4/25/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Noir fruit, salumi, milk chocolate, flower shop and wet earth. Long and panoramic, with layered, silky tannins. Full body with a backend that is polished. Stunning fruit and not in a dumb phase at all; however, this could definitely go the distance. A pure joy. Drink 2026 -.

4/21/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Vibrant and showing obvious depth. Medium to full-bodied, with a salinity and slight viscosity; loaded with purity. Long and focused. Papaya, Meyer lemon, grapefruit and orange blossom. This has cut and remains layered throughout. Such a stunning wine and I would love to taste this next to the alluring ‘18. This will age quite gracefully. Drink 2026 - 2038.

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is holding on like a true champion. The cork was soaked through, but the fill was past the high shoulder. Bricking, this is like an aged burgundy in colour. Mahogany, weathered leather, old library, dried cherries and old tobacco leaf. A medium body with a long, savory finish. There’s some tomato plant at the end. No reason to wait - obviously. No evident tannin, with some fine qualities. Rare and delightful. Drink now -?

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Tropical notes of papaya and white pineapple, with white stone, acacia, pie crust and lemon. Full-bodied, with a long, lingering finish. Time will not hurt, however, this is delectable today. Plush and some tension. Nay a hard edge to find. This unfolds in a lovely way. Brilliance and shimmer. Drink 2026 - 2038.

4/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Starting to show some petrol, there is also apple skin, orange zest, Meyer lemon and mineral for days, with a chalky aspect throughout. Long and piercing, with wonderful, quenching acidity and energy. This will last decades and drinking well now. Drink now -.

4/13/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Tension and vibrancy. So much focus and mineral, with a long, clean finish. Granny Smith apples, minerals, chalk, straw and yeast. Lovely and precise, with gumption and mite. This is fantastic today and will cellar quite well. There’s a lovely key lime accent throughout. Truly a gem and classic in every way. Dry. Drink 2025 -.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Concentrated and full in body, with blueberry cobbler, tar and acacia. A medium finish and not shy, this is a total crowd pleaser. Inky. Tannins with grip and staying power. Broad shouldered. Drink now - 2038.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Blackberries, sous bois, potpourri, incense, river rock and blueberries. Long and deep, this unfolds with attractive, soft textures. Silky tannins and layers of noir fruit. I am reminded yet again how we need more Mourvèdre in Sonoma County. This is so appealing today, yet has the backbone and frame to age without effort. I could see this being glorious twenty years from now. Drink now -.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Holy smoke, Batman! This stunning beauty is loaded with every onomatopoeia imaginable. Bam! Boom!! The middle palate is absolutely magnetic. Usually Mancini is more berry focused, but not this vintage. Cherries jubilee, blood orange, raspberries, soy sauce, fruit cocktail and star fruit. Exceptionally long, with a panoramic palate throughout. I see no reason to wait, nor to rush. The requisite acidity is there, just not as much as in the past. This is just gorgeous. Also, Mancini was planted in 1922. This particular vintage is the 100th anniversary. What a way to celebrate! I can’t wait to indulge in the other ‘22s from the Piner-Oliver ranches. This is forward, yet still retains the finesse one would expect from the modern Carlisle’s. Picked earlier than most years and ‘22 was not kind to many a winery in my ‘hood. However, that was not the case - thus far - for Carlisle. Medium to full-bodied. Drink now - 2036.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

On the same level as the classic Grenache, this is absolutely killer. Raspberry, blackberry, garrigue, oolong tea, root beer and granite. Exceptionally long and medium in body, with microfiber tannins and an enchanting agility. I love the essence and clean fruit, with precise focus. Great balance of depth and acidity. Less concentrated than the wonderful ‘19, but remains quite complex. Drink 2026 - 2036.

4/6/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Very approachable and loaded with depth, yet agile and elegant. There’s silky tannins and a lovely clarity. Strawberries, orange zest, black cherry, white pepper, plum sauce and flower shop. Pretty. Layer, upon layer that unfolds nicely with a round middle. With 17% Mourvèdre, which adds some weight, this is medium-bodied and has a long finish. Classic and is different from the ‘19, yet very close in quality. Drink 2025 - 2037.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for three hours. Plum sauce, chocolate brownie, freesias, melted licorice, leather and tired art canvass. Long and elegant; with a full body and a chocolate presence. Savory, silky tannins and layers of sexiness. Persona and depth. A long finish. Quite classic and built to age. This unfolds with panache and savior faire. Drink now - 2037.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is absolutely killer. Pear, Midori, wet stone, lemons, lilies, apothecary and jasmine. Long, focused and ends in an expansive manner. The finish sails on and on. This is pure, yet full at the same time. There’s grip on the backend. Lovely body and layers. The ability to age is all there, and this is of course a mere baby. Delicate, but not dainty at all. Drink now - 2038.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Black cherries, mocha, hope chest, black walnuts and cassis. Full in body and has nice curves. Medium-long in length, with a round middle. Quite ready with a prune aftertaste. There’s some green tobacco on the palate. Velvety tannins, and although this is not shy, there’s still the necessary elegance. Drink now - 2030.

