Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Had this at a Tapas Bar! The pillars on which the 5 founding families erected a winery in 1890 built a way of living, feeling and producing wines of the highest quality that continue to evolve. Not released until 2015, bright Ruby, complex aromas of fruit, spice and oak. 90% Tempranillo from 3 villages & 10% Graciano from 2 villages. Cherry & blackberry flavors, with a feel of currants around the core, espresso & spicy notes on mouthwatering tannins. Wow! Lingering finish. Will get better over next 15 years — 8 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Of the 2 Bordeaux drinking the best tonight, but long term the Brane-Cantenac 2005 will outlive this wine by 10 years easy. While very complex, a fine touch a green is traceable.

A classic currant and forest floor nose, fall leaves abound with a spike of spice and a barely there green that while subtle is apparent.

The pleasure here is higher for its more mature tasted and feel, while the brawny 2005 is a better wine it was not as enjoyable to me and feel it will be another notch enter in 3 years, and likely 2 notches better in 5.

The elegance and feel on this wine is ready to go and will easily go another 5+ years. — 9 years ago

Henrik Poulsen

9.0

13% alc.
3 barrels made. $35/btl.

From AR note sheet:
"61 year old dry-farmed white field blend of Sylvaner, Riesling and an assortment of other obscure varieties planted in fluffy white volcanic soils at the base of the western flank of Mount Veeder in the Sonoma Valley. Whole cluster pressed, fermented with native yeast in stainless steel, and aged in neutral French oak barrels for 10 months." — 10 years ago

with Kurt-Inge

Jon Grauman

10

Perhaps the best bottle of wine I have ever had! Pure perfection! Elegant, rich, perfectly balanced, huge aromas, still tons of fruit, and a finish that's still lingering. Better still, I enjoyed this bottle at Martin Berasetegui in San Sebastián, a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Outstanding!! — 10 years ago

Ann Murphy

9.3

High shoulder fill, extra long cork completely soaked. By some happy coincidence this is the 4th time we have had this in the last 5-6 years. 3 times (including this) very very good and once just good. At this point the secondary leather and cedar aromas and flavors dominate the remaining fruit. Still a fun drink and a good match for roast chicken. Another Winebid bargain! — 11 years ago

Andrew

9.1

A soft and smooth red blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Dark fruit, with mocha, vanilla and spice. Great length and more complexity then a close-counterpart in McManis. This is yummy. 2012. — 11 years ago

Jason Anguish

9.2

Lucious! A party in your mouth!! — 13 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 8 years ago

MH

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.4

Lots of life left in this wine. What a treat. From 3 liter. #josephphelps biased review — 10 years ago

with Joseph

Jason Westerberg

9.0

Dark cherry in the first taste, finish is a peppery Coca-Cola. Could drink this all day. — 10 years ago

Gregg Adams

9.4

Tasted 3/15.
Decanted. Beautiful balance, only slight greenness. Non-offensive sulfer blew off in 30 minutes. Reticent nose with leather and cherry. Integrated tannins, great acid. Growth over dinner to reveal rich fruit, cocoa over tones. A wonderful wine, underrated IMHO. — 11 years ago

Eric Petterson

9.0

Smooth cherry notes with a touch of spice in the nose and palette. Pairs well with pizza tonight! — 11 years ago

B N

9.6

Deadly sins my ass... But then I'm not Catholic!!! This Zinfandel is like a psychotic dwarf, wielding a fruit edged axe, leaping around the inside of your mouth. Fat fruit, teeth staining character... But limited complexity. Price in Canada makes me think it should take me hours to drink a glass... US prices would make this a deeply satisfactory bottle, something that Oakenshield would quaff with deep satisfaction. Buy in the US and pay the import fees... Then get your dwarf on!!!! — 12 years ago

David Langstaff

9.4

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 9 years ago

with Cynthia and Chris

Cameron Schutza

9.4

A monster. Jammy and perfect with a spit roasted beef tender. Chucked it in the decanter for good measure, the right choice — 9 years ago

James Gourley

9.3

You're right, Ted. There is a texture, flavor and complexity that only comes from old vine zins. And you've captured a great expression in this bottle. One of my favorite pairings with grilled prime steaks. — 9 years ago

M

9.4

2006 From winebid at 35. For half bottle. Drank may 2016. Absolutely tops. Needs 2-3 hr decant and still opens in glass. Excellent harmony and deep finish 2000 $125 from winebid. Less impressive. Needs at least 2 h breathing. Complex and sophisticated finish but still has some dusty tannin. This one would rate 9.1. I had the 2000 again in Aug 2017 and would rate it 9.4. Sophisticated but definitely needs a lot of breathing. — 10 years ago

Matthew Gray

9.1

In a challenging vintage, these guys made an exceptional Pinot! Went so well with my pork chop! — 11 years ago

Fred Dex

Master Sommelier

9.2

Classic Napa. Juice. Big, delicious...will make a lot of friends...if you're in right circle! — 11 years ago

Jason Reinard

10

One of our favorites.... Pretty much a staple in this house. — 11 years ago