"Odedi"

9.3

I always enjoy drinking this Champagne, although this one is very young.

Dry on the palate with medium plus acidity and small bubbles.

Showing citrus, yeast, bread, green apples, spices, minerals and white pepper.

This 9 year old Champagne is crispy and refreshing, and feels much younger than its age.

Easy to drink and good by itself. Well balanced with nice complexity.

I really prefer it with a lot more age, but it is definitely delicious already.

This 2013 was a great vintage in Champagne and it is showing it.

Robert Parker 96 points.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350. — 4 years ago

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10

The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

I had one of these only 3 weeks ago - see previous notes but will add a few here. Have another 10 of these so will only record every 3rd one over the next 5 years or so. Looks way younger than 17 years apart from the tawny edges. Mocha, Chocolate and fading Black Currant. Some herbal notes finishing with powdery Tannins. 389 is a good example of choosing between youthful power and black fruits or more savoury balanced aged characters. No answer is correct - up to the individual. I can see the charms of both approaches. After a couple of hours in decanter - intoxicating aromatics. Excellent Wine. — 7 years ago

Paul K

9.1

@Sharon B said it’s national drink wine day so today’s obligatory bottle is a brand new one recommended by my buddy @ LWS.
It’s good. A bit lighter than I would have thought. Nose is cherries, floral, and herbal.
A little bit less than medium body. Strawberries, red currant, and green. I’m thinking I showed up to the party 5 years too early. Will come back later! — 7 years ago

Mono Head

9.0

2007-ridge - soil, manure smell, a bit bolder than the 2006. I liked this one but needs to open up a lot. Can stand many more years of cellaring. 9.0+ $260 — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.4

Sushi and Champagne is one of my favorite combinations. Indeed, almost all celebrations that @Cara Zimmerman and I enjoy together will include this duo. This was somewhat of a step up from our norm as Sushi Zo is a world apart from our usual delivery order of tuna and salmon rolls (with free edamame). Likewise this 1975 DP was rather more elevated than our weekly fizz.

Dark golden color with rich, brioche and mature elements. A touch too advanced but enormously attractive and retaining terrific purity and energy. Sushi and Champagne has rarely been such a treat. — 8 years ago

with Cara and Daniel

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Warm up wine for Howell Mountain vs Stags Leap District. Clear pale yellow. Nose started out with some creamed pears, honey, sweet citrus and some light hay. As it had some time to open up it added more aromas of white and tropical fruit. Sharp moderate acidity (7/10) with a moderate body. Definitely needs to integrate further. Thinner than expected and not buttery at all. Crisp finish with a little metallic feel in the finish. Loved that it was not a butter explosion but the metallic notes in the finish and sharpness of the acidity knocked this wine down a few points. Drink till 2019. — 10 years ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.4

Ahhhhhhh Mouton...... When it's good, it's amazing. This 04 is IMHO the first of the "modern era" MR. Juicy, intense yet it keeps the Mouton meaty character. I love this wine, truly but I rather have a 85-89 than this one for the price. — 11 years ago

with Bernardo

Will Harahan

9.3

Contrary to other wines, D'yquem is in a class of it's own in terms of Sauternes. There is rarely, if ever, a bad year, although some years, like the 2001, stand out more than others. The disparity in quality from a GREAT d'yquem to a mediocre one & so on isn't as drastic as one might imagine. While the older vintages seem to age VERY well, it isn't as discernible from a recent vintage as other wines. Sauternes, in general are consistent, & none more than d'yquem. — 11 years ago

Carter Pelham

9.4

*chef's kiss*

For me just shy of an immaculate wine.
Immediately upon opening got a super prominent whiff of stewed vegetal / green peppers aroma. Blew off a bit over time. Flinty and graphite mineral and relatively muted fruit aromas.

Beautiful cherry/cassis/blackberry fruit. Medium body. Relaxed tannins. Lower acidity than I expected. But the finish. Elevated and never ending. One of those wines you never feel compelled to take the next sip, in a good way...you never lose the taste of your last drink.

