“Scents of sassafras and leaf-litter, the fruit scant. Texturally, it was all in place, and the fruit broke through with air—saturated red cherry, pretty and succulent and mouth-filling.”

“Seems to teem with fruit, sumptuous, generous and comfortable. Scents of crushed rose petals and cranberry give lift to otherwise succulent fruit, with a fine, saline minerality that tethers the richness and keeps the wine on a straight course.”

“The first impression of this stunning red is of brilliant red raspberry fruit, as pure as a sunbeam. Yet an inky depth plays counterpoint, rumbling beneath, dark and a bit spicy, grounding the fruit with tannins from the silica-based soils of Bergström’s estate vineyard. The tension between these two elements is gorgeous, the fruit saturating and full, and yet it has an energy and drive giving the texture a lifted, graceful feel.”

“Its finish feels together on day one, but it took five days to fully show its range of honeyed flavors with almond-skin savor. It lasts and lasts on a snap of lemon verbena flavor with malic grip.”

“First off, the texture is like nothing else in this world. The free-run juice of selected aszu berries, allowed to ferment with ambient yeasts to reach 1.8 abv, this is close to honey in texture, but not in any way cloying, just overpowering in its richness. Then the complexity of the flavors comes on, with floral apricot and fruity wild mushroom tones, “like being in the woods after rain,” as Corey Warren described it. Intense, complex, and lasting, this is crazy rich in its power and grace.”

“Presents a complex, heady, powerful wine, saturated with stone-fruit flavors, while the almond skin and vanilla influence of oak add a grace note over the sleek fruit. This carries its richness well.”

“A supple red, offering integrated notes of plump cherry, dried thyme and rose, anise and mineral aligned with fine tannins and orange peel acidity. Lightly mouthwatering throughout, turning long and appealing on the well-spiced finish.”

“The malty oak is evident, yet operates as a welcome adjunct to corral and compress the swashbuckle of coffee grinds, beef bouillon, mint, leather varnish and saturated dark cherry liqueur, into a sheath of tension as much as sheer power. This may seem obvious initially, but as one works it out in the glass and across the inner gums, the multitudinous layers become evident. A wine that shape-shifts and beguiles, as much it wrestles with the senses.”

“Elegant and composed, with perfectly ripe Bartlett pear, yellow apple and citrus zest at the core, plus hints of buttery pie crust and touches of vanilla cream and dried apple. Delicate, balanced and extremely nuanced, with a fresh thread of acidity gaining momentum on the finish.”

“The Bergström family’s first vineyard is now 24 years old, and in the glass you can almost taste the health of the vines—in the fruit’s exuberant expression, its persistent freshness, and the volcanic lift of its texture. Whole-clusters in the fermentation have given the fruit a floral, slightly licorice-scented back note, lending complexity and layering. The texture is tensile and firm, the wine diaphanous in its fruit expression. For tea-smoked duck.”

“Densely-packed flavors layered vertically, like puff pastry. That decadence is well-integrated into the acidity of the wine. A zing awakens, powering a complex tableau of apple flavors – fresh green and dusty white marked with earthy savor. Honey-sweet tannins mark the finish, and a slight alcoholic twinge would be unremarkable with a chill, or with a glazed pork chop.”

"It has a beautiful nose of pure ripe blackcurrants, leafy tobacco, lead pencil, and chocolate that carries to a layered, medium to full-bodied, gorgeous balanced 2018 that does everything right. It's certainly approachable today given its purity and balance, but this is going to age gracefully for upwards of two decades."

“Juicy and vibrant with notes of currants and raspberries as well as hints of dried flowers, cardamom and savory herbs. Medium- to full-bodied with creamy texture and velvety tannins. It has a mellow succulence of ripe wild berries and a crunchy, blue-fruited finish.”

“Notes of bruised apples, sliced pears and white currants with hints of freshly baked bread and crushed stones. The palate is full and thick with delicate sweetness and creamy bubbles coating your mouth. Fruity finish.”

“Olives, dark cherries, rust, grilled thyme and wild strawberries on the nose. Firm, yet sleek and silky tannins here, with supple texture and delicious earthy minerality to the fresh berry fruit.”

“This is bright and succulent with redcurrants and cranberries with hints of thyme, some nutmeg and fragrant blue flowers. Some flinty minerality, too. It is medium- to full-bodied with impressive tension, freshly cut cherries and blueberries, and tangy, citrus-like acidity. It is vibrant and fresh with notes of spicy herbs to close.”

“Vibrant fruit here mixed with earthy mushroom notes. Red and purple plums, porcini, star anise, tea leaves and savory spices. It’s tight in tannin texture yet aromatically open. Silky, savory layers.”

“This shows aromas of dark cherries, blood orange, cocoa powder and dried mushrooms. Some savory spices, too. Medium-bodied with crunchy, firm tannins and vivid acidity. Delicate and hemmed in, leading to a spiced, lively finish.”

“Redcurrant and creme de cassis aromas. Roses. So aromatic. Stones. Oyster and mussel shell. Ink pot. Lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied but very tight and focused. Linear and long with fine, powdery and chewy tannins. Crushed velvet texture."

“A fresh, energetic red, boasting black cherry, blackberry, iron, rosemary and stone flavors. Reveals assertive tannins that ply the long finish for now, but this is all about balance and definition. Shows terrific length.”