Stuart Pollack

9.0

Smooth Tempranillo in a lighter style than Rioja. Enjoyable light fruity wine that goes well with pizza, and reasonably priced under $35. — 2 years ago

Matthew Humbaugh

8.9

This is extremely interesting. Like an Italian red with barnyard, but less tannins so feel full in the mouth. Really enjoyable like a nice Rioja or fine Italian wine. Can’t believe this is a cab/Syrah blend. — 5 years ago

Natasha Langton

9.0

Juicy fruits — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

I thought I was drinking Spanish Rioja! Aromas of dill, leather and red fruits. Dusty red fruits on the pallet. Medium bodied with smooth and balanced tannins. Great vintage of a great wine, with a great name that references the character in the movie “The Princess Bride.” — 8 years ago

Tim Hinck

9.4

2013
What a killer balance of opposites on the nose: a wave of bright, ripe berries is followed by an aged, black-fruit-forward note that kinda reminds me of Rioja reserva! An elegant cologne-scent peaks out behind waves of fresh fruit. On the palate, that subtle interplay continues. I love the amount of leather, cologne, and cigar box I get on this fresh, new-world delicacy! Magic! — 8 years ago

with Leah

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

If you thought Australian wine weren't for you or just weren't that noteworthy, you haven't had Dan Standish's wines. This is as good as any great producer I've had anywhere. On the nose, boysenberry, blueberries, black raspberries, olallieberries, raspberries, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, Asian spices, raspberry cola, dry stems and brilliantly fragrant violets. The mouthfeel and texture are liquid elegant heaven. 12 years in the bottle and it's just now peaking. On entry, it's a rush of ripe, lush; boysenberry, blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries &raspberry cola. Dark chocolate, darker but mellowed spices with uplifting heat, hint of pepper, loamy moist soils, dusty tannins, crushed dry rocks, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, blue fruit pie with crust, volcanic minerals, liquid fragrant violets, perfect acidity with a finish that doesn't fade and lasts minutes. The tension, length, structure and balance push perfection. photos of; estate with with Dan, wide side shot of the estate, a sample of the soil structure of the vineyard this wine is grown...under the top soil and Dan's estate vines. Producer history and notes...The Standish Wine Company was created in 1999. Dan Standish purchased a small parcel of Old Vine Shiraz from his parent’s vineyard in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The 96-year old vines are planted on the typical sand over clay soil profile characteristic of Vine Vale the sub region of the Barossa Valley. Dan never got a enology degree. He learned on his own traveling to the Rhone Valley. The influence definitely comes out in his wines despite the very different terroirs. He's worked in various regions around the world including; Napa, Sonoma and La Rioja. After he returned to Australia, he eventually became the Winemaker at Torbreck in the Barossa Valley. Interestingly, Dan worked as a chemical engineer prior to his career as a Winemaker. Meeting him for the first time in April was a pleasure. He is a true salt of the earth type of person, with a great sense of humor, who is absolutely passionate about making wine. He marches to his own drum...not at all a person who follows trends or changes styles if something or one becomes successful. His wines are beautifully special if you can find them on Winesearcher or other. He does not have, need nor want a US importer. He sells all his wine through his mailing list. You can order his wines from here but the shipping charges are hugely expensive from Australia. The shipping cost for three bottles were as much as the cost of the three bottles. The quality of his wines will stand in there with any producer world wide. Tasting his new releases in April was impressive. Finding a well aged bottle back in the US to enjoy tonight is simply fabulous! — 9 years ago

Amy Rehagen

9.0

Kumquat, bruised apples, banana runts, orange zest. Reminiscent of a old school white rioja with oxidative almondy notes. — 4 years ago

with Hayley

Lizzie SAYER

8.9

Full mouth feel, easy to drink, not very long. — 5 years ago

Spencer Dodd

9.1

Tastes like a Fino sherry with all the phenolic and nutty notes. Glorious (and totally my style). I would have guessed maybe an old chenin. At least this year extremely recommended. I have had a Lopez heredia white rioja that elements reminded me of this. — 6 years ago

with Daniel, Jen and 1 other

David Myers

8.9

Great smooth red. Would be nice with a sweet dessert. — 8 years ago

Brian Thompson

Sales & Marketing Krupp Brothers Winery, Stagecoach Vineyard

9.1

Unique blend of Portuguese varietals from the Yarra Valley in Australia. Smoky with dried berry and licorice notes. Reminiscent of a good Rioja. — 8 years ago

Aaron Means

9.4

My first time with this. As if Bordeaux and Rioja made sweet sweet love. This would be their love child. — 9 years ago

Coral Connor

8.9

Affordable brand from a family co-operative in Argentina. Acidity turned into tropical fruitiness next to an Asian chicken dish. Would pair with Asian flavors again. — 9 years ago

with J. Andrew

Jay Kline

9.2

Brought to Tasting Group from my cellar and presented to the group double-blind. The wine presents a deep ruby color with moderate staining of the tears. Medium viscosity. On the nose, notes of strawberry, cherry candy, watermelon juice, menthol, green herbs oregano thyme, and cedar. On the palate, the wine is dry and structure is medium+ across the board. The finish is long, tart, mineral and woody but not in a new oak sort of way. Everyone was in the Old World with guesses ranging from Burgundy to Rioja. To be fair, not many in Napa makes Zinfandel like this anymore…if any at all. Lovely stuff. — 4 years ago

Tom Philbrick

9.1

Classic Corison. Needs 6+ hours of air to show anything so do not bring this to a restaurant. After five or so hours, it has moderate fruit, with a strong beam of acidity that gives it a long finish. Probably needs 5+ more years to show more complexity but really nice now. Could actually mistake this for great Rioja if blind. — 6 years ago

David Belanger

9.3

Still my favourite Blend in Argentina although it wasn't as good as the 2013 blend — 8 years ago

Tom Towle

8.9

I thought this was a Gran Reserva Rioja when I first tasted at our “blind” tasting. Great tannin, light bodied, just what you want in a nice Sonoma Cab!! — 8 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.0

If you're into hot herbaceous sun baked intensity...aka benchmark napa valley wine, you'll find this a serious value. I, on the other hand, do not find this interesting, yet respect that it has its place...next to a steak and BBQ sauce. — 9 years ago

Karine

9.5

One of my go-to white wines! — 9 years ago

Rick Tett

10

Wow. This is an amazing zin. Rich fruit with blackberry, with a bit of leather. I'm mostly a earthy cab and Rioja lover, so this surprised me. Someone gave us a bottle and since I was in SF for the weekend I went the tiny winery in Livermore and bought a case. — 9 years ago