Jay Kline

9.3

One of the few producers that I purchase each and every vintage. I find that Laurence Feraud’s wines are consistently some of the more interesting and enjoyable wines made in all of Chateauneuf du Pape; particularly when value comes into play. This bottle is my first experience with her 2018 vintage and the first bottle of a small tranche that I swooped up upon release. Popped and poured; consumed over 5 hours. The color is deep ruby with a near opaque core; glossy and gorgeous to behold. Medium+ viscosity. On the nose, this is classic Pegaü with loads of dark cherry and bramble fruit, a veritable hillside full of garrigue, lavender, black pepper, and something that reminds me of old books. On that palate, the fruit is equally generous, brambles and cherries, exotic spices, Herbs de Provence and a somewhat sanguine-like character to it. Substantial structure, though it seems to be a notch lower than the previous three vintages at this point in its young life. The tannins are very sneaky. Almost imperceptible for the first hour and yet, by hour four, they were very much making themselves known (in the Medium+ range). Acid is also Medium+ indicating these have an exciting life ahead. The finish lasts for well over a minute. All in all, another lovely Pegaü that will likely live in the shadow of some of the more heralded vintages in the last ten years however, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a stunner. Absolutely lovely stuff and I very much look forward to enjoying these well into the 2030’s. — 4 years ago

Jon Bergqvist

9.7

Top shoulder. Got the cork out in one piece. Absolutely perfect bottle with a lot left to give. Thick balsamic fruit, soft tannins, integrated oak, fresh acidity, everything in absolute balance. In a way almost perfect on the verge of lacking a bit of personality, but only almost. This has 10 years of life ahead of it but No reason to wait. — 5 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.4

Wonderful example of how there can be surprises in these under rated vintages. This was full of life. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I haven’t had the 2005 Chateau Musar Rouge since it was released whilst living in the Middle East. Recently, I picked up a half case each of the 2005 Rouge and Blanc since it’s an anniversary wine for Holly and I. One thing is certain, no one could ever accuse Serge (and now Gaston) for making boring wines. Decanted for five hours prior to drinking. This had a crazy bouquet of grapefruit, brambles and strawberries, pipe tobacco, wild flowers, horse blanket. Delicious red fruit, spices and earth on the palate. Tannins are still present but much more integrated than when I had this on release. Examples like this bottle will continue to age gracefully for years to come. QPR is through the freaking roof. — 7 years ago

Paul J

8.9

Young wine with mild OH on the nose paired with very nice fruit. Plums, prunes, and blackberry on the palate, but lighter than most cabs. Nice finish, and the recommendation was spot on as this wine definitely punches above it's weight at $20+. Curious as to other opinions. — 8 years ago

Mahek Shah

9.2

Chef Billy Strynkowski gives a red wine tasting with Lamb kabob — 8 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.1

1990: Corked, unfortunately. My mom had the best line, "It sure tastes better than it smells!" I recall what it was like on release, hard candy sweetness with a surprisingly light framework, particularly compared to both the '88 & '89 on release, and the crazy depth of the'90 Ch. Filholt Creme de tete, which was massively concentrated. This bottle still had oomph, yet wasn't all there. — 10 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.4

Crazy good paired with dipping into gamba al ajillo (emphasis added), at Napa's groovy/real Zuzu, catching a classic deeply dirty nose while still sporting sun-drenched fruit that initially reworks one's first blush front mouth with an iodine edge that morfs into red and black fruit edgy with acid/tannin slow dancing to the depths and begging for another pinch of broth soaked chewy freshly baked bread and the associated next swig of this sweet juice...rhythmically stellar by day or by night😎🌌👣🍷🌀🎼

PS hit Zuzu (friendly, delicious and real...

