JJ Lumia

9.7

Killer Wine Night. Lineup of 17 wines. Tasted blind. Theme was Old World Killer “B” (the letter “B” has to be the first letter in one of the proper nouns in the wine e.g., region, varietal, type, winery name, etc.)

Wine 2. Wow. What an experience. Classic Bordeaux of mushroom, and wet earth, with awesome blackberry fruit. Totally different experience on the retaste where it had been open for about 4 hrs. Courtesy of @David Moffat and Tom Moffat. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Saturday night...time for steak and claret as my buddy Gary Westby says. In this scenario, I envisioned the wine being equal or even better than my steak. Not to toot my horn but most everyone that's had my steak simply says meaningfully that it is the best they've had. Myself, I've only had one better the Ribcap at Bourbon Steak in SF; which sadly closed as the hotel took back the space they were in. Hopefully, soon to reopen again elsewhere in SF. However, back to the Pichon Baron. I can't say I loved it. I wanted to love it as it is one of my favorite properties in Pauillac. The wine isn't bad but it just never shined. Maybe, it's just not a good moment in it's evolution to open. It's soft, elegant but missing the beauty, flavors and complexity I've come to expect. The fruits are dry blackberry, dark cherries, black raspberries, a touch of juicy strawberries and black plum skin. Dark dry powdery minerals, saddlewood, lead pencil savings, underbrush, dry dark earth, dry pebbles. There is not much on the mid palate, it finishes a little flat and the fruits never really shined. Surprising for such a warm vintage. Hoping it improves over the years as I've got 5 more. Unusual that the wine really needed the steak more than the steak needed the wine. — 9 years ago

John Doe

8.9

One of my favorites. I always keep a bottle on hand for when I am invited to a dinner party. — 9 years ago

Morgan Harris

Head Sommelier Aureole New York

9.4

2011. Blanc. No one drinks enough of this. That's because there are so few things to which its a good partner, but it would be an incredible cheese-and-charcuterie wine. Broad and oily, there's just enough acid to keep you coming back for more. Sun-baked yellow orchard fruits dominate, but there's more exotic fruits too (mango and dried pineapple) yellow flowers, tons of almond husk bitterness, green olives, bay leaf, oregano, tarragon, white cheddar. Oak is assertively present but not overwhelming. Place dominates over grapes here, as it's a mix of Clairette and Grenache Blanc and a hodge-podge of other things. — 10 years ago

Ian Blackburn

9.3

I have tasted many 1961 over the years, this continues to be one of my favorite wines...The strange thing is that this bottle with its high necklinewas the youngest 1961 that I had ever tried, wine had an great Providence - One owner and one incredible cellar.

1961 was a magical year on the right bank; now over 50 years of age it has lost some weight but picked up elegance on the nose - wet clay, graphite/lead pencil, umami/truffle - nose candy for sure. — 10 years ago

Grant Harmsen

9.8

What a great. '91 is considered one of the best vintages for Cali Cab and this takes it to another level. Totally complete wine, 85% Cab Sauv, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Balanced with week integrated oak and layers and layers of flavor. — 7 years ago

Lauren Prial

9.4

Few things compare to the Opus One flagship wine, but this more accessible version certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s velvety and decadent with a well-rounded nose. Overture is a NV but this one comes from the 2012-2014 vintages - all stellar years for the Napa Valley. — 7 years ago

Peter Slagowitz

9.4

Oh My is this one special bottle. Fruit is subdued but it's smooth complex and anything you could ask for in a COS. — 9 years ago

with Nancy

Pamela Maeda

10

Sitting on this one for a while but it was so worth it. Dom, Dom, Dom!!! — 9 years ago

Alex Powell

9.3

Fully mature, and holding together wonderfully. A lighter vintage for this, very raspberry fruit character, with a spicy, moderately funky, congruous nose. Not overly complex, but she floats across the palate like a lullaby, no edges remain. Still quite vibrant, a delicious treat - a toast to one of history's star vignerons. — 10 years ago

Michael Lantigua

10

Great wine for a Sunday evening smooth taste recommend it to any one — 10 years ago

Ravi Kalyanaraman

9.2

Great Shiraz for the price 👍 — 11 years ago

Mel B

9.1

So totally impressed with how this wine has continued to please over time. When selecting a value wine to enjoy in volume at our wedding I knew this was the one as soon as I tasted it. It took a while for us to get to the altar, but the wine held up and we drank an anniversary bottle today. Could have hung on much longer, but great with our lamb chops tonight. Called out for the meat and slight eucalyptus aroma and taste brightened it up. One more bottle for next anniversary. Interested in seeing what will happen. — 13 years ago

GabWine

9.6

When we open from 1987, we expect everything. One thinks of its conservation in cellar, the risk that it is passed or incredible, with the tannins having evolved in this vial ... The cork pulled-out, in perfect state and one knows in advance that one hit the jackpot and that it will be phenomenal. A coppery robe, a complex nose with aromas of black and floral fruits. In the mouth, an explosion of flavors that take the length and makes us go back in time. A very large estate for an incredible wine, to fall 😍🍷 — 7 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.5

Krug GC with 2002 base wine from Jero at Harry's Bar for the annual Soprano's dinner. The colour was a gorgeous pale gold. Small persistent bubbles. On the nose, roasted almonds, burned toast, brioche, roast apples - deep and complex. On the palate, perfect blend of high, crisp acidity, medium alcohol and depth of flavour. The toasty brioche dominates the mid palate and leads to a very long finish. This is one of the best young GC's I have had and will drink now until 2036. A — 9 years ago

Jim McCusker

8.9

A little disappointed with this one. It was good - had a lot of the characteristics you expect for a Martha's Vineyard - but it wasn't nearly as good as the 2002 Trailside. — 9 years ago

Greg Scoville

8.9

This is a big Central Coast Pinot. 2013 Las Alturas Santa Lucia Highland. Dark Cherry fruit. Silky with balance front to finish. Its drinkable now but I would hold on to it for another 3-4 years. Because its big and fruit forward, not my favorite style Pinot, I wouldn't hold over 6 years. This is my first from the Las Alturas. I paired it with Alaskan Salmon but it would pair much better with duck, game hen or quail. You could even enjoy this big boy with grilled steak and veggies. One of the darkest Pinots I have experienced from this region.

After letting this wine sit and open up I am getting blackberry and some currants and spice. Still a very rich and big Pinot. I will say it is enjoyable on its own.

Enjoy, drink what you like and like what you drink! — 10 years ago

Paul Schmidt

9.0

Delicious with a mid rare ribeye. Breathed in glass for 3 hours before the meal. Plush blue fruit and nicely integrated oak. — 10 years ago

with Ashley

Maelynn Seymour-Major

9.7

One of my fave Pinot Noirs. Light and perfect for everyday drinking! — 10 years ago

Lemay Ramos

9.7

Cant go wrong with this one. Let it breath for 20mins and one of the best from CA — 11 years ago