Carly Porter

9.3

Smooth, easy drinking. Love the little bit of bite on the end — 6 years ago

Tierney H

9.1

Huge wine, full of dark fruit, leathery, strong alcohol initially so needs to breathe a bit — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Seven Stones was the wine of this market visit to Napa. For me, it is the very definition of why I drink wine. Great fruit that is not overworked and is the Webster’s Dictionary of elegance, even at this young age.

On the nose; beautiful dark & medium red cassis. Ruby in style with amazing florals. Blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries & blue fruit mix. The red florals are so engaging, They possessed me for quite sometime before getting to tasting the wine. Soft baking spices with understated vanilla.

The body was medium full. Tannins unbelievably soft, silky and elegant for such a young wine. The fruits picked at the perfect ripeness. Such elegance! Creamy and ruby fruits of; cherries, dark cherries, creamy raspberries and wafting blue fruits. Soft spices, dry crushed rock powder, delicate volcanic minerals, touch herbaceous, whiff of black olive, dry soils, beautiful red roses and violets. The structure firm yet delicate as was the tension. The length and balance in perfect harmony. The long, polished finish simply amazing. Especially, in a wine this young.

Photos of; the property with the seven stones from Yosemite that are held together by gravity and weight 100,000 pounds, and two other artworks from the owners amazing art collection and the view from their terrace. — 9 years ago

Terence Amerson

9.1

... full, soft and delicious. Well worth the wait, after nearly 2 decades of cellaring, this '98 was purchased for the art long before I knew what good wine should taste like. No longer a huge fan of John Grillo, I am a fan of mature and well structured cabs. This Sonoma masterpiece brushed with just a hint of olive oil, but broader strokes of chocolate and leather. — 10 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

From Margaret River Chardonnay specialist, Pierro. Mid Lemon in colour. Mealy nutty aromas of almond and cashew. Restrained stone fruit with some ripe grapefruit on a medium bodied palate. Great balance between the new leaner style of Aussie Chard like Oakridge 864 and the traditional full bodied style like Leeuwin Art Series - both great Chards themselves. Excellent. — 10 years ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.9

Had it November 2008. Black label. Degorgé 2002.
Stil straw yellow, just very little golden. Complex with simplicity; superlative bubble, velvety. Young . Number 1. Piece of art💥 — 10 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A brilliant $30 Chardonnay- one of the best ever. The younger sibling of the famous Art Series. Stone fruit and grilled nuts. A delicious mouth filling Chardonnay. — 10 years ago

Neal Schaffer

9.1

Oaky and perfectly well balanced tannins. Very surprising strong, long-lasting finish. The color is a DARK plum purple. It reminds me of a matured merlot. Very surprising Syrah. Vanilla and bright tobacco dominant this wine! Cheers! — 10 years ago

with Dana

Elizabeth Criner

9.2

War of the rosés winds down with the last day of summer. Great French Rose! Makes me want to move to the South of France! — 11 years ago

Douglas Renall

9.1

Great example of NZ Chardonnay- subtle and elegant #chardonnayday — 11 years ago

Colin Thomas

9.0

Easy drinking, agree with other reviews - it doesn't quite have the strength of taste associated with most Riojas - but good drinking none the less. — 12 years ago

with Taipei

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.6

Insane amounts of fruit. Plum and fig. Balanced and smooth. Amazing. Aged in first growth Bordeaux. — 12 years ago

Steven

9.2

Strawberry and summer berries with a hint of gooseberry — 6 years ago

Liam Mycroft

9.0

Excellent glass at Montys of Kathmandu in Dublin, at his wonderful tasting table in his superb cellar. — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

10

2002 Sine Qua Non “Just For The Love Of It” Syrah. 15.2% Alcohol. So I have a confession to make. When this wine was released and Mr. Parker rated it 100 points (and correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this might have been the first Parker SQN 100 pointer), I couldn’t wait to pull the cork. And when I did, I was totally.......underwhelmed! I began questioning Parker. Questioning Manfred. Questioning my palate. What was I missing? What was my problem? Could I continue on in this world? Well, I never did reconcile things, and then “Papa” was released and all was right with the world again. So here we are, 15 years hence, and I’m here to report that Mr. Parker knew what he was talking about after all. We’re talking absolute perfection screaming from my Zalto stem. Notes of exotic flowers, toasty oak, anise and spice box on the nose. Just gorgeous. I could swirl and sniff all evening. On the palate, a predominance of sweet black currant, white pepper, blackberries and plum jam. Juicy, opulent, intense, pure. Stunning really. Endless finish. I haven’t tasted this wine in ten years because as I said, it never impressed me. But it just jumped up to co-number 1 SQN Syrah with me along with “Poker Face” and “The 17th Nail In My Cranium.” One addendum to Mr. Parker’s review which stated this wine would drink well for 10-15 years. This piece of art is just getting started! Remember, “...never for money.” — 9 years ago

