lynne marek

9.0

Nicely balanced between tannins and fruit with a delicate finish that Pete liked. — 4 years ago

Bill Mowry

9.3

Dark berries that are the perfect balance between tart and sweet, structure that expands on the pallet as you swallow — 5 years ago

Blue Dee

9.4

So yummy! Can’t wait to try it with a noodle bowl. — 5 years ago

Romain Stamm

9.3

Elegance! great structure & balance between acidity, wood (vanilla &brioche), floral notes and yellow & white fruits (peach & lemon). A wine to remember — 5 years ago

with Clement and Paul

Drew Brandt

9.8

Wow had this one at Caymus and it’s by far the best wine. You could even tell a distinct difference between it and their normal release. — 7 years ago

Serban Sincai

9.2

Very good balance between reductive and oxydative notes. 9,2 PM — 7 years ago

Eric Casias

9.5

Decanted for 4 hours. Balanced, soft and a merge between Napa and old world. Gorgeous. — 7 years ago

Matt Duncan

9.3

Dark, stewed aromas. Silky attack, bright cranberry red mid palate. Tannins still a bit tense between fruit and oak. A little VA accentuating the difference. Lingers nicely. Food adds great depth. — 4 years ago

Eric

9.0

Nicely crafted and unpretentious. Good fruit and a bit tangy on the finish. My first Carignan from California. Small producer. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

2007 Chateau de Beaucastel- The 2007 Chateau Beaucastel is deftly walking the tightrope between primary and tertiary tones at the moment. Aromatically profound, the wine immediately unveils layers of black fruits woven together with shades of white truffle crudo, black peppercorns and Earl Grey tea that take shape in the glass. Showing brilliant verve and freshness, the palate has great depth of concentration, power and range. Blackberry compote and black licorice flavors combine with lighter red raspberry, damp earth and Provencale herb accents on this expressive palate. The long finish marvelously accentuates this beautiful wine. Marvelous now at the thirteen year mark, the 2007 Chateau Beaucastel has many years of drinking enjoyment ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95 — 5 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

Wedged in between the monumental 2005 and 2007 this wine is more delicate but again a true Rayas. Perfect balance, strong kirsch tones and this endless perfume which comes with a sexy Rayas. Reynaud and Bonneau two opposite wines, both great, for me forget all the rest in red chateauneuf. What a joy and privilege to be allowed to drink this. — 7 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

@Bryce Wiatrak here is another one. Is there someone else at Delectable that I should bother with these updates/fixes? Desire Lines Wine Co is the producer. Cole Ranch is the vineyard. The assistant winemaker at Bedrock and his wife started this project recently. Any help possible? — 7 years ago

with Tyson

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 14 Almaviva Cabernet is 68% Cabernet, 22% Carménère and 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vines are 38 years of age. The wine spent 18 months in 75% new oak. The nose shows some slight funk at first. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black cherry cola/licorice and dark florals. The M+ tannins are soft and a little sticky. The fruits are slightly candied in style. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, soft leather, crushed rocks, dark moist turned earth and dark fresh florals. The structure, length, tension, balance and finish are quiet beautiful. Producer history and notes...Almaviva began in 1997, as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. With the strengths of both families pedigree, they achieved international recognition with the the launch of their very first vintage. Their goal was to create the equivalent of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé in Chile. Patrick Leon is their Winemaker and also makes Opus One & Mouton Rothschild. Almaviva is located in the Maipo Valley in Chile's central zone. Puente Alto has ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Almaviva has 85 hectares. The climatic features of Puente Alto include its; stony soil, cold, rainy winters, and the hot days and cool nights of its summers. Maipo is considered Chile’s Napa Valley.
— 8 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.1

Drinks like a cross between a good dry Riesling and a Loire SB. Very vivid, high acid, delicious and food friendly. Nice wine. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Happy Birthday James!!!

The is a nice even tug of war between reductive & oxidative. Right in my Blanc wheelhouse.

— 5 years ago

with James, Christina and 2 others

Justin Hansohn

9.1

It’s pretty easy to over-do Syrah in this location. Desire Lines does a phenomenal job of keeping dessert-like pleasure and seriousness of terroir in check. Lifted and fruited like a modern northern Rhône or Cru beaujolais with a little less seriousness to boot but also this is young and booming. Held straight for 5 days. Get the feeling that this will resolve very slowly over time to show more what earthy and cool characteristics it has in its hand. This wine feels extremely stable and a kaleidoscope of possibilities lay herein. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Great balance between freshness and body. Nose of lemon/lime, ocean air, wet stones. Zippy but clean acid that wraps the full palette and uplifts medium+ body, particularly showing in the mid-palette. — 6 years ago

Amy Huson

9.4

Pencil lead, cooked fig, dark chocolate, vanilla; incredible balance between the juicy acidity and smooth yet grippy tannins. Perfect time to drink! — 7 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.6

Stonkingly good! Wonderful tight lines and vibrant and explosive fruit. Wizz Fizz in a glass and a palate that persists for dayz!! — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Second wine we tasted after our tour at Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Our tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about the domains history and all the wines.

Copperish pink and very lively. Layered nose with roses, strawberries, light raspberries, strawberry crème, and a little herbal. High acidity (7/10) but balanced with a slightly smooth mouthfeel. Layered with strawberries, tropical fruits, kiwi, grapefruit and melon. Very fresh and crisp. Medium to medium plus body with a long finish. Drink till 2024.

Made with a minimum of 40% Chardonnay with the remainder split between Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier of which 5 to 8% is from red wine. Aged for around 3 years on the lees.

Thanks @David L for introducing us to this stunning producer! — 7 years ago

with India