Shay A

9.4

I’ve been a fan of Realm for quite a while, but this was the first time I’ve opened their merlot driven wine, Tempest.

95% merlot, 5% Cabernet. Inky dark red/black in the glass. Fresh baked mixed berry pie notes jump from the glass along with espresso, dark chocolate and baking spices. Astoundingly silky and elegant on the palate. While this is certainly a bigger expression than most merlot, it still has classical merlot notes at the core…black cherry with beautifully lifted profile. Rich red, blue and black fruits, cocoa, and graham cracker. The finish has great acidity and fine grained tannins. A very sexy expression of merlot. Fantastic! — 4 years ago

Lynn Derbyshire

9.0

Delicious w/ grilled pork chops and roasted cauliflower. Smooth, with a hint of sweetness, I want more! 3/13/20 at home w/ Chas — 6 years ago

Paul Rollett

9.0

Earthy and tons of red berry goodness. Classic pencil eraser on the nose, great Gamay! — 7 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Generally I pass on California Pinots, however this one is well worth the time — 7 years ago

Joe Flo

9.8

This bottle is much better than the last one. Blue, red and black fruits along with a hint of floral notes. This wine is rich, with inky black currant & blueberry finish. — 8 years ago

Joseph LaPanna

9.6

Big powerful and intense. Dark only purple from core to rim; explosive nose of ripe black and blue fruit with hints of smoke, coffee and cloves. Full bodied and concentrated with black currant and blubbery compote up front and roasted fig, toffee and caramel on the mid pallet. Finish is long, dense and with silky soft tannins. The acididy is off the charts but the ballance is amazing. Would love to revisit in 20 years!!! — 8 years ago

Jose Espinosa

9.6

Combines with everything — 8 years ago

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.1

Toscana blue blood. Slightly restrained but beautiful. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 5 years ago

with Christina and James

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose reveals, ripe, brightly floral dark & red fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, black raspberries, baked strawberries & rhubarb, cherries, prune notes, and dry, slightly burnt cranberries. Mixed berry cola, steeped tea, vanilla, touch of clove, allspice, used leather, limestone minerals, dry stone, whiff of graphite, faint herbaceous notes, dry underbrush, old cedar, tobacco leaf, with withering red & dark withering flowers with violets.

The body is medium to full. The tannins round, nicely softened but still a little tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are are harmonious and starting its climb to their peak. The mouthfeel is gorgeous and sexy. Brilliantly, bright, laced; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, black raspberries, raspberries, baked strawberries & rhubarb, cherries, and dry, slightly burnt cranberries. Mixed berry cola, steeped tea, vanilla, touch of clove, dark medium spice with heat, allspice, used leather, some sweet tarriness, limestone minerals, rich dark soil, dry stone, whiff of graphite, faint herbaceous notes, dry underbrush, old cedar, tobacco leaf, with withering red & dark withering flowers with violets. The acidity was very good and the finish showed it’s Saint Julien elegance. It’s a beautiful wine now and over the next 15-20 years.

Photos of, Chateau Leoville Barton, the “Gentleman of Medoc”, Anthony Barton, harvest work of their Merlot and their barrel cellar.

An hour and a half in decanter.
— 7 years ago

Dario Scimeca

9.5

Love the smell of whiskey in the morning - happy birthday Dad — 8 years ago

with Heather

Jeremy Buss

9.1

Excellent Riesling! Bright acidity. Dry and some citrus on the palate. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Another great Classic Wine Happy Hour in the books! Always a treat to have a designated day each month where guys can pull out some unique bottles!

Thanks @Will Adams for opening this! Gorgeous juice. A nod to how Caymus used to operate. Velvet like. Blue and blackberries, vanilla, cocoa, espresso. — 8 years ago

with Mark, Benjamin and 1 other

Arleigh

9.0

Fruity, not heavy or too sweet — 5 years ago

Patrick Peters

9.2

Dry, good acidity which is a little unusual for a Riesling. Good weight, bright color, this wine is delicious! — 5 years ago

with Sarah

Jennifer Schwartz

8.9

great bottle, warm. reminds me of fall. blueberries. — 6 years ago

Michael Washabaugh

9.0

Paired with roast duck & endive salad. Clean, low sulfite taste and off-dry. Balanced acid with cherry notes. Sexy! — 7 years ago

Cate Harmon

9.8

crisp and strawberry-y — 7 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.3

Red and blue fruit....very primary. — 8 years ago

with Warren

Chris England

9.5

🎅 Advent 📆 Day 2️⃣4️⃣

💥 It’s the big £195 halfy I’ve been waiting for & wow what an Epic bottle of a top vintage Opus One 💯 Suckling Pointer 😍 Mrs E has outdone herself here 🕺 Great but needs 10yrs to shine as too overpowered 👍 95 going 98-99

🍇 79% Cab S
🍇 7% Cab F
🍇 6% Merlot
🍇 6% Pet V
🍇 2% Malbec

🍷 Inky black ruby

👃 Sticky toffee pudding covered in blueberry jam w/ blackcurrant, fig & rich cocoa cream

👄 Full+ bodied rich toffee, blueberry pancakes, blackcurrant & caramel velvet chocolate sludge

🎯 Long gloopy teeth staining dark & blue fruit caramel lip sticker w/ violet after-burn — 8 years ago