Second almaviva we've had. Loved them both, very different from the '98. — 5 years ago

with Linh and Larry

Pooneet K

9.0

A bit of a thinner montelena than some of the other years we have had. Still very nice. Possible bottle condition issue - this is another one that went through sandy. Good red fruit and a nice finish with good acid. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a great day hanging out with my love & best friend for Valentines Day. If I could give anyone young enough advise on selecting partner, marry your best friend you love. Greater degree of happiness & success. ❤️😍😘🥰

Love you Sofia and raise a glass of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Bubbles in celebration. Cheers! 🍾🥂

Happy Valentines Days everyone. Hope you are with the wine & one you love the most.

@Oswald — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

From a great old looking bottle with a top shoulder fill and solid cork. Old light brick color, translucent. Notes of tart cherry, cola, some wood and some dry earth. Rustic. Still has reasonable fruit and structure. This bottle was better than the last one. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose is a little shy. It reveals; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum, touch of rhubarb & blueberries and strawberries. Vanilla, light cinnamon, clove and soft, dark spice, just slight whiff of green pepper, dark turned earth, limestone and red and dark flowers.

The 2012 vintage generally drank well right away. Now that this 12 has four years in the bottle, it’s very approachable. This said from someone who loves old(er) red wines. The tannins are round grainy. The body lighter than other Insignia’s. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, dry cranberries, plum, touch of rhubarb & blueberries and strawberries. Vanilla, light cinnamon, clove and soft, dark spice, suede leather, fresh tobacco leaf, steeped tea, dark turned earth limestone, crushed dry rocks with red and dark flowers. The acidity is fresh and lively. The finish is good yet leaner than previous vintages at this stage. It’s fresh and lively. Balanced but, the fruit is bright and really shines. It still a ways to go to get to where I would open one of my bottles. But, somewhat tempting now to open a bottle.

Photos of, JPV Estate vines, visitor center Insignia artwork, shot from a previous member party, and wine in barrel that ferments inside their visitor center. — 7 years ago

Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.3

Don't get to pop one of these every day. Very solid wine. Still incredibly young and tannic. Outshined by the Hillside Select, but this bottle was better than Insignia from the same vintage — 9 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.1

My first of the '14s. Much more open than the '13 already, this is one to drink while those continue to rest. A bit more restrained than the '12, the fruit profile leans a bit darker, the oak is already nicely in balance, and the tannins are mild. These will be enjoyable over the next several years. — 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

With a little air, this gets fragrant fast. A focused beam of dark, sappy cherry and a very clean note of stony minerality. In the mouth it's soft, balanced, and really clingy. Perfectly integrated acids. The color is about one shade darker than a rose. This is going fast. Might not have night 2 notes!

UPDATE: Two night later, nose is explosively sappy floral mossy. Deep flavors contrasting with a delicate texture and great acids. Upping to 9.4. Terrific, unique wine. — 9 years ago

with Lyle

Kristi

9.3

One of my favorite NV AVAs. This is drinking very well. Much better than my last sampling in August. In fact, I would give it several more years this time around. — 10 years ago

Jackson Rohrbaugh

10

White pepper and stuff. One of the best I've had. Very different than young Rayas. — 11 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.4

Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne: One year in the making and finally the long awaited “playdate”! Does it get any better than this absolutely lovely pink bubbly? Thanks to the hostess with the mostest and welcome to the neighborhood! Cheers 🍾🥂 — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.5

1 hour plus decant. Dark red color. Nose contains graphite, black cherry, and some medicinal elements. Wine has more oak than expected but nice cherry fruit. Awesome texture and great depth. Medium plus finish. Not as good as the ‘12 I recently had, but still one of my favorite producers! — 6 years ago

with Brooke

Ed Tostanoski

9.0

Surprisingly mature. Stewed fruits, tar, leather, barnyard, herbs. More expressive on the palate than the nose. A bit too much heat on the attack for me, and generally just not enough *barolo* in what is a pretty delicious wine but one that I could easily have pegged as e.g. southern Rhône. — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.2

