Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; no formal notes. Enjoyed alongside the 2019. Tonight, the 2015 showed slightly bigger, deeper fruit. Still developing with a higher proportion of black fruit relative to the black and red mix of brambles in the 2019. Structure for many more years of enjoyment. Balanced and just so winsome in the Rafanelli way. Just entering its second plenitude but I expect this to be enjoyable through 2035. — 6 months ago

Ericsson

9.3

Napa Bordeaux style blend, pop n pour with scents of wet earth and perfectly ripe red fruit. Exquisitely balanced on the palate, soft tannins, medium alcohol… Loved the wine, definitely old world character, but must say there is short finish (a bit disappointing with this caliber of wine to be explicit). Still, great wine. — 7 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

Compared to 2001; leafier, mintier, greener. Prunier, figgier, meatier. Soy sauce, mushroom, forest floor, bacon fat (could be just less Brett than 2001), pencil shavings. — 8 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.1

Now I see how this wine can be so divisive. LOTS of brett at first, more band-aid than barnyard. Takes a while to get past it and then lots of exotic spices show up. But after 40 minutes in the glass still nothing primary. It’s got the funk I can appreciate in some good left bank Bordeaux but also feels somewhat single-threaded. — 3 years ago

Jasmine Hirsch

Sales & Marketing Hirsch Vineyards, founder In Pursuit of Balance

9.4

Proof that 40 can be downright youthful. — 4 years ago

Fanny Louton

9.3

Perfect 10 event. Balanced and elegant cabernet that is a bit fruitier than most. 2010 vintage. Would be delicious with food. Drinkable now but can age longer. Has a bit of new European quality. — 6 years ago

Maciej Kurka

9.4

Nothing.Like.This.Before. Fun. Different. — 7 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.4

First taste reminded me of Firenze in that the leather belts and purses were on the nose. Lots of floral arrangements now, solid round, very nice as always. Shout out to my 1 follower @Bill Bender ... it's my birthday and my goal is to be drinking at your level next year!

94 points — 8 years ago

Laura Howard

9.6

Must be nice, Waugh. — 8 years ago

with Seth

Mike Shinn

10

Everything it's cracked up to be. What an amazing red blend. Delicious. — 9 years ago

Conrad Green

9.7

This is an immaculate bottle. Fresh and intense it could be 30 years old instead of as old as me! Dark plum, black pepper, iodine, deep k minerality. This is spectacular. Long and pure and delicious. — 6 months ago

with Tony and David

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2016 Palmer is a brilliant wine from Thomas Duroux, though I feel it will ultimately be surpassed by the 2018. You cannot argue with the nose: intense black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and crème de cassis (as if there was a touch of Pauillac in there). The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, sensual tannins, perfect acidity, velvet smooth with layers of chocolate-tinged black fruit, hints of black pepper and cedar towards the sustained finish. It is a fabulous Palmer that will give much pleasure. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity and some moderate staining of the tears. There appears to be some sign of sediment as well. On the nose, the wine was intense with notes of dark cherries, a mix of red and black bramble fruits, licorice, some leather and dried gravelly earth. I don’t detect any use of barrique but maybe some large format oak. This has an old world nose to it that was really lovely. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose and while the fruit had some power, it came in a body that was pretty fit and tidy. Alcohol is medium+. The finish is long and had some stoney minerals too. I called Brunello di Montalcino from a warmer vintage like 2009. Whoa…2007 Beaucastel! Damn, they hit so different than most other CdP’s. So much more restrained! But now that it has been revealed and I’ve allowed more time for it to breathe in my glass, I totally get its sense of place. One of my big takeaways is that I need more experience with these wines, particularly with age because that’s when they become more interesting to me. This is drinking well now but I expect it will continue to do so through 2032 with ease. — 9 months ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

The juice, the energy, the dammit I don’t want it to be so tasty but...Artemis got you. Because she’s a goddess and says so. I mean, there are other deities. Ones more powerful or whatevs but I’ll run through the woods with this for a night — 4 years ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.5

Oak and leather on nose. Bold, mild tannins, dry. Plums, blackberries, black cherries. Long satisfying finish. Outstanding! This is going to be a monster in 5-7 years. — 5 years ago

with Michael and Joe

Mark Eastom

9.3

Awesome stuff. Biscuit dough, baked apple, a bit of oak influence, beautiful effervescence and great acid. 2005 vintage, but can only imagine how it will be in 20 years.. — 7 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. — 8 years ago

Jonathan Salky

9.3

It was a bit lighter than expected, but maybe that's how it's supposed to be. Was still great, just wasn't big enough for my meal — 8 years ago

Louiza Collins

9.4

Velvety mouthfeel with medium tannins. Robust red and dried fruits, finish of vanilla and graphite. Quaffable af. Would pair with lamb, rabbit, pork, cheese, hummus. Versatile. Honestly not worth it's price point. An off vintage from a delicious vinyard. Would not be hard to find a bottle 1/5 of the price. — 9 years ago

Jason Boland

10

This gets a 11+ rating if it was possible. The gods would be so lucky to have a sip of this. Incredible wine for Christmas. Such a light color for the age. So round and perfect. Finish that never ends. Doesn't get better. — 9 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Still remarkably youthful, it’s rich, dense and dark fruited, layered with classicism of cigar box, cedar and spices. The palate is concentrated and powerful with a silky texture and incredible length. 95 is nowhere near its peak. Many more years to go. And while I’ll never be a real Bordeaux lover, it’s clear what makes these first growths special. — 6 months ago

Will Stanley

9.6

Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage.

Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.
— 7 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

My first bottle of the ‘16. This is drinking really well right now, and I can’t wait to see it in 10 years. Fruit is ripe, tannins are tight but approachable. Black and red fruit. Acidity still strong but also approachable. Overall well structured and integrated. Just gonna get better with time, but like I said, it can be pnp, but with patience it’ll be fantastic. I agree with WS 95 rating. — 10 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 4 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

What was meant to be a casual dinner with friends over homemade BLTs ended up turning into a full-blown wine dinner.
.
Eager to see how this develops over the years. As it stands now it’s syrupy with cloves, figs, molasses, and is pretty extracted. I think the potential is there but it’s going to take some time for it to mature and formulate. — 5 years ago

with Becca, Taryne and 1 other

Jeffery Heavner

9.4

Good fruit , astringent and good acids . Your to be expected Silver Oak..... Big, lush , fruit forward and good acids — 7 years ago

Nathaniel DiMaggio

9.0

Beautiful wine here! Sooooo young and primary but not a jagged edge on it. Be kind snd give this 5 years before visiting. — 8 years ago

Jimmy Hayes

Estate Director Mayacamas Vineyard

9.6

Sometimes kings deserve to be kings. This bottle was great. In a mature place, but might stay on a plateau for a while longer. Soft black plums, tea, caramel. Sturdy in the glass for an hour. Enjoyed with great company at a great place in London. Consumed, with other bottles, alongside Mayacamas Cabernet 03. I'm always struck by how much in common our wine has with the structure and profile of Nebbiolo. — 8 years ago

Nicole Linares

9.0

Slightly oxidized, could be a storage issue.
That aside, it's forceful with anise, baking spices and worn leather notes. Tart fruit round out the palate and the finish — 9 years ago

Josh Spurling

10

If you don't like this wine, we can't be friends any more. — 10 years ago