Jay Kline

9.6

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core and some moderate rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and blue fruits: dark brambles, plum, fig, purple flowers, leather ball glove, something spicy and green that has me debating between rotundone or pyrazines (but which?), rocky earth and fine baking warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a beautifully made wine.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties), Cabernet Franc, Merlot (blended with associated Bordeaux varieties) or Syrah from France, the US or Australia. This is older; probably 20+ years of age based on the secondary characteristics or dried fruit and old leather. While the fruit plays a starring role here, the alcohol seems almost modest so I can’t place this in Australia or the US. The problem I’m having, are there pyrazines or rotundone? I don’t get a lot of black pepper or animale, or olive for that matter…so I’m leaning towards this being Bordeaux. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with a blend of Bordeaux varieties, from France, Bordeaux, Pulliac, from a classified growth, 2004. Whoa!!! 2005 Clape?! What a treat! I feel like I should have nailed this wine. Alas…I still have to get better at differentiating between pyrazines and rotundone with age. Drink now with a decant, through 2045+ — 9 days ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: very fruited.

Palate: fruit. Delicious. Not super mineral. Just a bit. Dense.

The source $33 — 5 months ago

Chuck Todd

9.2

A full body, well balanced, paired with beef Bourguignon
Fantastic — 7 months ago

with David

J Greene

9.2

Loved this. Checked a lot of boxes. Didn’t get enough. — 8 months ago

Sara Lynn Ianni

9.0

Tropical! — 5 years ago

Oscar Karlsson

9.0

Det hör vinet gjorde mig rätt entusiastisk! Något helt annat än petit chablis på monopolets hyllor. Bra syra, ren frukt, tydlig mineralitet, typisk för ursprunget, och fin längd. — 6 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Precheval troigoss — 20 days ago

Kurt Schuster

8.9

Interesting how it comes across as a more serious wine then you get from the region, but then you taste the floral and the lightness, but it’s interesting that the lightness of the wine hides behind the heavy side. My bottle has been open for a bit. I can tell it definitely has that chewy almost ripe fruit, sort of Christmas spices thing going on, very delicious and pairs very well with my meal, but just a different kind of wine you get from the region. Usually, you get the floral and delicate flavors first but not this one. Very interesting and very delicious.  — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had lots of red & black fruits, still youthful that opens with air with notes of menthol, savory spices, mineral, floral & tobacco — 5 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Aging well. Elegant and smooth. Sour plums and red cherry. Can taste the nice lavender and the background of viognier. — 6 months ago

Paul Masson

9.0

Nose is typical Clape, palate is a little thin and austere, in line with the 11.5% abv, but still a good companion for food and friends. — 7 months ago

Jeremiah Glazer

9.3

Very surprised by this Riesling. Apricot stone fruit without being in-your-face sweet. Has some nice minerality and a super pleasant long-winding finish. — 2 years ago

Didrik Wisén

9.0

Fräscht, smakfull, somrigt, lite smör, päronsplit, syrligt, citron — 5 years ago

Ming L

9.4

The nose opens with waves of ripe black cherry, cassis, plum liqueur, and dark chocolate Beneath the opulence lies impressive complexity with hints of espresso, violets, and peppery spice emerge gradually with air. The palate is dense and supple, showing warmth and generosity. Plenty of nuance beneath the lavish fruit.

Possibly the best value for a St-Emilion GCC. Will need to seek out more. — 2 months ago

Brian Grech

9.2

Basically 97% of a Côte Rotie at 1/4 the price. Just a lovely piece of work. All that time in the bottle didn’t hurt — 3 months ago

with Ashley

Charlie C

9.1

Apples and peach. Citrus acid. Sharp. Excellent value. Should have bought more. — 6 months ago

Brandon T

9.3

Medium body CdR. Jammier than expected. Lots of years ahead. — 7 months ago

Autumn Anderson

9.4

2017, disgorged 2/10/2023 — 7 months ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Strawberries and cranberry, orange and citrus peel, damp earth, vinous 🥰 — 4 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.4

The aromas are tropical lemon blossoms and being on a pebble beach. Lemon custard and the hint of pineapple (including that feeling on your tongue that pineapple gives you - in a very light good way) round finish. Vintages 2014/2015. Disgorged 1/6/2018. TBL — 5 years ago