Edmond Bordelon

9.7

Another serious Sam Kaplan concoction (Sam is in the photo...not the one with the snake). A Cabernet Sauvignon blend from the famous Dr. Crane, as Piedras and the Weitz Vineyards. Deep color, staining the glass (and anaconda decanter...that will never be the same) and layering the sides of the glass with beautiful, plush opaque runs. Full-bodied to almost dense, but still trademark Kaplan lushness, balance and great finish. Dark cherry fruits and more chocolate than cocoa on the tastebuds with a touch of spice on the nose. Already a stunning wine at 2014, with proper decanting. I am sure it only gets better!! — 9 years ago

with Katherine and Beth

Olivia

9.5

A new fav. Soft and fruity — 9 years ago

Daragh Hoey

9.0

Not quite my usual speed for Chardonnay, but another super Chad Stock concoction. Semolina flavors drive it, and the wood from the barrique is clear. — 10 years ago

Sean Trapani

Founder/Educator Wine Fluent, Consultant ABC Fine Wines & Spirits

9.1

Magical concoction of creme brûlée, apple candy, and pecan praline. Paired well with Captain's Wafers and ennui. — 10 years ago

Matt Trader

9.7

Jee wiz this is good. A delicious highlands single malt aged in 6 different casks; wine, madeira, sherry, marsala, Kentucky bourbon, and port casks. What does that crazy concoction produce? A ridiculously rich, fruitful, smooth delight in a glass. There is such a complex craze to the nose, one of vanilla cool whip, tropical fruits similar to the nose in a Sauternes, melted dark chocolate, malt, and cedarwood. Then comes the pallet, a wonderful marriage of chocolate covered orange cream, spices, malt, sea salt caramel, and ripe papaya, finishing in a playful white pepper and last second, faint memory of oak lace.
That was exhausting. I'm going to go ahead and finish this complementary glass, and savor these last few moments. This is the definition of comfort in a bottle. — 10 years ago

Jmontym

9.3

Very smooth — 10 years ago

Ian Wallace

9.6

Vibrant with dark fruit. Cherry....my mouth is tingling, what is this concoction? My goodness, slightly dry, not overwhelming. Very pleasant. — 11 years ago

Joel Pennington #❤️🐢🍷

Owner/Winemaker Slow Turtle Vineyard

9.6

Add some cubes and water to make an excellent pre-dinner concoction. The Aussie crowd is digging the Austin import. — 11 years ago

Lendry Lee

9.1

2010. Very enjoyable. Lemon passion fruit concoction on the entry with bready nutty mid palate.followed by medium to long juicy citrus finish. Yummy. — 11 years ago

Justin Hansohn

10

The apples for this brew had to have been in pristine and well-defined condition. The skins and flesh of these apples must have been absolutely perfect when they were squished to oblivion. This has the energy of a super-conscious being exuding from it. There is just no other way to circle around the precise quality of this concoction in words at this moment. Rose petals, slightly underripe red apples (not delicious red), and the essence of a very juicy lipped blonde...I would lick this off the counter if it spilled, which is what just happened. I spent 10 minutes to contemplate the juice on the counter along with the shards of my former Riedel glass. I hope this happens again soon. — 11 years ago

with Arturo

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

10

NV but fairly old, this delicious concoction is part apple cider, part older champagne. Delightful and unexpected, need to find a source of this in the US. — 12 years ago

Evan Keturakat

9.2

Delicious coffee and chocolate concoction. Well done Elysian! — 9 years ago

Brian Grech

8.9

My first fortified Grenache. Interesting! Not sure how to categorize this one in my brain. Course 7 at Mourad paired this with a rich and dense chocolate concoction that featured tamarind and urfa. — 9 years ago

with Ashley

TheSkip

9.3

There are wines sometimes that you may have no critical ability to judge. This falls squarely into that category for me. There are also wines that shape your journey in learning and enjoying what wine is, regardless of their overall quality.

I have no shame in admitting that I have declared myself a Pinot-phobe. And like most phobias, this was based entirely on nothing. Probable bias against a "light" wine that would leave my desire for impact and hedonism unfulfilled. The volume would be a 5 when I want 9. Well, I was wrong.

Yes, last year I finally brought myself to have a Pinot with thanksgiving. I went very mass market with Meomi and I enjoyed it. However, I brushed that aside with the thought that it was a Wagner family concoction and it was thanksgiving dinner and that was that. Now that we are a year later, I've been thinking about Pinot again (I still have the second bottle of Meomi in the basement) for next week.

Then, as luck should have it, I bought the mixed random secret 6 pack from LastBottle and this was in there. No critical reviews at all. In fact, it seems like all the reviews here are from people who received the same shipment. But the Internet told me baked ham apparently goes well with Pinot. What the hell, why not?

And so, I know I very much enjoyed this. I don't know if it's good or not by Pinot standards. I know it went far better with dinner than afterwards.

Translucent ruby in the glass with maraschino cherry notes and clove. This largely carried through to the palate.