— 10 years ago

Eric Gardner

9.5

I've been told that this Krug stuff is good. We probably should have jumped in a time machine and drank it in 10 years, but come on, we're eating Normandy butter, crazy fresh bread and various rich french entrees. And we decanted it. Even the mighty Krug vintage plays nice with the homies. Meaning proper french dinner yums. — 10 years ago

with Eric and Lily

Rick Chrisler

8.9

88/12 Merlot/Cab. Nice table wine — 13 years ago

Jane Day

9.8

Bought in 2005 at the bargain price of $22. I’d been saving it. Worth the wait. It was absolutely delicious, old school, refined, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its peak. If I could only drink one wine for the rest of my life, this would be it (assuming availability). — 4 years ago

Justin Hart

9.3

Wow! Still bright, chalky, and full of youthful grip. Red plum, raspberry, lichee and white pepper notes are most dominant. This could easily go another few years and not be at its peak. — 5 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Noah Chasin

9.3

Like Lucky Charma, it’s magically delicious. Like, crazy good. — 6 years ago

Scott Soren

9.4

Soft tannins plummy fruit nice long finish. On the backside of its life but still yummy — 7 years ago

Berg

9.4

This bottle was singing, with decades of life left — 8 years ago

Raj Harb

9.4

If the 2010 Dauvissat forest on the prior night was about pleasure then this is about pain. Piercing; incredibly palate staining grapefruit rind and lemon segments. Long and tense. Still felt crazy young (or shutdown?) We did enjoy it but I’d wait on this if you can — 8 years ago

Kurt Soller

9.1

Drank this at a crazy lunch at Guy Savoy in Paris and will never forget it. Such a fleshy fruity memorable bottle. — 8 years ago

Kelly Carey

9.3

Love this wine. Very smooth. — 9 years ago

Sasha Agapov

10

1985. Wow! This is marvelous! Still plenty of life left. Super delicious with amazing nose of dark fruit, red flowers and tart. 10/10 easily. — 10 years ago

David Landrum

9.7

Old man look at my life, I'm a lot like you were..... Hottubbin' with Christian... Fab juice. 1989 was a good year... 13% cali bord blend... Say what?! — 10 years ago

C Urganci

9.8

Life will never be the same again - unbelievable. — 11 years ago

Gordana Josovic

9.5

Fabulous! A long life ahead it of, complex, wild, personality for days. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

From a great old looking bottle with a mid shoulder fill. Cork is fully saturated and the crud under the capsule had formed a strong seal. Slow-ox’d for a few hours, then decanted for an hour or two before taken to L’Escargot in Carmel. Amber tawny rims with a reddish tawny core. Crazy nose right from the start. Notes of sweet black cherries, tobacco leaf, plums, black pepper, ash and crusty wood, pencil shavings, some just unwrapped cigar and some menthol. Silky in the mouth with firm structure and soft but present acidity. Long and memorable finish. Outstanding performance over several hours. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Mother Mary of God! Just give me the bottle and a crazy straw. I want all my wine to taste this way.

The nose is; ruby and velvety elegance. Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy beautiful fields of; red, purple and blue flowers.

The body is full, round and the definition of elegance. The dark, tarry tannins are well rounded and have baby teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfectly knitted together. Magnificent! Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dark, intense, spice with palate heat, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, saline, dry tobacco with ash, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy fields of; red, purple and blue flowers. The acidity is round-elegant and like a warm shower. The finish is simply a forget about it experience. It is gorgeous & sexy and a wine I will never forget. This is a 100 point wine in short order. Don’t be foolish enough to open a bottle now unless you have at least 3-5 more. You’ll be robbing yourself of heaven.

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Chad Brewer

10

Without a doubt the wine of my life. Elegant, dried cranberries, cigar box, beechnut tobacco, great texture. A truly magnificent bottle. 1/100 that would be perfect. — 8 years ago

Doug Kahn

9.2

Still has life...maintains complexity and finish — 8 years ago

Guy Nakakura

10

Wow. Great wine. Most appropriate way to celebrate my moms life. — 9 years ago

with Angela

Max Reichwage

9.2

Really special, still plenty of life, eternal tannins and acidity — 10 years ago

Tracy Lynn Rabago

9.8

For that extra special date night or big moment in your life, this red is always a winner. — 10 years ago

Kristie Tacey

8.9

Still a lot of life! Nice fruit with smokey finish. Open that bottle night 2015 — 10 years ago