Tasting Notes Archive

Black fruits dominate the aromatics and flavors, ending with a juicy yet complex finish.

Strawberry and black cherry aromatics, with a pinch of Herbs de Provence and a beautiful core of minerality.

Vibrant strawberry and raspberry fruit takes on an earthy, grilled maitake mushroom edge.

Spiced plums with a hint of rosemary and thyme.

94 points Wine Advocate - SOLD OUT

Wild raspberrry with subtle hits of dark chocolate.

90 points Wine Spectator

93 point Wine Advocate

SOLD OUT

Aromas of fresh apple pie and apricot blossoms, layered with a rich and lush texture featuring flavors of ripe peach and spicy notes.

75% Roussanne, 25% Marsanne

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide

92 points Wine Advocate

90 points Wine Spectator

39% Zinfandel, 29% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, 4% Tempranillo, 3% Carignan, 2% Grenache, 1% Viognier.

Mysterious aromatics of spiced plum, wild game, graphite and dried currant.

French Viognier project, 50% Condrieu and 50% Seysseul, collaborated with my friend Francois Villard.

Minerally oriented, with dried apricots, dried peaches and honey. Only 50 case production.

Incredibly lush palate, multi-layered sweet tannins.

93 points Wine Advocate

91 points Wine Spectator

Beautiful sweet mid-palate, delicate smoky aspects.

92 points Wine Advocate

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Sweet pipe tobacco, crushed peppercorns and roasted red pepper.

Blackberry preserves, spiced plum and graphite minerality.

94+ points Wine Advocate

Serious concentration, loads of character.  Candle wax, bitter almond and hints of clover.

93 points Wine Advocate

Blue and black fruits, cinnamon, coffee.

92 points Wine Advocate

92 points Wine Spectator

Opaque in color with flavors of blackberry and Australian licorice.

92 points Wine Advocate

Briery aromas of wild raspberry and blueberry.

Wine Advocate 92 points

Wine Spectator 92 points

Honey & spiced peach cobbler, full-bodied and backed up with a core of minerality.  75% Roussanne, 25% Marsanne.

92 points Wine Spectator

Smoked wild game, herbs de Provence and hints of bitter Swiss chocolate.

92 points Wine Spectator

Aromas of garrigue, freshly turned earth, followed by black cherry.

91 points Wine Spectator

Smoky, hot tar and fresh vanilla bean. A firm backbone of tannin adds to the seemingly never-ending finish.

90 points Wine Advocate

94 points Wine Spectator

Cherry, licorice, roasted earth, a wisp of lavender.

Aromatics of orange blossom, pear and peach.

Wet stone, spiced pineapple, opulent palate.  This is classic Marsanne, with flavors of orange blossom, apricots and peaches.

92 points Wine Spectator

A lush explosion of black fruit with a strong mineral backbone. 

90 points Wine Advocate

91 points Wine Spectator

Loaded with peaches, apricots, honey, orange blossom and crushed rocks.

Orange zest, spice and honeysuckle. Delivering an ethereal drinking experience, Trials & Tribulations tangos effortlessly on the palate,

Extremely limited production of 10 cases.

The Blend: 50% Condrieu (25% De Poncins, 25% Le Grand Valons), 50% Seyssuel

90 points Wine Spectator

Tart blackberry fruit, chocolate and robust  tannin pair perfectly with red meat.

Black, blue and red fruits and freshly ground espresso.  

Gushing blackberry and blueberry fruit with a touch of Viognier for a hint of floral aromatics.

92 points Wine Spectator

Boysenberry, plum, smoke and game.

93 points Wine Advocate

92 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Blackberry jam, vanilla & cassis. Last vintage from the Frediani Vineyard.

92+ points Wine Advocate

SOLD OUT

Layers of chocolate, black cherry, red raspberry and roasted herbs de Provence.

Honey with a hint of beeswax; peaches and dried apricots.  A perfect dessert all by itself.

Silky honeysuckle with just a dash of apricots, peaches and bees wax.

Epitomy of classic Syrah. Although appellation states California, this vintage happens to be 100% Syrah from Vici Vineyard in Napa Valley.

Sweet, concentrated briery fruit component of cherries and raspberries, this is complimented by a spicy, peppery finish.

A delicious blend of Santa Barbara, Montery County and Alexander Valley Syrah, with a touch of Petite Sirah from Lake County.

Seductive aromas and a fine, silky texture are the signatures of these vineyards.