So, I was wrong. Now I can learn more! — 10 years ago

mattswineworld

9.1

A perfumed concoction of sweet fruits and flowers. Very good example of Asti (and a lovely label). — 10 years ago

Crystal Anne

9.4

So smooth and easy to drink. Wonderful concoction of spices and toasty creme brûlée. Lingers on the back of your tongue. Long legged and heavenly. My first Pinot Noir that has knocked my socks off! Thank you sweet Jessica!!! — 10 years ago

Scott Tallman

9.2

Crux Fermentation Project 2014 Banished Tough Love Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Perhaps the best barrel aged stout I've had. More iron fist in a velvet glove than in your face bourbon and stout concoction. Intoxicating nose of vanilla beans, cherries & chocolate. Those flavors carry over in spades to the palate, but no bourbon heat kick on the finish. So well integrated. — 11 years ago

Ed Merrison

9.3

Cork looked rooted so this was such a pleasant surprise. The nose shows hay, honey, baked peach and botrytis marmalade character, as well as a blue cheese and toast note. The palate is delightfully textured - medium-bodied and waxy smooth - with intense flavours of all that was on the nose, including (off-putting for some?) the blue cheese, while that hay-honey-citrus combines for a kind of sweet herbal lemon concoction. The finish is long, the acidity sneaking under the fruit and snaking it out with luscious complexity from go to woah. — 11 years ago

Courtney Cochran

Sommelier/Host hiptastes.com

8.9

Beguiling medium garnet hue, a hint of violet coming thru both in color and aroma upon swirling. Set your nose this task: seek out the rhubarb spread notion, the pomegranate seed explosion, the Christmas cake concoction. From there, have your palate investigate the suggestion of pink peppercorn, juicy red plum, dash of herbal savior faire and flirtation of holly. Want more? Take in the oak leaf in autumn, the micro-plane-d cherry Starburst, the peppy minerality. That all this delicious comes replete in a lean, generous-but-decent profile rife with energetic-freeze-dried-strawberry attitude and a POV calibrated to the always-a-good-idea South of France 👉🏻 means you'll be super happy sipping this on your porch come Saturday. And really, what more do we want?? — 11 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Oh man. Old school valdigue FTW. Should have bought more of this spicy berry and wet stone concoction. Killer juice, Rorick! — 11 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Incredibly lifted nose with pungent cracked granite, cracked peppercorns, and lots of savory things going on. So bright and juicy in the mouth. Great acids. Just tastes like someone tried to make a lemonade-like concoction using stones that existed before there was any life on earth. It's mesmerizing and fun at the same time. Weird thing is, it's hard to detect fruit! — 9 years ago

with Lyle

Ken Cassady

9.1

This fruity concoction is something you wouldn't expect. The oak hits the nose with a soft touch. The front is very fruity and very full bodied. As you continue to sip, the tannins touch the back of the pallet with ease. This wine goes well with steak or chicken. — 9 years ago

with Charla

Eric Grasser

9.0

Lively concoction of apricot, watermelon, green apple and more apricot! Paired with mussels in white wine. Nice acidic zip and crispness but with more weight than 11.5% abv. — 10 years ago

Conrad Green

8.9

An odd concoction. Brutal oak. Dense, dark fruit. Ripe. A touch of alcohol and VA back palate . Makes sense once you see the label, but not sure the fruit will ever have the intensity to make sense of the wood. I called young Cali ripe Pinot blind. — 10 years ago

with Matt

Nathan

9.0

A favourite. Big and bold. Jammy and spicy. Smooth and soft tannins. Lovely with cheese. Soft aftertaste. Delectable. Solid. 9. Older
vintages better. Recommend 5 years + — 10 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.6

The first Galante I ever had was this vintage, 2003, Blackjack Cab. I was hooked. Nine years later and it still pulls me in. The years have mellowed the wine and given it more depth, but the telltale pepper and leather nose still makes me swoon even before the spicy and mineral concoction hits my mouth. The finish is smoother now leaving pleasant clove, cinnamon and mineral notes. The leather and pepper predominate throughout, though. What a treat. — 10 years ago

with Susan

Devin Bray

9.4

Shockingly complex for a clear, unaged spirit. I don't normally drink agave, but this beautifully rich little concoction of smoke, spearmint, sage, and other vegetal notes is a real treat to enjoy. Sip, don't shoot! — 11 years ago

Ulrich Rieger

9.1

A drop of honey, some nuts, a hint of herbs - a wonderfully balanced concoction with a spicy finish. A love letter from Islay! — 11 years ago

Will Chesebro

Assistant winegrower Chesebro Wines

8.9

Great poundability from a local fruit concoction. — 11 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.2

Once again so delicious I had a hard time sharing the pleasure of this beautiful lady. Acidity came through like a refreshing waterfall to wash away any possibility that something else is out of balance in this concoction. I love french pink bubbles and any opportunity to drink the stuff usually lasts but a short moment, this case being no exception, especially when the minerals of Champagne are missing. This considerable effort is obvious and deserves respect. Any day would i spend contemplating the length as to which this attacks my palette and quenches my thirst in perfect harmony. Helping a friend spend $50 on wine purchasing 3 bottles minimum can go a long way with this kind of pleasure involved. His favorite...easily could be predicted in this case. I fear that he just told me we need to be drinking more pink bubbles...another love affair has been struck and soon another bank account will be liquidated. — 11 years ago