Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

This just happens to be excellent. Very burgundy like. In fact blind this would be tough. Exuberant sour cherry and cherry. Incredible tannins. Unspitable! Hint pine. Lemon. Hint elderberry. I am a fan. With age this will be interesting to follow. Perhaps because of the extra fruit may be may be i would have guessed new world……????? On the expensive side 72$ at Birdrock Fine Wines. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.5

WNH Montelena Estate virtual tasting. Others represented were the ‘94 (evidently corked), ‘01, ‘03, ‘07, ‘15.

I may be an outlier here, but Montelena is one of the few wineries where I not only don’t care for them young, I just honestly don’t enjoy them at all (and that’s coming from someone who enjoys the likes of Myriad, Bevan, Rivers Marie, etc on the young side). For my preference, they are just so vastly better with 15+yrs of age to them. YMMV.

After standing this upright for about two weeks, I gave this about a 45min decant. Starting off fairly thin and having some funk to blow off, it really bulked up after an hour and a half. Dark ruby/tawny in the glass. Reminiscent of left bank Bordeaux (leather, herbs de Provence, only a hint of tobacco), but a sweet cherry liqueur and dried cranberry on the nose bring this back to possibly New World. On the palate it sports underripe and dried black cherries, red clay, cedar, bay leaf, and earthy tertiary notes. Gripping, tannic finish with balanced acidity. In harmony here. I’d say this likely has another 3-5yrs in this beautiful drinking window before evolving more. — 4 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.4

World greatest Chardonnay blind tasting — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Best Rose in the world! Haven’t had or bought this vintage yet.

Dark Salmon color. Rich on the palate with strawberries and peach. Massive depth and finish for a Rose. — 5 months ago

with Brooke and Geoff

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Lovely ephemeral nose. Silken gossamer. Wilted roses. Expansive and just beautiful. Cherry. Strawberry. 9.4 almost 9.5 nose. Out of this world. Palate is sweet, silky and so elegant. Lovely sappy cherry fruit on the mid and then they crash like a soft wave on the finish. This is so so pretty. Really wowing me on pop and pour. Fresh so fresh. Everything is in its place. — 4 years ago

with Matthew

Fredrik Finn

9.2

As the summer is slipping out of our hands, its time to to pop those complex reds that we’ve been lastning for. Produttori del Barbaresco is considered one of the best cooperatives in the world and its 2016 Barbaresco is a solid proof of that statement.
Restrained at first and needs a couple of hours in the decanter to reach its climax. True to its provenance its clasically crafted, and puts up complex profile of red cherries, rose hip, strawberries, spice, bitter orange and a volatile dried floral lift over a canvas of wet soil.
An offensive approach on the palate with a high acidity and a generous portion of mouth coating tannins that is well accompanied by a pronounced fruit profile with an evolving finish. Very good indeed, but is a couple of level behind to reach the higher tiers. — 4 years ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.3

Beautiful golden hue. Creamy, Wildflowers, grapefruit. Probably the best Viura on the market. Cheers — 8 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

A lovely melding of Old World finesse and New World exuberance. Green apple, pear, white peach, ripe lemon oil, flint, acacia, and the barest hint of toasted brioche. Mouth watering acidity but not at the expense of texture. Long, beautifully ripe finish. Stunning. — 2 years ago

Francesca Caldara

9.4

little bit of spice, then juice — 4 years ago

Peter C

9.4

Wow. Love these old Napa cabs. Made in the old world ways before You know who cannot be named’s influence. Aged so gracefully and a beautiful wine! Like drinking an old Bordeaux but just with a slight ripe fruit and sweetness to differentiate its Napa origin! — 5 years ago