J Ferrugia

9.5

Decanted for 30 minutes. On the nose: cedar, sandstone, currents, hint of leather.
On the palate: dissipating tannin, softening cedar, emerging black cherry fruit and soft sandstone.
This is a big, beautiful Bordeaux at its peak with all the softness in the last sip that comes with age.
Drink it now. — 9 months ago

Grant Simpson

9.7

Outshined all the wines in this night. Including some very heavy hitters. — a year ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.8

The 2016 ‘Insignia’ is an absolutely incredible showing, and is amongst the most compelling vintages I have yet to taste from the Estate. Composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec which spent 24 months in 100% new french oak. As this unwinds in the glass it begins to release its seductive aromatics of ripe dark currants, crème de cassis and blueberries along with fresh violets, pencil shavings, wild sage brush and exotic spices. On the palate this is full-bodied, with a gorgeous rich, opulent texture that is beautifully balance by a lovely touch if underlying acidity keeping it fresh and inviting all the way through the long enveloping finish. Displaying a remarkable combination of both power and precision, the 2016 is a total stunner and will go on to have a marvelous future for many years to come. — 6 years ago

Keith Crump

9.4

2014 such a pleasant relaxed wine great fruit strawberry with wiff of cinnamon and all spice heat balance and length — 7 years ago

Daniel Kozaczuk

9.5

Wow, incredible, and still holding up after all these years. Upon opening, basically no fruit, all secondary characteristics, especially on the nose. As it opened up, some dark cherry appeared and eventually the nose and palate came together. A sensory journey 48 Years in the making and a pleasure to partake. — 8 years ago

with John, Spencer and 1 other

Todd Doolan

9.8

Surprisingly dark after all these years. Currant, mint & grandpa's baseball glove. Fantastic! — 9 years ago

Tyson Caly

9.7

Stunning. Still showed signs of fruit all these years later. Wow. — 9 years ago

Sophia Primps

9.5

Still has wonderful fruit after all@these years. — 10 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

1990. Slow burn with this one--firing on all cylinders with 2 hours of air. Hits all the aged pauillac notes — 10 years ago

with evie and V

Garth Hodgdon

Sommelier Bouchon

9.9

1971. All the elegance and finesse with so much beautiful bottle age. A stunner — 11 years ago

Joseph Moss

9.3

Gamay all day, every day! With some aging on it. Good to drink, still good to keep. — 11 years ago

Justin Farrar

9.7

All leather and cigars at first, and then the fruit showed up after an hour. Delicious. — 9 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — a year ago

Keith Lite

9.5

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 6 years ago

with Bruce

LM Segal

9.7

So beautiful and clear in its purpose, titillating on the nose and fulfilling its promises beyond. Balanced and velvety dark red fruit, hints of black tea and cassis but all in a more Old than New World Gestalt. Lots of secondary stuff emerging you just want to sip it slowly. If anybody wonders how well these age, track one down, it’s so worth it. Kudos @Cathy Corison for making this distinctive and enduring bottle! — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

Second wine we tasted after our tour at Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Our tour guide was excellent and very knowledgeable about the domains history and all the wines.

Copperish pink and very lively. Layered nose with roses, strawberries, light raspberries, strawberry crème, and a little herbal. High acidity (7/10) but balanced with a slightly smooth mouthfeel. Layered with strawberries, tropical fruits, kiwi, grapefruit and melon. Very fresh and crisp. Medium to medium plus body with a long finish. Drink till 2024.

Made with a minimum of 40% Chardonnay with the remainder split between Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier of which 5 to 8% is from red wine. Aged for around 3 years on the lees.

Thanks @David L for introducing us to this stunning producer! — 8 years ago

with India

Mike Mentesana

9.6

One of the best Bordeaux I've had in years, great structure and mouth feel, well defined and deep fruit and that touch of leather we all love. Amazing bottle! — 9 years ago

Hermes Ortiz

9.7

2002 SHAFER Cabernet Sauvignon
"Hillside Select"
Napa Valley, California
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Silky smooth.
Soft, lush tannins.
Dark, Black Fruit.
Blackberry and Blueberry Flavors.
All Elements in harmony.
Great Balance.
Extra long finish.
"Wine of the Night".
Still has another 5 - 10 years of life ahead. — 10 years ago

with Jeffrey

Mike Barbella

9.6

One of my Fav's of ALL time — 11 years ago

Max Kogod

Owner Kogod Wine Merchant

9.7

1977. Floored by extreme caramel note on nose and palate completely backed up by gorgeous purity of fruit, acid, levity and all the tertiary elements that make Martha's Vyd what it is. — 11 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2004 vintage. This was a highlight reel. Acidity, dirty, pretty, fabulous mousse, delicate, concentrated, fruit, long finish. It had it all at some point in the tasting experience. Looks to go long in this state…at least another 7-8 years (till 2033) without any noticeable dropoff. Can’t remember the last time I had a better rosé brut. Magical. 03.01.25. — 10 months ago

Shay A

9.4

Monthly WTF wine group night. Our theme was American oak vs French oak. All wines tasted blind. We started off with two bottles of bubbly and finished with two non-themed reds.

My contribution for the evening. I’m posting my previous review of this wine below as it’s been consistent the few times I’ve had it over the last 12-18 months. Love these wines!

Youthful. Icredibly perfumed with typical sweet dill and coconut American oak on the nose. Gosh, I could smell this stuff all day. Aside from needing time away, it needs roughly an hour of decanting to hit stride. Tobacco, cherry tart, and great herbal nuances on the finish. — 6 years ago

with Jack, Ryan and 4 others

WC Fields

10

A ten for ten. Everything you want, all that you need. Frames life in all of its wonder, not perfect but shows how time and commitment can appreciate and create wonderment, finesse, maturity, and lasting power. — 7 years ago

Jack Cranley, Backroads Wine Club & Cascadia Premium Wines

9.7

Facemelting. That is all. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.1

An off vintage that shouldn't have improved! @ £47 this 07 is drinking lovely right now w/ all tannins soft & integrated 👍

🍇 70% Cab S, 27% Mer & 3% Cab F

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Mineral & pencil lead driven earthy spiced blackcurrant & dark plum w/ leather, wet leaves, mint & smokey cedar/oak

👄 Med+ body of creamy smooth blackcurrant & dark plum w/ mocha & minerals, all well integrated now

🎯 Med+ ripe dark fruit, mocha & mineral coating — 9 years ago

Louie Christensen

9.4

Everything you'd expect and more. All the rich dark fruit, chocolate and lush purple flowers, but none of the sticky over-ripe flavors. So balanced. — 9 years ago

Sarina Li

10

Best Champagne at all times. 400$+ at the restaurant; 100-200$at Costco. True joy. — 10 years ago

B

10

1985 Sassicaia. Second red wine at Redd Wood lunch w A, S, and K. This wine was perfect. Epic. We could not believe how perfect this wine was drinking. Thoroughly enjoyed it- it was enjoyable the way truffles are- hard to describe, but pleasing to all relevant senses. — 10 years ago

Peter Plaehn

8.9

1995 from Mag. A beast that evolved all night. — 11 years ago

Matt Baker

10

Z-Best!!! My personal fav of all time!!!! — 11 years ago