Erik Nordman

9.4

Another killer Lauer Riesling. These '15 Rieslings from Germany in general have been so consistently awesome thus far from what I've tasted. Intense, bracing, angular, and at the moment, a bit austere (albeit pleasantly so, in my opinion). Give this a bit of air, because it shows a little too much struck-match reduction right out of the gate, but it blows off relatively quickly. Also very young, definitely one to cellar for a bit here. Pours a pale to medium (-) intensity straw hue. Decently concentrated nose of a boatload of wet, crushed slate, petrol, slightly underripe nectarine, starfruit, and green apple, Parmigiano rind leesiness, shiso leaf, and a subtle jasmine green tea character that I think will likely emerge some more with a bit of time in bottle. On the palate, the nose is mirrored almost identically in terms of flavor and those dense layers of flavor ride an absolute lightning bolt of intense, high acid. Light to medium (-) body but with great oily leesy texture, medium (-), in-balance alcohol, and the wine finishes dry but I can tell there's some RS to balance what would otherwise be like, enamel-stripping acid. Definitely less than 10g/L though, I'd guess. Quite evolving and complex. Awesome. Give me some crispy pork belly and a glass of this and I will be happy. Definitely going to get another bottle to put away for a while. — 9 years ago

with Cassie

Sofia Horvath

9.0

Great. Bolt tannins, baking spices, and cherry. A tad tight right out of the bottle but opened up nicely. — 9 years ago

Erik Nordman

9.5

Cuvée Freddy on a sunny Saturday afternoon on the rooftop lounge (of Hotel Metro in Milwaukee, a delightfully cheesy art-deco hotel that we highly recommend) for our anniversary! First Grand Cru Alsace Riesling and oh boy, for Riesling lovers like us it still totally delivered and then some. Such concentration and complexity of flavor. This has that classic Trimbach juxtaposition that I love where the laser beam acidity and bone-dryness of this wine coexists with such rich texture and a relatively full body. Meyer lemon, orange zest, a bit of underripe stone fruit, a truckload of crushed slate, a bit of the classic petrol character, a slightly honeyed/beeswaxy note, and has a bit of a bergamot citrus tea note that I'm sure will further reveal itself with more time in the cellar. Really amazing stuff. Still very young, the lightning bolt of acidity in this bottle is doing its job as a preservative as it should, this has a long life ahead of it and I probably drank it a bit too soon to be honest, but it was just absolutely splendid nonetheless. — 10 years ago

Claudio Dias

9.6

Heaven in a bottle albeit still too young to enjoy at its best. Tannic and robust fruit flavor that's got more depth than Channing Tatum's abs a week before filming his next stripper movie. On the glass Bin 389 is an impenetrable magenta color with legs like Usain Bolt. On the nose it's lush dark fruit that we've come to associate with Australia's southern Cabernet and Shiraz. Baking spices and tobacco with a smokyness characteristic. There is a nice earthiness to it and pencil lead is quite noticeable. Mouthwatering acidity right away. Finish is l.o.n.g loooong. If I go to sleep now I'll probably be tasting it when I wake up. In short, grippy, tight and focused but nonetheless still enjoyable. Now I've made a mistake; I've only bought one bottle. Time to buy the remaining stock and give it to time! — 10 years ago

Christanna Honer

10

Tantalizing nose, Layers of yellow apple, juicy pear, kumquat, honey-lemon, with pleasant lanolin notes. Powerful, intense fruit and then--whoooosh, the acid swoops in like a bolt of lightning. The perfect acid-sugar balance takes this to elevated levels of pure deliciousness. In professional terms, this wine is "the tits". — 11 years ago

Nicholas Livingston

9.5

Extraordinary! Fresh and dried fruit -figs, apricots, dates under powdered sugar, cloves, star anise, cinnamon, pain d'epice and candied ginger -all dynamic and in motion like a mighty sprinter whose broad, soaring gate seems like his feet never really touch the ground -the Usain Bolt of Tokaji and hopefully restorative like this King of Wines and Wine of Kings is purported to be -what we read lifted kings from their deathbeds and back to their healthy and hale selves. Perhaps it is but wishful thinking but I sense I am already on the mend like a plant roused in springtime by rising temps and rising sap. — 11 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.1

The dark color looks quite rich and ruby-red. Aromas of blueberry, smoke and spice bolt from the glass, leaving a little trail of cedar behind. The palate is lovely - ripe, red fruit and oak spice are contained in a full and easy mouthfeel with smooth tannins. — 11 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.2

So stinky, sharp & bracing. Creamy texture mid palate quickly whisked away by the lightning bolt of acidity. If it could speak, it would say "I want epoisses, please!" — 11 years ago

Evan Malik

9.0

Creamy great in the mouth but the finish on this bottle was not Husain bolt. — 12 years ago

Bruce Evans

10

06 futo , 01 hundred acre kayli , 09 coupe de foudre lightning bolt , 07 vieux telegraphe — 13 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

If mineral water was as addictive as crack cocaine, this would be your fix. As I sip, a full-on hologram of the limestone pops ups and spins for my viewing pleasure. Calling this extraordinarily vivid would be an understatement akin to saying Usain Bolt is quick. — 9 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.4

