Bob McDonald

9.5

Probably the best example of a new world Nebbiolo from the Australian master of alternative varieties as in Steve Pannell. See previous more detailed notes on Delectable - 182 weeks ago. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Fresh red fruits. Medium minus body. A good balance between the red cherries and the stalkiness from whole bunch influence. Soft supple yet persistent tannins. Very Yarra Valley, very Giant Steps - now owned by Jackson Family Wines of California, but this vintage would have been made by Steve Flamsteed who established the reputation of Giant Steps. An excellent wine with a big future. First of 6. — 3 years ago

Miss Harvey

9.1

Steve does it again...this wine is fucking amazing. — 6 years ago

Jody Scharf

10

Steve Matthiason gives it a 10. Who am I to override him? Stay safe my friends. My sense is sadly this ride...... Won't be short! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Light body and lean, soft extraction. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, bright cherries, soft understated vanilla, amazing bright red & blue florals. Beautiful acidity with a lean well polished fruity, finish.

Photos of; the Estate property, a nice sunset as seen from one of their sitting areas on their property, Owner/Winemaker, Steve Matthiasson having some vineyard fun amongst some of his very old gnarly vines and another shot of of a Matthiasson vineyard. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Riverain is Steve Nordhoff and Dean & Laurie Gray’s label that produces just a few hundred cases from some select vineyards in Northern California, including a Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Gamble Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc.

According to Dean Gray, Riverain is a historically French term meaning “local & friendly people who reside near the river.” @Greg Ballington deserves credit for the reco, and while I’ve had a handful of Syrahs from the Cardiac Hill Vineyard in Sonoma County’s Bennett Valley, this is my first that’s made by Thomas Rivers Brown.

Screams old world, particularly Northern Rhône. Loved it from the get-go, but the acceleration at 90 minutes open is significant. Campfire grilled meat, finely ground pepper, black olive, and creosote, with a core of savory black fruit, and a beautiful secondary combination of cedar and lavender. There’s a distinctive combination of balance, purity of fruit, and savory structure that’s hard not to recognize. — 8 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

Nice age on this red Bordeaux blend done in Steve Metthiasson’s signature old world bright acid style. Just beginning to show notes of pomegranate and plum. Cheers. — 3 years ago

Sebastian Corriere

9.1

Dining with Steve Infante eating rattlesnake, rabbit, elk, pork, bison… grana padano… — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

After the recent straight entry level Giant Steps Pinot from 2017 which was fruit driven and quite delicious this is one of their individual paddock wines - Applejack which is made in a different style with whole bunch ferment to the fore. Notes of anise and white pepper to the red fruited nose and palate. Hint of clove. Oak is resolved to my palate. Impressive and showing Steve Flamsteed’s ability as a winemaker. Postscript: Jackson Family Wines from the USA has acquired Giant Steps as of a year ago I believe. I would expect Giant Steps to be more readily available in the US now. — 5 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

I just got all up in this. It was so damn good. Cut white flowers, fresh pear and a cool viscous mouth feel. Eye opening white blend from the master of Amarone donated by an American white blended human @Steve Anderson — 7 years ago

romo

9.4

Happy to know @Steve Anderson. This cab is Beautiful. — 8 years ago

Rich Bluth

9.1

Always a top tier wine. Thx. Steve and Susan!! — 8 years ago

Michael Seely

9.6

Outstanding. With Joe and Steve Santa Fe — 8 years ago

with Joe

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes on March 2020 and October 2020. This tasting was even better than those two tastings. At 10 years it is peaking. Sweet and savoury ripe plum and black cherry. So mellow, earthy and delicious. A brilliant wine from a brilliant winemaker. He certainly is the master of alternative varieties in this country - Steve Pannell. A lot like cool climate Shiraz and many would pick it as that in a blind tasting. A great match with Chicken Legs. — 3 years ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.5

2019. Zesty herbs and minerality, acidity. Sav blanc is Bordeaux but Steve is a Rhone syrah man. Nevertheless he nailed it. — 4 years ago

Mike Swadener

9.9

Despite being stored in worrisome conditions with the recent summer heat, 2013 proved to be a trooper. Some sweet aromas of age and oxidation were outshined by big ripe red and black fruit. Hints of pepper and iron. Big body and silky to velvet texture. Took a meal of grilled lamb and green beans with mushrooms to the next level. Wish I had another. Thanks Steve and team! — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had another bottle, aged well. Steve & Paula Black pursued a dream in 2003 and purchased a 110-acre vineyard located in the Red Hills of Dundee creating The Four Graces, named after their four daughters. Medium Ruby with surprisingly complex aromas of red fruits, herb and spice. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors with tea and espresso notes adding a bit of pepper spice. Well balanced acidity with fine tannins, medium(+) length, ending with earthy notes. Nice value! Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Probably the most twiggy/stalky of Steve Flamsteed’s single vineyard cuvees. Perhaps overdid the whole bunch ferment aspect a little bit here. A good savoury intensity with fluid smooth tannins. Well made as always. From the very good 2015 vintage in the Yarra Valley. — 8 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Light golden color. Probably the most complex nose of any white wine I've ever had. I get meyer lemon, some veggies, metallic elements, and about 10 other things I'm not good enough to pin down. Wine is crisp and balanced with just the amount of tartness I enjoy. Above average finish. This is a wine that is not meant to be figured out but to be enjoyed for its multiple dimensions. Well done Steve! — 8 years ago

with Brooke

Doctor No

9.0

Steve Eisenhauer made great wines from this site - clear and varietally correct, never too ripe, with a medium body, and lovely subtle elements of clove/band-aid Brett and tobacco that enhanced the classic flavors of black currant. — 9 years ago