Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Always and forever one of my absolute favorite wines. 07 Reynard from the master showed just as well as the bottle I had in February. It’s deep, powerful and has a searing intensity. It’s layered with dark fruit, campfire smoke, olive tapenade, violets and a crushed rock minerality. There is superb concentration along with a firm tannic structure that is beginning to soften. It’s exceptionally well balanced and detailed with a palate saturating texture and a harmonious finish that goes on and on. An outstanding Reynard. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Merry Christmas Eve-Eve everyone! 🎄🎅🤶⛄️❄️🎁🍷

On the nose, leap dark currants & cassis with bright red, dark, blue & purple florals at pop & pour. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals.

The body is; round, ripe, & rich. The tension, structure, length and balance are just beginning their sweet spot. The tannins are; rounding, tarry & still chewy. Plenty of life left in the 09...8-10 years. Dark currants & cassis. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherry kirsch, plum, mulberries, blueberries, poached & strawberries, cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Black licorice, star anise, dark chocolate bar, volcanic & limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry stems, steeped fruit teas, dark cola, sweet tarry notes, black, rich, turned earth, mid, dark spices, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, barrel shavings with char, dry brush, leather, fresh tobacco, granite, some eucalyptus, mint notes, light, dry herbs with fresh & some withering red, dark, purple and blue, fresh and slightly candied florals. The acidity is round & spot on. The ripe, rich, ruby, elegant, balanced & polished finish is splendid and persists nicely on the palate with mid, dark spice on the long set. So much better with this much age. Really delicious tonight!

A steal now at under $35 upon release at Costco.

This wine is close to its peak and will hover there 3-4 years.

Photos of; the Estate, old large oak vats and David Heitz.
— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2008 Dom Pérignon is once again stunning. More than anything else, I am surprised by how well the 2008 drinks given all the tension and energy it holds. Then again, that is precisely what makes 2008 such a unique vintage – namely that the best wines are so chiseled and yet not at all austere. Lemon peel, almond, mint, smoke and crushed rocks are all finely sculpted, but it is the wine’s textural feel, drive and persistence that elevate it into the realm of the sublime. The 2008 will be even better with time in the cellar, but it is absolutely phenomenal even today, in the early going. Three recent bottles have all been nothing short of magnificent. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2019)

— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

From magnum and paired well with three different Tri-tip steaks sources and marinades.

On the nose, sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets.

The palate is med and beautiful. The length, structure, tension and balance are at its peak harmony from magnum. Sweet & sour, ripe dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, pomegranate, some ripe, slightly rustic rhubarb, burnt orange, with just a hint of blue fruits. Glycerin, touch of fruit liqueur, vanilla, dry river stones, crushed rocks, hints of dry herbs, used leather, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, dry stems, more presence, soft dark spice, underlying white pepper and dark red fresh and slightly withering florals with a touch of violets and blue flowers. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The rich, ripe, fresh fruit, well balanced finish is simply beauty on steroids.

Photos of, Lopez de Heredia, Vat fermenters that are still in use and somewhere between 100-200 years of age (they repair them as needed to keep them tight), their cooperage and Maria José López de Heredia who now runs the family business. — 7 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Classic older Graves showing soft, sweet core of red & black fruits, cedar, leather, tobacco & crushed rock. Fully mature but still holding, an interesting & enjoyable wine to drink. — 9 years ago

Steve Haro

9.3

Graphite. Crushed rocks with wet earth and mushrooms. Big. Food wine. — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.5

The evening begins. Pink perfection. Citrus peel berries and crushed stones — 10 years ago

Eric Guido

9.4

Color me impressed, the nose on the 2012 Opus One was simply stunning. Fresh floral tones of violet and lavender gave way to ripe dark-red fruits and subtle hints of baking spice. It enveloped the senses with silky textures which seem to come in vibrant waves, carrying crushed berry and black currant. It finished back on a floral note, which was offset by cherry pit and hints of sweet spice. The best part, is that it should only get better with age. — 10 years ago