4/5/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Wonderful texture, that is full-bodied and offers the typical Mancini acidity, as the P.H. was in the low 3’s. This flows along with ease. Raspberry, fresh plums, blood orange, teak and nectarine. This unfolds nicely and is of course fresh. Just starting to open up with no signs of fading soon. Another fine ‘18. Drink now - 2032.

3/30/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Absolutely delicious and unfolds with panache. Blueberry, plum, pork shoulder, lilacs, peppercorn, bacon fat and flower shop, with some earthy elements. Clean and full, with a finish that sails on. Wonderful fruit and weight, with layers. The ability to age is all there and opening today is still advised. Polished. Decanted for three hours. Classic and modern at the same time. Drink now -.

3/30/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

A mere baby that still needs to shed some of its fat, the oak is quite evident and the fruit is very primary. This seems more like a barrel sample, yet is very well-crafted. Cherry cola, ripe raspberries, sassafras, dried basil, mint, ground rock and damp earth. Full and long, yet retains a fair amount of elegance. Wait a couple of years, then enjoy for at least a decade. Stunning fruit, and a hybrid between all things Burgundian and full throttle Pinot. Silky tannins and layers of red fruit. Drink 2026 - 2036.

3/29/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Extremely youthful and showing no signs of age, with plums, cranberries, fresh violets, roobios tea and baked walnuts. Concentrated and medium in length, with a full body. Agile tannins and a lively acidity. Drink now - 2032.

3/27/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

With both power and grace, this has velvety tannins and slight oak that is well integrated. Medium body and a long, succinct finish, with great concentration. This is just lovely. Drinking well today, this will age for many, many years. Plums, cherries, chalky mineral, rattan, vanilla and chocolate. Such an attractive aftertaste. Nice lift. Decant for a few hours or wait at least another four years, then follow for many. Drink 2028 -.

3/25/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Absolute perfection. Decanted for three hours. Very Côte Rotie with smoked meat, black pepper and blueberry capote; along with brown spices and slight lilacs. Tertiary nuances abound, and nay a hard edge. The body is full and yet very agile at the same time. Finishes exceptionally long and is a very masculine Syrah from start to finish. A very complete and round middle palate, with slight silky tannins. Black as night, with a gorgeous garnet rim. Up there with Stockholm Syndrome (2010) and the 2019 Eleven Confessions, which were also perfect to my senses. This will evolve for many years, yet will not improve. If you have this, no harm in opening a bottle now…then study for many a year. Drink now -.

3/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is absolutely unbelievable. The vines were planted in 2001 and by 2003 they were producing Syrah of this quality. Also, this has aged exceptionally well. Such a siren to all things Syrah. It is really something, there’s smoked meat, peppercorn, blueberries, camphor, hope chest and wet earth. Full with body and a slight silky tannin remains, with a finish that glides along without effort. Drinking well within its window and shall hold on for many years; truly an experience. Not too ponderous, and not too tame. Such a long, satisfying finish. The body is quite full. Drink now - 2033.

3/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for four hours. Absolutely mesmerizing. Bing cherries, saddle leather, white pepper, acacia, star fruit, char siu and teak. The red fruit ensconces your palate, and the sheer agility and transparency are suave, sophisticated and gentle. Yet, the finish sails on and on… A medium body and very fine almost silky tannins, with this pure, sappy middle. The honest and angelic fruit has a district and glorious voice. Of course there’s finesse. This bottling is legendary - maybe the best yet. So delightful today and hard to stay away from, this will age without any effort. Decant for a few hours, consume over many days or wait about five years. Drink 2028 -.

3/22/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Loaded with blueberries and cream, vanilla, cranberry, asphalt, Szechuan, milk chocolate and potpourri. Endowed and flowing, with a long finish that shows dark, warm fruit. Primary, but all of the components are in place. Cottony tannins and a well-strewn middle palate. Full-bodied, with a ton of polish. Very similar to Pingus, at 1/30th of the price. This is modern and sleek, with superb fruit from old vines. Amazing. Drink 2025 - 2038.

3/22/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This has cut, freshness and agility. Raspberries, walnut shell, tangelo zest, granite, button mushrooms and fresh leather. Long, precise finish and a fine bean of acidity, this is a mere baby and still shows dimension. Savory tannins and a medium body. Bright and focused. Drink 2027 - 2040.

