Matthieu Houle

9.0

When in Vienna — 6 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

“The Return of Mike Grammer” Dinner on 7/5. - although I have met up with Toronto native Mike Grammer at an annual charity event in the OC several times, we hosted a dinner for Mike on Thursday marking his first return to the San Diego area since 2009. The original dinner nine years ago was my first wine offline event, and I met a number of great folks that I have been able to share wine with since that time. We capped the 2009 dinner off with a phenomenal 2001 La Tour Blanche contributed by @Bill Bender and Mike brought a 2011 version to commemorate that evening. Great to share a night of wine and fun with some of the SD crew. Cheers! — 7 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.3

@Bill Bender Bringing my kinda wine as always. Pretty tight right now with spice coming on in the early mid palate through the finish. Needs time and patience. — 8 years ago

with Martin, Mike and 2 others

Joe Lucca

9.6

Talk about sexy! And the wine was great as well. My first post after a bit of a hiatus from Delectable. In San Diego for a meeting and was able to sneak away for a few sips. Thanks so much to @Bill Bender for generously making time to host me at his lair, perched high above the city looking down on the harbor, for great friendship, conversation, and of course, killer juice. The initial notes of stewed plums and spice blew off after a bit of time in the decanter, revealing layers of deep, rich voluptuous fruit and earthy minerals. Almost surprisingly youthful and powerful at 15, this will continue to evolve for a long time. One of my favorite Burgs. Thanks again, Bill!!! — 8 years ago

with Bill

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Holy tall green giants Batman! This is the real reason I drink wine. @Bill Bender @Warren Sapp @Neal Schaffer @Vanessa D @Eric Shanks @Jim Trobaugh @David L @Eric LaMasters @Paul T @Jade Moore @Doug Davidson @Ron R @Connor McMahon @TheSkip — 9 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

I have known for years that Paso Robles makes great wine. This is an excellent example of what perfect weather, abundant water and great soils can produce. Deep rich dark fruit and extremely fine silky tannins! @Paul T @Ron R @Jim Trobaugh @Bill Bender @Jacqueline @Eric Shanks @Connor McMahon @Martin G Rivard — 9 years ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.0

2015 vintage — 9 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.5

@Bill Bender recognizes the goods when he sees them. This wine was every thing you’d want from an mature elite Syrah. Very fresh, alive, savory, and powerful. For the record, I said “wine”. 😉 — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid Lemon in colour. Peachey flavours with a bitter finish. Full and luscious but finishes dry with 13.5% Alcohol. Nice to drink after the Grosset to compare. The following day honeyed notes. Delicious and uniquely European. — 7 years ago

Shawn R

9.7

So toasty with a frame of mocha and black tea. Drinks very well with a long decant. @Bill Bender awesome pull! — 8 years ago

with Martin, Kirk and 4 others

JeremyC

9.2

Stoked to find 08 vtg of this at Drgrs in half btl. Love the weight, comexity and density it developed. Got to taste their more recent stuff the day prior at WS Top100. — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

2008, 09, 13 vertical of BdM Corton Charlemagne courtesy of @romo. The '09 was my favorite, but all showing well. View courtesy of @Bill Bender. — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.5

Thanks for the recommendation Martin @Martin G Rivard @David L @Ron R @Eric Shanks @Vanessa D @Paul T @Jim Trobaugh @Bill Bender @Warren Sapp @TheSkip — 9 years ago

Tom Wood

9.0

I've had this in the fridge for 20 minutes and it reads a perfect 18.0 degrees on the Vinotemp monitor. Ruby - purple colour to the wine and don't let its transparency fool you, this does have body and delivery! Instant thoughts were 'is this burgundy?!' (Despite obviously knowing better) it immediately reminded me of some of the darker - fruited and meaty interpretations of Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits but this feels ever so fresh. Olives in brine, blackberry and almost a dried prosciutto aroma the leaps out of the glass initially. The wine then started to show a lot more bright, red fruited character as time goes by. The olive brine and blackberry has nestled right in to the background playing quite a nice supporting role. Aromas of fresh raspberry, juiced oranges, ripe blueberry, sarsaparilla and a spicy, floral incense have arrived right at the forefront and there's barely noticeable oak work in sight. The palate follows with raspberry and blueberry but there's a dark chocolate that comes through with the faintest of bitterness, however not off-putting in the slightest. One very noticeable feature of structure here is alcohol; or the lack there of. I've found myself double checking the alcohol at times which sits at 12.5%. The palate flows seamlessly. There is a raspberry-like acidity and the softest lick of tannin. The balance here is admirable. Honestly, it's the type of wine I'm enjoying so much now for its freshness and I don't want to see this sit in my cellar for too long, in saying that I'd be very interested in seeing some bottle development in a few years time. — 9 years ago

Flora D

9.0

Medium body, subtle flavors — 7 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.3

Courtesy of @Bill Bender. Dark cherry, plum, coffee, spice, leather, and tea leaf. Tannins still firm to keep it all real. Might mature more over the next decade but I doubt it. Still, for a challenging vintage, this was gorgeous and perfectly suited for a pig roast. — 7 years ago

Will Herwig

10

Favorite Chardonnay. Cheap and well balanced. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Opening up after 2 hours. Rockstar pull.
Badass in a glass! @Bill Bender @Shawn R @David L — 8 years ago

with David and Shawn

Carl Fischer

9.7

"Bad Ass in a Glass" is quite accurate here. Poured from a double magnum, this was a big wine that had people smiling and buzzing (in every sense of the word!). Globs of dark fruit, silky smooth, a touch sweet, but so well integrated.

Thank you @Martin G Rivard and @Christine for an epic 48 hours and for opening your home last night for the Super Bowl of wine tastings (and for the four different types of grilled cheese sandwiches that magically appeared toward the end of the night!).

While the wines shared last night literally were the best of the best, so too were the folks I had the pleasure of seeing again and meeting for the first time. Thank you all for making last night so memorable. I look forward to staying in touch and sharing a glass (bottle?) with you all again in the near future.

@David L @Mike R @Ron R @Joe Lucca @Shawn R @Bill Bender @Daryl Calhoun @Ryan M @leon egozi @David Goldfinger @David From The 504 @Monica O @Ira Shapiro @Jeffrey Lew @Mo Salem @"Odedi" @Kirk Alexander @Gina Sabean (tag anyone I may have missed!). Your generosity and enthusiasm in sharing wine was greatly appreciated. — 9 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

All this and no one around. Man I really need a few friends right now and the 3L needs a party to attend tonight. 95's n 98's @Paul T @Vanessa D @David L @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @Neal Schaffer @Terri Walker @Jim Trobaugh @Eric Shanks @Warren Sapp @Eric LaMasters @@Jade Moore @TheSkip — 9 years ago