Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!

Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.

Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.

The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.

The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.

13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
— 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Well today it’s a day after being on set with gorgeous drag ladies and an insta-model so I’m making myself feel better with the bottom level of my favorite grocery store wine. I fucking love Ravenswood. So this is entry level...but it is more than most top level grocery wines in my opinion. Less than ten bucks and so light for a zin which makes me like it because I don’t love over-oaked or over-ripe zins. It is not nuanced but has berries--and cherries!-- and dried cranberry and a whiff of black pepper. And a hint of raisin. Damn I love Ravenswood. I need to investigate if they have a wine club—oh! And I found out another Cali winemaker I love (Bedrock) was started by the son of Joel Peterson aka Ravenswood. The wine rocks on. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Another great Weekly Wine Committee in the books, this time hosted by Dan. Format stayed the same (1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert wine) and everything is guessed blind.

Again, I guessed Chardonnay but the lemon cream on the nose had me guessing Aubert. This was the White of the day for me, and of course it was, since it's a 99 pointer! Large and in charge. One of the best west coast chardonnays I've had. Great texture and mint finish. — 9 years ago

with Will

Nico J. Snyman

9.2

Always enjoyed these wines, this is a big wine, reminds me of a huge Bâtard, it's a compliment though, the Judge takes it to another level... — 10 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

2013 scored 99. How the Pro-rating can be 8.8 is beyond my comprehension. Incredible wine. By far the best vintage that I have ever tasted from this winery whom I love. It's a phenomenal Opus at 1/4th of the cost.
I just picked up another case at $95 per bottle and they are In short supply. I advise everyone to get it while it's still available! 👍it's absolutely beautiful and elegant. Let me know what you think once you've uncorked one.
enjoy!! — 10 years ago

with Christine

Brian McP

8.9

Mencia, new for me! Deep ruby. Med intensity. Black currant, Cedar and smoke aromas. Med+ tannin, med+ body, med+ acidity . Black fruits, sour cherry, cedar, spice. Decent finish. Probably better in another year — 11 years ago

Ed Matthews

9.0

This is a dark and extracted wine smelling of black currants, pencil lead, and floral notes such as violets. Very young, moderate grip, dark cassis berry with black cherry overtones. To me, this is prototypical mountainside Cabernet Sauvignon from Northern California. I would love to taste this in another 10 years when it settles down. — 11 years ago

AG Corwin

9.3

Still young, but drinks easy for a young Barolo. decant for at least two hours. Beautiful rose petal floral nose, with vibrant cherry, hints of tar and what to me seems almost like menthol, moving to a slightly tart cherry note on the finish. Not overly tannic but pleasantly chewy on the aftertaste that lingers nicely. Great price point will probably get another bottle and cellar for five years. 2010 vintage. Nebbiolo. — 12 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Color me impressed. This was a delightful, textbook expression of Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon with the fruit, texture and “je ne sais quoi” to remind me that Napa can still make interesting, balanced and delicious CS. Another impressive wine by TRB. — 8 years ago

Michael Meyer

8.9

Didn’t want the ‘14...that’s what the Ritz somm brought me (but that’s a story for another day). This was good, but a little blob-ish for what I expected from the Ornellaia second wine, fruit was a bit thin, tannins were grainy. Maybe someday I’ll try the 2013 I ordered. — 8 years ago

Brandon Boesch

10

This is amazing! Right up there with Pliny for me. So well balanced and complex. Would love to try one fresh in Maine as the trek to California probably has some negative influence on taste. — 8 years ago

Shay A

8.9

Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility!

Dan is the king of busting out these old Marcassins, and every single one has been a revelation...until this one 😕. Don’t get me wrong, this was nowhere close to terrible, but it smelled and tasted of bubblegum. Very faint nuttiness notes to it. — 9 years ago

with Mark

Andy Hall

9.5

Congratulate me, I just delivered a baby! This beautiful deep purple baby has a lot of life in front of it. Wonderful balance. I will try to keep my hands off the rest of the case for another 5 years. — 10 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. — 10 years ago

Kayla Jenkins

9.0

Another great cab bought for me as a birthday gift from Shannon 😊 — 11 years ago

with Shannon

Anthony(aug 2013) Dimarco

9.1

Really happy to find this 1 litre for only $129 especially considering 750ml sells for $100 in the store. First time for the 2013 vintage. Very similar to 2012 and another winner for me. — 11 years ago

