Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. Picked the last two bottles at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, CA for $119 a btl. Had not seen this producer in the wild since the 1994 vintage.The namesake producer passed away years ago and the daughter has been making the wines for some time now. The old wines I was familiar with were dialed slightly down from the Coche-Dury style but still oaky and fleshy. This was more delicate, light-medium body, with floral attributes and a splash of white pepper. Saved a glass' worth and tasted the following day. Wine had gained a little weight to medium body and the complexity fanned out like a spider web on the palate whereas, beforehand, it was a steady stream of solo notes. Should have decanted but will do so with the last bottle. And yes, I asked if they had any Chenevottes or Caillerets or Maltroye or the like in the back at the time of purchase. Alas...nein. 11.4.25. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter roughly an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2016 “Big Break” presents a bright ruby with a deep but transparent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, ripe and dried red fruits: cherries, Craisins, red flowers, leather, dried earth and light baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, though the fruit comes across a lot more ripe. The finish is medium+ and the alcohol is high. I called 2020 Cote du Rhône (Southern), Grenache heavy GSM blend. What a pleasant surprise! I used to drink the smack out of various Cline Zinfandel’s and Big Break was always amongst their better, if not a little more difficult to find. Drinking well now and will continue to do so through 2031, easy. — a year ago

David Walser

9.2

I’m not at Finca Cortesin but across the street at our new part time Costa del Sol place. Trying different Spanish wines. This Reserva is a nice one that I will continue to purchase. Dinner on our terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and Africa. Under 10 €. — 3 years ago

Robert Torretti

9.1

Quinta da Costa do Pinhão Branco 2021 Douro — 3 months ago

with Johan

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Delicious throughout. The 2016 Contra Costa County pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly black and blue fruit: blackberries, blueberries, plums, Montmorency cherry, purple flowers, black pepper, dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I’m very happy to have holed away some bottles from the first few years of Sandlands. Not only do I believe these older vintages are showing well, but I also believe his newer vintages will be even better. Drink now through 2031. — 6 months ago

David Shaw

9.0

Lavender, blackberry and a little funk in nose in initial pour. Dense ruby red. Light body, slight skin astringency finish. Needs some time to open. Fairly tart. Raspberry flavor emerges first, then cherry. 24 hours later, fresh table grape character and seed tannins predominate. This is a solid light tasting table red with plenty of tannins for aging. I do find I miss the Zinfandel portion from earlier vintages but get more bottles of these and the style will grow on you — 2 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Maybe a bit more age than you might normally do for this, but I kind of forgot it on the rack. Hint of a rust edge on the ruby red color. Smells like old books, and preserved sweet black cherries. Maybe a hint of cola. Still Coke after it’s lost the carbonation. Flavors are very aged wine. Leather and more cola. Maybe a hint of Dr. Pepper. Still holds an acid streak and plenty of drying tannins to finish. Like bit of baked goods. Like good pastry with a blackberry cream center. This is interesting stuff. Great with food including fresh heirloom tomatoes both raw and cooked. Just a bit over aged. I’ll have to return to Viano for a younger bottle. — 4 months ago

Stan Nguyen

9.0

Tannic, but bright finish. Decent for money. — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Actually pretty good. Mostly cherry driven right now. Well balanced and good tannic structure. If you like burghs and you do not want to pay too much this is a good one. At La Costa Wine Co. right now by the glass. — 2 years ago

David Walser

9.1

Same wine, different restaurant. 19,90€ at this restaurant. I’m surprised at the low ratings for this wine as it is a friendly and tasty wine at this price point. Mini India restaurant in Casares, Costa del Sol, Spain. — 3 years ago