Eric Urbani

8.9

Reasonably priced P-F with decent balance. 13.5% abv — 6 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.4

Not a fan of most Chinons Blanc, as they often start life lean and mean, then go absolutely nowhere. This, however, is that rare exception: already tender and alluring, showing acacia, melon, honeysuckle and wet gravel, with an unctuous texture and a fair dash of residual sugar (albeit perfectly balanced by massive acids). Fabulous. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.4

Fully opaque ruby violet offering aromas of black cherry, cassis, cocoa powder, coffee, and cedar. Full bodied, soft, and fruit forward with incredible mid-palate density. The tannins are fine grained and alcohol is 14.6%. Made from a blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot sourced from vineyards like Beckstoffer’s Orchard Lane and Dr. Crane and aged in 65% new French oak. Along with Duckhorn, this is one of my favorite California Merlots and is crafted by winemaker Benoit Touquette and consultant Michel Rolland to drink young. I favor a pop and pour approach. $95. — 7 years ago

Sondra Bernstein

Owner of the girl & the fig, the fig cafe & winebar, Author of Plats du Jours, the girl & the fig's Journey through the Seasons in Wine Country and the girl & the fig Cookbook

9.1

Rich flavors of violets, — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.0

Spending Valentine's Day with a big boy. No, Cara hasn't undergone some major change. Rather, this Fontenil packs a punch... black and blue (fruit that is). An overt and tasty offering from Michel Rolland. — 8 years ago

with Cara

Morgan Diamant

9.5

Blackberry, black cherry, plum, vanilla, leather. Well integrated with long finish. Velvety tannins — 9 years ago

David Annis

9.0

This is interesting to me. I've had a few vintages of this merlot and enjoyed them all. Even though this is a Michel Rolland styled effort, it shows as an unmistakably new world merlot. Lots of plum and blueberry, very little of the restraint you'd see in a right bank Bordeaux. — 9 years ago

Sara Beer

9.2

Beautiful texture, gorgeous nose of red fruit, earth and minerality — 6 years ago

with Jonah

Frédéric Leteurtre

9.4

très bonne découverte — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

Every champagne lover should get to know Fabrice Gass! His tiny estate in Damery, Alexandre Filaine, was a great discovery for me this year. Age-old story of minuscule production, biodynamic farming, and upholding tradition. This older bottling of his NV was stunning and perhaps one of the best I've had recently.

2012 base, with some 2011 blended in as reserve. 2/3 Pino, the rest Chard, and a touch of Meunier. No dosage, no malo, and fermented in old Bollinger barrels - Fabrice's keepsake from his last gig.

Elegant, with laser focus but impressive body. On the nose, super chalky, floral, green apples, pears, and brioche. The palate's incredibly vinous. A complexity that ebbs and flows, with a length that matches. Quite rich and showing some oddly fresh grassy tones. Citrus pith and really mineral on the back notes. What a joy to sip on! — 7 years ago

Neil Cornish

9.4

Smokey sexy dark fruit. Rasselberry pie. Amazing balance. — 7 years ago

Aaron Means

9.1

Impressive for a sub $20. The first ever vintage of this wine, made even more special by meeting with Michel Rolland and staying at the Pere Verge estate (proprietors of Clos de los Siete). — 8 years ago

George Harris

9.2

Fresh strawberry, mineral effervescence... very, very drinkable. — 8 years ago

with Scott

Jerrold Cameron

8.9

Great cheap Bordeaux — 9 years ago

James Patullo

9.0

Costco - very tasty — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂 — 6 years ago

with Mo

Shay A

9.1

A wonderful tasting put on by Classic Wine Storage featuring Long Shadows Winery. If you aren’t familiar with these wines, they are phenomenal WA state wines that are made by the likes of Randy Dunn, Phillipe Melka, Michel Rolland, John DuVall, and more.

Supposedly this is the number one Riesling in WA state. Dry style. Petrol on the nose. Honey, apricot, bright acidity with a slate finish. — 7 years ago

with Mark

Michael Piaker

9.1

2 December 2017. Moore Brothers, Brooklyn, NY. — 8 years ago

Dirk Brinckman

9.0

Refined, buttery with balanced touch of citrus, win the lengthy finish — 9 years ago

Andreas Seitz

9.2

Deep red colour, nose of dark cherries and licorice. Smooth tannins, fine structure and body, ripe dark cherries. — 9 years ago