David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Leoville Barton is one of my favorite St. Julien producers and still one of the best values upon release of Left Bank Bordeaux’s. If my memory is correct, I think this was WS’s wine of the year a few years ago.

I haven’t had this since the release at UGC. It was so fresh then. It has definitely put on weight and showing some nice evolution. But, Anthony made his wines for the ages. This will rise 2-3 points with 20 years bottle age.

It is round and lush. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, blueberries, some creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Anise, light graphite, tobacco ash, leather, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, limestone marl, dark spice, dry herbaceous notes, hints of black olive, black licorice, dry stems, mix of dry & candied dark flowers, very nice round acidity and a well; balanced, structured, tensioned and polished finish that last minutes.

Would open this in 2032 and beyond. — 2 months ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

Here’s the thing: this is good wine. It’s dense, chewy, and structured. There’s a nice balance of red and black fruit, graphite, cedar, mushroom, soil, and just a touch of Brett funk. It’s fairly tannic, so probably best with food, but can still be enjoyed on its own. I would never be mad if I was offered this. I was lucky to take home an open bottle from a job tonight, but I think the price tag on this is ridiculous. — 2 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.6

A combination of nutty and citrus zest . Beautiful wine in her youth. I would keep this baby deep in the cellar for at least 5, maybe 10, years. Brilliant even by Cristal standards and may be among their best ever — 3 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

New Years bottle. No notes; exuberant red fruits, in balance. Still, I preferred a Bourgogne red at the table, as this not suited to my palate, feels somehow monolithic & uni dimensional — 4 months ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2023 fall. Very young - quite powerful and primary, even more so than usual at this stage, but I somehow enjoy that — 4 months ago

Kyle

9.2

Cant tell which varietal this is. I believe Zinfandel blend? Very bold. Not spicy, but not profile. Lots of oak. Enjoying with thick New York cut. — 5 months ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Absolutely delicious champagne. I think the only other Dom I’ve had from 04 was the metamorphosis. This is much nuttier - in a nice way. Fine bubbles, great mouthfeel, very long finish, good acid. Overall perhaps slightly less refined and deep than I was hoping, but still a treat. Nice pairing with a shrimp etouffe that I was inspired to make after a recent trip to New Orleans. — 6 months ago

Daniel M

9.3

After Bouland's Delys I had an immediate urge for Foillard's Côte du Py. Don't judge me...
Showing this to my best pal who lives in Dijon and who literally bathes in Burg. Pinot Noir. I think he likes it too😍.
Cola, cherry, hay, raspberry... Wow this nose doing its trick again. Massive acid backbone, radiant cherry all along with a bit of a Cola note, a bit of tannins in the rear, very gentle, and a super duper long fruity finish that goes on for a long long time. Who can seriously say they don't like it? — 6 months ago

Skip Smyser

9.6

Huge red fruit, soft tannins. An absolute baby with at least 20 years to evolve. Long lingering aftertaste on the mid pallet. Minerality and tannins will continue to become a bigger part of the taste profile. I won't try again for a few years. Huge upside. You can and should purchase while still available. A great addition to the wine cellar. Now that Phelps has sold it will be interesting to see what they do with Insignia.🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 months ago

with Jack

James Webb

9.4

This is wonderful - a nose of fresh ripe sweet red strawberry, morphs into some raspberry. Acid builds perfectly into a balance of fruit and acid with the prevailing strawberry note at the center. Finishes also fruity with just a tinge of green fruit but just a hint, and a I mean a hint, of chalk. This balances the finish beautifully. Really world class rose. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.6

#AgedWineTuesday

This is a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Full bodied and smooth.

Dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vegetables, coffee and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 23 year old is elegant and powerful. Rich and extracted, with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine. Well balanced with great complexity. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.

Robert Parker 98 points. Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.

A great quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

A blend of of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$400. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Beautiful ruby in color, with a very wide reddish rim. Bricking at the very top.

Light nose with red and black fruits, light cedar and tobacco leaf.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, currants, cherries, earth, black coffee, oak, herbs, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark chocolates and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 26 year old from the great 1998 vintage in Southern Rhone is drinking beautifully now. Soft and smooth, elegant and earthy.

Not so good right out of the bottle, and needed 90 minutes of airtime to open up properly, so be patient.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 94 points.

