ESF

9.3

Purchased at winery: legit Priorato here with that schisty style, took forever to open, disintegrated cork, and I almost lost hope - eventually yielded stunning eclectic & complex nose of dusty minerals, cherry & blackberry compote, medicinal, spice, a hi-toned note, really evolving. Smooth rich luxurious on palate, great density & mouthfeel, tons of minerals & red & black fruit w/just enough acidity to balance it all out. Persistent finish. This isn’t their hi end bottling, and it isn’t Clos Mogador or anything like that, but this is absolutely Priorato with some more life ahead. — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Rich and full! Aromas and flavors of dark raspberry, tobacco and coffee. Hint of black pepper and vanilla on the long lasting finish. Big, Ripe and tannic. Pleasant surprise. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

With BBQ Chicken & Roasted, Rosemary Potatoes on opening night of the D&S Lounge.

John Alban’s wines remind me most of all the California producers/versions of North Rhone or Côte-Rôtie wines. Côte-Rôtie translates into for us as “Roasted Slope.” I assume that’s why his craft was dubbed as the “Original Rhône Ranger.”

Although this has the roasted characterizations of those wines, this certainly has more ripe, ruby style fruits. Also, more purple & blue fruits.

John’s higher end wines, Reva & Pondora remind me of the a French producer, Rostaing. Those two vineyard productions more closely mimic the Rostaing style.

The Patrina is a good intro into Alban wines. You can tell it is a direct descendant but, for far less money. The others are better but, this carries the best wine value in their line up.

The nose reveals; roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, limestone & volcanic minerals, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender.

The body is; lush, ruby, big and like velvet. The tannins are round but, still pack, chewy, tarry, meaty tannins that are 45-50% resolved. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a good place but, will hit a peak in five to seven years. The 2010 Patrina still has room for improvement and will last another 10-15 years. It is simply wine candy. Roasted & candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, creamy raspberries & blue fruits. Used, French expresso roast grounds, anise to black licorice, purple fruit cola, coarse, ground, black pepper, dark spices with just the right amount of palate heat, grilled meats, chestnuts, fresh tobacco leaf, cigar smoke, dry stems, dry crushed rocks, moist clay, limestone & gritty volcanic minerals, dry stone, bay leaf, some sage, black tea, black olives, Steeped black tea, bandaid notes, saddle-wood to cedar, graphite notes with dark, fresh & withering, red, blue & purple candied florals, violets framed in a field of candied lavender. The acidity is phat & round. It holds the slightly elevated alcohol level nicely. The finish is excellent & consistent wire to wire. It’s long, ruby, candied fruits with just the right balance of earth that persists endlessly.

Just misses 9.4.

Photos of; the best room in our house for 6+ months of the year, our backyard. Aka, the D&S Lounge on Memorial Day Weekend 2020. — 6 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Girl computer Cru Bourgeois. You guys. Get into the Cru Bourgeois it doesn’t mean you are bougie (which Merriam-Webster just decided to include in their dictionary so if you don’t know what I mean...look it up), it just means you have high standards and a way with bargains. Consummate old world. It’s all like hi I’m all dark berries and black currant and violets and we’ve been having a party with our buddy tar but hidden in a pencil box because we are supes into graphite. Fuck this ink nonsense we like stones and lead. This wine is badass but it really would like some food too methinks. Earth and cassis. I’d very much like a mushroom pizza on the side. — 8 years ago

Dave Olson

8.9

First of the 2016 vintage for me. Same blend as 2015 (65% Malbec 18% cab franc 17% Merlot). Seems a bit jammier and a bit smoother than 2015. — 8 years ago

Natalia Ignatenko

10

Amazing wine served in Hisa Franko. — 5 years ago

Michael Burns

9.4

Lemon, grass, passion fruit, great texture — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; sour lemons, green apple skin, green apple Jolly Rancher, lime zest to candy, pineapple juice, underripe green melon, white peach, honeysuckle, some fresh, green herbs, white spices, cream, notes of melted butter, caramel notes, hints of vanillin, cream, some candle wax, steely flintiness, saline, sea fossils, powdery beautiful, chalkiness, limestone minerals, grey volcanics, fruit blossoms, spring flowers, jasmine & yellow florals.

The body is; a touch waxy, full, rich, round, lush & gorgeous. Great viscosity, tangy & sour lemons, green apple skin, green apple Jolly Rancher, lime zest to candy, pineapple juice, underripe green melon, white peach, honeysuckle, honeycombs, some fresh, green herbs, white spices, caramel notes, hints of vanillin, cream, steely, flintiness, white spices, mint, saline, sea fossils, powdery chalkiness, limestone minerals, grey volcanics, river stones, tree bark w/ just a touch of sap, fruit blossoms, spring flowers, jasmine & yellow florals. The acidity is like a rushing, fresh water Colorado river. The long; gorgeous, sexy, polished, elegant, finely balanced finish is excellent wire to wire and persists minutes.

Beautiful wine & vintage. It’s about 3-5 years away from 94 & has 10-15 years of good drinking ahead. Properly stored of course.

Quite good with Lamb Chopper harder white cheese & Rustic Bakery Rosemary & Olive Oil Organic Flatbread & the Jasper Hill Willoughby soft white cheese with the Firehook flatbread crackers.

