaux’s at 12-12.5%. It is the modern wine drinker that appreciates high alcohol because there is a fair amount out there to consume. It is this that has defined the modern wheelhouse. It is what modern consumers have come to know and has created a palate preference or comfort. Cheers!

Testa Vineyards

100 Anni Mendocino County Old Vine Zinfandel 2015

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Pepper as perfume is an odd thought but what if it were and you liked it?! So it is woth this wine. Also that fun mix of dried and fresh fruit Xin excels at. Good times at the old-vine corral! — 4 years ago

Daniel P., Matt and 11 others liked this

Donkey & Goat

New Glou Fenaughty, Girard, Testa and Cloud Vineyard Marsanne Blend 2024

Brian Hearty

9.1

2024. This year’s nouveau wine from D&G is very similar to the last two vintages that we’ve enjoyed. Slightly tart cranberry and red berry flavors. Served chilled with chicken and sausage gumbo. — a day ago

Ruth Lewandowski Wines

Boaz Testa Vineyard Carignan

Ginny DeLacey

9.1

Dank with Emily at June. Lovely compromise between light and full body. Tannic, blackberry, pepper. — 10 months ago

Villa di Vetrice

Chianti Rùfina Sangiovese Blend

Marcus Weber

8.9

Intense Chianti Rufina, fruit notes: cherry, plum, dark berry. Vanilla, tannins very soft and very elegantly framed.
Dazu: Ragú di testa di vitello / mosto cotto / Gnocchi di Semola / Gelbe Ofen-Tomaten - Brokkoli — 3 years ago

Torre dei Beati

Bianchi Grilli Per la Testa Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2018

Chris MacLean

9.1

Cool label, good wine. — 4 years ago

with Sarah

Randall, Ira and 16 others liked this

Donkey & Goat

Testa Vineyard Carignane 2022

Brian Hearty

9.2

2022. We loved the 2019 Martha Stoumen Carignan we had this afternoon, so we wanted to try this D&G when we went looking for another bottle. A bit darker fruit flavor and earthier, and took ~15 minutes to open up. A little more tannic bite but paired equally well with leftover kebabs. — 2 months ago

Josh and ESF liked this