Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes but this left a similar impression to my previous experience with this wine earlier in the year. The 2013 Eclipse remains a wine of large proportions and deftly manages its high ABV. No way I could drink these often but they are fun in the right mood/setting! Drink now through 2028. — 4 months ago

Marta Jackowska

9.6

Great vintage, still a baby but wonderful to drink now. Slight menthal nose, great fruit concentration, long finish, and what a setting. Lived up to expectations….. — a year ago

with Neville

Kirs

9.3

Orange October wine three 🍊🍊🍊🍊 — 4 years ago

Dan R

9.0

Perfect lunch time wine. Surprisingly full, with good mouth presence, but still retaining plenty of freshness. Salty, with forward peach fruit and a fennel mid palate . Burnt orange peel finish. Refreshing and generous at the same time. Two points extra for the setting and the great food. — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Cren Dell’Ape Cortese Blanc 2023
Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A crisp, approachable white made from 100% Cortese, an indigenous Piedmontese grape best known for Gavi wines. Cren Dell’Ape highlights Cortese’s refreshing, fruit-driven personality while keeping a casual and fun-drinking style.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh aromas of white flowers, yellow peach, and stone fruits lead into a lively palate. Flavors of tropical fruit, peach, and citrus zest carry through with balance, offering a vibrant and fruity medley that feels like a “cornucopia of yellow fruit.”

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied and refreshing, with bright acidity that makes it crisp but not sharp. Clean and smooth finish that invites another sip.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in stainless steel to emphasize fruit purity and freshness. Made to be enjoyed young for maximum vibrancy.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside seafood, pasta with vegetables, light cheeses, or as an aperitif. A versatile, crowd-pleasing white that works in almost any casual setting.

Verdict
A fun, fruity, and highly drinkable Cortese. Hard to stop at just one glass—this wine is pure Piedmontese charm in a bottle. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

We pulled this from our cellar and brought it to V. Mertz for dinner. We enjoyed a couple of other wines as aperitifs and then ultimately did what anyone given the opportunity should do: pair it with lamb chops. We poured it into a decanter while we enjoyed the conversation and opening courses. Given the setting, there were no formal notes however, I can confidently report that the 2015 “Tintot” absolutely slaps. From the first sip to the last, it was all balance, power and class. It was also a spectacular showcase for Mourvèdre. It was hard to fully judge color because the lighting was so low but it appeared to be nearly opaque. A touch feral with a slightly gamey element to it but there’s a great big ol’ basket of black and blue fruits with red and purple flowers, garrigue, some black pepper and cedar chest. Structure is still quite firm but totally enjoyable. While this is an unusual assemblage for the region, it still comes across as a wine from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This was my first “Tintot” and it has left quite the impression. Drink now with an hour decant or over the next 7-10 years. P.S. it probably goes without saying, but the pairing with lamb chops was sublime. — 3 years ago

Edo Wachters

9.2

The Tenuta di Castellaro - Nero Ossidiana originates from a very beautiful spot in the world - the island of Lipari, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, near Sicily. This is a warm wine, full of red fruits, cherry, cassis, blackberry and some spice. Made of a blend of 60% Corinto, 25% Nero D’Avola, and 15% local grapes. It is very smooth and velvety, with a long after taste, as the slowly setting sun leaving a purple orange shine over the gentle waves. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Jesse’s work is as good as advertised. This will continue its evolution adding another point or two.

Have some 19 & 21 I look forward to more eagerly now. I’ve found good buys for this producer on Last Bottle etc.. Delivering well beyond its more than fair price point.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

An opulent Sauv Blanc from Sonoma, lively and uplifting acidity, tropical fruits on the note and concours with the palate. Smooth and balanced texture, refreshing and deliciously clean to end. — 10 months ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

There’s something to be said for nursing a bottle slowly over several days. I’ve been loving how this wine from my friends at @peay_vineyards blossoms with some time and some air. What was boisterous herbal and berry fruit has mellowed with the addition some serious umami character and a hint of incense. The one constant is the satin-sheets sexy texture that marks most of Vanessa Peay’s best work as a winemaker. While I think Peay’s best wines are from their unique estate on the Sonoma Coast, I’m glad they’ve kept making this Anderson Valley wine, if only to continue setting a standard for what Savoy can do. — 4 years ago