Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.

I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.

The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.

Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.

Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.

@EK148 — 7 months ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Smooth, well-balanced, medium tannins. Strong smell and taste of cocoa and lush dark cherries. — 4 years ago

Kevin Blix

9.0

First time having opus where I did not get a perfume after taste — 8 years ago

Nerd_Emperor

9.7

Slightly bold and juicy. A nice surprise hit of spice on the end. It's like going on a blind date with Velma from Scooby Doo and finding out she was a stone cold freak. #Jinkies #WineCrushWednesday #badandboozypod — 8 years ago

Mike Bennett

9.0

Extreme vanilla taste, full bodied red. Love the bourbon hint! Would drink again for sure — 9 years ago

Alicia Cypress

9.2

Not quite over the hill. Always a treat to taste the butterscotch and sweeter tones coming from aged champagne. — 9 years ago

with Art and Berg

Katie Erickson

10

At first taste wasn't sure about the powerful grapefruit, but now love this wine — 10 years ago

Tim McCoy

9.0

Friar Tuck-14.99
Mellow taste — 10 years ago

Barb

9.7

Wow... So many flavors in this wine. It's quite a treat to your mouth. Smooth with a great mid taste and a long finish — 10 years ago

Anthony Erben

10

Amazing wine!!! Great taste and great for pairing with cheddar. Brings out spice especially with hummus and blue cheese. — 11 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A striking dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: mellow nose that hints at what's to come with black fruit liquor, pine needles, black olives, floral, smoke, potting soil. Taste: still big and bold with dark plum, dark currants, graphite, chocolate mocha, black pepper, and an earthy cherry infused medium plus finish. YUM!! more time to go, unfortunately my last bottle. — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Dillon Ladenburger

9.0

Very dark red, nose is vanilla, ripe cherry and whyskey, taste of vanilla, a lil oak, ripe cherry and jam. — 6 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.0

Explore Chile and Argentina wine class! The only one I want to remember. Bold nose, SP and PG get "happiness". Herbs, leather, some vanilla, almost a chocolatey taste. Stewed black plums. Lots of tannins, some minerality. — 8 years ago

Anita Grizzard

9.7

One of the smoothest blends I've had. Used a decanter so it could breathe and it lightened up the taste. Slightly fruity with little tannins. Would definitely get again. — 9 years ago

Monica Ramirez

9.4

Smooth finish, love this addition from Mondavi. Can taste the hint of bourbon — 9 years ago

Mollie Bergeron

9.5

I almost always mistake this for Chardonnay in blind tastings... ripe macintosh apple, lemon, underripe pineapple. Off-dry, lush fruit. — 9 years ago

Nicholas Lauf

9.2

This wine is so delicious. I can't get over the smell and taste of gooseberry! A very interesting flavor, but leads me to an extra sip. Some additional flavors Are lemon (citrus) maybe tangerine, and maybe some grassy/herby flavor. I will be getting this again. — 10 years ago

with Alyssa

Mark Lipton

9.4

If you have to drink a 2011 Napa Cabernet, this is the one. Overcomes the flimsiness and off-centered taste of many of its peers. Blueberry, suggestive of Alexander Valley cabs, is present in spades, and wonderful, smooth, and satisfying midpalate and finish. — 10 years ago

Kate

9.0

I had this a few years ago and didn't love it. Just tried again. When I first opened the bottle it was a strong berry at first then evaporated but once bottle open the tastes softened and the first taste and finish blender more smoothly. — 11 years ago

Rick Richards

9.6

I haven't had a taste yet but my wife says"oh this is smooth!" So I'm thinking for the price it's well worth it! — 11 years ago

Walter Fahr

9.0

At 9 years old very smooth and nice taste of cherries. paired well with a filet and a variety of red meats. drank in August 2025. — 10 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Flight #3 of our 1997 Retrospective. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #3 was vinous and in great shape. The only wine in the group that showed stronger notes of coconut and vanilla than the others. Called Silver Oak. Drink now and through 2030. — 2 years ago

Blake Walker

9.5

Tasted blind, I would’ve guessed a mature Bordeaux. Fantastic. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Reddish tawny, translucent and old looking. Awesome nose. Notes of leather saddle, pencil lead, currants, cherry, soil, and some toasted hickory. All guessed 61 Bordeaux. This got better through the night and was at its best in the last glass. — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.0

Road wine so ease off me please and I usually enjoy stag leap but last night so so

First off o smiled but because I drank entire bottle

Color was fine smell was aromatic but from there the other things were off

Taste was not what I expected as was too much heat and alcohol and finish was weak

Sadly I have a few and will be handing off as gifts to people I really don't know when needed - sorry to al future gift receivers — 9 years ago

Murat Rakhimzhan

9.0

Very fresh wine with aromas of green pepper, passion fruit, lychee, and grass.
In taste fresh, limes, passion fruit, grass green pepper — 9 years ago

David Langstaff

9.4

This wine needed about 3 hours to release. Initially tight with uncomfortable medicinal nose which then totally dissipated. Drinking now next day and you get the age of fully integrated but not fading tannins. Nose has a delightful dark fruit and smokiness. Great fit of nose and taste, meaning - when tastes after smelling the experience is consistent and not jolting. I think the color purple in a subdued way. Very nice. Memo to self: decant and watch for sediment, and enjoy three hours later. — 9 years ago

with Cynthia and Chris

Drew Freeman

9.0

Not sure how this is going to taste but since it's the 40th Anniversary of the #JudgementOfParis it's gonna get popped tonight. I'm predicting the StagsLeapWineCellars will win (again). #1976 #FortyYears — 10 years ago

Andrea Tidwell

9.1

Pretty good!!!! A little dry. Good taste. — 10 years ago

James Wells

9.3

One of the all time family favourites and this vintage is more of the same...will be a good one to taste though with a few years on it. — 11 years ago