Domaine A. ET P De Villaine Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise “Les Clous” - so this is my first time with this vineyard but De Villaine is pretty solid on most of there bottlings - some undergrowth , cherry fruit ,Stoney , earthy but lean almost sarsaparilla, rose petal character — 5 years ago
Crisp honey and pear — 6 years ago
Great find at Independent Spirits on Broadway in Chicago. Reminds me of recent '14 Gouges and A et P de Villaine. Opens up with tartness and bitterness that mellows with time to pleasant plum flavors. In color too more intense. Medium tannins. — 7 years ago
A wonderful chardonnay, able to stay with a beef roast in spite of its age. A real winner. — 8 years ago
Ezequiel had this 9 years ago
It's hot out, drink rose! Cinsault blend with aromas of fresh strawberry, white flowers, and bright citrus made by Jacques Seysses and Aubert de Villaine. — 11 years ago
13’ HDV Ysabel Pinot Noir. Decanting is still needed (45/60 minutes) A dense ruby/purple color as well as a big sweet nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, forest floor. Rocking complexity to the core. No need to hold on to these wines. Perfect spot after a short decant. Love this PN. — 4 years ago
It’s got age and showing well. good balance of flavors. Nice chocolate there. — 5 years ago
Good dark red; not crystal-clear. Very ripe, musky, multidimensional nose combines blackberry, raspberry, violet, earth, game, black pepper and herbs, plus a positive vegetal nuance. Plush, silky and very ripe but not particularly sweet, with concentrated dark fruit, spice and pepper flavors complicated by a hint of prune. ("More fruit ripeness than the '15," noted Aubert de Villaine just moments after we had tasted the '15 La Tâche) Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a note of licorice. Not particularly high in acidity but this extremely complex wine is still just short of its peak drinking window. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Aromatic, classic red fruit, good balance with subtle forest floor and tar. — 8 years ago
After breathing for a moment, this Pinot quickly opened into a silky soft, yet extremely complex wine — 8 years ago
Dry-farmed 100% exquisite balanced inspired by Aubert de Villaine — 10 years ago
Big French Boudreaux like from Tim — 11 years ago
Honey, lemon, and hints of minerality. This is something special. — 4 years ago
What a privelege to be able to taste this in presence of Aubert de Villaine and Bertrand de Villaine. Silky, smooth and gentle with incredible length. A beauty. — 6 years ago
Very nice. Hdv wines have wonderful noses. — 6 years ago
From the folks who brought you (in label order from top to bottom) Anamoly and Zeitgeist, Hyde de Villaine and Long Meadow Ranch, Terra Valentine, Massican and Larkmead, Hobel and Milton Road Trading Co., lead by a Master Sommelier employed by Dana Estates, previously with Harlan, Bond, and Promontory, and the sell side being handled by a VP of marketing from Michael Mondavi's Folio.
The stated goal was to create the best pound for pound Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa (highest QPR). The band pooled resources and pulled favors, sourcing the grapes from "one of 'those' vineyards" that cannot be named due to a NDA. 18 months in 1-year old French oak. 15% Merlot and 2% Cab Franc round the balance of Cabernet Sauvignon.
I knew going in this would not be an over extracted fruit bomb, but upon opening I had my concerns that this might be too far in the opposite direction. Fortunately, after 30-45 minutes, it started adding weight like a prize fighter after weigh-in. Acacia flowers, melted licorice, black fruit, with plenty on mineral laced, satiny tannin. Give this an hour, wait for your second glass, and it will envelop you. 93+
And for the record, my guess is they sourced the grapes from a Spring Mountain vineyard. — 7 years ago
2006 The Hyde & De Villaine Families Syrah Hyde Vineyard Carneros — 10 years ago
Cool, Bordeaux, — 11 years ago
Bob McDonald
Dense Ruby in colour. All the classic Cabernet descriptors - Blackberry cassis, black olive and of course Mint - textbook Coonawarra Cabernet. On the palate such purity - ground cocoa, call it dark chocolate, berry fruits, touch of cedar. This wine at 10 years of age, whilst only young, and will live at least another decade, is drinking beautifully now. Made by the talented Sue Bell who was the Dux of the 2007 Len Evans Tutorial ( a handpicked group of only 12 - outstanding winemakers, somms and other full time wine professionals. Aubert de Villaine every year generously donates a mixed dozen of DRC, such was his friendship with Len Evans and James Halliday). Needless to say Sue Bell has one of the best palates in the country. A few years ago she was a guest Judge at the Toowoomba Wine Show where I often judge. I was in awe of her knowledge and her palate. On the strength of this wine I will order her 2015 Cabernet. — 4 years ago