Amy Morgan

9.3

Ripe red fruits (strawberry, red cherries) sweet baking spices (nutmeg, cinnamon) with an earthy core of mushrooms and dried crushed leaves. A medium balanced silky body with bright acidity and soft tannins. A medium flavor intensity of ripe red fruits married to earthy notes. Perfumed floral notes hold on to a long finish. Elegant and floral with complexity and length. — 11 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Light straw gold. Killer Coche nose. Notes of lemon, petroleum jelly, crushed stone, apricot and tan spice. Sharp acidity, with suitable fruit and weight to build the overall experience. A great village wine that is just finding its groove at age 20. — 5 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.0

Lots of crushed chalk on the nose with some apple, big body and good acidity with tart lemon curd and more chalky minerals that coat the mouth. #gotm2020 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Joseph Party and the 1983 Insignia from 3L.

The nose show lean, stewed fruits. While it is always a treat to drink their older vintages, this one probably better served 5 years early. Still enjoyable. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet.

The body is lean and very well resolved tannin structure. The tension, structure, length has lost some their step. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, barnyard, pine twigs, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet. the acidy is nice. The finish while fun, interesting has lost some of its flare but, again, still enjoyable. — 6 years ago

David D

9.1

Happy Thanksgiving! Pay no mind to the turkey-stalking cat in the background.
Loads and loads of tannins, high acid. Lighter and brighter than I was expecting—more like what I think of in a Barbaresco?. Crushed roses, tar, light oak, leather, prune, citrus peel, anise, cherry and cranberry. Wish I had another bottle to open in a few more years. From Flatiron Wines. — 7 years ago

Mark Eastom

9.2

What can one say.. crushed rocks, incense, rustic fruit, baked spice, nice acid, cured meat and silky body. — 8 years ago

with Douglas

Anthony Lombardi

9.6

Absolutely beautiful. Aromatics are intense citrus & crushed flowers, but maintain a freshnesss which follows to the palate. Structure providing texture and detail, but a delicious Meyer lemon & hints of richer fruit line the palate. Top St Aubin producers are making wines on par with the best of Burgundy and this exemplifies that. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Randy Dunn makes wine for your retirement and perhaps your grandkids. This 02 is just coming into it's elegance/groove. When you consider it's been in bottle for basically 12 years, it's still a pretty big wine. Tannins are resolving but still packs a palate punch. On the nose, it's a wild berry blend, baking spices and a mix of dry and fresh roses. The fruits start elegant transitioning to juicy & finishing with dry medium tannins. Blackberries, black cherries, black plum, raspberries with very ripe juicy strawberries painting the back palate. The mix of fruit is incredible. Baking spices of caramel & vanilla, just a touch of spice; allspice & light sage, black tea, dessert style dark minerals that finish with dry crushed rocks, graphite & eucalyptus. Followed by; raspberry cola and acidity that is just short of perfect. The finish pierces the mid palate with dark tannins. However, the mixed berry fruit finishes long, juicy to dry & with sheer beautiful elegance. The finish lasts & lasts. It's simply a guilty pleasure. I have two more bottles. I'll have one in 7 more years and the last in 15 years. Love to note the changes! That's the really enjoyable part of cellaring wine. — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.7

1986 Vintage. Butteaux. Dark lemon in colour. Very mature. Mushroom. Oxidative. Lanolin. Earthy undergrowth. Crushed nuts. Ripe baked apple and tarte tatin. Botrytis here. Minerality strong as wine develops in the glass. Dry with sweet impression. Like an old Chenin or Viura Rioja or old Riesling. Waxy and honey and savoury. Huge concentration. Full body. Great acidity keeps this wine powering on. Long finish. — 11 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 2006 Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine, but it needs time to be at its best. I am surprised by how tightly wound it is. But that only makes me think what it might develop into with time in the cellar. Lemon confit, white flowers, mint, crushed rocks and sage meld together in a bright, crystalline Champagne endowed with terrific purity. The 2006 is 60% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne and 40% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, mostly done in steel, with just a touch of oak, around 5%. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. (Originally published in August 2020) (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2020) — 5 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

Sour cherry, tart cranberry, crushed stone, rose, peony, dried herbs, game, and forest floor. Elevated acidity, medium+ intensity and finish. Medium + body. Moderate(-) tannins. 13.5% — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; sweet & sour dark cherries, deeply, ripe & juicy strawberries, rhubarb & cranberry crossing, plum liqueur, blackberries, blueberries, candied raspberries, dark chocolate, limestone minerals, sandstone, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks with blue, red, dark, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets.

