Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 96% Sauv Blanc with 4% Sauv Gris adding an interesting dynamic to the wine & distinctive aromas (prior to ‘18 vintage some Semillon added). Pale lemon color, citrus, tropical & floral aromas. On the palate peach, melon, herb & earthy tones, well balanced with acidity, smooth yet robust on a long finish ending rich with wet stone character. Good value! A Fav!! Very consistent! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 54% Cab Sauv, 34% Merlot & 12% Cab Franc. Deep Ruby with aromas of pronounced dark fruits, sweet spice, floral and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, blueberry and plum with notes of cacao, cedar and subtle herb spice. Well balanced with acidity, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cedar and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 4 years ago

Mark Turner

9.3

Another trip around the sun, another “66 Bordeaux. This time it was the Cos d’Estournel. Clearly the best of the “66 vintage I have tasted over the last several years on my birthday. It started with salami and spice on the nose. Mid palate it morphed into this lovely soft earthy red fruit and finished with leather and spice. No hint of the typical Cos pencil lead. This wine still had depth and character. I was surprised by the richness and depth of color. It started to fade after about 45 minutes but wow, were those minutes an amazing wine experience. — 5 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne is a thrilling, dense new offering from this historic house. On the nose this takes on rich brioche and baked Pazzaz apple flavors that combine with lighter kumquat and marzipan tones that all meld in the glass. Fresh and vibrant, with a remarkably silky mousse, the weight and richness of this wine is impressive, while the bright character provides a wonderful foil. Rich layers of lemon zest dusted brioche with toasted hazelnut and Gravenstein apple with lighter vanilla cream and starfruit tones seamlessly combine on the palate. As several hours develop, the wine pieces itself together more magically with the intense citrus components melding with its weighty stature. Marvelous at this stage in its development, the 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Try to give this at least another year of bottle development before savoring. Drink 2021-2040- 97 — 5 years ago

David Fernandez

9.2

Always a nice surprise on this one, nice peppery and okay flavors ...
Lots of black fruits and a medium body.
Remind me of a cab franc very earthy. — 7 years ago

Douglas Braun

8.9

A little sulfide aroma which decreased but never went away leesy but nice melon honey character Med bodied — 9 years ago

Bill Bender

9.0

Somewhat muted and singular in character vs the '86. Reflects the solidity but lack of flair from the vintage. — 9 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.5

This wine spends 9 years on the lees 70/30 Pinot noir and Chardonnay. This is all grand cru. A good amount of nutty a character with rich tree fruit. A big and rich wine with a good amount of pear and a host of nutty any yeasty character. Finish 50+. Most excellent+ — 10 years ago

Patrick Knöfler

8.9

Half-bottle. The wine was medium amber in colour and offered orange peel, apple, honeycomb, caramel, smoke, spices, sherry and a mouldy note on the nose. On the palate the wine showed orange, peach, apple, cane sugar, caramel, smoke, spices, creamy honey, some coffee, a hint of chocolate, sherry, mild black tea and a mouldy note, paired with medium-plus acidity, a creamy honey mouthfeel and very good length. Judged by this half-bottle the wine has just passed its plateau and started its slow journey on the downward slope. A good, medium-bodied Sauternes with lots of botrytis character. Drink now. 89 — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon with aromas of pronounced ripe stone and tropical fruits and floral notes wrapped in a frizzante. On the palate flavors of peach, apricot and mango with notes of white floral. Good balance with lively acidity, medium finish ending with ripe fruit character. Nice! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pale lemon with complex aromas of fresh ripe citrus and tropical fruits with herbal mineral notes. Pineapple and orange citrus flavors adding grapefruit, melon & peach tones, great acidity balance, rich & smooth, long finish ending with rich bright mineral character. Nice! Had this several times, consistent quality. Short-term aging will benefit. Just outstanding — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Family-owned and operated started in 1999 by Dr John and Karen Bergstrom. Medium Ruby with fresh ripe berry fruit flavors, tea and floral spice notes. On the palate, cherry, cranberry and raspberry flavors with complex herb and orange citrus notes. Fine tannins on long finish ending with slight citrus character. Drink now while it’s fresh, will benefit from short-term aging. I like ‘17 better than ‘16. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Cakebread wine offerings are among my Favs, Chard is no exception, consistent quality year/year. 95% of grapes sourced from Carneros, ‘18 saw 8 months on 1/3 new oak with about 20% of wine going through malolactic fermentation. Aromas of stone fruits, slight & honey scents. On palate complex flavors of apple, peach & lemon zest, balanced with good acidity & great mouthfeel. Long finish ending with fruit, wet stone and toasty character. Very nice, will benefit from short aging. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon-green with pronounce aromas of tropical and stone fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of melon, mango, apple, green peppers and a touch of boxwood. Medium+ length, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit and herbal character. Very good to drink now, no benefit from further bottle aging. Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Kyle McGrotty