This is probably my favourite Sangiovese for the money so thought I’d take one for the community & try the new 2015 @ £65 so you know if you should buy 😉 The 07 is stunning now & this 15 is drinking well but should be just as fab but is lighter at present 😉 We drank 3 bottles over the weekend 😊 Oakier than others I’ve had but not dominating 😉

🐮 The 3rd bottle paired perfectly w/ Mrs Es slow cooked Beef Stew & Dumplings in gloopy gravy 😍 on a cold rainy ☔️ day

📍 Isole e Olena Cepparello 2015

🏵 92-93 today w/ potential for 95-96 I’d say

🍇 Sangiovese

🍷 Clear rich ruby

👃 Smokey oak infused cherry w/ tones on spiced black fruits, minerals, cranberry, cedar chards & light herbs

👄 Med body of smooth red cherry & black berry in touch dry minerals w/ a slight mocha & cranberry tones coming through

🎯 Med+ big red cherry boom w/ a slight sweet black berry undertone oozing through mineral, red berry & mocha w/ a dry oaky linger
— 7 years ago

Eli Barton

9.2

This was in better shape than the last one, decanted and opened up a bit. Nice classic flavors, good balance and acidity. — 8 years ago

with Jennifer

Chris England

9.2

@ £50 - one of my fav pink NV with LP Rose, Bolly Pink NV & Billecart Salmon pink but this NV is a little lighter than normal

🍇 100% PN

🍾 Disg'd Mar 2015

🍷Pale peachy salmon copper pink

👃 Creamy citrus, red currant, apple & cherry, light smoked peachy oak, minerals & red flower

👄 Smooth & refreshing med body of red fruits with tart strawberry, apple, grapefruit & some cherry coming through in a lively bubbled mousse with low+ acidity & big minerality

🎯 Long red dry fruit filled mineral infused — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.2

The oak is strong on this one. Seems more youthful than one usually finds these. Rich blackberry & tobacco notes, but the American oak is front and center in all of the dill and vanilla you need. Hold or decant these. — 9 years ago

Paul Barnes

9.0

Have always liked this one. Rustic with just enough fruit. More alcohol than I remembered. — 10 years ago

Joe Pea

9.1

This the third time I've had this in the last year and it shows beautifully right out of the gate. The wood and fruit are so interestingly and well melded at this point. Oak moves to cedar on the palate. Definite alcohol lift in the nose still and you can feel it the nostrils but not obtrusive...indeed it's actually a promising hint of what's to come on the palate. Dried cherry and stone fruit tastes on right away. Slightly mentholated. Definitely picking up distinct vanilla undertones on the nose and palate but not over the top. Satisfying medium tannins. Soft mouth feel but with really good/balanced structure. Perfect finish in line with what preceded it. Just a great fucking wine. And for the price? Getcha some! Can't believe this is still just around and available (not telling where!). Not for those who don't want wood in their wine but even here what you think will finish moderately chalky moves to soft-ish tannins at the perfect time. So many riojas are over top in the wood category or just so out of balance one way or the other. Everyone has heard of Rioja but have you really had a good one? Here's your chance without breaking the bank. I'd put this one up against the best or at least those considered the best. Maybe lacking a LITTLE finesse to be world class but damn close (can you use the word finesse with Rioja??). Drank in gulps with parmesan dusted NY style mushroom meatball mozzarella pizza from Peppino's in Athens, GA while watching Parenthood with my 17 YO daughter (who also pronounced the wine delicious). What a Tuesday night...thank you sir may I have another. Anyone really disappointed with this wine has WAY more money than me and is a spoiled brat. Geek out. — 10 years ago

Sasha Agapov

10

This is still one of the best everyday wines you can ever get. It's truly wonderful and a bottle never lasts for more than 15 minutes. Every sip is a miracle. — 12 years ago