Christopher Vaughn Messer

9.1

This is a polished, crowd-pleasing Cabernet that still shows real intent. Ripe black cherry and blackberry lead the charge, followed by notes of cocoa, vanilla, and a subtle cedar spice. The tannins are smooth and well-integrated, giving it an easy, confident structure without sacrificing depth. There’s just enough oak warmth to feel luxurious, but it never overwhelms the fruit.

I opened this during a family winter getaway in Atlantic City, one of those cold, quiet nights after the lights fade and the boardwalk winds down. It paired beautifully with a relaxed dinner and conversation, the kind of wine that elevates the moment without demanding attention. Approachable, reliable, and quietly refined. Indian Wells continues to earn its reputation as a go-to Cabernet with class. — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.3

[Half bottle] This lovely 17-year-old Banyuls has finally knitted together into a very fine example of Dr. Parce Banyuls (old vine Grenache made in the same way as Port), earlier bottles were terribly disjointed and lacking balance and sweetness). Served with Viennese Sacher Torte my wife made for dessert!

Our first Dr. Parce was the 1967 “Vielles Vignes” which was fantastic and is still my reference point. We had that in 1987 at Pierre Gagnaire’s restaurant in St. Etienne, before he moved on to Paris, his staff was kind enough to comp us a bottle — blind — while my brother and I embarrassed ourselves trying to identify the wine!! That bottle was tried with Pierre’s famous “chocolate soup” dessert, the recipe for which was in Patricia Wells’ “Food and Wine Lovers of France” book from the mid-1980s — memorable combination!!! — a year ago

with Jim

Marianne Zuhorski

9.6

It was very good. — 3 months ago

Rufus King

9.0

Dark, sweet, bitter and a little smoky Sicilian Amaro liqueur, mostly used in cocktails at Bitter End restaurant, Wells, ME — 10 months ago

Rufus King

9.0

refreshing Grüner Veltliner with burger at Bitter End, Wells, ME — 3 years ago

Rufus King

8.9

Crisp white Cotes du Rhone blend with low minerality, served with scallops at The Bitter End, Wells, ME — 4 years ago

Jessica Knickerbocker

8.9

A nice Merlot to have in a harrowing time. — 7 months ago

Rufus King

9.3

Smooth, we’ll-balanced French Pinot Noir enjoyed with pasta bolognese at Bitter End, Wells, ME — a year ago

Turd Ferguson

8.9

12.4%. On the lighter side. Still fresh. Nice wine but maybe this vineyard isn’t really a killer. Possibly the first syrah I’ve had from AV?? I’ve had several of Wells Guthrie’s other 2016 Syrahs and they’re all great. This one didn’t knock me out. — 2 years ago

Elyse P

9.4

👍🏼 I’d buy again — 4 years ago