Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago

Rivers Bradford

9.0

Smooth and smokey — 10 years ago

Michael Mugmon

9.4

With homemade pesto and fresh garbanzos. — 10 years ago

Kelly Garland

9.1

Very nice last two of this vintage but many fond memories with this great blend — 10 years ago

with Ron

Korey Hill

9.4

Had a year ago and more integrated. Can taste the cab franc but it as prominent as a year ago. Well done — 11 years ago

Jeff Clement

9.2

Had during our 25th anniversary weekend in Santa Fe. One of our favorite wineries from our South Africa trip we shipped back home — 11 years ago

Nicole Holden

10

Sooooo good!! 👍👍 — 12 years ago

Jonathan Loubiere

9.7

my all-time favorite Cabernet! — 12 years ago

Michael Walsh Sr

9.9

Been a while since I've had any wine this one here was excellent . — 13 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.5

This past Saturday I attended a get together with close friends. We opened the 2014 Saarloos & Sons Family Tree Rhone Blend. 55% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre and 18% Syrah. This was the hit of the evening that turned heads and got people talking.

The nose was light with cherry, raspberry, plum, cinnamon, black pepper, anise, roses and an earthy gravel.

On the palate was beautiful fruit of black cherry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, anise , clove and a good gravel component.

The wine was soft velvety smooth with a medium mouth feel and medium to plus acidity with medium smooth tannin that leads to a medium long finish. A very enjoyable wine. Almost the weekend please be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago

Allison Hickey

9.5

John lyons wine party — 9 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.3

Who says 2011 was a bad year? Beautiful garnet from the glass. Elegant floral and blue fruit on the nose. Deep blueberry, black berry and currant tastes on the palate. Excellently structured with sweet tannins and beautiful acidity. These grapes come from a great Oakville neighborhood. Great family owned winery! — 10 years ago

Kevin Healey

9.5

Pinot Noir. — 10 years ago

John Goodridge

9.0

Well priced for 12 yr, smooth, medium oak, not peaty, given as a wedding gift. Goes great with nuptials. — 11 years ago

Punky Mahle

8.9

Re-tasted and showing true NZ SB characters- bright and zippy — 11 years ago

Jessica Walkup

8.9

Blackberry, plum & vanilla. — 11 years ago

Laura Booras

8.9

Thoroughly enjoyed this lighter style blend. Bright fruit and acid, juicy red fruits. — 11 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

9.0

Incredibly smooth. Much more peety than smoky, but could still taste the oak. Pleasant. $NA / 91pts Youngs Market — 12 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.5

#apluswine is found between five bells — 13 years ago

Leslie Fresco

10

Amazing wine! — 8 years ago

Joseph Gannon

8.9

Youngish, which is to be expected for Raffault. Full of promise, revisit in five years — 9 years ago

Frederick Kuehn

9.1

Pale straw with a hint of green. Grassy meadow flowers on the nose. Vibrant acidity support the grapefruit and rose palate. Medium length on the finish. Very pleasureful. — 10 years ago

Fiona Morse

9.5

2007 vintage — 10 years ago

with Scott, Laura and 1 other

Frederick Kuehn

9.4

Tons of umami on the palate. A surprise for a Pinot Noir. Drinks beautifully and well integrated. — 10 years ago

David Donalson

9.0

07 in magnum for Wife's birthday — 11 years ago

Julia Eklund

9.3

Working for this brand now so I might biased but I am enjoying this. Rich flavor and well balanced blend — 11 years ago

Julie Turley

9.0

Great everyday dinner wine; light, yet flavorful. — 11 years ago

Kathy Grant

9.3

Very smooth — 12 years ago

Dan Bock

8.9

Opened Thursday night and enjoyed a glass, but it was even better when we finished the bottle Friday evening. — 13 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

9.7

So excited to open this tonight! @between5bells thank you @jonathan_wood #apluswine — 14 years ago