Highest Honor

Ermes Pavese

Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Prié Blanc

Revisiting an old friend. From one of Europe’s highest vineyards. Pure, clean citrus fruit hits you right away like a freshly melted alpine stream in spring. As the bottle warms up, unexpected tropical notes emerge - coconut and pineapple (aka nuances of piña colada). — a month ago

Ira, Joshua and 9 others liked this

Château Lafite Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1995

A lovely bottle of classic Lafite Rothschild. Ordered with old friends and new at Waldhaus Sils on the fourth anniversary of my father’s death. He was biased to Cabernet Sauvignon / Left Bank Blends, and appreciated his Lafite, even if he stopped buying them as prices got out of hand. 1995 was chosen in honor of the year that I met my friend Julian, with whom I have worked at two companies across 20+ years and now count as a dear friend and peer in our industry. The bottle was in great shape, likely bought en primeur and stored in the Alpine retreat’s cellars (tour tomorrow!). Oscar, the manager and sommelier has been at the Waldhaus for 32 years, so it was purchased in his early days. The tannins were very well integrated, with some dark fruits, delicious tobacco and cedar, and a long finish. — 2 years ago

Vino, Bob and 12 others liked this

Venge Vineyards

Scout's Honor Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Such a wonderful wine to enjoy on the weekend with friends. In Scouts Honor! Cheers!!! — 3 years ago

To Kalon Vineyard Co.

Highest BeautyTo-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Excellent drinking hitting the sweet spot. — 2 months ago

Dave and Stef liked this

Mount Peak Winery

Rattlesnake Zinfandel 2020

A tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, highest point of Monte Rosso Vineyard, famous for rattlesnakes living among the vines, seeking sunshine by day and coiling around the vines at night. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, tangy herb, pepper and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with black pepper spice, vanilla and earthy sweet herbs. Soft chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy oak. Nice! — a year ago

jesus, Daniel P. and 2 others liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Phenomenal wine and perfect accompaniment to a wonderful meal…..
However, this is usually one of our favorite (highest rated……by way of our very complex tasting algorithm 😉 ) wines of the year but for some reason this 2008 vintage was just missing something…..still great but not the best we’ve had
— 3 years ago

Neville Weston
with Neville
Eric, Vino and 4 others liked this

Vina O'Pucha

Rías Baixas Albariño 2018

From one of their highest plots. Pale lemon color with stone fruits, citrus and floral spice aromas, On the palate fresh apple and pear flavors with lemon citrus. Long finish, bright mineral notes come through on the ending. Nice! Consistent! Tried twice. — 4 years ago

Tom, Daniel P. and 3 others liked this

Vieux Château Certan

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Is the Parker 99-point 2009 VCC Worth Its Price?

From a scoring perspective, you might feel slightly disappointed upon opening it, but in terms of price, it likely aligns with expectations.

Having previously tasted a Parker 95-100-point Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, I found its complexity and aromatic depth more impressive than this wine—though the 99-point VCC is the highest score this estate has ever received from Parker.

After 30 minutes of decanting:
The wine showed dark fruit aromas (blackberry), along with primary, secondary, and tertiary notes—cigar box, leather, and truffle-but the tannins were still tight, indicating it wasn’t fully open.

After 2 hours of decanting:
The wine began to unfold, not with explosive aromas but with a refined, lingering profile.Beyond the initial notes, ripe plum, vanilla, and graphite emerged. However, compared to an older vintage of VCC I’ve tried (which had a rich dark chocolate character), this bottle lacked that particular depth.

The tannins turned silky and smooth, making it very approachable, while a savory umami note complemented the medium acidity. The body was beautifully clean and well-structured.
— 3 months ago

Dave and Jon liked this

Klein Constantia

Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Muscat à Petits Grains 2017

This is “will never forget the first time I tried it” level. Definitely greatest wine I’ve ever tasted in its category, possibly best sweet wine. Starts much paler than I expected, light gold. Nose is a journey, surprises with freshness, liveliness though with the highest concentration imaginable. White peach, white nectarine, lychee, rose water, intense white florals, an after-rain sense of freshness. On the palate yet another surprise: so much minerality (!!!) that the intensity gets carried by bright, almost riesling-like acidity and the insane amount of sugar is so well balanced that it’s barely noticeable until the crazy long finish. What a ride!!! — 2 years ago

De Toren

Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2014

Shay A
9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later.
— 4 years ago

Kimberly, Tom and 31 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Nice wine 🍷