Ira Schwartz

9.4

The nose is layered and expressive, opening with black cherry, plum, and cassis, followed by notes of , tobacco leaf, leather. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with softened but still present tannins providing structure. Dark fruit flavors are complemented by earth, licorice, espresso, and a touch of mineral. The acidity remains well-integrated, lending lift and balance despite the wine’s concentration.
At age 19 this is drinking beautifully now, offering both power and nuance, while still capable of holding for several more years — 14 days ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

@Delectable this is the Donna Liu. First vintage of Rampolla’s 100% merlot. Hints of a Pomerol but more fruit forward embedded with some cassis hints. Good tannic backbone which proves the best is yet to come. Castello dei Rampolla rocks! — 5 years ago

Bret Barker

9.4

2004 is drinking beautifully now. Great Italian cab. Rampolla is one of the best producers. Highly recommend — 9 years ago

Inseon Hwang

9.4

Beautifully crafted. Dark plum and blackberry. Balanced minerals and organic finish. Slightly better than Sammarco. More delicate and nuanced. Exceeded expectations. — 2 months ago

James Forsyth

9.4

Really good modern styled wine. Dark fruit. Tar. — 3 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.2

Raised in ‘cocciopesto’ which is an amphora kind of barrel based on clay and lime. Very fruit forward, soft tannins. Way better than I expected. Good job!
— 5 years ago

Glougy

9.4

Amazing orange — 10 years ago

with Rachel

Eric Urbani

9.0

Presented as an ‘orange’ wine it has some oxidative character but not too much… hint of petroleum and really well balanced. Blend of trebbiano, chard, traminer, Malvasia, and SB. Biodynamic. I like! — 3 years ago

James Forsyth

9.8

Stunning depth. Dark red fruit. Keeps on giving. — 3 years ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.0

Great wine indeed. Nose is complex, camphor, dry amarena cherry, some flint, no oxidation not fading on this bottle yet.
On the palate, Fruit is gone for this bottle, wine is dominated by its tannic structure that is on the dry side, almost austere. I was expecting a fleshier, mellower tannin. Dry herbs, dry raisins, cherry again.
Long finish, good acidity that’s keeps the wine alive and well going.
Mitigate the intensity with proteins and juice/sauce.
Osso bucco with prunes will work. We did Fiorentina and it was ok. The crust and smokiness did not help, over exhibiting the dryness of tannins. — 8 years ago