Dr.Meandor

8.9

Still a baby, but already solid, huge, grippy, powerful and assertive Priorat.
Garnacha/Syrah, fermented in cement tanks with wild yeasts with daily oxygenation. Macerated 10-15 days. Aged in 4000 L wooden vats, 300 L barrels, clay jars & demijohns for 18 months.

Dark inky garnet, scarlet rim.
Intense, invigorating & refined nose of black earth, tar, smoke, pome jam, raspberry pie, charred pine cone, crushed pepper, peppermint, cherry seed, bone fire, caramel, mulberry jam, tobacco, box of matches, mushrooms, pu er tea, licorice, ink, rosemary, volcanic minerals.
Impressive and massive palate. Very full body (14.5%), vivid acidity, grained tannins. Chokeberry, hibiscus, red currant skins, basil, lilac broth, black gooseberry, unripe saskatoon, earth, cigar, roasted cacao beans, lavender, savory, espresso flavors.
Saturated lasting finish of cedar, saskatoon, chokeberry, coffee and licorice.
Paired rib-eye steak finely.
88–89/100 — 5 years ago

Martin Bergo

9.5

The most unusual wine of the year, thus far. This Brunello is atypical in many ways. Color is dark ruby with a nice brick orange hue; nose is full of pine cone and resin and juniper (pyrazines?) flowery like a mature barolo without the tar; it is like a bouquet of roses and freashly-picked meadow wild flowers, there are some oak flavors and dark fruits but that’s in the background; taste is also unusual in that the acid level is low but are carried by the ”acidity” of hefty tannins, mid-palate is weak but the finish is long, satisfying and contains all the elements from the nose. Highly unusual and unique; confusing!
For entertainment value the score is 9,5! — 6 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.6

Amazing color and nose. Hints of cedar and pine cone. Bold and elegant blackberry and raspberry, with Creme brûlée. One of the best wines I have had in a while. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, fresh red flowers, violets and dark withering floral bouquet.

The body is full, round, creamy, lush and glides effortlessly over the palate. The tannins are about 55% resolved, dark and still a little sticky & tarry. It hasn’t hit its peak. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, another 3-5 years of patience will definitely be rewarded. Fruits are ripe, slightly baked & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries haunt the high nose & cooked rhubarb. Forest floor, elegant, soft, understated dark spices, hints of wild mushrooms, herbaceous notes, mint, steep fruit tea, limestone minerals, crushed dry rock powder, dry clay & top soil, dry river stone, dry stems, cedar, tobacco leaf, soft, used leather, beautiful florals of fresh red flowers, violets, lavender and dark withering floral bouquet. The acidity is nice but off from the better Le Petit Cheval vintages. The finish is still more earth dominate than fruit but nonetheless enjoyable and persistent.

Better with food (steak) than on its own. 3 hour decant.

Photos of, the original Chateau, new cylinder cone style stainless tanks, barrel room and the new modern addition to the Chateau in complete modern contrast to the historic Chateau. — 6 years ago

Mark Oldman

9.0

is anything else needed to ride out the final frozen days of March? gorgeous Syrah-based #wine (look for St. Joseph - this one smooth, blackberry/minerally gem) and a cone of double-fried fries? #Rhone #WineWednesday — 7 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

10

Papillon 2014 Orin Swift! Of coarse its amazing, its Orin Swift. I changed the rating four times!!!!!!!! Super opaque cab blend! Bouquet is raspberry tart! The initial palate is black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry bliss. There is a spice that kicks in along with a tart tang that tingles the tip of your tongue and numbs the roof of your palate. Oak and tobacco cone to play in the taste next along with a dark chocolate spice! Yummy!!!!! Along with the bouquet the sip doesn’t last long enough so I must have another sip. It is moderately dry. Where is my steak????? — 8 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.2

Strawberry snow cone nose that evolves into cherries in the winter forest. Big bold thoughtfully sun-ripened berries. Solid herbal full mouthfeel across the finish. Perfect Napa Pinot. — 5 years ago

Andrew Lohse

9.0

Nose of cassis, black plum, blackberry preserves, late-fall pine cone, cinnamon, clove / plush, ripe tannins with some red fruit showing through on the palate / powerful with a long finish—hard to believe that wines with this kind of self-assurance and structure can be had below $25 — 6 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of ruby, light and clear. Nose of fresh sweet berries, cranberry, spice almost cinnamon like, wood and pine cone ornaments, and fermented plum. Taste of lavish acidity, polished with berries flavors not standing out too much (except some light cherry and plum) some Unami note, some wet mushrooms, zest, a bit peppery and mineral, and low tannins. Clean yet complex. Aftertaste has more warmth, a bit minty, zesty, citrus skin, and peppery. Nicely done. — 6 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

This incredibly unique semi-carbonated Lambrusco is all about Red Delicious apples. Pretty crimson murky red with a tinge of copper on the brim. It’s completely dry with a bitter note reminiscent of apple skin. Tart cranberries and spiced cherry flavors formulate into a Dr. Pepper and nutmeg elixir. So unusual and so perfect for this time of year.

