Isaac Pirolo

9.4

This recently caught my eye, mostly because it was a $75 bottle of rosé — it’s rare to come across any rosé more than $40 (aside from Champagne), but also because of its distinctive design (I should’ve trademarked the drip).

The origin of Château Minuty dates to the early 18th century. The Matton-Farnet family has owned the estate since 1936, with its third generation, brothers Jean-Etienne and François Matton currently at the helm.

The Château’s vineyards are situated on limestone and schist hills outside the Provençal village of Gassin and overlooking the bay and city of Saint-Tropez. They exclusively produce rosé.

For their cuveé 281, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault, the Mattons enlisted Hubert de Malherbe to design the bottle, who worked on several Veuve Clicquot designs as well as Dior perfume bottles and stores. The blue is said to represent the Mediterranean Sea and sky, both of which have significant influence in shaping the wine’s character. The exact shade of blue is Pantone 281.

The wine opens with melon, citrus peel, and stone fruit, all of which translate through to the palate. That’s where the intensity ratchets up, with pungent, rocky minerality set against a backdrop of herbs and a generous seasoning of sea salt. Everything melds together before taking the long ride home on a bright beam of acid. Superb. — 7 years ago

WPO

9.7

another night w George at the helm! — 8 years ago

with Jessica

Brett Pinkin

9.3

By far the best vintage Three Sticks has produced, courtesy of famed winemaker Bob Cabral at the helm now. Keeps getting better! @threesticks @Prema Behan — 9 years ago

with Prema

Chris Johnson

9.3

Well made and drinking wonderful. Sebastiani Cherry Block will not be the same now that winemaker Mark Lyon is leaving after nearly 40 years at the helm. — 9 years ago

Rob Moose

9.0

Strong showing for this 7-year-old. Nose hits Chablis notes that I appreciate, while suggesting more orchard fruit and arriving with a more delicate and round mouthfeel. Happy to have purchased and consumed!! Helm PHL — 9 years ago

Jerry Raphael

9.0

Nice berries and spice on the nose. A bit light in taste but in balance and just got better with some richness in the finish. Great with another excellent dinner at Helm — 9 years ago

with Barbara

Christine Havens

9.3

Kapcsándy Family Winery found its place in the sun when it launched, with Helen Turley at the helm. She's since moved on, but Kapcsándy continues to garner 100 point scores from Robert Parker. Certainly, the 2007 State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée is both multifaceted and voluptuous with layers of cola, black cherries, blackberries, butterscotch, espresso grounds, smoke, and tar. It's still tightly wound, with firm tannins drenched in black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, peppercorns and sun dried tomato. — 10 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.2

Black plum, a touch of mint, and unsmoked cigar on the nose, classic lush, sexy body with nice acid and well rounded tannins. A touch of spicy rye and loads of dense fruit on the palate.. Rolland at the helm makes this a steal for the money. — 10 years ago

Vik

9.2

Very nice cab sav, goes down smoothly, hint of bitterness but it's good. — 11 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

10

Pretty awesome wine, made while Tim Mondavi was still at the helm, has the power and finesse that only exists in classic Napa, green characters, red fruits, black fruits, vanilla oak, tannin, body, length, acid, the whole package. — 12 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.2

The Mullins family made their first vintage of Balo in 2009, after several years of selling their fruit. Following a string of all-star winemakers (Jason Drew and Anthony Filiberti, Alex Crangle is now at the helm, crafting tremendous Pinots from their estate property. The 2015 offers a juicy and broad expression of this middle sector of the Anderson Valley. Concentrated and pliant black fruit flavor - huckleberry, ginger, black cherry, sarsaparilla, and tarragon - it tastes medieval in its primal, earthen tones. — 7 years ago

Scott Rowe

8.9

With an Aussie winemaker at the helm this is very reminiscent of wines from closer to home.
Think Barossa Valley.
American oak, sundrenched fruit, high ABV. — 7 years ago

with Chris, Robert and 2 others

Jim McCusker

9.4

Totally surprised by the quality of this wine. This is the second vintage of Revana, I believe (with Heidi Barrett at the helm of the winemaking operation). The depth of this is impressive. If you read Heidi's notes from 2006, they apply 100% to how this wine is drinking now. Beautiful nose of cassis, tobacco, black cherry, and leather on the edge. On the palate, all of the aromas are there in addition to a wonderful dark chocolate flavor that persists throught the mid-palate and on to a seamless finish. I can't imagine this wine drinking any better than it is right now. A fantastic testament to the ability of CA cabs to age and achieve levels of complexity that make them worth the wait. Fantastic. — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

