Mark LaClair

9.2

2010 now tawny in color. Very dry with secondary aromas of oak, nuts, some earth, but maintaining a good degree of dark fruits. Paired with homemade brick oven pizza. True Tuscan gem here. Strong but smooth tannins match the pepperoni and peppers. — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.8

To celebrate my 20,000 Vivino followers, here is a gorgeous wine.

A very pretty color of deep gold.

Wonderful nose of honey, citrus, yellow apples, melons, pears, tropical fruits, spices, light earth and white flowers.

Full bodied and very smooth with high acidity.

Sweet on the palate with honey, citrus, red apples, tropical fruits, spices, maple syrup and minerals.

Long finish with lemons and spices.

This is a delicious sweet wine from Bordeaux. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Showing great complexity at this point. Loved the nose, and kept smelling on it for a while. Really pretty.

Very well balanced with enough sugar for the acidity. So delicious now.

This 18 year old will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years.

A great wine from a great vintage. Buttery and creamy. Spicy and entertaining. A wonderful wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine, and it is always amazing.

Thank you Scott for sharing this gem with me.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

98 points.

$250 (375ml). — 3 years ago

with Scott

Jason Troendle

9.4

Sweet and not too strong — 6 years ago

with Mandy

David Walser

9.4

At home eating leftovers tonight enjoying this surprise. I bought 6 bottles based on Russell Bevan being the winemaker. My experience with the first few bottles was disappointing, but tonight was special. I wish I could understand these differences; bottle variation???...dumb phase???...I just don’t know.

I’m generally not a Merlot drinker as a varietal but I also have fond memories of the 2008 Bevan Cellars Showket Vineyard Merlot...a wonderful wine. — 6 years ago

E & K G

9.2

Jumped on the opportunity to pick up this rare gem. Has some heat for a rose but it comes all layers of red fruit flavors that have taste a bit more like a cherry or strawberry life-saver. #wheninparis — 8 years ago

Eric Stec

9.0

2007 on 9/25/17. Jammy, almost too smoky, chalky at first sip. Better longer it's open. Smooth, leather smell, mix of tannins, wet stone, rain. Been a while since I've had an enjoyed a bottle or glass that gets better the longer it's open, this was a nice surprise! A gem. — 9 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Macchia – “Delicious” Barbera – 2023
Heaven’s Vines, Lodi – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Barbera from Lodi. an Italian indigenous grape known for its naturally high acidity, juicy fruit, and casual drinkability. Macchia Winery, celebrated for producing over 20 distinct styles of Zinfandel, also showcases its versatility with Italian varieties. Consistently recognized with domestic and international awards, the winery brings Barbera into the spotlight with this vibrant estate bottling.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherries, plum, blackberry compote, and a touch of vanilla and sweet spice. Fresh, fruity, and forward with that classic Barbera brightness.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity and a smooth, easygoing finish. Juicy fruit drives the palate, making it approachable and highly sip-worthy.

Food Pairings
Perfect with pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, grilled sausages, roasted vegetables, or charcuterie. A true “any day, any time” red.

Verdict
A fun, approachable, and fruit-driven Barbera with Macchia’s signature Lodi generosity. Casual enough for weeknight sipping yet polished enough to show the quality behind this estate-grown wine.

Did You Know?
Barbera is one of Italy’s most widely planted red grapes, cherished for its fresh acidity and versatility. In California, Lodi’s warm days and cool delta breezes help the variety express generous fruit while maintaining balance. — 7 months ago

ESF

9.2

See previous note, some time has really improved this wine - represents outstanding QPR. Again, very international style Rioja - super generous & delicious — 4 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.5

I guess I gave fallen for this gem. — 5 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

Wine of the night. Impressive nose. Full, bold and round. A gem. — 6 years ago

Scott Soren

9.2

Pleasantly surprised by this little gem. As a super Tuscan lover was drawn to this by the age statement from this little restaurant. Not a big nose, but medium bodied with nice acidity. Black raspberries and currants on the pallet with some Smokeyness. Lovely wine — 7 years ago

Michael Kadenacy

9.7

Earthy leather, fruit forward, hints of cherry and anise. 30 + years and going strong! Amazing. Blown away by this beautifully aged Spanish gem!!! — 8 years ago

Maniac TJ

9.1

Bold red with strong aroma and hearty taste — 9 years ago

Vanessa

9.4

Here’s a gem from Howell Mountain AVA, Napa Valley!

Dunn Vineyards, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon (2013).

It’s a deep ruby wine with subtle garnet influences. The nose and palate offer medium(+) intensity of ripe black cherry, blackcurrant, plum, blackberries, blueberry, creme de cassis, violet, black licorice, anise, cedar, pencil shavings, tobacco, leather, clove, balsamic, olive, peat, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg…

On the palate, this wine is dry with medium alcohol (13.9%), medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, and high tannins that are silky smooth and fine grained. The finish lingers.

It’s absolutely delicious - cheers!! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Nick

9.2

Absolutely caught me off guard. This was a simple gift from family. Now my wife and I are scrambling to buy another bottle. A phenomenal blend. Full bodied and spice. I would love for someone who actually knows what they’re talking about to try and this lol — 4 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

Inky dark purple. Solid fruit. Short decant all that is needed but this wine sings after an hour plus. Ripe blackberry and plum, some black cherry. Solid acidic backbone with medium tannins. Smooth chocolate finish. This wine is a gem of a deal from Realm. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits and complex notes of spice, herb and earth. It was a cooler season in 2010, resulting in higher acidity that made this wine big and needed a lot more time in the bottle, than the last time I tried in order to soften the massive tannin structure. On the palate plum and blackberry flavors with some nutty notes, wet stone and earthy herbs show harmoniously on the palate. Full body, fine tannins with a deep rich long finish. A Gem! Tasting well now! — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2015 'Y' from Chateau D’YQuem is a head turning, simply brilliant blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The Sauvignon Blanc is harvested rather early in the growing season to retain its freshness, while the Semillon is given more time to mature and allow botrytis to take effect. The wine itself displays a lovely golden hue, and begins with an exotic bouquet consisting of star jasmine, honeydew melon, starfruit and lemongrass aromatics which all take shape. On the palate this possesses remarkable tension and viscosity, which is truly one of a kind as the mouthfeel takes on a sultry, unctuous character as lemon cream, kumquat, cantaloupe and roasted pineapple flavors all come together beautifully. It continues to impress with its gorgeous seamless quality and balance while showcasing the ripeness and intensity of the vintage. While this is already showing trememdous appeal it should go on to age exceedingly well over the course of the next two plus decades. This is a absolute gem from the legendary Château. Drink 2019-2038- 97 — 7 years ago

David Gillespie

9.4

A gem I don’t want anyone else to know about. Buying a case and putting it away, a light red for people who don’t like light reds, and far more interesting than most of what those who do will drink instead. — 8 years ago

David Wanek

9.6

My favorite DB vintage. Looking forward to seeing how this gem evolves — 9 years ago