Donald Williams

9.6

Wine Spectator #1 wine of the year in 2011, deservedly so. Still a wine of transcendent beauty. — 7 years ago

with Bonnie

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Founded in 1998, Achaval-Ferrer is a team of friends who make great wines. Was lucky enough to get a taste of this beauty. Aromas of fresh berry fruits with exciting spice and floral notes. On the palate cherry and rich blackberry flavors with tobacco and cacao. Sweet fine tannins, lingering well balanced with acidity with fresh mineral ending with berry fruit character. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago

Philipp Schoelzel

9.5

1975 ...What a beauty... in great condition and just ready to drink — 8 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.5

Finding ways to stay warm post bombogenesis. Deep, deep garnet in the glass. Super extracted, it literally stains the glass as you swirl. Still very tightly wound, this has a very long life ahead. Dark red and blue fruits, violets, creme de cassis, hints of smoke, grippy tannins, and some bay leaf / wild herbs. Gorgeous with a 2 hour decant, but will be even better with a few more years on it.
Sincere thanks to the HFIC @Martin G Rivard for this beauty. Like rays from the Sunshine State, this baby is warming me up tonight! — 9 years ago

with Diana

Martin G Rivard

10

What a beautiful person inside and out! I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to call him "Dad". Words can't adequately express how much I Love him. We opened a few bottles last night that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. We are celebrating his completion of 6 rounds of chemo therapy in his battle against Prostate cancer. This is his 3rd time in the ring against this opponent and it appears that he's won with a unanimous decision by knockout at this time!!!!!! Love you dad!!!!! So proud of your strength through this process. My Father was born in 1940. A difficult year to say the least:
Germans entered Bordeaux in June of 1940. As dictated by Hitler himself, it was the sworn duty of each and every commander to search and seize whatever could be used for the advancement of the German cause. Bedlam broke out. Chateaux' were ransacked, wine cellars were looted if not used for target practice. The Chateauxs were forced to continue producing wines. It's poetic justice that Mother Nature provided the Germans with the worst growing season from 1940 to 1944!!!! The Germans left Bordeaux in 1944 to the cheers of the residents "Au Revoir Les Allemands"!!!! The 1940 bottle that we enjoyed this evening survived World War II. It Survived the ransacking, pillaging & plunder of countless German soldiers. It's outer capsule showed evident signs of its struggle but it's inner beauty was unblemished and glorious. I've had many, many vintages of Latour from 1928 and on but none have ever tasted as perfect as the one we enjoyed tonight. This 1940 was perfect. It was a fighter, it never gave up, it never relinquished in the face of adversity. That's my Father, that my role model. He's a beautiful person inside & out. I think 1940 is the best vintage that I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Special thanks to my good friends Michael Troise whom provided me with much of the insights in regards to the incredibly difficult vintage and David Page whom gifted this bottle to me for our celebration this evening. I will never forget your generosity. It was a glorious evening to say the least!!! Wine has a way of bringing people together and encapsulating an evening and event. I couldn't think of a better way to rejoice in his victory than to open a Father & Son birth year wine. — 9 years ago

with Ryan, Christine and 1 other

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

The beauty of great producers in great regions is how the wines wear the vintages & tell the story of that place & time. 2014's story & soul lie transparently in the texture. High toned, fresh red fruit with an acidic core which seems to brighten the wine as it breathes. The aromatics are never far from the palate here, as that is where the power lies. Undeniable floral & strawberry perfume overtake the senses as the glass is raised. Call me crazy, but this was a star alongside chicken Marsala. White in the sauce, red in the glass. — 10 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.4

Third bottle in a year and this did not disappoint. It's a treat to drink Bordeaux this old and this was simple amazing. Re corked at the chateau in 1991 likely added to the longevity of this beauty. Light crimson color with some fruit and a shit ton of secondary flavors.... This was a treat. — 10 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

Grant Everett

9.8

She's a beauty, that 2009. A couple more years in the bottle won't hurt. But the nose is a classic right now. — 12 years ago

Heidi Ingelfinger

9.4

I can remember when JP and I went to visit Rafanelli back in ‘06. Broke and retooling at Davis and we were told we had to get it. Cult status stuff. And we bought two bottles and put them away. Met David and Shelly back then and it seemed by invitation only. What a beauty after all these years. Dense, viscous, blueberry and ripe red cassis. Smokey earthy Dominican cigar tobacco. Lingering and pillowy juice with subtle once chalky tannins. Heading toward ripe dried fig and graphite. All has integrated wonderfully. A bit boozy for my tastes but beautiful just the same! Yum! One last thing, after adequate storage and miles of travel the cork was pristine, barely and 1/8” of stain. — 8 years ago

with JP

Mike

9.2

2005 Beauty. Will be drinking at Bellecour in 45 minutes. #BOOM — 8 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

10

Simply phenomenal. Youthful, dense and utterly ravishing in its beauty. As profound as wine gets. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 9 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.9

To quote my two friends @Martin G Rivard and @Mike Rowe this is a bad ass wine eliciting smiles all around (and a great way to start 2017). Parker gave this a perfect score and it is a beauty. Decanting is a must at this point. It's been opening up over the last 4 hours and think it will continue to improve if I can sip more slowly lol. Slightly cloudy, and a bright purple in the glass. On the nose, cassis, vanilla and toast dominate. The sips are long and driven by fruit (blue and blackberries and cassis). Liquid silk in the mouth with sweet tannins and a surprisingly strong acidity. The finish is long. This is a total baby but I had to try it. Happy New Year to all my Delectable friends and especially to my fellow Wine Nerd Herd. I've always believed that sharing wine with friends is the greatest gift and this app has enabled me to do that with friends near and far and connect with some great people. May 2017 be a year of great health and happiness and may all our glasses be full! — 10 years ago