Gelert Hart

10

good carbonation, perfect balance of sweet and dry, happy alc level, perfect natural cider — 10 years ago

Jim Levantino

9.6

This 2005 will transport you back to a more simple time, a time when wine was an art, and each grape was hand picked with love. After a nice decanting the room was overwhelming with the fine aroma, and the occupants were drooling to taste this fine beverage which was so apparently handed down to us from the gods.
From the first sip you will be overtaken by sheer euphoria, the complex levels of grape juice flavors are like none other. This wine was paired with a fine cheese it, the dry salty taste helped to bring out all the astringency. The after notes were as pleasant as a fine autumn afternoon. The care free attitude of this wine is only more enhanced by the structure which is elaborate and ornate. This wine would be a fine addition to any collection, or a perfect bottle for a special occasion. This wine has been called the Lou Gehrig of reds, it will never walk again but we will all remember the name. Drink responsibly. — 10 years ago

with Vin

Patty Yu

9.0

Bold, full body shiraz with plum, blackberry and some spice but very well rounded. Some tannin to go well with BBQ, beef and lamb. I would order this again! — 10 years ago

Kyo Jin

9.2

Inviting nose of cream and citrus and dried orange peel...,refreshing yet hefty tripel comes through. Great! — 10 years ago

Martin Diehr

9.1

Great Redwine blend from Argentina. When the wine was first opened, it tasted flaw with hint of dry cork. This vanished after leaving the wine alone for another day with the vacu cork seal.
Wine showed dark berry fruits and was well balanced! — 11 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Classic Assyrtiko from Sardinia! A lively wine of grace and elegance, with plenty of terroir coming through with minerality, bright citrus fruit and rinds. — 11 years ago

Christy Canterbury MW

Master of Wine

9.1

Classy #NewZealand #SauvignonBlanc #Semillon blend w/ creamy & waxy texture, hint of toasted nuts & lots of nettles. — 12 years ago

Lundmark Kvarnstrom

9.0

There is really a distinct touch of yeast on the nose and a beautiful color in the glas. Surprisingly full bodied and pleasant taste. Glad to take a part of this funky fresh pice of art! And of course, remember to #saberit like a pro! — 12 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Pale gold. Crisp, smoky, reductive nose. Complex delicate but also assertive on the palate. Pineapple/tropical notes, with an undertow of flint, lemon, and oaky vanilla. A beginning, middle, and end. Super fine, complex, and very long. — 6 years ago

with Racquel

Scott Baldes

9.0

Very good Pinot. Exactly what I would want from a Pinot noir. Would definitely buy again. — 8 years ago

