Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Pretty deep ruby , thin ruby rim . This is quite closed at first , but very focused mineral and grafite , oyster shell notes with dark blackcurrant and blackberry notes , spicy touches too . On the palate this is really focused and reserved , lots of mineral tinged black fruits , tobacco , oyster shell . Quite rich yet very good balance, fresh acidity . Ripe but gritty tannins , saline and really long finish . Accessible now , but really destined for the long term. Wait another 5-10 years , will drink well a further 20 . At Vinous Icons, Pier 60 NY, Feb 2025 — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 54% Cab Sauv, 38% Merlot & 8% Cab Franc, aged in 60% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, floral and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currents and cacao with notes of violets, oak and spice. Fine gritty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, floral and mineral spice. Tasting well! — 4 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

I love these wines that are most definitely not playing to the masses. Medium garnet with a wide brim. The nose is highly attractive fresh out of the gate. A ridiculous amount of fruit here with blackberries, black cherries, and strawberries. Eucalyptus and smoke. Herbs and spice. Beautiful earth and foresty goodness with the suggestion of funk. Terrific aromas.

COS uses clay amphorae for storage and biodynamic viticulture to produce wines as naturally as possible. 60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato di Vittoria. This is all about the terroir, it’s a glorious wine that truly speaks of a place and is driven by that. The acid is nice and vibrant and the tannins round. Plenty more fruit to be found on the palate with red and black fruits. More dusty earth, leather, and stones. A long finish that leaves you wanting more. And my friends, you do want more. — 5 years ago

Mendim Gecaj

9.0

Initially a poor display on the nose with a powerful barnyard scent coming through and muting other aromas, after a 60-70 minute decant, the barnyard scent gave way to a more expressive nose with notes of cedar/wood spice, plum, and chocolate. On the palate, tobacco and leather dominated, a medium to long finish....big and bold! — 6 years ago

Stephen

9.0

Solid across the board. 60/40 ner mescalese + frappatto — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.2

2000 | Red Blend
(60% Nebbiolo / 20% Croatina/ 10% Vespolina / 10% Uva Rara)
Tenuta Monolo (Umberto Gilodi); Riserva Piedmont; Bramaterra, Italy
(91-93; Drink 2020-2028)

Far better than prior bottles of 2000 a year or so ago, I'm now convinced those earlier bottles were flawed in some fashion. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Slightly darker in color. Yeast and intense nose. Clarity and crisp mid palate. Intense and focused. Very good. — 3 years ago

with Gregg

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

100% Slovenian Kerner. Light golden color. Aromas and flavors of lemon, white flowers, green apple and sea spray. Mineral/flinty note on the finish. Creamy texture and medium bodied. Bristling acidity. Crisp and refreshing and quite the easy drinker. Everything (varietal, 60’s themed name and label) is interesting about this wine. Thanks so much, Petey! Revisited in December 2023. Still refreshing and crisp! — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.9

The sample of 2019 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande sent to me last year was an absolute show-stopper. The bouquet needs a few minutes to open up, delivering intense black fruit, crushed stone and incense with time in the glass. Yes, the nose does remind me of Latour! The medium-bodied palate is endowed with unerring symmetry and poise. This is a powerful, multi-dimensional Pichon-Lalande, extremely precise, very deep and long. The 60% new oak is seamlessly integrated and feels just right. It reminds me of the 1996 in some ways, but with more finesse on the finish. Stunning. 14.12% alcohol (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Located on the outskirts of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, at the southern foot of the slope. A blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cab Franc &10% Cab Sauv, aged in 60% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruit accompanied by cedar & spice. The palate shows fresh ripe dark berry fruits, cacao, tobacco and espresso notes. Well balanced, perfect tannins, a joy to drink but cellar until 2022 for a better experience. Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Simone Pizzi

9.5

Beautiful bubbles, classy sparkling. Natural wine, classic pleasure. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Began 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, built a winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak barrels (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, ending with balanced oaky character. — 8 years ago

JKT

9.2

At Oginos post Thanksgiving. Thumbs up! 35/65 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and it shows, creamy almost velvety texture tingling with fine bubbles. 5.5g dosage. 40/60 2012/2013 harvest, disgorged 1-2016. All on back label! — 2 years ago

KRISTIE

9.6

Inspired by the “Apotheca”, a mysterious place where some of the earliest wine was blended and stored, Apothic wines offers a truly unique wine experience.

A red blend emerges from the flames, creating a most unexpected and masterful encounter.

Paying tribute to a time-honored craft, this wine has been aged for 60 days in whiskey barrels, creating bold notes of red and dark fruit with layers of maple and spice. — 3 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.3

A 60 minute decant and wine was ready to drink. Simpler less complex but a good dinner companion — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Cannot get enough of these magical Champagnes from Olivier Collin. Glad to snag this last bottle. The 2015 60 months sur lattes just dials everything up to 10. It’s deep and intense and radiates with energy and Burgundian flair. It has leesy richness, while at the same time shows impeccable purity and elegance. Swirls in a Burgundy glass unleash its core of caramelized stone fruit, curry leaf, rose oil and exotic spices along ripping citrus inflicted acids that lead to a long, tension filled and smoky mineral infused finish. Truly, like if Meursault could sparkle ✨ — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Angelo Gaja’s venture - Ca'Marcanda. Blend of 60% Cab Franc, 30% Cab Sauv & 10% Petit Verdot, barrel aged for 12 mos. A big, very rich Gaja style wine. Deep red with dark berry fruits and earthy leathery spice notes. On the palate blackberry and black cherry flavors, smooth with integrated spice, mint and tobacco, screaming acidity. Fine tannins, great balance, long, drinks well ending with mineral spice character. Very nice. — 6 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.2

Just a delight to savor and drink. Very tasty mature fruit with resolved tannins. Pleasure to share with good friends at a birthday dinner. At 60 years this Bordeaux still drinks well.😀🍷🍷. Bottled by Nicolas of France. — 7 years ago

with Ray and Joe

Luciano Silva

9.3

This wine was a gift from a friend and it is a nice surprise to me from Argentina. Known by the Malbec this Argentinian Cab blend (60% cab, 25% Malbec and 15% cab franc) has great notes of robusta coffee, tobacco and flower (hydrangea). In you chocolate and dark fruits. It’s higher alcohol level 14,5% ensures its long lasting flavour and a surprisingly round finish. — 7 years ago