Brian Schmaltz

9.3

Gerorge III from 2012 with MSmith at the helm? Can't go wrong — 9 years ago

Rob Moose

9.2

This is great wine. Needed some time and I want to hold my additional bottles but this served me well tonight! Helm — 9 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.3

Wine of the Night. And worthy of the complete spelling. That nose is like no other. Very few people make Chinon caliber Cab Franc in CA. I wish more people did. Thanks for taking the helm Jeff. Swish. — 9 years ago

Max Coane

9.6

Second vintage with Jermey at the helm. All stems all glory — 10 years ago

Ilya Genkin

9.5

Deep and dark red crimson colour. Rich blackcurrant, blackberries and plums on the nose with chocolate, liquorice, herbs and spices, followed by vanilla oak. The palate is full of sun-touched dark berries with supple tannins. Dry and savoury, well balanced lovely wine. Very elegant matured wine and it's already ready to consume now. Outstanding. — 10 years ago

Julia Weinberg

9.1

Napa SBs may be out of my wheelhouse, but with Dan Petroski at the helm, acidity & freshness are givens. Super. — 11 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.0

great northern rhone surah fro the father of Condrieu who saved Viognier from extinction now his daughter Christine is holding the helm now balanced and spiced elegant — 12 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

Think: Phenomenal Cotes du Rhone made from high caliber Washington fruit, with a Master of wine (Bob Betz) at the helm. Highly, highly recommend. — 12 years ago

with Beth and Robert

Mike R

9.3

I am certain that my posse will smoke me tonight as they are at napa valley premiere auction so @David L @Joe Lucca and @ADAM STROMFELD go ahead do so - so damn jealous

I decided to pull this as I know it delivered in the past on other vintages so here we go

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 950 Cases produced

This has so many things it is hard to put them all in but taste vanilla, cherries with notes of toasty oak, espresso and a chocolate twist.

This baby has structure and is a true mid-palate cab with fine tannins with a looooong finish

This is essence of Big Bold and Beautiful and a really true statement of a Napa cab with a great winemaker at the helm as I feel Robert Foley is in my opinion am underrated wine maker

The smell contains aromas of sweet blackberries, cassis, forest floor, and spring flowers- this baby jumps from the glass to show you what a full-bodied, opulent, structured wine should be - textured, layered mouthfeel displays absolutely no burn - it is so ready to drink so enjoy and mindful that this might have another 5 years left

All smiles tonight — 7 years ago

Craig Mitchell

8.9

Plenty of flinty minerality and acid, maybe lacking a smidge of fruit flavour? — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

This is the Cab Franc, not the CS. 100 cases produced, with Grant Long, Jr at the helm. Bombastically rich black fruit of plums and blackberry, with chocolate and chili pepper seasoning. Hedonistic. — 8 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

Opening night of the Bastion, patron selected, five course, back room restaurant in Nashville. Feeling very privileged and fortunate to be under the guidance of sommelier extraordinaire Chelsea and the staff of passionate chefs behind the round with Josh at the helm. I am not popping my collar but I have been lucky enough to have purely memorable meals in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Italy, France, and in the US. Bastion, with praise, lands on my Olympic podium of memorable meals. Visit soon. I see only 22 seats in the room. — 9 years ago

Jay Boberg

9.2

One of winemaker Dave Paige's first vintages at the helm is drinking great. Who says Oregon Pinot can't last? This bottle not even peaking — 9 years ago

with Paul

Jeff Chaney

9.3

Pretty sure J. Alban was still at the helm this vintage-shockingly beautiful wine out of magnum tonight. — 10 years ago

Ilya Genkin

9.2

Pale straw colour. Lifted with tropical fruits, lime, flowers and minerality. Clean and crisp citrus acids with green apple and grapefruit on the palate. Long dry finish. Very good. — 10 years ago

Simon de Pass

9.2

14 year old vines as it states on the back label. Pretty simple but it's all in balance and to taste preserved lemon and sherbet which I love. 92/100 — 10 years ago

Erin Pooley

Owner/Winemaker Good Luck Wines

10

I picked the fruit that made this wine for one of my (then almost) husbands good friends. And now one of my favourite ladies is at the helm and I couldn't be more proud! — 11 years ago

with Ross