Oscar Aparicio

9.4

The epitome of a rioja. Strawberry on the nose. Juicy, full bodied, just dry enough. — 9 years ago

with Emily

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.1

Turley made this wine from 1994-2010 and to me it was always the benchmark for the varietal during that era. The 13.9% alcohol was probably the lowest in Turley's lineup back in 2002. Their Charbono has always been a sneaky good ager and this is no exception. Probably already on a slow decline now I wouldn't hold on to these much longer. The Tofanelli family now keeps their own fruit. I'll have to try their version one of these days. — 9 years ago

Kathleen Baker

9.0

Dark cherry/berry, dark chocolate, pepper. Opens up nicely & improves, lovely legs. Worth another bottle! — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.5

Rich in aroma, flavor, and texture. The oak was there but what caught my attention more was the white floral and lychee notes. On the palate it's dense, extremely pure, with a huge finish that shows acidity buried down deep in the wine. Great stuff if you can try it, a benchmark from one of the greatest sites in Condrieu! — 10 years ago

Michael Horkay

9.0

Here is a benchmark in mineral driven Chenin blanc. Amazing balance and a touch of ripeness hints at sweetness. A lovely wine from an amazing producer in the Loire. — 10 years ago

Rx Wine Lab

9.0

Old school as they come! This reserva is a benchmark for those wanting to hone in on Rioja. 10 years of aging has muted the fruit of sour cherry and pomegranate skins and secondary aromas are dominant with cedar, coconut flan and dill. — 10 years ago

Sam Rethmeier

9.2

Benchmark example of St Joseph — 11 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.2

Love it, especially at the price. Benchmark Chinon. — 11 years ago

Scott Tallman

9.6

Benchmark Rose - worth the tarriff — 11 years ago

with Sheela

Daniel Darahem

9.8

Benchmark. — 11 years ago

Peter Granoff MS

Master Sommelier, Founder/Partner Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant & Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant

9.7

Always a benchmark for Sancerre . . . — 13 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.8

The real deal. This was the best Napa wine I've had in awhile. Has the makings of one of Napa's benchmark wines for the ages. Thanks Tom Weldon — 9 years ago

Andy Ringin

9.6

Top drawer. Benchmark for WA Chardonnay's! — 9 years ago

John Osgood

9.1

Great vintage of this benchmark Bojo — 10 years ago

Ken Schmidt

9.0

2013. Valerie and I had it with spicy chicken and squash. Noticeably dry. Bought two at Bevmo! probably with 5¢ sale. (2014 is no good.) — 10 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Popped with my family. My wife and her twin brother-in-law were born in 76, so my reputation is resting on Phelps!

The appearance is exquisite. Visibly, it is showing only slight signs of age, with the wine at the quarter shoulder.

On the nose, I detect prunes, cinnamon, tree bark and saddle leather. On the palette, the wine is superbly balanced and harmonious. Tannins are, of course, integrated, but the stature of the wine is still so graceful and refined. Flavors of caramel with a hint of cedar wood and truffles . The finish is sweet and utterly consistent.

For its age, this is an outstanding example. Purchased from Benchmark.

PS - My reputation is still intact 😌 — 10 years ago

with Julie, Pierre-Alexandre and 1 other

Jason James

9.2

Really good, easy to drink new world style Pinot. I could drink the 2009 all night long. Paired it with chicken Marsala, delicious. — 11 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.3

Another masterful wine from #NYWE14, a benchmark wine from this region this had everything you want in a great white wine. — 11 years ago

Jon Bonné

Wine Editor San Francisco Chronicle

9.1

Sangiovese benchmark. — 11 years ago

Paul Weil

9.0

A well-balanced Bordeaux-style blend, this wine offered rich licorice and mocha flavors with thick tannins. — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

For me and considering the price difference, this is close to Krug Rosé. It's doesn't bring the full joy and palate dance Krug gives. However, for a $160- $200 less, it's in the ballpark. The fruits shine; black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon, tangerine, citrus blossoms & English biscuits. The chalkiness & minerality has precision and cuts sharply across the tongue. The acidity is perfectly crisp and the rich finish simply doesn't stop. This is certainly a benchmark of very good Rosé champagne. — 9 years ago

Vito Polosa

9.2

Benchmark smooth, S Julien perfection, round rich and balanced — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Spicy nose - no apricot nuances as one sometimes gets with this wine. It remains one of Australia's best Reds and arguably the benchmark for Shiraz Viognier. Sweet minerally spicy and savoury palate. Some gamey notes. A little more restrained than 3 previous tastings after reference to my tasting notes. 2004 vintage. — 10 years ago

Trevor Maskell

9.3

08. Brilliant condition. Just a benchmark Chablis from the masters. Underlying minerality and pure fruits. Great weight and focus. Gorgeous length. Yes please. — 10 years ago

Matt Wilson

9.4

Tight and young but my god the fruit is divine. A benchmark of the best Napa can offer. — 10 years ago

Hector Escaton

9.4

The benchmark. Hooked up again by the homie at 14th St Quick Pick Liquors who hides this in the back. — 11 years ago

Chris Paul

Wine Educator Copain Wines

9.5

Sublime wine from AV. Drink it yesterday. — 11 years ago

Darren Delmore

10

Where do I even begin? I was the winemaker's assistant this vintage for a very stressed and haunted man. David Hirsch didn't believe in air pumps then, and the press that was installed at the winery wasn't quite high enough to press into barrel with Gravity.... So I can honestly claim that I punched down every lot everyday every time, and I hand bucketed every drop of wine in paint buckets out of the press and up into barrel. Still I never got a bottle of the stuff until I bought it recently for 35 off Benchmark. As dangerous and chaotic of a harvest gig it was, the wine now sure tastes worth all the hellfire. — 11 years ago

Doug Thomson

9.1

My benchmark for Oregon Pinots. Under-rated. 2012. — 11 years ago

Mike Bernard

9.6

Still my favorite Viognier on the planet and definitely my benchmark white that I measure all others against. I love the PCV Viognier. I still have a complete vertical of every year Alex has made this. Someday! — 12 years ago