Mike Allas

9.0

Surprisingly good Pinot noir. Good nose, with some body to it. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Pichon Lalande is my favorite 2nd growth with a steak. Yup...it's #SteakandClaret night to quote my buddy Gary Westby. Further, it's certainly one of my favorite producers period. I've waited for this wine to be in the bottle for 10 years before finding out definitely how good it was or wasn't. You see, the 05 Bordeaux vintage was exceptional. It's drinking right now better than 00. 00 may turn out to be better, but not for some time. The real issue was the division of scores between RP & NM. Parker had this as low as an 86 and now has it at 89. Neil Martin has been consistently at 95-96. I found it simply inexplicable that Pichon Lalande could have bombed in such a great vintage. Tonight, I know they didn't. This wine is beautiful. Although, I don't believe it will cellar as long as their some of their very best vintages and many others I've enjoyed. On the nose, bramble, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries, graphite, baking spices, cedar, lightly perfumed violets and dark, fresh & dry red flowers. The body is medium-medium plus, tannins nicely resolved with 10 years to be completely resolved. Fruits of; ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries and pomegranate with a whiff of spice. There's notes of dry bramble, soft leather, fresh violets, graphite, cedar, dry stones, dark rich earth, limestone, tobacco, spice-box, vanilla, very light cinnamon & nutmeg. The finish is very long, elegant, ripe, round, smooth, good acidity and beautifully elegant...50-50 earth & fruit. I bought more bottles of this at $85 after it's was first released in futures and I do not regret it. $85 is proving to be a steal for this wine when it normally sells for between $100-$150 a bottle and higher. Might heavy up further after tonight if I find more around the same price. Oh yes...I'm with NM on the scoring. Photos of the Chateau, estate vines, newer tasting room & the Virginie de Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. Forgive my long post, but my passion and love for this producer is profound. Producer history and notes...as I wrote in an earlier post for Pichon Baron, Pichon Baron and Lalande started as one entity. The first mention of what is now called Chateau Pichon Lalande was the creation of Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan is responsible for forming many of the top Bordeaux estates today. Pichon Lalande was given its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women, Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. On the eve of his death in 1850, Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided the property between his five children. His three daughters received Pichon Lalande and his sons Pichon Baron. What happened next was Virginie, the wife of the Count of Lalande took over the management of the estate under the name of Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 she commissioned the popular, architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande, located in Bordeaux. Without heirs, Pichon Lalande passed down from aunts to nieces. Following World War I, the Miailhe brothers, bought Pichon Lalande in 1925. They were the ones who planted even more Merlot. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Lalande in 1978. She expand the size of Chateau Pichon Lalande from 40 hectares to it's current 89 hectares. Chateau Pichon Lalande remained in the same family for more than 250 years! In fact, over three centuries, only two families have owned Pichon Lalande. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagnein in January 2007. This family-run company is managed by Frederic Rouzaud who owned several other wine estates in Bordeaux; Chateau Bernadotte, Chateau de Pez, Haut Beausejour and Chateau Reaut la Graviere. He sold Chateau Bernadotte in December 2012. In February, 2011, Sylvie Cazes was named the director of Chateau Pichon Lalande. She replaced Gildas d’Ollone. Sylvie Cazes was replaced in 2012 by current Director Nicolas Glumineau, who was previously at Chateau Montrose. In 2012, Pichon Lalande renovated the estate with a budget estimated at over 15 Million Euros. The new facilities included; building of a new underground barrel aging cellar and several new buildings...one that houses their new tasting room as shown. This renovation provided numerous improvements in their wine making. Most importantly, in the vinification. They created a new, triple tiered, cellar where everything moves by gravity. They also added numerous new, stainless steel, temperature controlled, double skinned vats. These new vats allow Pichon Lalande to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis as well as get much softer & gentle extractions. The 89 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Lalande is located adjacent to Chateau Latour and and across the road from Pichon Baron. The terroir of Chateau Pichon Lalande is deep gravel with clay and limestone soil and is planted to; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. — 9 years ago

Gae Saccoccio - NdC

9.8

Vintage 1949 in Burgundy according to Broadbent: “..most perfect end of a decade - elegant, well-balanced wines”; Clive Coates in his book Cote D'Or: "best vintage of 40's all-perfect beauty and purity”; Robert M. Parker Jr.: “it was the best of post world war II vintages before 1959”
Henri Leroy at that time was négociant based in Auxey-Duresses, his mythical daughter Lalou Bize-Leroy in 1949 was only seventeen.
Les Cazetiers is amongst the most elevated of Premier Cru site in Gevrey-Chambertin - and indeed the whole of Burgundy.
I drank this precious bottle on Mount Etna with #FrankCornelissen and other dear friends. Uncork this bottle lead to a surgical operation. Just begun to pull it out, a light breath of wine molecule with air bubbles magically have emerged on the surface of the cork. It's been like witness the passing away of a dying old man (or Pinot Noir must be a woman?) That humanized wine had held "élan vital", hope and breath inside him for the last 66 years! A miracle of a wine still so tasty, robust, citrusy, vibrant, earthy, incredibly alive and well-preserved despite color and neck level did not bode so well.. that's what I thought and I'll remember until I die: "the wine was waiting for us to drink it up, he gave off his mortal blow to offer us life, joy and smile!" — 11 years ago

with Alberto

Seba Stian

9.0

I was finally really impressed. It's so dense with a deep nose & long cherry finish. Its fruitiness is nicely balanced with wonderful long breath. Full body & complex wine, art of winemaking process like its label designed by Portuguese fashion designer. It cries in the glass, but they are tears of happiness :), tastes pretty mature, round, even and reach in taste - so drink now, it is ready & you will not regret it. — 11 years ago

Mark Geller

9.3

Rough day....excellent wine! Awesome bottle, great QPR. Could be our new "go to" everyday wine. — 12 years ago

with Tara