


Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.
The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.
The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 7 years ago
Color of dark purple, ruby, and a bit brown note on the rim. Nose of dark fruits, tobacco leaves, spice, and indeed some strawberry. Taste is sweet! Zest, cherry, , spice, marginal tannins come next. Quite milky. Aftertaste is also a bit spicy, tobacco leaves, and just a bit too watery. Too sweet for me but may be a good one in the party. — 7 years ago

Aug 2018 drinking at Anthonys Steak house — 8 years ago
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. — 3 years ago
Zwarte bessen, stevige body, klein zoetje in afdronk. Heerlijk met stoofvlees. — 5 years ago
The White Burgundy was excellent but, still have to have my BSR 375ml. It’s been awhile for us.
It is a little better tonight following the Burgundy & soft white cheese.
The nose on this bottle really flows out of the glass tonight. Beautiful lean fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp volcanic minerals, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals.
Everything on the palate sings just a little louder tonight as well. Fruits are even a little richer than normal. Ripe & slightly gummy not as normal leaner fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, cherries, strawberries, watermelon near the rind, blood orange, orange & tangerine & some pomegranate. Crisp and grippy, volcanic minerals, beautiful softer, powdery chalkiness w/o quite the sharper edge it normally has, soft, hints of Provence herbs, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, vanillin, whiff of caramel, soft white spice, pink flowers and rose pedals. The acidity is crisp, lively and dead on as alway. The long, rich, well balanced finish is deliciously refreshing and persists minutes.
Photos of; one of their Grand Cru Vineyards at sunset & inside and the Estate grounds of the House of Billecart, — 6 years ago
@Plate & Bottle Dinner
Dessert Course, Warm Berry Cobbler, House Made Vanilla, Lemon Verbena Ice Cream.
Amazing dessert. Pairing the cobbler with the Ruinart Rosé and the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve as well. Both good/appropriate for the dual aspects of the cobbler.
Dessert has blackberries and raspberries with lemon and crumble on top (tiny bit of cinnamon) and vanilla lemon verbena ice cream. There are flavors here that call for Rosé & Blanc de Blanc Champange.
Photos of, the dinner & our friends Jeff & Hedy beautiful backyard. — 7 years ago
I enjoy this red blend more than most and will continue to have a bottle on hand as it makes me happy. Not good enough? See other, longer, reviews if you want adjectives. Alternatively, buy a bottle and try it for yourself and share with a friend at a party. It’s a fan favorite for-a-reason. And that reason doesn’t have the word “berry” or “legs” or “mocha” — 8 years ago
2021 not to dry perfect — 3 years ago
A very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.
Bone dry on the palate, and full bodied with medium acidity.
Needs time to open up properly.
Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.
Wine Advocate 92 points.
Spicy and tangy finish with firm tannins.
14.2% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$43. — 6 years ago
Yummy as it opened up over four hours. Good particularly for a seven year old Napa Pinot. Spring Mt. — 7 years ago
I usually tend toward Pinot Noir, but when I want something just a bit bolder, Gamay hits the spot. I have really been enjoying this 2015 vintage. — 8 years ago
Vibrant, expressive, feminine. Superior biodynamic quality of fruit, not masked by oak. — 8 years ago
Gary Nishimura
Anniversary dinner at Summit House. Delicious!!! — 3 years ago