Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Opaque ruby color with a thin garnet rim. Aromas of forest floor, bacon fat, fresh rosemary and mint, wet soil and black fruit. Flavors of black olive tapenade, tobacco, smoked meat, red, blue and black berries and roasted herbs. Hint of black pepper and salt on the long (a pleasantly sour) finish. Soft tannins and very bright acidity. Medium bodied and incredibly tertiary and savory. Nicely aged and concentrated. Very interesting and unique expression of the varietal. — a day ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Dark ruby red color. Smoky aromas of red berry/cherry fruit, rose petals, exotic spices, garrigue and violets. Plush red cherry fruit on the palate with additional notes of fresh herbs, black licorice, dried mushrooms and earth. Difinitive bit of black pepper spice on the long and lingering finish. Medium-plus body with noticeable (but not overwhelming) tight tannins. 15% Alcohol. Powerful. Probably needs a bit more bottle age, but certainly well crafted. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.0

Only red wine at the local firehouse fundraiser. Dark purple color. Totally “grapey” and high in RS. Not much in the way of acidity or tannin. Light bodied and low (8%) alcohol. Pretty flat and lacking excitement. Is what it is. — 6 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Solid Cru Beaujolais. Medium garnet color. Bright aromas of ripe red and black cherries, earth and violets. Expressive flavors of red and black cherry/raspberry/currant fruit, tobacco and a pleasant hint of baking spices. A bit of black pepper and the presence of stemmy carbonic maceration on the very long and tingly finish. Quite juicy and crisp. Fruit forward, nicely structured and pretty well balanced. — 11 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.8

Murky light ruby color. Aromas of ripe red berries and plums, roasted herbs and violets. Flavors of red and black cherries, cocoa powder and prunes. Hint of black pepper spice on the long and smoky finish. Fine grained tannins and a grippy texture. Medium bodied. Thanks for the glass, Chris B! — 3 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Friulian dessert wine made from the Verduzzo grape. Deep golden color. Aromas and flavors of honey, white flowers, dried golden figs, dried apricots, peaches, lychee and blanched almonds. Hints of caramel, baking spices and pastry dough on the long lasting finish. Mouth watering acidity. Not overly sweet, heavy or cloying. Lacking some acidity. Nice freshness. Interesting and unexpected. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.5

Oh Wow!!! Bright ruby color. Aromas of cedar, smoke, exotic spices, rose petals and bright cherry fruit. Flavors of crushed plums and black cherry fruit, black licorice, tobacco and prunes. Lovely herbal, spice, mineral and floral notes on the long and concentrated finish. Fine grained tannins and full bodied. Perfect balance of power, complexity and finesse. Outstanding and Classic! Felt a little sad when I noticed the bottle was empty. Thanks so much to Kasey and Petey for sharing this one. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Medium golden color. Bold aromas of lychee, spices, tropical and orchard fruit and honeysuckle. Lychee fruit also on the palate with additional flavors of green apple/pear, honey, dried apricots and mangoes. Touch of spice and some residual sugar on the long and plush finish. Light on acidity but still nicely balanced. Buttery texture. Elegant, complex and well nuanced. Not for everyone, but I found this wine to be interesting. Excellent with spicy food. — 4 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Dark and murky ruby color with a slight garnet rim. Aromas of leather, ripe black cherry and a good deal of barnyard funk. Flavors of earth, coffee, mushrooms with a very slight amount of dried black cherry fruit. Finish is a bit bitter but the wine is still well balanced. Exceptionally tertiary with well softened tannins. Frankly, this wine was fine (if you can accept the lower fruit levels) but I was (it was not flawed) honestly expecting more from this highly regarded producer. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Dark garnet color with a slight orange meniscus. Aromas of dark cherry and berry fruit, bramble and freshly ground coffee. Black cherry and plum on the palate with additional flavors of dark chocolate, black licorice, dried herbs and espresso. Noticeable smoky oak component on the medium-plus (but a bit sharp) finish. Very soft tannins. Low acidity does negatively affect the balance a bit. Pretty good but was expecting a bit more. — 8 days ago