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. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Kim Brater

9.4

Really delicious Pinot. Burgundian style. Elegant. Cassis and muted earth. Amazing for the original price. This 2011 is long gone. Paid under $40 several years ago. Wish I had another. Hear my Dad saying in my head "Always buy two..." 😀 🍷 — 8 years ago

Michael Lawrence

9.1

Thursday carnitas with friends — 8 years ago

Jose Espinosa

9.6

Combines with everything — 9 years ago

Logan Brooks

9.1

It's a big full Oregon Pinot, seems like it's from a cooler climate, concentrated dark fruit, mint and dark chocolate — 10 years ago

Chris McGuire

9.3

2013 Vintage - seriously big Shiraz!! Big fruit, big alcohol, must find more!! — 10 years ago

with Andy

James Newell

9.5

Jammy and fantastic. Will definitely get this one the next time I see it. — 10 years ago

Mike Wolf

9.0

2011 vintage. Strawberry and stewed rhubarb on the nose, nicely balanced taste with pleasant minerality on the finish. Better then the 2009 or 2010 vintages which had a bit too much acidity, and drinking well right now. — 11 years ago

with Jennifer

Nick Lobaccaro

9.6

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Pabst Blue Ribbon is an American brand of beer sold by Pabst Brewing Company, originally established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1844, but now based in Los Angeles. Wikipedia — 13 years ago

Gor

9.1

Got much better. It needed to open up. — 6 years ago

Michael Seely

9.2

Deep color embolic of Ribbon Ridge, packed fruit. Goldilocks vintage, 2012. Needs more time in the bottle, this wine has a very positive destiny for sure. — 7 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Paul Rollett

9.0

Earthy and tons of red berry goodness. Classic pencil eraser on the nose, great Gamay! — 8 years ago

Thomas Bennett-Stroud

9.1

Vibrant, expressive, feminine. Superior biodynamic quality of fruit, not masked by oak. — 8 years ago

Scott Stewart

9.2

As good as his Pinot and Gamy is, the Chardonnay's coming off of Doug's vineyard in Ribbon Ridge are even better. — 9 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.9

Aromatic! Floral, red berries. Perfume and baking spice. Wet earth. M+ acid. Silky tannins and long finish. Fantastic. — 10 years ago

Tracey LaPointe

9.0

Such a beautiful sparkling. Refined and restrained. Lovely. — 10 years ago

Rebekkah Stoeckler

10

My favorite Malbec ever. I will definitely drink this again. — 10 years ago

Nick Hammerschlag

9.5

About as good as California Pinot gets in my humble opinion! — 11 years ago

Milla Champion

9.1

Red blend from Sonoma at The Vine! — 11 years ago

Monroe Bryant

9.8

Ethereal. — 13 years ago

Mike Freund

9.3

Candied cherry. Lay it down for at least 5 years. — 7 years ago

Levi Joseph Dawson

9.3

Wow. A new world Pinot that isn't over fruited to death? GREAT Willamette valley wine, went with duck perfectly. — 8 years ago

Megan

9.0

I usually tend toward Pinot Noir, but when I want something just a bit bolder, Gamay hits the spot. I have really been enjoying this 2015 vintage. — 8 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Generally I pass on California Pinots, however this one is well worth the time — 8 years ago

Steve Parker

9.0

Fresh and well balanced. Not over worked. Lovely Chardonnay. Paired nicely with fresh pasta, Okanagan to Matt and hand peeled shrimp. — 9 years ago

Beachin Wino

9.3

Like Baby Blue the blueberry aromas jump right out of the glass. First glass, honestly didn't seem any better than the Baby Blue. One hour later with filet mignon the wine had opened up considerably and WOW! This is one to pair with a juicy steak🍷. — 9 years ago

with Fred

Yeis Eao

9.0

Lightly creamy body balanced by a peppery, zippy finish. Lovely. — 10 years ago

John Lin

9.2

Good St Julien typicity, sous bois, cedar, blue and black berries. Good concentration, juicy, good! — 11 years ago

John Zuzek

9.3

Lots of tart cherries and red raspberries. A little smokiness with some wet earthiness as well. Ripping acid - great with spicy food. — 11 years ago

Rob Mayes

8.9

Mushroom. Minerality. Very French, actually. Really diggin this. — 12 years ago