Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

A beautiful Chardonnay! Only 15 acres planted with grapes grown in Rutherford (warmer with rich ripe fruit) & Oak Knoll (cooler with fresh acidity in grapes). Pale lemon, with fresh & crisp citrus & stone fruit aromas, no malolactic ferm. Palate shows peach, apple & Asian pear flavors, with lemony & toasty notes, lively acidity & balance with touch of vanilla oak (9 months of French oak aging (25% new & 1-year old, remainder neutral oak). Long finish ending with fruit, spice & biscuit notes. Nice Value! — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pretty sure I haven’t had a better bottle of Champange at $24.99 and even some higher.

The nose reveals; bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, soft honeycomb, oysters, sea spray, baguette crust, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies.

The entry is clean, fresh, rich and lively. Bruised green apple & Bosc pear, lemon meringue, golden apple, overripe & slightly sour pineapple, lime zest, nougat, vanillin, caramel, soft honeycomb, sea fossils & spray, baguette crust, nice white spice with some palate heat, grey volcanic, pleasant chalkiness, whiffs of herbaceousiness, spring flowers, mixed greens and yellow lilies. Crisp lively acidity. The finish is refreshingly delicious, well balanced, good, seamless, delineation, nice polish and persists with spice for several minutes on the long set.

Photos of; The House of Baron Fuentes, grapes at harvest, Proprietor Eric De Brisis and one of their Grand Cru vineyards. — 4 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2015 Tempier Rosé is drinking marvelously after a few years. The grapes used to make this rosé come from selected parcels where the vines are on average 20-years-old. This wine immediately awakens to aromas of rose water, lemon zest, smoke and ripe guava that are simply sensational. The palate unveils a wonderful concentration and a gorgeous, soft texture. Guava purée and red cherry candy flavors connect with suggestions of blood orange toward the back end. Truly delightful to savor now, this beautiful Rosé will continue to evolve in the cellar over the next decade. Drink 2019-2028- 92 — 5 years ago

David Kline

9.0

Earthy, herbaceous aromas of Brown, river mud and clay, cattails, plantain, fungus and peach, with matchsticks and ripe grapefruit. Medium-creamy texture sharpens into bright lemon citrus and Granny Smith morphing into crabapples. Green table grapes, sage, peppercorn, grapefruit and orchid textures shoot to clean river and trout bones. Racy, with twists and turns, a real ride down the rapids #chardonnay #chard #espino #chile #williamfèvre #mountainwine #maipoandes #maipo #SanJuandePirque #pirque — 6 years ago

with Courtney

Joe Fusaro

9.0

Almost a sauv blanc. Apple and a bit tart. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Well received by a consensus of tasters at the Conference. Named after the ship that charted and explored the Marlborough Coast in 1827. Grapes are sourced from multiple sites in Marlborough to make this Pinot Noir. — 7 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

9.6

A little young, but such purity of fruit, great balance. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Found another 2009, 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Ovello Cru, a premiere site. Ruby with red Berry fruit, floral and flint aromas. On the palate, cherry, raspberry and ripe strawberry flavors with a touch of earthy floral tastes. Tannins are muted, balanced with acidity, well structured. Drinking great now, should last a few more years but why wait on this beauty? — 8 years ago

Brian Scott

9.0

Dry and complex. Interesting blend of grapes. Good with cheese or meal. — 9 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.1

This is a blend of garganega and Trebbiano they dry some of the grapes for this wine. Very good with a bit of bottle age. A very rich. — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of (changes each vintage) mostly Chard, with Sauv Blanc and Muscat, aged in 35% new French oak for 8 mos. Grapes sourced from some new AVA’s this year, Sonoma Coast, RRV, Santa Lucia Highlands & Atlas Peak AVA’s. Pale lemon with aromas of stone & citrus fruits with complex floral spice. The palate shows flavors of peach and apple with hints of sweet lemon, vanilla and wet stone. The wine is well balanced with integrated oak, crisp, lively acidity and a long finish ending with pepper & mineral. Nice! — 4 years ago

Jordi Pazo

9.0

Monvínic. Club 50 Sep-18.
14.12.19 — 4 years ago

DAL 9000

9.0

Big plum aroma with a quick flash of tannic dryness. Then a very long dry dry dry finish — 5 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of beautiful of ruby, clear with grapefruit note on the rim. Nose is plenty with dried strawberries, aldehyde, oak, leather, spice, feels like high quality armarone or CduRh. Taste follows the nose with right amount of tannins, acidity, peppery, yet a bit too much bittersweet. Aftertaste of some more oak, juicy grapes, lingering flavors. Just slightly off balanced to miss even higher ranking. — 5 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.0

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from Foley Family of Wines. Bing cherry and raspberry and oak — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Family-owned and operated since 1985. Just tried the ‘15 vintage. Grapes sourced from several vineyards, complex aromas of fruits, citrus & sweet spice. On the palate ripe fruits, apple, pear and peach with lemon citrus and vanilla adding toasty oak. French oak aging, great balance, lingering ending with toasty oak finish. I have had this wine as a staple in my cellar for a number of years. Enjoy! Great value, compared to Chards costing $10 more. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Made with Oseleta grapes which give the wine a unique character and complementing the Veronese grapes. Deep red with aromas of dark Berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate, this full body wine shows ripe jammy Berry fruits, a touch of and cacao with sweet vanilla spice. Fine smooth tannins, generous oak and well balanced. You can taste the dried grapes (dried for 2 months) on the long lingering finish. A great value. Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

Steven Jones

8.9

Can not get enough of this wine, slowly becoming the new house white at the house. Mineral notes with a subtle soft lime citrusy notes on the finish. Bright in the glass. Had the pleasure to taste directly from the concert egg fermentation tank. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It's time for my Friday's Cabernet fix. This time, a wonderful Chilean Cabernet.

