Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

In every difficult vintage, anywhere, you will find producers that make exceptional wines. This 91 Palmer is such a wine. I have to thank Clyde Beffa owner of K&L Wine Merchants who has been traveling to Bordeaux for 35+ years for highly recommending two 91 Bordeaux's to me. The 91 Pichon Lalande; which he described as "heavenly." It's just the word I would have used to described it 5 or 6 years ago. Also, this 91 Palmer. He described as, "​I love it-soft and silky." I would strongly agree. You see, critics gave the 91 vintage a horrific review as a whole. Bordeaux had two frosts in April and a cold growing season. These elements didn't prevent either of these producers from making beautifully elegant 1991 wines. I have said it many times and will say it again, taste wines even in difficult vintages. You'll find value and some excellent wines. As for this 91, it's in perfect form. Excellent on it's own and even better with the ribeye. It's so elegant, smooth, beautiful, ripe and well balanced with earth & fruit. The fruits are slightly stewed & baked. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, touch of rhubarb, cherries, strawberries. Dried florals, used leather, tobacco with ash, slight vegetal quality, anise, not too sweet black cherry licorice/cola, figs, dark earth with crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, understated spice and perfect acidity that drips over the palate. The length, structure, balance and finish are in perfect harmony & the finish goes on and on and on. As many times as we've been to Bordeaux, we never get tired of the drive on the D-2 through Margaux and Pauillac. Chateau Margaux & Palmer stand side by side in beautiful prodigious history to say nothing of Baron Pichon & Pichon Lalande. Every year, for my B-day, I have a great steak and an old Bordeaux. It just doesn't get any better than that. And as many of those nights I've had, B-day or not, this might have been the best. Perhaps topping or equaling the Ribcap at Bourbon Steak and the 91 Pichon Lalande. To quote Gary Westby, "it steak and claret night." 12% alcohol is so much more enjoyable than 15% plus. ❤🍷🎉🎂 — 9 years ago

with Gary

SV

9.2

Making presidential debates watchable, one bottle at a time. — 10 years ago

Samuel James

9.1

Camomile and sage. So good, I feel like making martinis!! — 10 years ago

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

9.0

Lively and fragrant marking clear Burgundian notes, unmistakably PN. Bright red cherry (quite sweet) sweet spices, quite gravelly-mineral, smoky, oak, earthy. Showing good terroir. Still quite undeveloped on the palate, firm grainy tannin, lively vibrant acidity. Lovely length of meaty, smoky, oaky, red fruit, but still not resolved initially. Needs 3-4 years. Great wine in the making. Quite sour cherry. This will be 92+ in a few years — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

Dark fruits, blackberry, black plum, leather, saddle wood, black earth, pebbles, star anise, ,perfectly resolved soft tannins. A critically reviewed vintage but Potensac did something special. This property sits adjacent to Leovillle La Cas, similar wine making. Extreme value. Buy it up! — 11 years ago

grape friend

10

Drinking this is like dating the hottest senior in high school. Once he leaves for college, how can I go back to making out with freshmen?? — 12 years ago

Bob Miller

9.4

Ripe black cherry, tart plum, a bit of chewy road tar. Very juicy. Medium bodied, but very round, viscous mouth feel. Im making homemade chicken Marsala, and this should mail it! — 9 years ago

with Christine

brian baker

9.2

Who knew Bekaa Vallley was making wines like this? Big tasty wine with some funky complexity. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. — 9 years ago

Monica O

9.7

Baby but a blockbuster in the making. — 9 years ago

with Jeffrey and Ira

Buddy G

9.4

WOW!! Find this gem. Tastes like you would smell after eating beef jerkey all day while making chocolate wearing your favorite old leather jacket. — 10 years ago

Keith Levenberg

9.7

This is ridiculously good, and I'm gathering pretty underrated because it's a 2004. Frankly, I would have to try this side-by-side with the 2000 to be able to come up with any explanation why the 2000 is the better wine - certainly this one offers at least as much pleasure if you're drinking them today. It's a no-doubter right from the pop of the cork, with beautiful classic left bank scents of ripe black fruit, cedar, and woodspice. I suspect but could not say for sure that there is a non-zero amount of brett here but if so it's certainly in the zone of making things more interesting rather than flawed as the wine also features very enticing scents of gamy meat, something vaguely metallic, and a bit of saddle leather and sweaty funk. The fruit, however, is still beautifully ripe with a glossy sheen and a saturating sweetness on the palate, yet still feminine and slender in proportion - this is what they mean when they talk about grand cru breed. The color of the wine in the glass is pitch black at the core with bright ruby edges. This is not material that seems in any way to come from a less than ideal vintage. The fruit is slick enough that you don't really sense the structure. I don't know if it can get any better than this, but it really doesn't need to. For a Bordeaux of this age - and it does still taste like a young wine - there are not many that are so accessible, expressive, and compulsively drinkable while also having this level of detail and class. — 11 years ago

Andrew Benn

9.1

2005
RP 90
Fantastic nose and Classic Tuscan flavor elements
Illustrates so well why a second label from a great winemaker still has all the wine making craft of a first wine
Enjoyed with truffled cheese from Napoli and 15 month manchego with the Krantzmans in Tahoe before do the blackout — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Château La Nerthe dates back to 1560, records suggest it might even go back to the 12th century making it one of Châteauneuf’s oldest estates, located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC region of France near Avignon. Ruby with aromas of red fruit. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The palate shows raspberries, plums, cherries and blackberries and hints of leather, spice and black pepper. Aged in oak, the wine was complex and elegant with smooth tannins, lingering finish. Nice! — 9 years ago

Anders Johnson

9.5

A beautiful example of talented wine making. — 9 years ago

Abby Echiverri

9.2

pasta making class with Wareheim! — 10 years ago

Hanif Perry

9.2

Great wine and has a little age making it spectacular. — 10 years ago

with Shafiq and Nayef

Matthew Beckman

9.3

Was curious after reading several articles about Dunn as of late, and the son making the wine more approachable in youth. Drinkable today, gained depth with air. A bit more fleshy than I would expect — 11 years ago

Paul Einbund

Wine Director/Sommelier Frances

9.7

Holy shit who's making wines as good as coche? — 11 years ago

Nicholas Horbaczewski

10

Just delicious. Realm is quietly making some of the best wine in Napa. — 11 years ago

Marika Reuling

Vintner/Partner Reuling Vineyard

9.7

Making Monday a Fun Day!! — 12 years ago