Christine Havens

9.0

From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler growing conditions have endowed this Cab with tart, high-pitched red berries, underpinned by savory notes. Dried herbs a mineral vein linger on a persistent finish. — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

From the acclaimed Durell Vineyard, the 2009 TOR Chardonnay is all from the Wente Clone fruit, grown in a mix of Goulding clay loam and diatomaceous earth, the effect of which is startling. This is a big, brooding Chardonnay, with complex aromas of hazelnuts, vanilla, coffee bean, chocolate liquor, and praline. Silky on entry, quite compact, with mouth-coating glycerol and seductive, weighty notes of smoky poached pear, candied orange peel and unsalted butter. Imagine draping yourself in gold velvet. — 11 years ago

Adam Crane

9.3

Newish vineyard site for Conterno. A little more accessible in its youth than the acclaimed Cascina Francia. Come get it at Prato. — 11 years ago

Winemoments

9.0

First time tasting #chateaudebeaucastel. Elegantly perfumed, balanced and almost totally integrated structure with retreating blackpepper notes. I believe the wine is ready to drink. Enjoyed quite much in new year's eve dinner. Looking forward to taste the more acclaimed 2009. — 10 years ago

Marcus L

9.6

Aged awesome. Don't sleep on less acclaimed vintages. — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.4

From the highly acclaimed Oger region, the Jean Milan Grand Cru Grand Réserve 1864 is a blend of 100% Chardonnay from the 2003 and 2004 vintages. Add to the equation eight years of aging on the lees, and you've got a wine with both dimension and power. Lofty aromas of honey, cinnamon raisin bread, white gardenia, peach, and smoke. The attack is focused and brisk, and dare I say it—an almost laser-like focus. It's pretty spare fruit-wise, with racy lemon pith, rich texture, and a glorious, vinous finish. — 11 years ago

Stephen Tam Loo

9.6

Mike Officer- highly acclaimed producer of Zinfandel today. — 13 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

From the acclaimed 2005 vintage this burgundy shows cherry overtones. A fragile palate which seems to change minute by minute. A vibrant enjoyable wine travelling with ease. — 10 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.9

One of my SQN guilty pleasures. Not one of the acclaimed and beloved SQNs, but has never failed to make me smile. Smokey, spicy, black fruit potpourri with a hint of that Alban tar. Licorice and violets. Opulent. Elegant. Leisurely finish. Are there better Syrahs? Yeah. I've had a few. But they all say SQN on the label. Are there better winemakers? I think you know my answer. — 10 years ago

Olivier

9.8

Acclaimed top Sauvignon blanc 2014. Delicious.
— 11 years ago