Dan R

9.5

What a treat. The color of drip coffee, this is still humming along, with dried fruit, caramel and a honeyed note on the nose. Dates, dried apricot, walnuts, marzipan and vanilla spice on the palate. Still slightly sweet, and the acidity is hanging on nicely. A pleasure to drink. — 3 years ago

Keimu

8.9

Biden win celebration! 2020
$30 - nice flavor, medium smooth — 4 years ago

with David

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

We met & visited a number of Bordeaux producers while 2005 was still in the tank or just into barrel.

In talking with Winemaker-Owners about the 2005 vintage, you could see the twinkle in their eye as they were asked questions. They knew they had Bordeaux magic for the first time in five years.

We tasted this at what was deemed an “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting.” This was on the higher end of that tasting at $35. It is delivering a little better than its young expectation and the jewel to date from that tasting.

With and without protein, the 05 Chateau de Candale moved between 92-93.

The nose reveals; warm alcohol, immersed fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, poached/slightly baked, dark cherries, dark spices, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender.

This is a very good first look at this 2005. God willing, I have another look in on bottle two of three in another five years. This 05 has another 15 plus years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.

The body is full, tarry with big, sticky, chewy tannins. Baked/poached, floral fruits of; black raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, dark cherries, black plum, pomegranate, dark spices with a heavy, heated presence, purple fruit, cola mix, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dark, rich, candied, forest floor, fresh & dry tobacco, loads of graphite, slight, moist clay, stones, dry, crushed rock chunks, dry top soils, whiff of bay leaf & sage, dry stems, muted eucalyptus, pepper quality with candied, dark, dark red, purple, blue with violets & lavender. The acidity is round & full just holding, for me, the slightly higher ABV in check. The long, heavy, dark, well knitted, more earth/spice dominated finish is showing the quality of the vintage. Yet, it still needs more time to be its best.

Photos of; Chateau de Candale, harvested Merlot fruit, recent buyers of Chateau de Candale - Thibaut Decoster and Magali Decoster and their barrel room. — 4 years ago

Dyann Panepinto

9.6

Lovely old vine! 2014 — 8 years ago

Lindsay Boudreaux

9.6

Oscars party with a local favorite! — 8 years ago

Shirish Bhide

9.0

16th July 2013 — 9 years ago

Larn

9.6

A delicious crispy but also smooth white from the Loire valley. 100% chenin blanc, aged in neutral oak. We LOVED this wine, notes of dates and vanilla extract (but not overwhelming as it’s very citrus forward as well). — 3 years ago

Thomas Thompson

9.1

Red berries, quince, orange blossom, and hay. A hint of natty funk. Juicy. Low acid. — 4 years ago

Daacat Daacat

9.2

a lot of apricot — 4 years ago

Simone Pepino

9.4

Pinot noir potente affinato meravigliosamente — 6 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.2

Nice surprise! — 7 years ago

with Hillary

Erich Broksas

Early Mountain Vineyards

9.5

Yeah. Love this sparkling rose from TJ. Fun addition to the line up — 8 years ago

Liz Hale

9.3

Virginia bubbles, 100% Chard and it's super freaking yummy!!! — 9 years ago

Rob M

9.0

Nice VA bubbly, a bit sweeter than the rosemont — 3 years ago

Edward Joseph

9.5

Really delicious. Zippy with some good depth, not straight fruit juice. Good grip. So good. — 4 years ago

sam

9.0

raspberries with clotted cream. — 4 years ago

Lars Miller

9.5

Notes of game, flowers, and graphite on the nose upon opening. Smooth with medium tannins and dry. Tastes of dark fruit compote or stewed fruits, with a touch of mint. Quite good! — 5 years ago

E S

9.1

Excellent light, barely pink — 7 years ago

Ryan Sims

9.4

Absolutely fantastic. 100% Chardonnay and a hair from bone dry. Couldn't have guessed this was New World wine, let alone from Virginia. Super stuff. — 8 years ago

Hunter Davidson

9.7

Consistently so spot on. Good for Virginia! — 8 years ago