Sagee Aran

9.4

Had the 2011 and the 2013 tasted together at the visitor center - deciding which to buy...The 2011 is ready for drinking, smooth tannins. Full notes when we will open at home. 2011 was my winner... — 2 years ago

Jamie Lauder

9.4

2017 vintage.
50 % Sangiovese, 25 % Cabernet Franc, 25 % Merlot.
Castello di Ama is 12 miles north of Sienna in the hills of Gaiole in the heart of Chianti Classico. Tuscan Cabernet Franc and Merlot do not get the fanfare and accolades they deserve.
Bright cherry, underbrush and black currants on the nose.
Flavours of dark cherry, plum, mocha, walnuts and tobacco.
It finishes long with a freshness yet ripe fruit.
This bottle was gifted to me by Lorenza Sebasti when she came for dinner at our restaurant.
She and her husband own Castello di Ama winery. Lorenza is a lovely woman to spend an evening with enjoying good food, great wine and stimulating conversation.
— 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.2

Off golden color with oh so many fine little bubbles. Absolutely intoxicating aromas bursting out of the glass. Fine cheese, green apples, and boysenberry immediately followed by a whiff of violets. Gingerbread and almonds with a nice shock of grapefruit. This is ridiculous, it just keeps going. A little chalk and yeast with a bit of sage.

From a selection of Grand and Premier Cru areas in the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne and aged over ten years on lees. This is a superb standard bearer of Grand Marque vintage champagne year in and year out. Almost perfect structure and balance and all is in harmony here. 60/40 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay mostly vinified in steel tanks with a small amount done in oak. Disgorged in June of 2019.

Grace and elegance with a sturdy backbone. A bit closed in initially but given some time really opens up nicely. Cherries and pineapples with honey butter. Herbs and citrus with oak. Roasted nuts on the long, powerful finish. You already know you want this so there’s not much else I can say except, you’re right. — 2 years ago

Laura Purdy

9.1

Finally shook a weeklong cold and wanted a big red with little restraint. This did the trick. — 2 years ago

Jeff Payne

9.1

I’ve been drinking California reds for a few weeks - plummy, dark, fruity. This is different and I like it. It’s deep, earthy, more minerally and a bit brighter than the California wines, but still bring the red fruit. Maybe some leather. Color is amazing. The smell reminds me of morning next to the vines. — 2 years ago

Deborah M

9.1

Excellent QPR. Drinks like a more expensive bottle. Dark fruits. Hints of cocoa. Silky smooth tannins. Well balanced and full bodied. These are meant to drink young. — 2 years ago

Dave Parker

9.3

Getting better with age, but aren’t we all? — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

My first bottle of the 2019 Contra Costa County “Red Table Wine”. The “Red Table Wine” designation from Sandlands is a bottling that I look forward to with each Sandlands release.

This years version from CCC pours a very pretty translucent ruby with a magenta rim and medium viscosity. Medium+ intensity. Initially, I found the nose to be a little reductive but the wine really begins to express itself and come alive after about 20 minutes of air. As with previous iterations, there’s an overwhelming impression of freshness. An extremely bright mixed fruits set with red, blue and black fruits, red and purple flowers and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Again freshness is everywhere. Confirming the mixed fruits which comes across extremely bright and almost crunchy. The wine is spicy with lovely minerals with an almost crushed gravel characteristic too. Finish is medium+ and works so well with a variety of meals. The body seems to gain some weight with air. Good now but probably better in 2025. 65% Carignan and 35% Mataro. 11 barrels produced. — 2 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.9

Wet Leaves component tasting... definitely find them in the aromas and on the palate, with underlying black cherry aromas and an unexpectedly bigger body with earthy/spicy tannins. — 2 years ago