James Burge

9.3

stars and stripes; bold at 14.5%; pair with pork; drink with good company (2018) — 5 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Agree with the others - best white rum I’ve ever had. Made this here daiquiri, quite sublime. I give it five stars, actually lol — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Happy International Merlot Day!! — 4 years ago

with Deked1

ESF

9.2

See previous note, some time has really improved this wine - represents outstanding QPR. Again, very international style Rioja - super generous & delicious — 4 years ago

Jason Troendle

9.4

Sweet and not too strong — 6 years ago

with Mandy

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Perhaps, our favorite non Burgundy white. It is unique among whites.

Also, one of the best afternoons we’ve enjoyed. Appointments at Clos Mogador & Erasmus. Then, lunch looking back at both properties from Amcis. A great meal we would give two Michelin stars. This wine and a custom four course for two for only 70 Euros in 2015. Fantastic restaurant. A must do in Priorat.

The nose reveals; ripe & slightly sour pineapple, lemon chiffon, mix of well extracted stone fruits, notes of lime candy, banana peel, slight burnt brown sugar, blend of chalky minerals, volcanics, chamomile, vanilla bean notes, well cooked toast, sandy dry top soil, fennel (grows everywhere), tree bark with sap, mix of dark & white spice w/ white dominate and a fields of spring flowers.

The body is full & round with good viscosity. slightly sour pineapple, lemon chiffon, mix of well extracted stone fruits, golden apple to cider, tropical melons, kiwi, notes of lime candy, banana peel, fringes of marmalade, slight sugar in the raw, blend of white, chalky minerals, mint, volcanics, crushed dry sandstone, saline, chamomile, vanilla bean notes, well cooked toast, dry herbs, sandy dry top soil, fennel (grows everywhere), tree bark with sap, mix of dark & white spice w/ white dominate and a fields of perfume spring flowers with mixed greens. The acidity is round and rushes like a river. The long, rich, well knitted & balanced, polished & elegant finish goes on & on ending persistently w/ sweet white spice.

The 2017 is different than the earlier vintages we’ve had. It needs another two years in bottle. If you drink now, fully chill and decant 2 hours.

Photos of; Clos Mogador, Owners/Winemakers-Rene Barber Sr. & Jr. and vines around their Estate. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Macchia – “Delicious” Barbera – 2023
Heaven’s Vines, Lodi – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Barbera from Lodi. an Italian indigenous grape known for its naturally high acidity, juicy fruit, and casual drinkability. Macchia Winery, celebrated for producing over 20 distinct styles of Zinfandel, also showcases its versatility with Italian varieties. Consistently recognized with domestic and international awards, the winery brings Barbera into the spotlight with this vibrant estate bottling.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherries, plum, blackberry compote, and a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. Fresh, fruity, and forward with that classic Barbera brightness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a smooth, easygoing finish. Juicy fruit drives the palate, making it approachable and highly sip-worthy.

Food Pairings
Perfect with pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, grilled sausages, roasted vegetables, or charcuterie. A true “any day, any time” red.

Verdict
A fun, approachable, and fruit-driven Barbera with Macchia’s signature Lodi generosity. Casual enough for weeknight sipping yet polished enough to show the quality behind this estate-grown wine.

Did You Know?
Barbera is one of Italy’s most widely planted red grapes, cherished for its fresh acidity and versatility. In California, Lodi’s warm days and cool delta breezes help the variety express generous fruit while maintaining balance. — 7 months ago

Christian Carroll

10

Sooo good so tasty!! I drink one bottle every day it's amazing!! — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.5

Always a really nice wine at a great price. — 4 years ago

with Bonnie

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes. Put simply this is a stunning Chardonnay as its Show Record will attest, with at least 5 Trophies including Best Wine in Show at the Royal Hobart International Wine Show. A good combination of citrus and stone fruit with leesy complexity and incredible length of flavour. Demonstrates once again how great Margaret River is for Chardonnay. I’m glad I have 3 bottles left. A huge bargain at $30 per bottle. Tasted again on 6th November 2021, 28 weeks later. Nothing to add. Just a killer Chardonnay which has won 5 Trophies and cost $30. QPR does not get much better than this. 96 points. Tasted final bottle on 16th June 2022 with consistent notes. Oak has fully integrated into the fruit. Should seek out more at this price. Hopefully they have kept up the standard with later vintages. — 5 years ago

Nikki Vlasic

9.1

Spanish wine contestant in our International Wine Tasting Night — 6 years ago

Daniel Ojigho

9.3

Superrrrr light for a cab!!

This was a great choice! Lovely medium body and very balanced lighter cab. No crazy tannins but present enough to be interesting!! — 6 years ago

Mark Saylor

9.3

Kelly give a it 5 stars. — 7 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.7

Tahiti. Motu is a small, low-lying islet. Schlepped this wine across the equator. As a last toast to my fiends selling their Motu. Although i might be biased when i drank this wine looking at he stars and Elon Musks satellites this was incredibly good. — 10 months ago

R Bl

9.0

Nice cab blend - still a little tannin. Label says 30% France, 22% Chile, 30% Australia, 18% USA. No vintage on label but artwork says ‘92 which seems right. — 3 years ago

Nick

9.2

Absolutely caught me off guard. This was a simple gift from family. Now my wife and I are scrambling to buy another bottle. A phenomenal blend. Full bodied and spice. I would love for someone who actually knows what they’re talking about to try and this lol — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.2

Very floral, perfumed, ethereal - a captivating bouquet. The palate is equally delicate, unmistakably Syrah and quite different to what one might expect from the northern Rhône.

The wine struggles to hold up to lamb, so I think would be best suited to hearty vegetable dishes - roasted root veg and mushrooms, perhaps.

Hard to know whether this is just a little young - if some savoury notes develop with age this could transform into a quite brilliant Syrah. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Wine No. 6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted blind on Saturday. The idea for this tasting came from Cape Mentelle who annually have an International Cabernet tasting at the winery in WA where they have the confidence to put their wine up against the best Cabernets in the world every year. This has all of the classic Cabernet descriptors of black olive, red fruits, cigar box etc. Ranked #6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted on the day. Again needs to be cellared to realise its ultimate potential. — 6 years ago

Brian Gustafson

9.1

Pulled this from the cellar for an international guest. Still holding up well; much better than the 1983. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2015 Ramey ‘Hyde VIneyard’ Chardonnay is a simply gorgeous new wine that is one of the best of its kind by superstar winemaker, David Ramey. Set on clay loam soils, the strongly marine-influenced Hyde Vineyard has gained an international reputation for producing outstanding Chardonnay grapes. This Carneros bottling shows intense nutmeg, vanilla creme brulee, macadamia nut and heavy whipping cream flavors that impress. Lithe and rich, this gorgeous bottling will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 7 years ago