Nice full bodied pinot. Very reminiscent of sea smoke and belle glos. Loved it. — 8 years ago
Third bottle from a case picked up cheap because critics didn’t love it. Consistent notes though perhaps this is the best bottle yet. Medium body and depth overall but still cassis with a subtle candied note is strong on the nose, with elements of tobacco leaf and leather. Fine tannins still abundant and acidity firm. This will age for another 10-15 years but this is perhaps not structured to be a 40 year wine. — 8 years ago
Once again Orin Swift in Napa Valley does it again. Every bottle of his Machete has a different image on the bottle - 12 in all- I really like this one. This is his Machete 2015 , yes 2015!, California Red blend of Petite Sirah. Syrah, and Grenache aged in French oak for 10 months. The color is opaque black and the legs are slow. The bouquet is blueberry pie and strawberries. The initial palate is blackberry, boysenberry, vanilla, and pepper. All my favorites!!!! Yes that is a lot of fruit, but its not sweet. There is also this oaky earthy characteristic to it. No smoke or cigar or pipe tobacco. This is as good as any 100 dollar bottle of wine!!!!!!!! The finish is short and has no lingering sourness nor bitterness. It is perfection in a glass. This is a date wine if your date likes the big bold reds. Fantastic job Mr Swift! I wish I could afford a case! — 9 years ago
Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!
We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 10 years ago
Bursting from the glass. Showing some oak but not overly. Full and balanced. Minerality and great fruit. — 11 years ago
This drinks like a well balanced oaked and slightly buttery Chard but with more complexity. Delightful! — 7 years ago
Chocolate covered black cherry cordial. Went really well with our dinner, but when drinking this wine with Blue Bell cherry vanilla ice cream, it was otherworldly. The wind starts off with more black cherry and cola, picks up the chocolate notes in the middle. Finishes medium-plus body and just sits there on the tongue. 30 to 40 second finish. Compared to the 2011, this one has a little more structure, definitely more polished. Per the last email, this one was held back a year, and now I understand why. Crazy thing is, it doesn't score as well as the 2012 or 2013. If that is the case, I can't wait to get to those! — 8 years ago
Is there a better wine for roast chicken than Loire cabernet franc? Rhetorical question, of course. 2011 so tight, even after two hour decant. It slowly unveils its charms, like Jo Fiennes unwinds Gwen Paltrow in the otherwise forgettable "Shakespeare in Love". Unlike that film, this has staying power. Stash away a case, it will develop beautifully over the next three decades. — 9 years ago

Not as good as the 98 but still pretty enjoyable showing lots of the qualities of an older mature wine with ripe tanins and mature fruit - good bit of richness for a Pinot — 10 years ago
Delicious! Makes me want to run out and buy a case!! — 10 years ago
My favorite of the week so far. Pinot noir from chianti Classico region. Gorgeous with our Italian meal — 11 years ago
So glad I bought another case of this. — 11 years ago
This was the last bottle from a case I bought in about 1997. Over the 29 years since the wine was made, the noteworthy tar and tobacco notes that Pontet Canet is known for softened to an ashy-ness that is a softer version of a Mouton Rothschild. Still plenty of life left in this outstanding vintage, but the wine won't improve much (if at all) from this point. I enjoyed this bottle with Lucas Comfort, a day after his 29th birthday (1990). — 7 years ago
On 31/12/16 con Roberto Voerzio — 10 years ago
Gorgeous 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape from Château du Beaucastel. Drinking very well right now. Opulent and seductive CDP displaying an elegant blend of herbs, chocolate and fruit. A lingering finish reminiscent of spice and perfume of diptyque candle that has been extinguished. This is a winner. Would someone send me a case for Xmas please? ❤️ — 10 years ago
Not my first bottle from this case... This one is not the best, but is still good. Herbal menthol nose subtle berries, nice acid. — 11 years ago
An oddity for me, strange at first until a stink blew off. But what emerged was neat, very different, young Nebbiolo on steroids. — 12 years ago
Bought a case originally at $22/bottle. Still have 5 left. Knock on wood, not a bad bottle so far! — 13 years ago
Nicole Dias
Tart, funky, refreshing, delicious — 7 years ago