Deep purple in color with a purplish rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, earth, spices, peppercorn, leather, bell pepper, sage, peppermint, eucalyptus and smoke.

Full bodied with medium acidity and beautiful long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, figs, cloves, herbs, earth, cola, vanilla, oak, spices, light vegetables, coffee, chocolates, bell pepper, tobacco, beef jerky and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and black pepper.

An elegant, Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, with lots of complexity and fitness, but not fully balanced yet.

Still young now, but very enjoyable by itself, and better with BBQ Meats. I paired it with a cheese platter, crackers and nice company.

Grapes are grown at the foot hills of the Andes Mountains, on stony soils. 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc.

14.5% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago

Maria Isabella Rebecca

9.4

Sangiovese, Colorino, Mammolo and Foglia Tonda grapes. Aromas of red fruit, ripe cherries, red roses bouquet, black pepper and cocoa. Natural wine. — 10 years ago

Erin Joyce

9.2

What an interesting wine! The best of both worlds, 100% Italian grapes with a California style. Many thanks to @Yez Alayan for the tip on this maker. Tart cranberry with a touch of minerality. I could drink 100 of these bottles. — 4 years ago

with Sandra

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.1

What a nose. Mondeuse like but made from many wacky grapes. Fresh and deep .More later.

After 4 hours open.

Nose is dusty earthy and loads of berry fruit. Mineral and precise with just loads of fruit on the nose. So pure. Palate has loads of crunchy berry fruit that is blue and black with light tannin and terrific freshness. Sappy and even a little complex. Great value. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Impressive wine for $20! Grapes sourced from Oregon Valleys of Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue. Cool climates enable a longer growing season, giving an intense structure. Deep Ruby with loads of Berry fruit flavors & sweet spice. Ripe fruit, cranberry and cherry, with cinnamon spice, consistent quality. On the finish, vibrant acidity, great balance and a touch of earthiness with subtle tannins. Tasting Sample. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

No detailed notes as we were at dinner with friends. Three Somm’s present for dinner and all thought this was wine of the night. I was one of them.

I believe their 15 is even better than their fantastic 2010.

If you are not familiar with this producer & terroir, I highly recommend you do. It remains under most consumers radar. I should probably stay silent on it as it will only drive up demand and price. But, good wine is meant to be shared with people who know how to appreciate it. This is around $55 on pre-arrival and $70ish if not bought on pre-arrival.

Olivier Lamy left the family Domaine to learn from other producers before returning to his family Domaine. He made Méo-Camuzet for few years just before his return.

The body was thick and slightly waxy. Nice green apple, pineapple, lime, honeysuckle, fruit blossoms with excellent round acidity, texture, elegant and well polished finish.

Recommend you slightly over chill it and decant it for an hour if you drink it this young. After it hour, it really blossoms.

Photos of, the Domaine property, Saint-Aubin Vineyard, amazing Saint-Aubin Chardonnay grapes and Domaine building sign — 5 years ago

Rhonda Stone

9.2

Absolutely delightful Provence Rose. Blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Strikingly pale pink in color, the aromas are fresh and fruity. On the palate, it is bone dry through the finish. The name really suits the delicate nature of this wine. — 6 years ago

Lawrence Asrikin

9.0

South African blend of mostly Rhône grapes. Similar nose to fuller Southern Rhône blend, perhaps Vacqueyras. Notes of blackberry, violet, black pepper, cocoa nibs. Dry, medium to full body on the palate. — 7 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.0

Changed the fruit line up this vintage. No longer Zin and Syrah based. More cab, malbec, and lower percentages of many other red grapes. Stronger Bordeaux style. Dryer, pummeling tannins. Terrific and needs a good decanting. — 7 years ago

Lady Bananna

9.9

My favorite! — 8 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.3

A terrific example of an older vintage of Realm, I think this might be the first year they sourced grapes from the Dr Crane vineyard. Classic Napa cab with aromas of blackberry, cassis, hints of leather, and an undercurrant of vanilla still prevalent from the barrel ageing. Initially the wine exhibited firm tannins on the palate, but after an hour they soften up considerably...and after another 30 min they had really fallen away. The wine stayed in balance and is drinking well, but I suspect this is starting on the downslope. If you have any in your cellar, I'd suggest opening them up within the next couple of years. Terrific wine from Juan and his team at Realm! — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

zekun shuai

9.1

A heavy blend of heavy grapes. Deep crimson and dense. Open and lively Bordeaux with black fruit, cassis and pencil lead, leather as well as new-oak-brought vanilla and dark chocolate. Full bodied and medium+acidity, high alcohol at 15.5!( Though tasted like around 14.5) Finishes long, the alcohol weaken the length though. Perfect time to enjoy now or age it another 2-3 years. 89-90 points. Tasted in Beijing, 12.1 — 10 years ago