The body is still firm, thick, grainy and full. The structure, tension are still tight. The length and balance are working their way into adolescence. Sweet & sour dark cherries, deeply, ripe & juicy strawberries, black raspberries, juicy, black plum, rhubarb & cranberry crossing, plum liqueur, blackberries, blueberries, candied raspberries, caramel, clove, touch of nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate, semi-sweet tarriness, understated herbaceousiness, limestone minerals, powdery sandstone leather, dry tobacco, saddle-wood to cedar plank, dark spice, sandstone, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks with blue, red, dark, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets.

It’s still a youthful wine with another 10-15 years ahead.

Photos of; the hilltop town of Barbaresco with the Produttori tasting room underneath and right of the tower, the Produttori tasting room and the co-op of Produttori. Third largest in Europe. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are dark & muted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plums with strawberries come on late. Lots of moist clay, dry soils, deep dark spice, crushed, rock powder, graphite, black, dry soils, hints of green bell pepper, dry herbs with blue, dark withering flowers. The acidity is round but could be better. The long finish is balanced but, for me, comes up short and a little flat.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

John Willison

9.3

Myer lemon, crushed rock, dusty citrus. Such a good wine. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark purple plum skin color from center to the rim’s edge where some scarlet also appears. Opaque. Great fruit forward nose that grabs your attention. Notes of blackberries, ripe plums, violets, tobacco, forest floor and some crushed walnuts. Rich and silky in the mouth. Great balance and texture. Tannins perfectly integrated. Long finish. If a Cal Cab can be seductive, this is it. Still youthful but in a great zone tonight. — 7 years ago

Matt

10

This was exceptional and played the perfect tune to a classic French meal. Classic in many ways yet surprising and novel simultaneously. Complex and overt, layered, and lengthy as hell. Roasted red plum, blackberry compote, crushed cherry, smoked meat, leather, licorice whip, crackes peppercorn, violets and lavender, roasted herbs, allspice, cardamom, baked earth. An amazing wine that I will be ingrained in my memory forever. — 8 years ago

Erik Nordman

9.3

Gahdamnnnn this is some good Riesling. A less sweet, more nervy, pre-war style. Another stellar example of the '15 crop of Rieslings in Germany. Tense with incredible purity and focus. Pours a bright, ever-so-slightly hazy pale straw hue. Concentrated, complex nose of lime, Granny Smith apple, white peach, almost smoky crushed slate minerality, cherry blossom and jasmine floral tones, a slight beeswaxy character, and a touch of petrol as well as some slight leesiness and cardamom spice. On the palate it's more white peach, crushed slate, lime juice, beeswax, and leesiness riding on a wave of high, intense acidity. Medium (-) body with nice oily texture. Just off-dry. Impeccable balance. For under $30 this is a no-brainer. Delicious. — 9 years ago

Jamm Aquino

9.6

Yup. Crushed. Olive. Green peppercorn. Game recognize. Revealed herself after 1.5 hours and was mesmerizing. — 10 years ago

with Michael and Erica

Michael Descamps

9.1

Beautifully layered aromatics of crushed ripe plum, tinder box, tobacco leaf, and sandalwood. Palate is very closed still with very pronounced tannin. This is going to be a really nice wine in a couple years. — 10 years ago

Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe

9.7

Bright fruit, floral and crushed stone. Still a very focused wine with lots of energy and refreshing acidity. Has not seemed to age over the past few years. — 11 years ago