Photos of; Domaine William Fevre, their Bougros Vineyard, Winemaker- Didier Séguier and the entrance to William Fevre. — 6 years ago

Aravind A

9.6

I picked this bottle up and put it down trying to decide if tonight was a special-enough occasion. In the end, glad I leaned this way. Perfectly mature, and better than.my past btl from a bit over a year ago. Helped to warm up a couple of degrees above cellar temp. On the nose: damp earth, floral perfume, touch of brown sugar, black raspberry, tea leaves, asian spice...a panoply of flavors. On the palate, lovely acidity, tart cherry, great density, hi-toned wild strawberry, mineral notes, sea salt..fantastic complexity. Tannin still showing grip on the finish, but this is perfect aged red burg for my palate. — 6 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.1

Stunning color...refreshing without heaviness... — 7 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.2

Saba from Obama (Fukui) / This elegant Kuheiji/yamadanishki gift from Labo members. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

As I evaluate my wine purchases over time, I consider; quality, pleasure and the price of the bottle of wine. Specifically, how good is the wine vs. the price and others that I’ve had that are certainly better wines but cost over $70-$500 more? In this case, are they worth 3 to 14 times more money? I find the answer more often than not, no. I feel this way about the Heitz & Joseph Phelps regular Napa wines over their higher priced wines for sure. And, many other high end producers. This wine was under $35 and it’s delicious without having reached its peak.

On the nose, stewed; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals.

The body is medium full, rich and elegant. The tannins are round, fine and nicely resolved. It’s seamless wire to wire. The structure, tension, length and balance are starting to really jell. stewed, ripe; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries, creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark spice, dry stems, used leather, tobacco leaf, graphite, touch of mocha & caramel, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals. The acidity is near perfect. The finish is beautiful and last minutes. Still a lot of life in the 08...another 10 years plus.

Photos of; the side of their tasting room, transiting Winemaker David Heitz. Still disappointed a Napa pioneering family sold to a corporation. Tasting room terrace, old school basket press and a wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2005 such an amazing vintage.

The 05 Pipeau is a bottle that I’ve looked at in my EuroCave for awhile & have passed on it for bigger name producers. But, not tonight w/o disappointment. Especially, for $25 a bottle upon release.

It took a small glass & a few sips to get there. I’m there now.
.
Ruby, Claret in a classic style.

Showing the beauty of the age & vintage. Ruby, inky, ripe, slightly candied; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, raspberries, dried strawberries & notes of dry cranberries. Dry top soils, dark, rich, forest floor, river stones, dry tobacco, graphite, dark, grey volcanics, limestone/sandstone, anise to black licorice, dark, sweet tarriness, dry, dark dates, steeped tea with dark, withering florals that are also, red, purple and red. The acidity is mountain, cool, stream like and elegant finish that set nicely wire to wire with persistence.

Good first look and will drink well for another 15 years with proper storage.

Allen Brothers Ribcap...10 — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.0

A very nice.summer syrah. On the nose: loads of red berry fruit, a touch of oak spice, cola, very bright and still very primary. On the palate: loads of cracked black pepper spice, hi-toned red fruit, juicy and weightless. Juicy on the finish, which shows just a touch of finely grained tannin. Very nice for drinking now. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

@Delectable can you please add the 2003 vintage. I keep getting error message 2000.

It’s a very good night when you have an Allen Brothers Ribcap and an older Pichon Lalande. It is my favorite beef pairing. The 03 is just starting to move into its good phase. I would not open another 03 for at least 5 more years and has another 10 plus years of good drinking ahead.

I decanted it for about 2 1/2...could have used another half hour. Once it was fully open, the body was elegant and the tannins like velvet. The ripe black raspberries & raspberries led the rush onto the palate. Followed by; blackberries, dark cherries and a little strawberries on the long set. Gentle earth of; stones, clay & loamy dry soil, fresh tobacco, graphite, suede style leather, some dark spice, understated baking spices of; vanillin, cinnamon, nutmeg and just a dash of clove. Dark, red, purple & some blue florals. The acidity was excellent. The creamy, velvety, elegant, well balanced in fruit and earth was harmonious wire to wire.

The pairing causes my eyes to roll and let out an mmmmm.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, stainless steel tanks, side garden area of the chateau and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Conrad Green

9.2

Hi toned with great acid and bright floral fruit. Excellent — 6 years ago

with Bex

Dave Olson

8.9

The first of the 2017 vintage.
Nice, but a bit rougher than the earlier vintages. Still a good deal at the price — 7 years ago

Monica Jones

9.3

Very good! I would have it again 😁 — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Happy National Wine Day! 🍷🥂🎉🎊

I haven’t had this 08 in about 3-4 years. I had four bottles then and drank them faster than I imagined it was just that insanely delicious. This Hendricks 08 Santa Lucia Pinot Noir is in the top two CA Pinot’s I’ve enjoyed. I found two bottles recently on auction for a ridiculous $40. When it’s sold in futures at the Hope & Grace tasting room it’s $75 and $90 upon release.

The nose reveals slightly baked; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries & strawberries. Some of the most beautiful spice on the nose mine has come across. It’s slightly sweet, dark with a touch of incense. Crushed powdery limestone, savoriness, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets.

The body is medium and flat out gorgeous. Its flows & dances over the palate. It’s a sexy wine. Wire to wire this wine doesn’t disappoint. Ripe and slightly candied; dark cherries, blackberries, blue fruits, lots of plum, black plum, cherries, some black raspberries, pomegranate, dry cranberries & strawberries. Beautiful dark spice with heat that lifts off the palate, nicely soft baking spices, incense crushed dry rock & powdery limestone, some rich, moist, dark earth, savoy meats, dry stems, spice, cola/licorice, blue & red fresh florals with violets. The acidity is spectacular. The length, structure and balance have hit its peak. The finish is; rich, ripe, the definition of elegance, perfectly balanced and doesn’t end. It just goes on & on.

Photos of; Santa Lucia vines, Winemaker-Charles Hendricks doing the heavy lifting in the cellar l, grapes waiting to be crushed and the Hope & Grace tasting room in Yountville where this wine is sold. Charles is the Winemaker for Hope & Grace as well. — 8 years ago