And more surprises - an odd cone shaped knobless Champagne cork that requires a corkscrew. It comes wrapped in a personal paper note from the winemaker about wine quality. — 6 years ago

Stas Medvedev

9.6

🏅 Rating 96/100 (4,6🌟)

Super Vintages of SuperSeconds🍷

Classic Margaux with graphite of pencil shavings, rich in fruits, black tea. Fragrant and graceful. Pure elegance.

3eme GC Classé, but considered as SuperSecond. 47% CS, 47% M, 6% PV. Fermented in steel cone-shaped vats. 21mo aging in 45% new oak. Fining, no filtration.

'89 was a super vintage for Palmer.

The only true competitor to Ch.Margaux.

Significant cellar rennovations in late 90s make even better wines now. — 7 years ago

KRS

9.5

3/10 pine cone, Douglas furr, alps — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.2

Very delicious. Voluptuous dark fruits, graphite/pencil shavings, pine cone/cedar. This is some fragrant, delicious juice. — 7 years ago

with Taryne and Krystal

Brennan Roy

9.1

Thank you Eric! We all liked this one. Beautifully balanced with a cigar and waffle cone nose, viscous mouthfeel, dark fruit and spice with a lightly tannic and strawberry finish. — 5 years ago

Ming L

8.9

Enchanting aromas of red and black cherries, pine cone, leather, light incense, and hint of truffles. The acidity was still quite bright and high tone, and the tannins was slightly sweet and chewy. Long elegant finish. Needs minimum 5 more years to reach its peak.
It was incredible that this 12-year Barolo was available at $54 in a local Italian restaurant. What a deal! — 5 years ago

Chris England

9.6

Twas a peaceful day reading my emails when up pops 📬 @gabymeeetswine @vilaviniteca saying fine sir 👀 we have a rather delightful Priorat for your perusal @ €121 to which I said 🗣 Stick that fine beverage on back of ye olde Spanish bull pronto & stampede those fine juices to my way - Ole 🐂💨

📍 Clos Martinet 2005

🏵 96+ points - in a beautiful place now & should be drop dead gorgeous in 3-4 years 😉 Phwoor cone here bully bully bully 🐂 A proper nice Priorat 😍

🍇 Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot

🍷 Deep dark ruby

👃 A gorgeous chocolate cherry & raspberry gateaux in a glass w/ crushed mineral sprinkles, a soft oak base, soggy earth sauce & a blackcurrant compote on the side

👄 Med body of deluxe silky creamy oozy dark cherry, blackcurrant & raspberry w/ a chocolate chaser & fine light dry minerals

🎯 Long mineral infused creamy chocolate cake filled with cherry, raspberry & blackcurrant
— 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.5

A distinct aroma of apricot, entry is a rush of intense hops followed by a breadth of flavors including pine cone, chestnut, fresh baked sourdough/yeast and a savory almost deli meat quality. Medium acidity and crispness with noticeable minerality. Always worth a quaff when you can get it. — 6 years ago

Ming L

8.9

This bottle from a small 4.7-hectare estate next door to Mouton is a pleasant surprise. More red fruits than dead fruits, it also displayed aroma of tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, pine cone, incense, and fermented black tea leafs. Medium to full body, round but chewy tannins. Sweet and spicy long finish. Nice find. — 7 years ago

Michael McGuire

9.3

Medium + body, pine cone on nose, black cherries, licorice, tar, herbs. Slightly grippy. Paired with organic string cheese on day 1 and roasted brussels sprouts on day 2. Costco purchase (~$20). Would definitely purchase again. — 7 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.1

Greasy garden smells, stalks of tomato, green pepper. I would swear this was Chilean by the nose..

Roasted sugarless berries, a fog of smokiness, ending with light tannins blended with acidic whispers that cone in and out of the tannins, as of a yin and yang.
Highly enjoyable. — 8 years ago