Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

They are the King’s of Champagne for a reason.

Beautiful mousse. Both yellow & white stone fruits, tropicals, lime & lemon zest/pulp, green & red apple, cream to whipped cream, ginger skin, grey volcanics-limestone minerals, white spice, taunt chalk, baguette crust, sea fossils/foam, white spring flowers, yellow lilies, excellent acidity, balance, structure, tension & elegance for days with a finish that ends balanced on fruit & minerality.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — a year ago

Alexa Ignaczak

9.3

Moving on to the red — 9 years ago

with Courtney and Phillip

Miguel A. Nistal

9.0

I love Stags Leap and this one is crazy reasonable and so good. Cherry flavored, soft on pallet. Beautiful wine. — 11 years ago

with Miguel

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

The first couple times I tried 08 I was definitely too quick to judge. It needs a ton of air, and it’s different from the rich, oxidative, nutty house style of the past, particularly the warm and ultra forward 2006, the previous release. 2008 is indeed young, tightly wound with a pulsating core of energy.

The first glass offers very little. Subdued, austere and youthfully reserved. But ensuing pours eventually unleash its core of powerful clean orchard fruit, coffee bean and grilled nuts. On the palate it continues to become so much more textural with crazy gains in weight, depth and fruit intensity as the night goes on. It really fills the mouth, saturating the palate with a satin-like texture, ripping citrusy acids and saline laced minerals that follow deep into its finish. Enjoyable now with enough air (needs 2 hours), but no doubt one to hold. To live forever. — 4 years ago

Andrew Willingham

9.0

dark red with white rim variation. Smoky black pepper on the nose, sauvage/animal. Palette sees lots of dirty funky animal/cured meat. Almost bitter finish. — 10 years ago

Alex in NYC

8.9

Barnyard, mulch on nose, pretty funky, sour cherry, blackberry, raisin, some spice, good, long, grippy finish — 12 years ago

Keith Lite

9.5

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 7 years ago

with Bruce

Jon Ruyle

9.1

Nice. Big fruit, but not as ripe as what I expected from a barossa Shiraz. Evolved with air. Finish only slightly herby. — 8 years ago

with Eugene

Mark Royer

9.1

A bit heavy on the oak but full and rich — 11 years ago

Kelly Keene

9.5

Very bold, strong, long finish, good. NOT as good after opened for awhile — 12 years ago