3/9/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Vibrant and layered, with tension and a salinity throughout. Quince, chalk, golden delicious apple, lilies and chives. Medium long finish, with a full body and a very clean profile. With this being pure and focused. Such a joy that will age without much effort, with complexity. Drink now - 2034.

3/9/2024 - Matt Scott wrote:

Cherries, tobacco, plums, black pepper and granite. Not as complex as one would hope for this particular bottling, but it is in its prime drinking window and offers a medium finish. Plump and barely any tannin. Nice body overall and a great Syrah, but considering the pedigree and price, this is still a little disappointing. Drink now - 2029.

3/8/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Wonderful interaction of intensity and savory aspects. Long and focused, with lychee, apricot, stone, plumeria, golden apple and chalk. Full body, with a gliding manner. Viscous in the front end, then elegant on the back, with a perched, round middle. Such a treat and ideal for many a cuisine. Drink now - 2030.

3/8/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

This is zesty and has full tension, with a lovely, complex mousse. Length for days. Almond cookies, freesia, grapefruit, graphite, pain grille, Meyer lemon and raspberry. Evidently complex on the nose and equally so on the palate. Such a stunning body and presence, this unfolds with panache. Possibly my favorite NV yet, this has focus and stuffing. Medium body. Drink now - 2039.

3/2/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Ripe strawberries, bramble berries, kirsch, chalky mineral notes, anise and hoisin sauce. Well-strewn tannins and a fleshy, concentrated middle. The finish is long, with cottony tannins and some sap. Excellent today and will age well. The body is medium and elegant. Drink 2025 - 2035.

3/2/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Opened and poured, then finished on day two. Ripe raspberry, fresh blueberry, garrigue, roobios tea and crumbling rock. There’s a panoramic entry and a focused, long, juicy finish. The middle is round. Very open and the tannins are feathery, yet there’s cut. A medium to full body. A gorgeous showing. Drink now - 2036.

2/24/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Full stem inclusion and fully elegant, this has fine layers of fruit and nuance. Blueberries, bacon fat, lilacs, white pepper, sour cherry and lava rock. Medium in body, with length and definition. Unfolds with wonder and enchantment. Designed to cellar, yet so delightful today - but this is infanticide. Vibrant. Drink 2026 - 2038.

2/24/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Consumed over two days. This is breathtaking. Cassis, freshly cut flowers, mint, rosemary, black cherries, elderberries, walnut shell and crumbling rock. So much verve and presence, with a finish that carries on for over a minute. Full with body, yet elegant and fresh. So pure. There’s cut and an expansiveness at the same time. Argiano have really stepped up in recent times due to new owners and amazingly clean practices. It has been showing in spades. Cellar or enjoy now, and study for many, many years. Drink now -.

2/24/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Cassis, blackberries, tobacco, liquid rock and flower shop. Like many ‘15s, this is ready and open. Yet, it will last and be an engaging study for at least another two decades. Decanted for an hour, the body is full and the microfiber tannins just caress. The finish sails on for some time. A plush middle palate and redolent. This is a baby ‘09. Drink now - 2040.

2/24/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Such a beauty. There’s wild plums, red cherries, blackberries, dried lilies, graphite, orange zest and cedar. Round and a medium-to full-bodied palate, with a long, stretched out finish. Well-strewn tannins that show grip in the back end, yet this is very approachable on the front. Staying power. My favorite young wine from here. I see no reason to rush, nor to wait. Classic. Drink now - 2039.

2/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for three hours. Stunning fresh blackberries, teak, fragrant mud, every dried flower imagined, black cherries and cigar box complexity. Long, long, long during the whole finish, with precision. Regardless of the fact that this is wide and juicy during the middle palate. Microfiber tannins, with tension and so much depth. Up there with ‘09 and ‘10, yet a little more transparent, YET, the body is lavishly full. More claret-like. However, there’s staying power and the bones to age. Drink 2029 -.

2/23/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Plums, wild berries, milk chocolate, hazelnut, wet earth and porcini. Long and nay a hard edge, with silky, layered tannins. The body is full and this is quite ready; it will also age well. There’s an underlying freshness. A magnetic Rioja that is so easy to enjoy. Textbook. Drink now - 2036.

2/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Blackberries, chocolate mousse, acacia, cherries and wet tobacco. Full-bodied and a long, savory finish. Very approachable and attractive. Cottony tannins; there’s a lot of flesh. Similar to the ‘09. Drink now - 2038.

2/17/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Consumed over two days. Black cherry, cassis, graphite, black currants, red spice, plums and red licorice. Delineated and focused, with a long, flowing finish and medium to full body. Silky tannins. A formed middle, with a slight gushing aspect. Really classy and enjoyable, yet this will age without effort. Better on day two. Drink 2026 -.

