GaryWEdwards

9.7

Dense, softened tannins are the start of a delightful full bodied blackberry led juice. Absolute magic. And it’s probably a longer runner than thought 15 years ago. Highly recommend to grab if you see it — 5 months ago

Spencer Dodd

9.1

Interesting and good. Got at a steal so that helps. What an interesting fruit note, nothing quite I have tasted before. Almost a blue fruit with a tinge of Syrah notes that semi blow off paired with that good Italian acidity backbone. If you see it at a reasonable price buy it — 3 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.5

This is a review for Cepages d’antan since described couldn’t find it. But WOW! Super fresh, green apple and almond brioche. Really just reminds me of being in champagne, it tastes like the place! Made of rare varietals. But if you see! — 4 years ago

with Natasha

Scott Soren

9.5

Eclectic Zin blend in its finest form. Rich berry and violets on the nose. At 8 years, the palate is more sublime. Notoriously fruit forward in the younger years, has evolved into a sensual experience. Black cherry dominates the palate with some cedar wood and structure driven by the Syrah and Mourvèdre. Tannins still present, and a rich mouthfeel. Do yourself a favor if you ever see this. BUY IT. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

In a word “Elegant,” 100% organically farmed Tempranillo from village of Laguardia, aged in barrels for nine months limiting the oak influence. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and subtle light spice. Palate, clean and fresh fruit flavors of cherry and sweet blackberry, very smooth with super fine velvet tannins. Long finish, complex ending bringing everything together. Outstanding about 1000 cases made. Don’t hesitate if you see a bottle. — 6 years ago

Charlene Vacon

9.2

What a delightful light red. If you close your eyes, you’re drinking a white. Soft fruit, light acidity and a sweetness that’s fresh. I had it at room temp this time but I could see putting it on ice in the summer months. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂

What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me. — 7 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Some white peach, almond, subtle plum skin. If you don’t see the color, it drinks surprisingly close to a southern Italian white like Greco di tufo — 2 years ago

Steve Rura

9.3

Other ratings called this “closed” which I completely agree with. The dense flavors took forever to open up. I popped it at noon for a 7:30p dinner of chick pea and potato pasta, and it was still developing. Highly tannic, but so layered if you have the patience. Darker fruits, yet still some tart red cherry, lavender, rose petals, and ashy dryness. Complex, classic Barolo (from my limited experience). I’ll save my second bottle to see how it develops. — 2 years ago

Roger Custer

9.4

One of our favorite reds. Not too sweet or tanic but a nice blend of fruit, wood, and soil. Laura nicely with red meat or cheese. — 5 years ago

Melissa Rogers

10

This wine was so special. I know chenin blanc is a bit of a risk, but I had it in mind to pair with salty Chinese food, and found this VERY price-friendly organic bottle at my favorite wine store. It had none of the overt fruitiness or oiliness that sometimes comes with CB; rather, I think it was the perfect combo of the yellow apple richness of traditional CBs expressed in a very lean, dry, tart, wildly acidic sipper with just a hint of ginger spiciness. If you’ve read this far you can see I really loved this wine. 💛 — 6 years ago

Layne Eaton

9.5

Layne had this 6 years ago

Ron R

9.5

A much maligned vintage, which we don’t see in the wines that we’ve tasted.
@Martin G Rivard brought this to our attention. We really enjoy wines from the Round Pond vineyard, but never knew this existed.
The nose displays charcoal and dense black fruits. Palate is powerful with big tannins and complementary acidity. Lovely sweetness and texture on the mid -palate. This is a power play expression of a Napa cab - not for the feint of heart...
Leave this to unfurl for a few more years, if you can resist it!
Happy valentines 😍 — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Brandi Bratek

9.3

I could drink this all day everyday. If you see it, buy it. — 7 years ago

Angela Large

9.8

This bottle...has had me on a wild goose chase for a couple of months now. I picked this up in South Bend Indiana on a quick weekend trip and was astounded by the exquisite quality in a $19 bottle. This was the perfect wine for me. Great juicy, ripe berry flavors, not too dry, slight spice and smoke. I crave it; unfortunately it’s not available in Oklahoma! If you see it, buy it (and mail it to me)! — 7 years ago

Michelle Berryman

9.4

Complex, but approachable. This is an excellent Barolo. If you see this wine, buy it. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.2

@Delectable Wine : This is the Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs. I didn’t see it in the database.

