Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.1

Exploring Greywacke with Kevin Judd. The wild sauvignons were mind blowing. — 7 years ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

10

This blew my mind too, witnessed it slip in my glass and totally fade away. Wouldn’t have happened to a 1982 — 8 years ago

Gene Buonviri

9.0

Spring time pink roses come to mind when I first saw this fine light rose. Young strawberries and melon find my tastebuds.
Enjoy this refreshing Rose! — 9 years ago

with Justinian

Rob Marini

9.6

In my mind this smells the way gold would if it had a scent. Apple, peach and honey. Toffee, and hazelnut. Brilliant acidity. Brilliant wine. — 9 years ago

with Brandon, Joey and 2 others

Tom Kobylarz

9.6

Exceptional and pure immediately come to mind and are affirmed over 2-3 hours. This is Sangiovese Grosso in a very Burgundian, transparent and very pure expression.
A new producer of sorts, the earliest wines were in 2006 under this label from what I recall.

Being my first Stella the color is uncommonly lighter for a Brunello than you would expect.

The nose is pure, with elegant raspberry and strawberry fruits that meld with Earthy minerality, mushroom and spice into a beautiful, sensual perfume.

The palate continues the purity party, marrying a persistence and depth that reminds me again of Burgundy. A long finish carries the fruit, fresh acids and the fine, supple tannin.
As great as it is now, will it reach even more heights? Only time will tell.
#brunello #sangiovese — 10 years ago

Kai Wright

9.2

This is weird, but if you read NK Jemisen’s Broken Earth series, and you think about the all-powerful onyx obelisk—that’s what it feels like I’m drinking. Overwhelming in every way—Big, bold, ripe, boozy. But balanced and smooth and soft like velvet glove. I just fall deep into the glass and wanna stay there. The dark, juicy fruit — a blackberry/blueberry cobbler comes to mind—lingers forever. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.7

An absolutely stunning lunch from @joe leatherwood . 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

One of the best examples of champagne I’ve ever had. The moment I saw it in the glass, I was sold. Then I smelled it, and I was in love. Just absolutely mind boggling. I was between Jacques Selosse or older vintage Krug, and eventually felt very confident in my JSelosse guess. Supremely and beautifully oxidized. Sherry, candied ginger, honey drizzled stone fruits with orange marmalade covered scone. Nutty too. I can’t get enough of this style of champagne. — 7 years ago

with Mark, Dan and 1 other

Willem Booij

9.4

Wine from another league, mind twisting from left to right. I’ll be back — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.1

The 2012 is absolutely mind blowing good. I decided to open a 13 to see how it would compare. It needs more time in the bottle. It wasn’t showing as I would have expected from this legendary vineyard. It was good but nowhere near as awesome as the 12. — 9 years ago

with Christine

Darren Guillaume

9.6

This wine was decanted at noon. 7 hours later, it is still going strong. Makes the standard Beaucastel taste like a Côte du Rhône. The old vine Mourvèdre gives so much savory bacon to the glass that it blows the mind away. The magnum was to much. Would have aged faster in a standard bottle. This could have waited another 10 years easily. — 9 years ago

with Uncle and Tim

Robin Gerber

Partner Spotlight Brands

9.8

Blow my mind birth year Pomerol!!!!! — 10 years ago

with Elton

Aaron Tan

10

It's wines like this that made me so in love with riesling. Pinnacle level stuff. Mind-blown 🤯🤯🤯 — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

The word that comes to mind when drinking this wine is POWER! Big blueberry/blackberry/plum fruit with hints of chocolate, coffee and licorice. Mint and dried spices on the finish. Even though it’s a full bodied powerhouse (15.5% alcohol) it is still elegant and well structured. The tannins are amazingly soft and the wine has wonderful depth. Great effort! — 7 years ago

with Mark, dmakris and 2 others

Shawn R

9.8

My first time experiencing this wine and what a fantastic display of Bordeaux. Decanted four hours and drank over the next 4+. 50% Cab Franc and 50% Merlot and oh so sexy. Something about the blend that emits this fragrance that is very alluring...sandalwood and black currant come to mind. On the front of the palate gives a hint of BBQ smoke and cocoa with those flavors carrying through to reveal a sweet side. Finish that goes for well over a minute. After the 7th hour the wine had faded and closed. — 7 years ago

with Jennifer

Josh Weinstein

9.7

Mind Blowing! — 8 years ago

with Kristen

Thomas Weber

9.2

Insane wine. Petrol off the bat then leading into orange zest, citrus, peach and some honeyed notes. Mouthfeel (waxy/creamy) acid balance is mind blowing with plenty of salivation as per descriptor on back label. Loved it. — 9 years ago

Dave Kluz

9.1

Blackberry and meaty, soy with bay leaf and forest floor. Deep, dark, evolved, tannic but not mind bending. — 9 years ago

Evandro Pereira

9.8

Mind blowing — 10 years ago

with Otavio and Marcio

Marty Winters

9.7

Wow. A mind bending experience. 😎 — 10 years ago