Blue Dee

9.4

So yummy! Can’t wait to try it with a noodle bowl. — 6 years ago

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. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

From magnum and paired well with three different Tri-tip steaks sources and marinades.

On the nose, sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets.

The palate is med and beautiful. The length, structure, tension and balance are at its peak harmony from magnum. Sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb, burnt orange, with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry river stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, dry stems, more presence, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets and blue flowers. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The rich, ripe, fresh fruit, well balanced finish is simply beauty on steroids.

Photos of, Lopez de Heredia, Vat fermenters that are still in use and somewhere between 100-200 years of age (they repair them as needed to keep them tight), their cooperage and Maria José López de Heredia who now runs the family business. — 7 years ago

Richard Lewis

9.4

Light, refreshing lemon with a bit of oxidation along the lines of fino sherry. — 8 years ago

with Lynne

Luis F Gimenez

9.4

Wonderful Bourdeaux type blend from Chile. This is one of the top wines produced by this Country. It is a joint venture between Baron Phillipe Rothschild who also owns Mouton Rothschild in France; and Viña Concha y Toro from Chile.
The Wine maker, Michel Friou, is French with extensive experience including stints at Chateau Margaux and the other top Wine maker in Chile: Casa Lapostolle, which is owned by the Grand Marnier family in France. There he was in charge of blending their top Cuvée, Clos Apalta.
The 2009 Almaviva, is a powerful red which is well balanced with subtle hints of graphite, chocolate and tobacco. The fruity component reminds me of black cherries. Tannins are present but mild. — 9 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.3

Old world style from California central coast. The nose is redolent of Luxardo cherries and Antica Formula vermouth. On the palate, there is a battle between fruit and earth; deep, earthy forest flavors are offset by bright, tart spring cherries. Coastal botanicals play against wild fruit. Better than expected. — 9 years ago

Veronica Castro

9.3

This wine came in with a lot of high hopes, and man, every one was met. Elegant, powerful, and racy. Nose full of lemon blossoms, palate teeter-tottering between acid and fruit, an exciting wine with loads of Salt, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, ending with a zesty, salty-limey finish. Very pretty wine. — 9 years ago

Kevin Simback

9.5

15 year old rose! Great acidity and keeps getting more interesting. Sorta cross between aged Rioja and a Fino. — 10 years ago

with Tripti

Steven Wood

9.3

I know we should be storing these (2010), but it just drinks so damn well right after you uncork it. Drinks like a $80 bottle, perhaps on the smoother side for a barbaresco, and not a lot of bite, almost like a straddle between barbaresco and Barolo. Best value under $40 I know of... — 11 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.5

#apluswine is found between five bells — 13 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

This was slow oxed for a few hours before the event. I was fortunate to try this a couple times throughout the evening. Monster stuff that is only getting better. Aromatics of dark cocoa, mocha, bayleaf, cedar, currant, underripe blackberries and raspberries. Built like a tank on the palate...big structure sporting notes of leather, herbs de Provence, grilled black cherries, plum, mulberries, graphite, and a tannic finish. If you can decant for half a day, go for it. Otherwise, hold on and enjoy the fireworks in 5-7yrs. Thanks for bringing @Jid R . — 6 years ago

with Jid

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.1

Between 2007 and 2009. Une verite de la palice but with great significance in the wine world. Light year, very feminine wine, very evolved, reduction in nose needs to be drunk now. — 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? — 8 years ago

with Tyson

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.9

This bottle of Krug had the vine motif on the label that dates it to the "no Krug, no thanks" era. My guess is that it was based on a harvest between 1997-2000, so likely pre-LVMH. The wine was spectacular. The butterscotch and brioche nose as well as the brassy color were signs of patient, tender cellaring. Texturally, this Krug was as good as any wine I have ever had, velvety and full. The back end exploded with chalk, nuts and a complex array of dried fruit. The finish went on and on. Cellar some Grand Cuvée- you won't be disappointed. — 8 years ago

with Jim

Paul T HB

9.0

Cork was great, which shows me it was stored nicely doesn't taste like modern day Stags leap a little brickish but still has legs, has that old Cabernet smell, maybe all wines tasted like this in 92? Wasn't drinking wine at that time.
I was still drinking Long Islands, Margaritas & Miami Ice's, plus a few Zombies in between. I heard Russell Bevan talk about this vintage in his 2012 Vixon block release so I figured why not, but who knows when he actually had it, could of been 10 years ago,
— 9 years ago

Martin Redmond

9.1

Pale yellow color with plentiful active tiny bubbles and marzipan, almond, pear, subtle citrus and a hint of smoke aromas. On the palate, it's refined, lively and fresh with a delicate creamy mousse, and apricot, apples, pear and lemon curd flavors dominate but hints of grapefruit, black currant and an appealing smoky minerality play in the background. Long finish. Cuvee 2011 Disgorged 2014. 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier 5% of wines matured in oak cask with weekly battonage - 10% of reserve wines matured in casks. Partial ML. Assemblage of 6 vintages from 40 different plots. Matured 3 years in cellar and 6 mo after disgorgement. Dosage between 10 adn 11 g/L. My favorite under $40 Champagne! — 10 years ago

Sébastien Burel

9.5

A wonderful vintage, crisp and dense at the same time. A wonderful contrast between concentration and purity. — 11 years ago

David Witkowsky

Sales Potomac Selections

9.2

Blackberries crushed between rocks — 11 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.7

So excited to open this tonight! @between5bells thank you @jonathan_wood #apluswine — 13 years ago

Curtis Midkirk

9.6

Wonderful balance between fruit and oak with a mild tannin. The blended merlot really helps this wines beautiful finish — 6 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 — 6 years ago

with Clement and Paul

Nichole Herman

10

Nichole really enjoyed this one! — 7 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! — 8 years ago

Eric Casias

9.5

Decanted for 4 hours. Balanced, soft and a merge between Napa and old world. Gorgeous. — 8 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.4

Wonderful comparison between (as one taster mentioned) the femininity of Lalande vs the masculinity of Baron. The theme held true throughout the night with most Barons being bigger and bolder and the Lalandes being more elegant and refined. Both beautiful but different. — 9 years ago

with Jorge and Ilida

Chris Langstaff

9.0

Smells like walking between rows of bright crisp golden delicious apples that have been freshly picked. Delicate and light with some astringency. Black currants. Alcohol is clearly present on the linger. Update after being open a day: the nose has changed and developed into a distinctly 'dirt floor cellar' and mildew and it is still delightfully light and delicate, but falls off. — 9 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.2

Really freakin good. Collaboration between Aubert de Villaine of DRC and Larry Hyde. The absolute best expression of old world meets new. — 9 years ago

Fraser McKinley

9.1

Taught and tense with razor sharp acid lines - 2013 — 10 years ago

The fly

8.9

This is my local wine guy's favorite wine. He stopped stocking Caymus because it was "shit" and instead lines this with his shelves. I swear to god it looks exactly like purple kool aid. It has a big tannins and generally tastes ridiculous. A shameful varietal. — 11 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.5

Continuing the trend of great wines lately, this is pretty close to a perfect bottle of Champagne. Impeccable balance between fruit and mineral, acid and sweetness, finishes very clean. — 13 years ago