I compared this 2017 Haliotide Late Disgorged BdB to the 2016 Ultramarine Heintz BdB to get a feel for styles. Followed over two days with no change.

I’ve had the Haliotide rosé and thought it was really expressive. Lots of bright red fruit. I love late disgorged offerings so I picked this up to try.

This Haliotide spent 68 months en tirage! However, I expected a more leesy profile as this wine is razor sharp. Nice, clean and pure. It’s like drinking Chablis with bubbles. Lemon, underripe pear, and honeysuckle aromatically. On the palate, it is mineral heavy with sea salt, lemon to the max, and a bright and crystalline acidic profile. The zero dosage nature comes across naturally without being too austere. Screams for food…sushi or oysters would be a killer pairing. I enjoyed drinking this, but I think I expected a bit more mid-palate richness. If you love Chablis or leaner style grower champagnes, this is your jam. — 2 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.2

Back in the day a friend and I went in on 2 cases which got us a nice discount and I think we paid about $23 a btl. I was clueless back then and finished my case rather quickly. Fast forward my friend called today and said I’m having people over for dinner on Friday take a look at my inventory and let me know what you think I should serve. I was shocked to see he had almost a full case left. I told him I think this would be a great choice if it was alive. Why I say it’s always good to have great friends. He sent a bottle over for me to try. I was very happy to oblige. A pristine bottle with a great fill. When I took my first sniff , I was immediately taken by the scent of green peppercorns and earth. The flavor profile was that of currants, plums, a hint of olive, tobacco and mostly resolved tannins that combined to provide a surprisingly long finish. Simple joys!
PS, I would decant for sediment but would return it to the bottle because I found extended air time was not a friend. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

2002 is such a beautiful vintage IMHO. In many ways, I think even better than 07. We’ll see in five years from now as I lack a time machine.

I’ve said this a couple of times over my nearly 4,200 Delectable notes. There is no amount of decanting a young wine that can reproduce the beauty, elegance, florals, integration, balance and finish as long bottle age. If you are buying expensive Cabernets and drinking them young, you are simply short changing yourself out of your deep investment.

This largely under known Napa producer is a shining example of that tonight. Proof in the pudding so to speak.

The nose reveals, sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, understated blueberries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, incense, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets.

The body is; round, rich & luxurious. The tannins still have baby teeth and show chewy tarriness. The tension, structure, length and balance have hit their peak. It’s not going to improve, it will simply show you descending changes which, can be quite enjoyable but, not necessarily for the ones that appreciate wines young. Interesting, none the less, for the ones that enjoy all sides/aspects of wine evolution. Sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, mulberries, boysenberries, more blue fruits than the nose, cherries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices with just the right amount of heat, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth, fresh tobacco, suede style leather, saddle-wood with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets. The ABV on this wine is really nice given today’s hotter wines. Climate change, it’s a bitch. The round acidy is as good as it gets. The long, excellent, elegant, rich, ripe, ruby, gorgeous, sexy, floral, perfectly balanced finish falls into persistent heaven.

This is a gorgeous example of what Napa Valley is capable of in grand vintages, if you have good storage & can show patience.

Photos of; an arial view of Jones Family Winery, patio tasting area, beautiful Jones Family Cabernet fruit and their amazing vineyards. — 6 years ago

Susan Reiner

8.9

Had this for a special Valentine’s Day lunch. Delicious food wine. Not too much fruit. Just enough tannin. If you see it, try it. — 7 years ago