9.5

Napa meets Europe. Old world character and ridiculously good. — 6 years ago

Nina Zie

9.0

Nice blend. Would repurchase. — 8 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.2

A deeply intense nose that was well polished. Med + complexity. The palate is full but pretty with great black fruit, graphite, and chocolate notes. The structure is sturdy but elegant and in great balance. The length was long. This is a perfectly made wine the lacks character and excitement. #opusone #napavalley #mondavi #rothschild #oakville #bordeauxblend #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Casey Curbow

Sales Associate Windsor Wine Merchants

9.5

Concentrated, ripe blue and black fruit. Soft, fleshy texture. Cracked pepper and spice. Clean earth. Drying flower petal. Beginning to develop secondary character behind adolescent acid. This was in a good spot and has miles ahead of it. Pretty outrageous stuff. — 9 years ago

with Jason and Gerald

Lucas Rosin

9.3

My final bottle of red wine for 2014 paired with ribeye. Absolutely delicious, changing in character with almost every glass. I woke up this morning to read the sad news that Serge passed away yesterday. Rest in peace Mr Hochar. — 10 years ago

Aravind A

9.0

Much better than I was expecting...clearly some high toast oak in there, which lent this an almost charry character, but some ripe sweet lemon and citrus behind. Ok acidity, i.e., not nearly as soupy as expected. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

Brilliant ruby. Smoky, mineral-tinged aromas of raspberry, cherry preserves, garrigue and exotic spices show excellent clarity and acquire a gamy nuance as the wine opens up. At once rich and energetic in character, offering well-concentrated red berry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors and a sweetening touch of candied lavender. Shows fine definition and finishes gently, spicy and impressively long, with repeating florality and steadily building tannins. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, October 2021)
— 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Just had to try another bottle!!Ruby with red fruit aromas and spicy herb floral notes, aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak. On the palate fresh black raspberry and cherry flavors with herb tea and earthy tones. Firm fine tannins, balanced acidity, nice mouthfeel, long finish ending with earthy mineral herb character. Nice! Paired well with a spicy seared sushi grade tuna with spicy peanut dressed sesame soy sauce. Wow!! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A special wine not produced every vintage, BDX presents a different expression of Oakville in a Bordeaux blend of 79% Cab Sauv and 21% Cab Franc (To Kalon fruit), aged in French oak (87% new) for 27 months. Aromas of rich ripe berry fruit with oak spice and cedar notes. On the palate blackberry and cherry flavor with cacao and cedar spice, great balance and structure. Soft tannins with balanced acidity on a lingering finish ending with a tobacco earthy character. Nice! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In the 17 published editions of Gambero Rosso, Italy’s acclaimed wine rating guide, this Tuscan estate has won the coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award 17 times. Ruby with complex berry and elegant spice aromas. On the palate rich ripe cherry and blackberry flavors with sweet spice, cedar, cacao and tobacco enhance the berry fruit. Graceful tannins, savory with good acidity balance, lingering ending with earthy mineral character. Nice! — 6 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.3

Very high quality; utterly complex with a grand cru identity. Concentrated fruit, still showing plenty of primary character, good development in the glass and a defined minerality. Long finish encircled by a fresh and vibrant aura. — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

No other Rhone varietal compares to Chave Hermitage Rouge for me. Ethereal depth and character. A good deal more youthful than the '04 I had a few months back. — 8 years ago

Rachel Paz

10

Jammy, black fruit, vanilla, earth, with a hint of tobacco and oak. Silky smooth with nice depth and character. Worth every penny yum!!! 😀 — 9 years ago

Paul Masson

9.5

Crazy youthful energy despite its intense, complex toasty and nutty character. A standout amongst a lineup of standouts — 9 years ago

Tom Gendall

9.4

Beautiful wine. Thick and unctuous and a delicious spicy phenolic character. — 10 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Classic CUNE Riserva. Showing very well for a year that is not an excellent vintage. A lovely wine with food. Shows good balance and fruit and character. — 12 years ago