2/13/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Glorious fruit. This showcases blackberry, black currants, cassis, dried earth and brown spice. Medium body, with silky, layered tannins. Wonderful today, with fine aging potential. There’s an intriguing freshness and length. More refined than older vintages, with that Rutherford dust. Drink now - 2036.

2/9/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for three hours. Blackberries, cocoa powder, flower shop, blonde coffee, river rock, Indian spice and pipe tobacco, with some blueberry. Exceptionally long and flowing, with satiny and fine tannins. Layer upon layer of unfolding fruit. Akin to the ‘05 and ‘16, but even more elegant. Full with body and so much form to age for many, many years. A true wonder in all things Bordeaux. The body remains full. Beyond enjoyable today, but patience will not hurt at all. Drink 2027 -.

2/3/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Glorious and vibrant, with layers of fruit and nuance. Blueberries, black pepper, lilacs, bacon fat, black lava and sarsaparilla. Engagingly long and flowing, with microfiber tannins and a round middle. The body is neither full nor light, with a fine elegance. There’s olive accents though out. Not a powerhouse, but means business. Very congenial and demure. One to age or enjoy now. Drink 2027 -.

2/3/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

With there being 72% Chardonnay, and the remainder being Roussanne and Marsanne, this imbues a nice green hue. Granny Smith Apple, Midori, lychee, salty rocks, and smoky oak. Sails on as it covers every millimeter of your palate and has a lot of brightness. This is similar to Aubert, with a little more precision and linear tension. Bright. This will age easily, however, is delicious today. Drink 2025 - 2037.

2/2/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for four hours. Nik and Julia have achieved nirvana. Balance and depth, with a finish that will not quite. Dried raspberry, balsam, liquid rock, char-siu, smoky pork shoulder and flower shop. Layer upon layer of stunning fruit, that is almost effortless upon delivery. Too easy to drink. Too easy to love. Fingers Crossed has its own essence and style. Kudos for that. Designed for some age, yet this will not experience a dumb stage. A body that is almost full, yet elegantly feminine. Silky tannins. Zero heat. Drink 2027 - 2042.

1/20/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for four hours. Blueberry, dried strawberries, blonde coffee, white tea, mocha, kirsch, red plums, cookie dough and smoky alder wood. Exceptionally long and vibrant, the modern SQNs show acidity and lift, with all that depth and amazing structure. This has fibrous, satiny tannins. The middle remains round, and velvety. Astounding.
Not quite the legendary ‘19, but so close to perfection. An honor to enjoy. This will age without effort. In all actuality, this ends up being quite polished. Drink 2028 -.

1/19/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Decanted for four hours. Cassis, sultana, pomegranate, dried cranberries, teriyaki and ground rock. Some paprika. A finish that sails on, with a plump, round middle palate. A backend that offers poise. Full, but deceptively feminine, with elegant and suave aspects throughout. There’s lift. Almost weightless. A true wonder and I might be a bit conservative. Over 70% of the fruit is from Eleven Confessions. As of late, the acidity has been there even more. This is a quality to love and appreciate, with there still being viscosity and body. SQN is better now than ever. Drink 2027 -.

1/13/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Beautiful dried strawberries, chalk and teak. Some blackberries as well. Stunning middle palate, and so much length. Primary, this has feathery, layered tannins. This will age for many years. Concentrated, sappy, pure and does remain light. Not too extracted at all and there’s some lift. Not perfect, but quite classic. Such astounding fruit. Drink 2025 - 2037.

1/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Open and very ready. Secondary, with warm tobacco, black cherry, hope chest, pencil lead and chocolate shavings. A medium to long finish, with a full body and slight cottony tannins. Plush, yet still shows finesse. Not shy, which is typical of the vintage, yet retains elegance. Drink now - 2028.

1/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Similar to the stunning ‘05, with black currants, blackberry, sweet cherries, cedar, wet tobacco and lavender. Long and sumptuous, with fine, layered tannin. A very robust middle and cut on the backend. The body is almost full, but there’s elegance throughout. A total winner and designed to cellar. Evidently a true classic Clerc. The baby Mouton. Drink 2026 -.

1/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

More dimension than previous. More depth. I still have a slight preference for the ‘20, but this is classic. Just amazing. Easy to love. Has there ever been a weak Carlisle vineyard bottling? No. Have they improved? Yes. Grand cru Zinfandel, with something like forty-two other varieties. The oak tree on the timeless label is at Carlisle. It is truly the hub.

1/12/2024 - Matt Scott Likes this wine:

Blueberry, tobacco, crushed rock and freesia. Nice length and a medium-to full-bodied palate, with silky tannins. This has structure and a great presence. Tasted next to the Carlisle Pagani - as both are just stunning - the Carlisle has more depth and nuance. This will age gracefully. Decant or wait a year. Drink 2025 - 2035.