Jay Kline

9.3

Last night, a buddy of mine who’s a Disabled Veteran and Registered Architect, announced that he was assuming control of a SDVOSB Architecture firm. He had spent the better part of a year of trying to reach a purchase agreement. So it was an evening of celebration. He’s been a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars fan for some time and he planned to pull the cork on a few bottles. We had a couple of rando bottles too but all were California Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the opening salvo and a very good one at that. Perfumed, lush, velvety fruit with lovely structure. Hugely quaffable and already drinking very well with a short decant but I think this is pretty characteristic of the 2014 vintage. — 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. — 8 years ago

Rob Mayes

9.7

Outstanding. Winner of the weekend. — 9 years ago

Nancy Bernstein

9.0

Love this — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

First, a person has to pause and realize how lucky they are to drink this wine from 3L. Thanks Clyde for opening. This is in a perfect stage. Such evolution, length, balance, structure. Love the lower 80's alcohol levels. It's rich, lush and near perfect. Dark cassis; ripe and resolved blackberries, dark cherries, black plum w/skin, mixed berry liqueur, tobacco leaf, leather so soft you would wish it as a pillow cover, dry pebbles, dark rich earth, perfect acidity and a rich, elegant, ripe dark fruit finish. In 3L, this wine still has 10-15 years. — 10 years ago

Kelsey Redd

9.0

Chardonnay: tropical fruit, butterscotch, pineapple, peach, nectarine. Oak character. Rich texture and a creamy mouth-feel. — 10 years ago

Kari Johnson

9.6

Smooth flavor, fruity, sweet but not too sweet — 11 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.7

Decanted for an hour, this was intensely aromatic with a complex melange of flavors--vanilla, figs, cherries, green olives, tobacco leaf, cinnamon, and chalky dust--while staying light on its feet with refreshing acidity, resolved, silky tannins, and medium body. Even at this price, I'd call this a value. — 12 years ago

DAL 9000

9.1

Very smooth initial flavor. Light bodied plummy that fills the nose with red berries after swallowing. More intense after it breathes. — 13 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.4

That’s how you finish a long work day. Sake, sandwiched between Negronis. — 7 years ago

with Tyson

Tobin Trevarthen

9.1

Distinct flavors. Dark black cherry. Chocolate and tobacco. Smell and taste the terroir. — 8 years ago

Zach Kouwe

8.9

Not that familiar with Zin but had a good mouthfeel, not much tannin, strawberry up front and was good with steak. — 8 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.0

Easy going and ever so enjoyable to drink. Red fruit is in the foreground with floral and some spicy notes backing it up. Balanced with a good structure and length. Some earthy complexity is developing in the glass which stimulates the more serious wine drinker. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Château La Nerthe dates back to 1560, records suggest it might even go back to the 12th century making it one of Châteauneuf’s oldest estates, located in the heart of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC region of France near Avignon. Ruby with aromas of red fruit. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault. The palate shows raspberries, plums, cherries and blackberries and hints of leather, spice and black pepper. Aged in oak, the wine was complex and elegant with smooth tannins, lingering finish. Nice! — 10 years ago

Matt Ryan

9.4

Cherries and leaf litter. Old school. Love it! — 10 years ago

Emily Voelkel

9.5

This is a $3 bottle of wine. I was almost ashamed until I tasted it. Is it the best? No. Is it amazing for the money? Yes. — 10 years ago

Eric

9.0

Rating may be influenced by prior bottles. Good not great. — 11 years ago

Megan Stockton

9.2

Acidity is intact and pulls the wine through. Tannins are softened but still evident. Notes of tobacco, tea leaf. — 11 years ago

with Michael

Nathaniel Mott

9.0

Just what I needed on a hot, humid day. None of the nuttiness of the Patrician Verona -- just crisp citrus and refreshing acidity. — 12 years ago

Pierre-Hugues Carmichael

9.9

Meilleur de la soirée! — 13 years ago

with Guillaume, Julien and 2 others

Michael Schamis

9.2

I feel that this is probably the best Pinot Noir producer out of the finger lakes although the competition is finally a good one. The nose has a wonderful aroma of currant a plum with undertones of spice including nutmeg and mulling spices. The palate is gorgeously light and elegant but still somewhat juicy at the same time. Flavors of plum, sour cherry and baking spice along with wonderfully balance acidity. The finish is soft and elegant with juicy fruit notes of lingering acidity. Wow... a great pairing for roasted pork. — 8 years ago

with Kati

William Hughes

9.3

Aging beautifully! Still loads of currant and lavender. Add a touch of iodine and some more black fruit, mix with lean tannins and fine acidity. Here is to Maryland wines! — 8 years ago

Luz Magpoc

9.2

23 May 2018 at Barnone, Cleveland OH — 8 years ago

Aaron Dornstreich

9.2

Just beginning to show edges of secondary, still young & structured. Savory, briar, leaf. Begging for food! — 9 years ago

Rose’s Cafe

9.1

Nice! Juicy with notes of oak and vanilla. 😀🍷 — 10 years ago

Sofia Horvath

9.1

Dusty cherry, tobacco leaf. Outstanding. — 10 years ago

Dana Buchanan

10

Love this one! Especially for the price!! — 10 years ago

Lili Brock

10

Excellent. Sweet but not overbearing. — 11 years ago

Mark Calkin

9.2

#wsetschool Deeply ruby coloured top level Rioja with large quantity of Graciano given it that deep intensity. Pronounced nose of black cherries, red currants and cranberries, with wet leaf notes. There are smoke and toast, cinnamon and cedar from its time in oak, and of course there are tertiary aromas from bottle ageing, like: tobacco, game, leather and dried fruits. This has medium (+) tannins and acidity and an excellent long finish. — 11 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

Just an amazing expression of Terroir, totally naked and brilliantly balanced, including dusty tannins and dito minerality, Syrah spice and a meat stock infused finish. Note to Self - Clos Saron rules! — 12 years ago