mik bafana

8.9

GSM. Fruit forward. Medium finish. — 2 months ago

with Shweta

Tom Garland

9.4

The Winemaker Dinner: Francoise Peschon

5 WINES FROM HER NAPA PORTFOLIO:
2023 Accendo Laurea Sav Blanc
2021 Baker & Hamilton cab
2019 Cornell cab
2019 Heimark cab
2019 Vine Hill cab

FOOD:
Blufin tuna Tostada
Pepper crusted Elk tartare
Venison smash
Braised wild Boar leg
Bison NY strip steak
Mocha passionfruit opera cake — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others, located in Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark Ruby, purple edges with floral fruit aromas & floral spice. On the palate blueberry & sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great mouthfeel, 24 months aging on French & American oak, the 70% Monastrell & 30% Cab Sauv has fine soft tannins, well integrated with oak, long finish ending with mineral tones, Will age well! — 2 years ago

Ron from VA

9.3

Fantastic at eight years old! Vibrant dark/red fruit… a touch of thyme and a pinch of rosemary. Michael Shaps built this and you can tell. Fantastic attack (cherry sweetness) and the mid palate is just a tango of balance (slightly stewed fruit and herbs)…
Medium finish but delightful in staying inside the boundaries for what this wine is meant to do — 4 months ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.4

Oh yea baby. Smokey, fruited, well aged. Big but not obnoxious. Complex. — 7 months ago

Ron from VA

9.2

Stellar - Shaps master craft — 9 months ago

Ming L

9.5

The darkest and meatiest southern Rhone blend I’ve tasted with tremendous complexity. Explosive nose of black lack, blueberry jam, cured meat, grilled herbs, black pepper, dark chocolate, sweet soy source, and hint of violet. There is just the sense of Unami. Rich palate but structured like a skater that’s smooth, precise, and effortless.
I had the fortune to taste the 14’ True Believer 2 years ago, and I don’t really know what constitutes a reserve bottling, but this has more Syrah (53%).
Chris Hammell is the long time Bien Nacido vineyard manager, and cultivated the True Believer vineyard on the western edge of Bien Nacido. — 4 years ago

Joshua Figg

9.1

Lots of cherry and current on the nose. Smooth, slightly earthy in the mouth. Very smooth in the finish too. Nice Texas find! — 6 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black fruit, thyme, bell pepper and baking spices. Blackberry on the palate, herbs and earthy finish.

🏅97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅97 Points - Robert Parker — 6 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.3

Medium ruby in color; raspberries, black cherries, and cedar on the nose; medium acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like blackberries, red plums, tabacco, and black olives with a long finish. — 9 months ago