Marisa Sullivan

9.5

Josh ❤️ - Casa de surf 🏄‍♂️ — 10 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened 24 hours prior and decanted for sediment before returning to the bottle; enjoyed over the course of two days. The 1981 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of tart brambles and plums, green bell pepper, tobacco, leather, all of the decomposing earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, mostly integrated tannins with medium+ acid, borderline high. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Overall, a wine that is a reflection upon the vintage and at 43 years of age, that’s a big compliment. The 1981 is very much alive and will likely live for a very long time. However, it is backward, rustic, and somewhat tough to love unless you’re an old-school masochist. But I’m guilty and this wine is charming despite all of its green character. Drink now and over the next 30 years probably. — 9 months ago

Scott Petrus

9.0

Rustic tannins and the smell of fresh magma rolling down Etna. — 4 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Very rustic and musty, from what I hear this amount of time must have really softened its rough edges because this has some refinement to it. Amber red color, with slight coppery hints, the nose is musty like an old felt book binding, or some velvet church pews, with prominent fruit as it’s allowed to open up, and even some hints of dusty bubble gum and deep floral notes towards the edges. Looong legs on a medium body, the tannins are well integrated and grippy, with a strong foundation, but melt after a little while. There’s serious graphite and minerality here, but that opens into some savory notes, black currant and olive, as well as some balsamic, but after the tannin let go you get some serious cacao or dark chocolate notes, even some tobacco smoke, with fig and blood orange at the finish. I don’t know why people dog on this wine, it just needs time to mature, more than folks realize. Paired with spek, sheep’s milk cheese, and the film “A Prophet”. — 2 months ago

with Tiva

Hugh O'Riordan

9.1

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 3 years ago

Paul J

9.4

Great as always!! Dark red color. Nose of earth, graphite, and French terroir. Silky smooth. Medium plus depth with rustic tones and dark fruit. Medium plus finish. Great pairing with BBQ short ribs. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Beefy, savory and feral. Tasty rustic Italian red. — 7 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

The elegant side of #grenache - High-toned strawberry + red floral elements on the nose, elegant creamy texture on palate, soft tannins, balanced acidity. Lovely wine from I. Brand & Family Winery. #centralcoastwine — 3 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Carignan based red blend (also has small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc). Deep ruby in color. Intense black fruit aromas and flavors. Notes of fresh herbs, purple flowers and Forrest Floor. Touch of saline on the finish. Full bodied with a velvety texture. Nicely balanced acidity and medium tannins. Beautifully rustic! Thanks for bringing this one, Petey! — 4 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.1

Dark fruit with just a hint of oak with spices, and coca cola slightly. The wine is powerful, acidity is there and the ripe dark red fruit adds freshness to that full palate. The finish that is delicious, has a rustic side and some grip reminiscent of a good Nuits St-Georges. Despite that, a wine I really like in this vintage that has not yet convinced me. 90-91

Fruits noirs au nez avec un léger profil boisé, épices et coca cola. Le vin est puissant, une bonne acidité aussi, du fruit noir ou rouge foncé et assez mur en bouche qui apporte une belle fraîcheur. La finale, quand même délicieuse, a une touche de rusticité et de poigne qui est fidèle à un NSG digne de ce nom. Malgré tout un vin que j’aime bien dans ce millésime qui ne m’enchante pas toujours. 90-91
— 5 years ago