Tom Casagrande

9.0

I opened and double decanted this more out of curiosity than a desire to have it accompany our braised lamb shanks. I had a bottle of it back around 2013 or 2014 and it was about as impenetrably tannic as a wine could be. Undrinkable at that time. So I kept the other bottle in the cellar and forgot about it. At age 20, it’s actually pretty good, and I think it would appeal especially to those (looking at you @Doug Powers ) who appreciate aged wine. My brother Angelo’s notes from a bottle a few months ago nail it. Rich nose, full of interesting tertiary scents. There’s still some fruit though. Piercing acids. And the tannins still there but has softened considerably. It’s not my jam, pleasure-wise, but it’s quite interesting and I have to give this credit for aging quite nicely. — 14 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2019 vintage. Last tasted 4.3.24 (9.3) and 10.18.23 (9.3). PNP. Light medium-medium body. In a great spot already with some of the overtly, machismo dryness in previous visits now double-live gonzo. Big camphor/eucalyptus, cola nut, tree bark, semi-ripe cherry, rhubarb. Tannins not far from the proceedings. Maybe, just maybe, gets to 9.4 status in a few years. Seems to have enuff stuff(ing) to handle a 10-15 years hibernation period should you so desire. 03.16.25. — a year ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Light, limpid lemon color…very light nose. Clean, crisp, lemon, tart apple notes with a hint of stem. Delightful long finish with a smooth, supple base note and hints of savory basil. Structured, layered, complex and lively. I love Chenin… particularly Californian with early summer simple lemon roast chicken and cucumber/onion salad. I like the producer and wish I had more. Easy to like as a young vibrant wine. — 3 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The ‘23 Lichau Hills is a showcase for the fruit, starting off lean, pure, and elegant. With a long decant, some softer edges, redder fruits, and the rocky soil of the vineyard started to show through. Mild acids and tannins. A bit one dimensional but it is very, very young. Food friendly. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

A powerful Syrah in its youth, the Winds of Change 2023 (released March ‘25) opens with a dusty nose full of minerals, rose and kirsch. On the palate, its drying tannins are at the forefront now, adding to the dusty feel, but there is a nice peppery bite, dark cherries and tar. It felt a bit reserved and perhaps a few more years in bottle will mellow the tannins and let the rest shine. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2021 vintage. Old-school styled, Napa cabbage. The solitary nod to new-school is the medium-heavy body. Focused, dark fruit presence (not as much as Freemark Abbey but not far behind either). Plenty of value to be had here. Grip if you want it. Fruit if you so desire. Obvious balance. Nicely done. First Neal product visit/tasting but it won’t be the last. 1.24.24. — 2 years ago

John Knudsen

9.0

Delectable, this is the Desire Lines Wine Co. Experimental Series No. 10 Old Durney Massa Vineyard Reisling.

Slate, tropical fruits.

12/22 — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2022 vintage. Decent but overpriced. 10.8.25. — 5 months ago

Abi Bryony

9.5

More flavour the next day — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This is the standard Côte Rôtie from Agnes Levet that’s a blend of different parcels. However, the philosophy and approach remain the same as “La Chavaroche” and “Les Journaries”. In the past, this bottling was known as “Améthyste” and only recently became more widely available in the US. “Widely” is a relative word, lol.

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous bouquet all of the different varieties and colors of brambles your heart could possibly desire along with all of the seeds and stems, freshly cracked black pepper, dried herbs, some of the animale, purple flowers some hints of old wood and yes, perhaps a kiss of brettanomyces. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long, drying and loaded with even more black pepper. This is giving me total 2014 vibes and if you liked that vintage in the Northern Rhône (as I did), you’re gonna absolutely love this. Drink now through 2036. — a year ago