Marlena Weaver

9.0

We loved this one! Smelled absolutely divine. There was some cherry-ness in there for me, especially in the last glass. Should definitely get another bottle of this. — 11 years ago

with Vilera

Brad Pejcic

9.2

All super ripe fruit, oak, tannin and not much else. Wouldn't know it was 16 years old. I'd like to try it again in another 10. Not really doing it for me at the moment but I imagine the lovers of big block busters would enjoy this. — 12 years ago

John Wight

Sommelier/Wine Director Luce Restaurant

10

Another stunner! Loving me some 2010! — 13 years ago

Shawn R

9.4

Reminds me of the 06 Reva-not as much heft yet layers upon layers. Has another 10 years in it. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Another 4th Friday for the books!

The theme for this 4th Friday seemed to be old wines that hold their age well...this was no exception. Crazy that a wine this age (older than me!) can still have such color and fruit to it. Fruit was almost secondary and very dirty/dusty...mainly blackberry. Some old cranberry notes came out on the finish...secondary notes of barnyard and herbs. Aging gracefully. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Jack

Matt

9.3

Incredible value, punching well above its weight class. Classic CNDP character and texture, true to form and class. There’s a deal of finesse here not often seen at this price point. To me another example of Mourvedre’s place in CNDP’s future regarding climate change. Nose is ripe and confitured blackberry, roasted black plum, Provençal herbs, mocha, hot stones. Palate confirms nose; plump black fruit framed by stony minerality, garrigue, and white pepper. Underlying savory elements of meat and smoke. Tannins are assertive yet very fine, again very stoney in character. Acid is fresh, almost has a Gigondas or elevated character to it. Pure class with plenty if soul. Will develop quite well but so delicious right now. 70 GR 30 MV — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, floral and lightly spiced dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, liqueur notes and dark dry & fresh florals. The mouthfeel is richly beautiful. The palate has; dark cherries, cherries, dry strawberries, hints of blue fruits and then the spices quickly kick in with a heat lifting intensity. Notes of red fruit liqueur. Nice round acidity with a beautiful, elegant fruit and medium spiced finish. Substance is another label under the Charles Smith brand. In fact, I was told, Charles has further evolved the name to "Wines of Substance" going forward. — 9 years ago

boyd

9.5

So good. These old Riojas are speaking to me these days. Vegetable garden, cigar, dried fruit. Young and old at the same time, which I saw as another review. So good. A fantastic solo dining companion. — 9 years ago

Louie Christensen

9.4

Lock me away for infanticide, because opening this baby was nothing less. All of the pieces were there, structure, dark fruit, rich baking spices...but they were all hidden below a vail of green astringency. Another few years and that same note will open into beautiful sage, or smoky woods. — 10 years ago

RobPITSKO

9.4

Wow. Nose invites with subtle fruit, mouth is light - less earthy than some, crisp finish. This darling has a minor spice that fades quickly, leaving me want another — 11 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.1

So, while NYE is shining its face of glam and glitter, this old-school favorite blue-jean lady miniskirted her way into my night with dark skin memorably imprinting shear silk as her long legs grab and dance. Very interesting wild-wood nose showing rabbit tobacco, recently barned and stacked hay dripping with spilled plum against new oak adding resin grabbing blueberry all playing with a night fire-funnel warming and suggesting another swig that goes chocolate then back to the berries lingering and seductively clinging -"Ohhh it makes me wonder, what's going on, under, the...." Balanced and beautiful, needing an acid hit to find Nirvana .., that written, drink it up, down, .... — 11 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.5

Yet another winner from Maggie. I always say that the nose either makes it or breaks it for me, and this wine is enticing from the get-go. I wish it was available at a better price point, but it's hard to argue with the quality. — 11 years ago

Trestrace

9.1

Really enjoying this Pinot and plan to go get another bottle.
It's what I look for in a Pinot Noir- light yet full of fruit without tartness. I recommend this wine. — 11 years ago

Aaron Epstein

Writer/Curator Le Metro Wines

9.5

One of many photos you'll be seeing from me of this wine. Why, you ask? Because it's fucking awesome. — 13 years ago