Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine is a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a slightly orange rim and a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with pretty significant staining of the tears. Showing some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated dark and red fruits: brambles, dark cherry, cassis, leather, green bell pepper, tobacco, cocoa, purple flowers, damp earth, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and extremely satisfying.

Initial conclusions, this could be Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or a blend of Bordeaux varieties, Syrah or Tempranillo from France or Spain. I think this wine has too many non-fruit characteristics for me to place this in California, Argentina or Australia. Because I don’t get enough purple or any black pepper, I’m ruling out Syrah. There aren’t any olive/coconut/dill tones to put me in Spain so I’m ruling that out. I think there is a decent amount of Merlot in this because it’s has some elegance…but it’s just not quite plush enough for me to put this in the Right Bank.

So I’m going Left Bank. Final Conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from France, from Bordeaux, from the Medoc, from Saint-Julien. Classified growth (I was thinking Saint-Pierre but wasn’t that sure of myself) with 20-25 years of age. Welp…I was in the right area. This bottle was hand carried from the chateau. Truthfully, I need to gain more experience to refine my ability to pick out subtle nuances within Bordeaux but I digress. The 2001 Smith Haut Lafite is bangin’. Drinking well now but you don’t have to be a huge rush.
— 2 years ago

Karen Tripson

9.2

Saving this for a big juicy steak night soon. March 5, 2021 found the moment to open with s dear friend and a lamb leek mushroom cottage pie. Fabulous. — 6 years ago

S Butterfield

Sommelier Flask Fine Wines

9.5

Beautiful Biodynamic estate with a hidden cellar straight out of a James Bond flick. From their selection of young vines. And ahhhhhhhhhbbb the stony floral Sauv Blanc gives the wine lift and air, the wings, while the secret engine of Semillon provides a deep counterbalance, a waxy rudder guiding the whole contraption smoothly thru the air. Day two: even more aerodynamically pure. Drink then. — 6 years ago

NDZ

9.2

All around solid cab,, very rich and juicy! And a total crowd pleaser, this is my go-to cab! — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

This Cabernet Sauvignon from the House of Charles Smith is always enjoyable. Well balanced and fruit forward with black fruits, earth and chocolates.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with Cheeses, olives and nuts.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (1 hour). Will get even better in a year or two.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points. — 7 years ago

Joseph LaPanna

9.1

Bright, clean and vibrant nose of bees wax, apricot, sage and white flowers. Racy acidity with a refreshing mouth full of grapefruit, lemon balm, and nectarines. The zippy finish is laden with wet stone, citrus zest and white pepper. — 8 years ago

Brandon T

9.6

In a great spot after an hour of air. A fantastic complement to lamb chops. Bravo, @Mike Smith! — 3 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.0

Color of bubbly purple, nice legs. Nose is fruity of dark berries, like blackberry and grapes, some ripe pineapple too, spice, a bit fermented cabbage, a bit peppery, and a bit coke cola. Taste is mellow tannins and a bit sweet, with bittersweet zest plus the notes from the nose. Aftertaste is a bit overpowered by bitterness. Average. — 5 years ago

Dawn E.

9.3

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all!
Exceptional bottle...a bit more complex than the 2015! Delicious Mike Smith magic! I cannot say enough about this wine! QPR is outstanding!
One hour decant on this! — 6 years ago

A E Weber

8.9

Each of the varietals is present like the uncomfortable, yet reassuring experience of a class reunion. Together, you’re the Class of 86. — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.3

Not your typical plush mike smith cab. Fruit is definitely hidden on opening, but a little air reveals some of it. Interesting to see what time does with this one. We personally like it now for it’s focus, acid/tannin/fruit balance, freshness. — 7 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.3

This is a very fine Sauvignon blanc. Lots of honey suckle aroma and layers of fruit. A Best Buy imho — 7 years ago

Ben Edwards

9.2

A replacement for the Pairing as a Marry Edwards regular bottle. Definitely sharper and less pronounced stone fruit, but nicely balanced and went well with all dinner courses. Bottles went too fast to see how they opened, so questionable still as a stand-alone (probably great); high marks for elevating the usual crisp white wine dishes. — 8 years ago

Michele Hug

9.5

Opens up super nicely, immediately pleasant on the nose. Plummy and buttery, classic example of a good Napa cab. — 4 years ago

Michelle M

9.4

Blackberry bramble, baked black cherry and plum, hints of maraschino, mint and menthol, bell pepper and geranium, cedar, tobacco, and bakers vanilla with whiffs of aged leather jacket on the nose. Blackberry, cherry, juicy raspberry, vanilla extract and weak black tea on the palate with a medium heavy body but a medium short finish. Overall a great wine for pumpkin pie brunch on Christmas morning (no it’s not too early). Merry Christmas! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

At the Shaw and Smith tasting from the Cellar Door. The Balhannah Shiraz is made from a few select rows in the Shiraz vineyards. From a cooler year - very stalky, herbal and earthy. As different to Barossa Shiraz as you can imagine. Detailed and fine. Ultra ultra savoury and just medium weight. Not for everyone - vive la difference. Barb loved it. Just checked Huon Hooke’s rating where he gave 97 points and said “sensational Shiraz “. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

One of my favorite small production wine, 300 cases. Cal Nicholson spent his youth in So. CA & after a long marketing career he hung up his spurs to follow his 2 real interests in life – surfing & wine making. Jones is the maiden name of Cal’s wife Pam. A wonderful wine. Aromas of lemon citrus with herb, stone & tropical fruits. Palate, peach, Granny Smith apple & ripe melon flavors with lively citrus zest wrapped in lbalanced acidity. Lingering finish ending with mineral citrus finish. Consistent! Nice! — 6 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.3

A few months in bottle now and ready for an impending release. — 7 years ago

Yash Gala

9.5

Delightful little wine. In retrospect, should have waited for a few years before opening it. Recommend decanting it. — 8 years ago

Pierre Gourinchas

9.4

This is outstanding. Quite a revelation. Honeyed, citrus, ample in the mouth and a very long finale. A steal. — 8 years ago