Diligently studying champagne, so had to pop something. This is bright and lively, fresh pear and golden ripe yellow Apple jump out of the glass, with a dash of sea salt on top. Like a bolt of lightning on the palate, zippy and fresh, with nice persistent mousse and a lingering marzipan note. Bready and creamy on the finish with a touch of caramelized sugar. The energy in this glass is amazing. — 9 years ago

Mike R

9.3

Good to the last drop - this is a new one for me and I am a believer - decanted for two hours and starting early today - love the dark fruit - the nose draws you in - incredible - the finish is like seeing Usain Bolt in the 100 meters at regular speed but in your mind you enjoyed every step of the race - that good - the taste just swirls and swirls like good kind of merry go rounds you enjoy and wish never stop - man this is what Napa is all about - bravo - love to 😀😃😎 — 10 years ago

John Beasley

9.7

Lightning bolt in a bottle. Laser sharp focus. Mineral citrus. Elegant mouthfeel. — 10 years ago

with Ludi, Maureen and 1 other

Anthony Lynch

9.3

A lightning bolt of lime and slate, followed by a rush of prairie wildflowers, and finally a lingering, tender, buttery finish. Thanks @Max Kogod for hooking it up! — 10 years ago

Maxence Guilluy

9.3

Between Belgian Season and IPA, truely a lightning bolt with the citrus side, brewed with heather honey and crushed peppercorns, hopped with mountains of Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin — 11 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.1

Took a while in the decanter to be anything but a screaming lightning bolt of acidity. Eventually showed some nice stone fruit, a touch of woolly funk and citrus twang. A little time in the bottle will help. — 11 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.1

Bright lemon drop refreshment. A perfect peak into the what's and whys of the saumur appellation. Lightning bolt of acid punching right through a subtle cream. This is very fun to drink next to something soft and fat. I happened to be in a study this drink kind of mood so my excitement is toned down, but this was definitely 💣 — 11 years ago

with Arturo

Carlos Mata

9.3

Dense, cloudy, dark old cherry red. Cherry scented shoe polish on the nose, but it is rather tight. This wine needs to breathe, preferably in decanter. Second tear herb aromas come through; sage, marjoram. Also wax. Somewhat timid upon entrance but unfolds onto a very long and meaningful passage. Meaty, savory flavors, mixed with lush dark berry and berry compote. Very, very lush and fleshy from the third quarter on, sending a bolt of acidity and then a rainbow-like finish that stays for half a minute. Dusty texture. Beautiful dryness after such long tannins. This wine can age ten to fifteen years easily. 93 pts. — 11 years ago

Robert Nelson

8.9

Decent dark blend — 13 years ago

Matt Trader

9.5

2000 is just beautiful right now! The color is mesmerizing - sunburnt orange rim, brick red, with a dark crimson core. When you open this one, you get immediate cellar funk and compost flying out of the bottle, but after about 40 minutes, the funk flies, and what you're left with a true lightning bolt..(coup de foudre!) Leather couches in a frequented library, espresso, stewed red apple skins, and bell pepper, tobacco, and dried carnations. Tannins are still firmly present, and still sexy in feel (yes, velvet love in liquid form), black plums, graphite, bell pepper, clove spice, and a soft and lush finish. I think this wine could see another 15 years at least with the youth it began to show around 2.5 hrs after being opened. If you can find any 2000 around, grab 3.. lay 2 down, drink one now. Happy Valentine's Day! — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.1

Lanson Champagne Extra Age Brut Rosé sports a coppery visage, an undefined color at the midpoint between pale apricot and salmon. A blend of the 2002, 2004, and 2005 vintages, with ten years en tirage, this stunning brut rosé has considerable power amplified by a bolt of enamel-etching acidity. Vivid layers of stone fruit, orange marmalade and spice are tightly corseted in a lingering chalky saline-edged minerality. 6 g/l dosage. Sample — 10 years ago

Mike Guggenheimer

8.9

With Mary Bolt at the beach. — 10 years ago

Rob Carr

9.4

Very similar to dead bolt. Syrah, Malbec, merlot, and Zinfandel grapes. Stronger finish, but takes a minute. — 10 years ago

Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

9.2

Still showing good life, at once round and ripe but with a bolt of minerality right down the middle. — 10 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.5

My mouth feels like is on fire. Like a lightning bolt just scorched everything and left s smoky, salty, ashy, pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Scotland, Ireland, leprechaun, scotch bonnets, Jamaica. what? — 11 years ago

Pierre Lord

9.3

Wow. Wonderful compilation of flavors. Definitely reflects it's name. A hint of sweetness, bolt fruit, and hints of oak and earth. One out of the ball park for the price. — 11 years ago

Travis Morningstar

9.5

Like a lightning bolt hitting a mushroom patch. Awesome birthday wine. — 11 years ago

Clemens Kurek

9.3

A fine red wine. — 11 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Needed some Barolo in my life!!! This little Rock and Roll Nurse felt like a much needed transfusion. Less Orange-hued than most. Highly affordable. Just a baby, like we Vampires like 'em! Happy to sink my fangs in this one. Chalky Cherries with chunks of plum. Rose snippets. Orange bitters diluted in Armagnac. This has all the mixological possibilities of a great cocktail, only it is propped on a cloud of acidity that screams like a juvenile Jove for a plate of fine food before blasting your mouth with a a lightning bolt of chewy round tannins, then descending like a shower of golden daffodils to sex you up! Ahh Spring!
— 12 years ago

with Courtney