92 points Wine Advocate

92 points Wine Spectator

95 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Big blueberry fruit and blackberry pie spice.

Concentrated briery blackberries and raspberries, spicy black pepper finish.

Exotic flavors and a dark, rich color are what keep the demand so high for this limited-quantity wine.

93 points Wine Spectator

Gorgeous nose of blackberry liqueur intermixed with melted licorice and smoked meats.

93 points Wine Advocate

93 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Explodes with smoked almonds, peaches and apricots with a creamy, honeyed texture.

Red raspberries, olives & cured meats. Undeniably feral, provocatively complex, this wine demands attention.

Raspberries, black cherry and spice but with roasted earth components.

Syrah purity: Roasted herbs de Provence, blackberry and raspberry combination.

91 points Wine Advocate

90 points Wine Spectator

92 points Connoisseurs' Guide

A beautiful black/purple color is followed by aromatics and flavors of black cherry.

Smoky black cherry, roasted earth, hints of raspberry and just a touch of creamy cassis.

90 points Wine Advocate

Concentrated blackberry with a hint of vanilla bean.

92 points Wine Advocate

92 points Wine Spectator

Black cherry, plum & cola with a hint of cracked pepper.

94 points Wine Advocate

Touch of lavender and black olives.  Only 34 cases produced.

90 points Wine Advocate

93 points Wine Spectator

39% Zinfandel, 35% Petite Syrah, and 26% Syrah

Blackberry, boysenberry compote with a wisp of smoke and lavender.

93 points Wine Advocate

92 points Wine Spectator

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide

California ripeness and the soul of the Northern Rhone are found in this Syrah.

92 points Wine Advocate

94 points Wine Spectator

93 points Connoisseurs' Guide

A special blend of different vineyards located in many of the top Syrah producing regions of California

Cool climate Syrah, black cherries, olive and roasted herbs.

90 points Wine Advocate

93 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Concentrated blackberry and blueberry fruit.

94 points Wine Advocate

92 points Wine Spectator

90 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Loads of brambleberry, dusty raspberry, and black cherry.

Black cherry, boysenberry, cinnamon and vanilla bean.

Ripe apricots, peaches and honey.

Rich, lush & concentrated, with wild red and black berries.

94 points Wine Advocate

93 points Wine Spectator

94 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Beautifully concentrated, loaded with flavors of red raspberries, black cherries, smoke, olives and white pepper.

90 points Wine Advocate

90 points Connoisseurs' Guide

A perfect wine for grilled meats and hearty stews.

94 points Wine Advocate

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide

A special blend of Syrah from vineyards located in many of the top syrah producing regions of California.

50% Syrah from the Clos de Cuminaille Vineyard, St. Joseph, France and 50% Syrah from the Ventana Vineyard, Monterey, California

Cool climate Syrah, with flavor profile of blackberries and baking spices and roasted meats.

90 points Wine Advocate

90 points Wine Spectator

This opaque purple wine is a truly decadent experience.

91 points Wine Spectator

Lavender, blackberry jam and a mineral backbone.

93 points Wine Advocate

One of the most elegant Zinfandel comes from the Rhodes Vineyard.

Golden yellow color with an aroma of honeyed apricots and peaches laced with cinnamon and vanilla.

93 points Wine Spectator

Rich, lush, concentrated, and powerful best describes this amazing texture profile.

90 points Wine Spectator

94 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Flavors of honeysuckle, mango, papaya, peach and spiced cinnamon.

Opaque purple in color with aromas of roasted herbs, smoked game, blackberries and cassis.

91 points Connoisseurs' Guide

Flamboyantly aromatic and enormously concentrated. 

90 points Wine Spectator

A dark plum color with aromatics and flavors of black fruits.

80-100 year old head trained vines give this wine intense depth and concentration.

90 points Wine Spectator

A powerhouse wine that will mesmerize all your senses - Incredibly exotic and very seductive. The aromas and flavors are a blend of concentrated blackberry jam, smoked game, olives, cassis and roasted herbs de Provence.

Amazingly dark purple appearance and aromas of black cherry and hints of lavender.

Golden yellow in color with an aroma of honeyed apricots and peaches lightly laced with cinnamon and vanilla.

Aromas of blackberries, licorice, olives, roasted herbs and smoked wild game.

Straw yellow in color with aromas of honeyed apricots, creamy peaches and subtle hints of grapefruit.

Opaque purple in color with aromas of roasted herbs, smoked game and blackberries.

91 Wine Spectator

91 Connoisseurs' Guide