David

9.8

Holy perfect! This wine has everything you look for in a Napa Cab. Deep, dark fruit. Let it open up for a few minutes and this beauty will pay you back. — 10 years ago

Beachin Wino

9.2

This is definitely my style. A real beauty! Dark purple in color. Very rich, luscious fruit with tongue coating tannins. What I consider a classic Napa Cabernet. Actually had a memorable tasting at Palmaz in 2012. A beautiful place. Owned by the physician that invented the heart stint. — 10 years ago

with Fred

Ron Westlund

9.5

Burgundian Transparency. Elegant earthiness with perfectly elegant fruit that takes a back seat in this old school beauty. — 11 years ago

with Evan

Matté

Manager The Wine Cellars

9.4

Beguiling purity of black and purple fruit and sweet spice on the nose, freshly baked cherry pie, beaut! In the mouth this is rich without cloying and has wonderful ripe red fruited acidity, slick eminently drinkable, subtle beauty — 11 years ago

Gayle Karen Young

9.8

Loved this sake with Cesar on a date in Boulder at Ame — 13 years ago

Chris England

9.6

Another beauty from @lariojaaltasa that I nabbed from @gabbymeetswine @vilaviniteca for €150 and it’s singing 😍 check Instagram for pics of cork & wine ⏩ This is at peak drinking 🕺

📍 La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1985

🏵 96 points

🍇 85% Tempranillo w/ Mazuelo & Graciano

🍷 Slight garnet clear ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smokey charred oak in a damp cellar through mashed earthy cherry & old leather w/ balsamic, cocoa, herbs & vanilla expressed perfectly in a Zalto Burgundy glass

👄 Med body of super silky fine creamed cherry bathed in cocoa w/ red berry tones & light balsamic

🎯 A very long balsamic cherry cocoa linger that just goes on and on 😍 w/ a touch of dry oak as it dissipates into mocha
— 8 years ago

Chris England

9.4

I 💗 Figeac & this 06 @ £90 is a beauty drinking lovely but will still improve 😉 Very underrated by the “professionals”

📍 Chateau Figeac 2006

🏵 94 points

🍇 Equal Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon

🍷 Derp dark ruby

👃 Smokey oaky plumpy plum & bursting blackcurrant w/ blushing blackberry, lashing leather, loving liquorice, marvellous minerals, happy herbs & macho mocha 😍

👄 Silky smooth med body of creamy black berry fruits & dark plum bathed in rock minerals w/ a mocha liquorice lashing

🎯 Long mineral infused dark fruit dirty earthy kiss
— 8 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.6

Color of dark yet clear burgundy with bloody red in the rim. Nose is beauty with black currant and raisins, oak, polished alcohol, refined acidity, and dried strawberries. Taste is dry with powerful tannins and balsamic vinegar, some vanilla or strawberries ice cream, a bit savory spice, peppery, ripe cherry, dense flavors. Aftertaste is medium long and tasty with peppery taste in the throat. Very enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.5

Thanks again bud for sharing a beauty!! @David L !!!
I was very surprised by this bottle. I popped and poured without decanting since I didn't have time. It was phenomenal at 1st sip and evolved in the glass over the hour. Cherries, a little spice and a touch of oak. Definitely a vibrant and gorgeous wine that can be enjoyed young. Thanks bud!!!! — 9 years ago

with Christine

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.4

Such beauty and elegance. I'm sure some of it is the age, but an AOC known for power emitting such elegance...Wow. Anyhow, jammy raspberries and a whole garden of vegetables on the nose. Palate is quite refined with white pepper, rock and all the trademark CDP flavors. Im never a huge fan of that fruit in the front, but the mid and back arr gorgeous. What's truly remarkable is the balance...The ability to isolate any single flavor to ruminate on, how each nuance to perfectly morphs into the next. Still some pronounced tannin in this guy! — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Had this beauty at a recent wine tasting. Aged in oak barrels for about 42 months, deep Ruby color with ripe berry fruit aromas and hints of floral scents. On the palate, this full-bodied wine shows cherry and blackberry fruit with complex spice, licorice, tobacco and cacao. Lively acidity with smooth young tannins, smoky oak notes take this wine to a rich lingering finish. Needs a few years to fully develop. Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago

Evan Bienstock

9.4

The color is immediately inviting. It's visually beautiful. Not too intense or too light. 3 hr decant. The swirl of the glass releases apricot and currant and even some strawberry in the back. The wine lasts forever on the palate. Leaving dark fruit, pepper some anise and some chocolate. This wine is so nuanced and refined in its flavor spectrum delivery. Tastes like expertise in the glass. A beauty. — 10 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Found another 2009, 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Ovello Cru, a premiere site. Ruby with red Berry fruit, floral and flint aromas. On the palate, cherry, raspberry and ripe strawberry flavors with a touch of earthy floral tastes. Tannins are muted, balanced with acidity, well structured. Drinking great now, should last a few more years but why wait on this beauty? — 10 years ago

Dan White

9.0

Big. Red and in your face. One of my all time favorite Paso wines. — 10 years ago

Bryant Bickel

9.3

2001 still young in great shape, true beauty. — 11 years ago

Jeff Vejr

9.0

Missing some brightness, but this beauty is still chugging along. Granny Smith apples dipped in Butterscotch pudding. Probably should have waited a day to drink after opening. — 11 years ago