1998 vintage. Been waiting to taste this one again for over two decades. 1998 wasn't the best Napa Cab vintage. The best 98's were generally mountain fruit-like the Dunn Howell Mountain. When this was released back in the day, it was brawny, taut and tannic but still maintained balance. This Montelena 1998 Estate Cab was better than nearly everyone's 1997 (an acclaimed/excellent across the board) Napa cabs back then. FF 23 years later...surprise! Some things haven't changed. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins, 30 mins and 2 hrs. Excellent fill and cork. Throwing respectable sed. Massive color. Great aged, leathery nose. Still medium heavy bod. Baking chocolate, ripe plum and grilled beef in the flavor profile. Consistent performer through the entry, mid and back palate hoops without drop-off during the ceremony. Tannins still evident but well-integrated with the abundance of fruit. Not improving but this is rock steady and in a very sweet spot/top of the bell curve for at least another decade. It was worth the wait. 6.29.24. — 2 years ago
Neal rosenthal does it again....medium gold in the glass..12%...aromas of cut green grass, ripe plum, savory herbs. Round, vibrant acid-forward, bringing in a touch of green bitter stem on the finish. Perfect with simple lemon/fennel halibut, Roman artichoke, and fluffy gnocchi with lamb sugo. Long, lingering finish... so many great Italian high acid white varietals. — 5 years ago
Delicious on our balcony at the William Vale with my one drink a week! — 5 years ago
The community of Saint-Estèphe has it roots in the Gallo-Roman origins of this chateau. A blend of 78% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby with aromas of dense sweet black fruits with herb and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry, currant like, with tobacco, tar and hints of vanilla exposing mushroom notes. Well balanced, ripe textured tannins, long finish ending with earthy character. Nice, has plenty of room to develop. — 7 years ago
At Rootstock in Woodstock — 8 years ago
Medium ruby core with garnet edges. Aged characteristics on the nose with damp earth, a little espresso, a touch smoky, cinnamon and stewed plums. Medium tannins (6/10) and plus medium body. Dark cocoa on the attack of the palate intermingled with plums, black currants, black cherries and lots of spices. A bit of anise and the Petit Verdot coming through in the medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
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Starting today we are partnering with Vinlumin in order to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Northern California earlier this month. Until November 15th or for the first 200 units, Vinlumin will be donating $100.00 per unit to three different Northern California based charities: Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and Mendocino Community Fund. Go to www.vinlumin.com to learn more and to grab one while supporting those affected in Northern California.
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@David L @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Martin A. Cody @James Cahill @Carl Fischer @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Bill Bender @Eric S @Isaac Pirolo @TheSkip @Mike R @Lori Mike @Jody Scharf @Jo Anne B @Kim Stanbro @Roman Sukley @Greg Gregory @Sean Smith @Shay Aldriedge — 9 years ago



Sicilian red from Bad Roman. Medium bodied. Sharp at first, but good once it had time to breathe. — 2 years ago
Very interesting Cabernet. For me licorice up front. Not a long finish nor overly tannic but nice and smooth. — 3 years ago
Lovely. Fabulous rich, vibrant nose. Gently sweet rosé wine. — 5 years ago
The 2015 Bodegas San Roman Toro is another sensational release from this storied property in the Toro region. Toro saw very high heat spikes in 2015 so it is not surprising to see this massive wine weighing in at 14.5% alcohol. Needing a one hour hour decant, after some air this beautiful wine slowly unveils gorgeous aromatic range from black tea and Asian spices that mingle with notes of milk chocolate covered red cherry and tobacco leaf that are all marvelously woven together in the glass. The texture is soft and sumptuous, giving this wine a hedonistic edge. Suggestions of black forest cake and sweet pipe tobacco fill the palate, deftly mingling with minerals and peat moss tones. This finishes exceedingly long with dark fruits and minerals. While this is a delight to savor in its youth, the 2015 San Roman has both the acidity and stuffing to cellar well for the next twenty years. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 7 years ago


In Roman times, the estate belonged to a family called Figeacus, whose main villa stood on the site of the present château. Traces of the original pipework remain. A blend of 48% Cab Sauv, (typical Figeac high % Cab), 32% Merlot & 20% Cab Franc with wonderful fruit aromas and floral notes. This second wine shows blackberry and raspberry flavors with light spice & gentle oak on soft balanced tannins. Full-bodied, lingering ending with fruit and earthy mineral. Good now will develop over next 5 years. — 8 years ago
Fruity and aromatic. It's sake but tastes like white wine. — 9 years ago
Added at Coast Range. — 2 years ago

A fabulous find!! Grasevina is a dry, fresh, aromatic white wine with apple-like notes. It’s typically considered to be a neutral and easy-drinking wine. The everyday wine of Central Europe, Grasevina is also known as Welschriesling. Recognizable features of the grape are its acid and slight almond-like bitterness. Belje began in 1697 when Roman Emperor Leopold gifted the estate to Prince Eugene of Savoy. The wine is straw yellow with hints of light green. The wine itself is beautifully fruity and flowery, fresh and crisp acidity that resembles citrus with the slightest hint of sweetness. This wine is well balanced, finishes with a beautiful orange peel note and a nice bite. An exceptional food-friendly wine that is unfairly overlooked and underappreciated. Surdyks March 2023 $13.99 (Reg $16.99) — 3 years ago
Cincinnato ‘Pollùce’ Nero Buono 2018: Medium-body. Medium acidity. Medium tannins. Made from 100% Nero Buono, an ancient grape varietal from the Lazio region of Italy, this wine offered an intense, deep purple color due to the skin and the juice. Primary flavors were dried red fruits, dark fruits, plum, raspberry, blackberry, herbs & earth. The finish was noticeably dry & smooth. Overall, a very nice expressive wine showcasing a great mix of fruit & terroir. A exceptional find and a great pairing for our authentic Roman flatbread called pinsa. Roman food requires Roman wine! Cheers🍷 — 5 years ago
2016 Vintage. 16% Alcohol. No lighter style Grenache here. Can’t say more than @Roman Sukley other than first from our allocation and singing at this early age. Much more open than the 2016 SQN Rafael Syrah. This brought the fireworks! Happy July 4th 2020 all! — 6 years ago
The Vieille Voye vineyard was planted before the 16th century by the Pontigny abbots, who named it after the old Roman road that connected Burgundy with Champagne. This single Vineyard is a big step above their entry level wine. Nose of ripe fruit with sweet spice. On the palate ripe peach and tropical fruit and sweet spice coming from 11 months of oak aging. Lingering finish, lively acidity ending with chalky mineral tones. Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago
My first Ferren and I’m prepping with a 2-3 decant as suggested by @Roman Sukley @DAG and @David L notes to follow. For now the wine is moderately cloudy, nose of yeast and brioche with a quite strikingly vibrant pear yellow hue. Happy Thanksgiving Delectable peeps who always entertain and often inform. This is a spectacular, exceptionally well made Chardonnay. Oily, rich and loaded with viscosity but also so energetic and full of verve. I’m impressed. As close to Kongsgaard The Judge that I’ve had at a fraction of the price. — 9 years ago



Mark Rosse
Strutting 🤩 — a year ago