Reviews
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2020 Thick Skinned is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Malbec and only 1% Petit Verdot. Still a baby and set to be released at the end of 2024, it’s still incredibly tight and youthful but has good bones. Firm, bold, spicy and juicy, it’s like a puppy with big floppy ears and paws that will undoubtedly grow into its size. With plenty of hedonistic, juicy dark red fruit flavors and oak essences, this will be a knockout for years to come. Your patience will be rewarded.
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2019 Thick Skinned is over half Cabernet Sauvignon with a quarter Malbec and 15% Petit Verdot. The 2019 has some similarities with the 2018, yet it is still firm and tannic, offering a dusty and rustic nose that needs some time to fill its shoes. Full-bodied, spicy and fresh, the Cabernet blend should find its stride in about two years. Until then, it will have plenty of time to hit its cadence.
Sliced apples, green pears and white peaches on the nose. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity. Fresh and well-rounded, with a caressing texture and a delicious finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2018 Thick Skinned is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with36% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. The nose is bigger, plummier and juicier, with a bolder frame that is slightly out of step with the rest of the vertical and marked with amore generous dollop of oak. Full-bodied, the wine is juicy, generously layered and robust and will need another year in the bottle but will have no problems reaching its 20th birthday.
Aromas of lemon-scented candle wax and spicy gypsy peppers collide with the earthy aroma of petrichor after a good summer rainstorm. Talk about a Rainsong. Lemon zest and pine needle make up the lion's share of the flavors, with nice acidity backing them up.
Year's Best for $20 or Less
Potent and dense, with sturdy blackberry, orange zest and dark chocolate accents that finish with mild tannic grip. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot
Top 100 Best Buys of 2013
Spicy and intense, this excellent Pinot Gris is loaded with Gravenstein apple, cut pear and a taste of orange peel. Surprising length and power for a European-styled wine, with modest alcohol. Best Buy. – Paul Gregutt
BEST BUY ~ This is the first release from Rainstorm, part of the expanding Mariani Family presence in the Pacific Northwest. It’s bone dry, immaculately fresh, and lees-aged, with lovely depth and finesse. Flavors of melon and cucumber dominate, and the crisp acidity offers bracing minerality. — P.G. (8/1/2012)
This is the first release from Rainstorm, part of the expanding Mariani Family presence in the Pacific Northwest. It’s bone dry, immaculately fresh, and lees-aged, with lovely depth and finesse. Flavors of melon and cucumber dominate, and the crisp acidity offers bracing minerality. – P.G.
| Review product name | Reviewer | Rating | Review text | Date posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Texsom Wine Competition | Silver Medal | May 26, 2026 | |
| 2019 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Enthusiast | 91 pts | August 11, 2025 | |
| 2020 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Advocate | 93 pts |
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2020 Thick Skinned is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Malbec and only 1% Petit Verdot. Still a baby and set to be released at the end of 2024, it’s still incredibly tight and youthful but has good bones. Firm, bold, spicy and juicy, it’s like a puppy with big floppy ears and paws that will undoubtedly grow into its size. With plenty of hedonistic, juicy dark red fruit flavors and oak essences, this will be a knockout for years to come. Your patience will be rewarded. |
December 11, 2024 |
| 2019 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Advocate | 93+ |
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2019 Thick Skinned is over half Cabernet Sauvignon with a quarter Malbec and 15% Petit Verdot. The 2019 has some similarities with the 2018, yet it is still firm and tannic, offering a dusty and rustic nose that needs some time to fill its shoes. Full-bodied, spicy and fresh, the Cabernet blend should find its stride in about two years. Until then, it will have plenty of time to hit its cadence. |
December 11, 2024 |
| 2022 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | James Suckling | 90 pts |
Sliced apples, green pears and white peaches on the nose. Medium-bodied with moderate acidity. Fresh and well-rounded, with a caressing texture and a delicious finish. Drink now. Screw cap. |
August 9, 2024 |
| 2018 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Advocate | 92 pts |
Tasted in a vertical setting of 2015 through 2020, the 2018 Thick Skinned is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with36% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. The nose is bigger, plummier and juicier, with a bolder frame that is slightly out of step with the rest of the vertical and marked with amore generous dollop of oak. Full-bodied, the wine is juicy, generously layered and robust and will need another year in the bottle but will have no problems reaching its 20th birthday. |
April 1, 2024 |
| 2017 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Advocate | 94 pts | April 1, 2024 | |
| 2016 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Advocate | 92 pts | April 1, 2024 | |
| 2015 Thick Skinned Red Mountain92 | Wine Advocate | 92 pts | April 1, 2024 | |
| 2022 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Wine Enthusiast | BestBuy |
Aromas of lemon-scented candle wax and spicy gypsy peppers collide with the earthy aroma of petrichor after a good summer rainstorm. Talk about a Rainsong. Lemon zest and pine needle make up the lion's share of the flavors, with nice acidity backing them up. |
September 12, 2023 |
| 2021 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Wine & Spirits Magazine | 90 pts |
Year's Best for $20 or Less |
September 30, 2022 |
| 2016 Thick Skinned Red Mountain | Wine Spectator | 90 pts |
Potent and dense, with sturdy blackberry, orange zest and dark chocolate accents that finish with mild tannic grip. Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot |
August 18, 2020 |
| 2012 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
Top 100 Best Buys of 2013 Spicy and intense, this excellent Pinot Gris is loaded with Gravenstein apple, cut pear and a taste of orange peel. Surprising length and power for a European-styled wine, with modest alcohol. Best Buy. – Paul Gregutt |
August 19, 2013 |
| 2011 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
BEST BUY ~ This is the first release from Rainstorm, part of the expanding Mariani Family presence in the Pacific Northwest. It’s bone dry, immaculately fresh, and lees-aged, with lovely depth and finesse. Flavors of melon and cucumber dominate, and the crisp acidity offers bracing minerality. — P.G. (8/1/2012) |
June 25, 2013 |
| 2011 Rainstorm Pinot Gris | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
This is the first release from Rainstorm, part of the expanding Mariani Family presence in the Pacific Northwest. It’s bone dry, immaculately fresh, and lees-aged, with lovely depth and finesse. Flavors of melon and cucumber dominate, and the crisp acidity offers bracing minerality. – P.G. |
March 13, 2013 |