Paul Blanck Pinot Gris Patergarten 2001
"Subtle in flavor but not presence, with an arugula pepperiness accenting the peach, orange and mineral notes. This is young and has a sense of elegance, but needs time to integrate. [Only] 400 cases made."
90 | Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
Ojai Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard 2003
"The Pinot Noir is an exceptional effort reflecting the extraordinary talent of Adam Tolmach and his belief in single vineyard wines from the South Central Coast. The 2003 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega is a relatively new site in the Santa Rita Hills. Opulent, rich black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with notions of white flowers and earth tumble from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, pure, multi-textured, long, ripe, persistent effort. A superb Pinot Noir, it should drink well young, yet age nicely . . ."
93 | Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Prince Florent de Mérode Corton Les Bressandes 1999
". . . there is a lovely sense of elegance and balance here with reddish fruits followed by complex, ripe and . . . long flavors. Delicious and graceful . . ."
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard 2011
“The 2011 Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 58% Syrah, 37% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre that was brought up in mostly concrete, with 20% in puncheons. Showing beautifully from barrel, it didn’t disappoint from bottle and has a perfumed, elegant feel to its purple fruits, lavender, violets, white pepper and underbrush-like aromas and flavors. The whole cluster inclusion shows here, yet it has fantastic purity, fine tannin and integrated acidity."
95 | Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
Château Peyrabon 2010
"Blackberry and blueberry character. Currants too. Full body, lots of velvety tannins and a long and intense finish. Solid here."
92 | James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
Château Malescasse 2010
"Located in the heart of the Haut-Médoc, close to Lamarque, Malescasse is . . . . bright, fruity and layered with acidity, and the firm tannins show through slowly, offering power and density . . .”
91 | Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino 2009
"The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino is a pretty wine, with good freshness and . . . overall balance for the year. Sweet tobacco, dried herbs, smoke and spice meld together nicely in the glass . . . . offers lovely drinking today and should develop nicely for the next decade or so. In 2009, Mastrojanni did not produce their flagship Brunello Schiena d'Asino; that fruit went into this wine."
90 | Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon Out of Sight Vineyard 2007
"The tannins are strong in this 100% Cab . . . but there's no denying the wealth of blackberries, black currants, violets and cedar that flood the mouth and last through a long, spicy finish. The vineyard is in the cooler southern part of the valley, on the east side of Oak Knoll."
94 | Wine Enthusiast
DuMol Syrah Eddie's Patch Hoppe-Kelly Vineyard 2004
"The 2004 Syrah Eddie’s Patch shares an opaque purple color in addition to notes of incense, blackberries, truffles, and spicy wood. It is a huge, dense, cool climate Syrah with a Pinot Noir-like sassafras character . . . . big, earthy, terroir-driven effort . . .t"
93+ | Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Kay Brothers Shiraz Amery Hillside Vineyard 2003
"One of Australia’s most traditional winemakers, Colin Kay fashions old-style, high-quality, distinctive Australian reds. Tarry, chewy, and fleshy, the 2003 Shiraz Hillside has a bit more punch as well as a sappy character that is not present in the regular bottling. It is a broad, savory, expansively flavored, full-bodied Shiraz . . .”
92 | Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Behrens & Hitchcock Rudy’s Cuvee 2002
"The 2002 Rudy’s Cuvee (a 425-case blend of 44% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot, and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a blockbuster in the making. Crème de cassis intermixed with flowers, espresso, and chocolate are offered in a full-bodied, remarkably elegant, well-delineated format."
93-95 | Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Quintessa 2002
"The best Quintessa in years, this huge, rich wine is really too young now. All the parts are beautiful, from the ripe, sweet cherry-blackberry fruit through the fine, dusty tannins to the lush overlay of vanilla-scented oak. This will be a great wine . . . and should last for many years . . ."
94 | Wine Enthusiast
Wild Duck Shiraz Springflat 2001
"Broodingly backward, young, and tight is the 2001 Shiraz Springflat. Its opaque ruby/purple color is accompanied by copious aromas of new oak, black currants, cherries, and a hint of underbrush as well as mint in the background. Full-bodied and chewy, but backward, it requires additional bottle age."
91 | Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate
Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Martin Stelling Vineyard 2001
"Supple, elegant and harmonious, with a graceful core of polished currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's well-focused and glides across the palate, finishing with a pretty core of fruit and ripe, fine-grained tannins."
James Laube, Wine Spectator
Domaine du Pégau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 1998
"One of the . . . more exotic wines of the vintage, this gushes with black currant, fig and blackberry fruit, all of which has melded together and is starting to show a corrupt edge, while the sweet bacon, spice, mesquite and clove-studded blood orange notes fill out the background. The long, very juicy finish is multilayered and supported by fresh acidity."
96 | James Molesworth, Wine Specator
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 1986
"Dark, ripe, rich and concentrated, with vibrant currant, black cherry, tar, sage and spice, it packs in lots of complex flavors. Still has a long way to go."
92 | James Laube, Wine Spectator
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