Will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Showing nice complexity and good balance.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

14% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$120 (current vintage). — 3 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2008 Cheval Blanc is one of the go-to wines of the vintage. Now at 15 years old, it has retained the energy and focus it displayed from the outset: black fruit, crushed stone, wilted violet petals and touches of forest floor cohere wonderfully in the glass. The Cabernet here is more expressive. The palate has a slight chewiness on the entry, but it "relaxes" in the glass. It shows off its delicate lattice of tannins and perhaps a bit more backbone than I have observed on previous bottles. It's very intense on the finish where, as before, the Cabernet Franc takes charge. Superb. Keep it another three to four years if you can. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

I’ve often struggled to appreciate Beaucastel, particularly when young. However, the more often I drink older Beaucastel, I find myself slowly starting to understand why these wines are so important.

Opened about two hours prior. The 2001 Beaucastel pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Strawberry preserves, leather, bacon fat, and some chicory. On the palate, medium tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Is this the most powerful expression of Chateauneuf du Pape? No. But it’s balanced, complex and it makes me think and I like that.

As a sort of epilogue, I was able to enjoy this bottle with someone who drinks old Beaucastel more regularly than I do. He described this bottle as being one that is in-between plentitudes; which makes sense as some of the tertiary characteristics are beginning to show themselves. Subsequently, you can drink now but this will likely enter a new dimension in the next few years. — 4 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 6 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️

The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.

Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 6 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Krug is always most welcome, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This is edition 169. A bit more yeasty and slightly less acidic than previous versions, to my taste. But if you like the Krug style - which we do very much - it hits the spot per usual.

My wife used to work with Fritz Hatton, proprietor of Arietta wines and auctioneer for Zachys. Fritz always says to have a half bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge in case you need a “midnight snack”, and I have to agree with him! — 3 years ago

Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

9.1

Made from the classic varieties of the Penedès region, the elegant 2012 L’Hereu plays richness off of vivacity with a sure hand. It delivers the complexity and balance of Champagnes costing double the price and pairs well with both delicate and fully flavored foods. (JR)
— 7 years ago

Scott T

VP/Senior Wine Specialist Christie's

9.3

Very nice! However I think the '90 Cos edged it tonight. 89's tannin is more apparent, not quite as much flesh covering the structure. Still, very high quality indeed — 10 years ago

Vanessa

9.8

What a special treat!!! So enthralled by the moment that I forgot to take a photo with the dessert last night. 😜 This wine was stunning! Layered, complex, balanced. Pronounced and concentrated notes of dried apricot, peach preserves, marmalade, orange zest, Meyer lemon peel, citrus blossom, gardenia, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, lavender honey, and beeswax. It coated the palate with a lasting finish. Again, such an absolute treat!! — 2 months ago

with Deked1, J and 1 other

Brett Francis

9.5

This was fantastic, strong, and yet still seemingly understated. Although I am no fortune teller, this seemed strong and young. I couldn’t place all the flavors I experienced, but to my palate there was raspberry, blackberry, smoked meats, soil after a rain, and portobello mushroom all matched with a beautiful color to stare at between sips. Long pauses to enjoy the long finish. — 3 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.9

Deep garnet color; graphite, blackberries, and oak on the nose; medium acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like casis, crushed gravel, and leather with a long finish. It may be a little past prime, but it still has a little fruit. Best wine I've ever had. Nellie, Leslie, Ana, Sanjay, Jason H., Jason D., Desiree, Maddie, Ryan, Jose, Thy, and I loved it! — 4 months ago

with Jason, Nellie and 3 others

Ming L

9.0

Probably my least favorite entry level NV bottling from the large houses, but this has some bottle age (judging from the cork maybe about 5 years after release?), and it shows. Bubble is a bit mellow than I can remember. There is hint of dried fruit that make it more interesting. Really nice development. — 4 months ago

Justin Michel

9.4

Frankrijk top wijn leuk label — 5 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.0

1949 vintage (!!!). Very special half bottle, but more than half the volume lost to evaporation. Opened this gem at Totoraku yesterday to go with two full bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 1996 and 1952 (!!). This Temple of Beef demands special occasion wines. Cork fell apart in the bottle so we poured it all in a decanter but did not wait to sip. Pale strawberry-orange color, surprising tart fruit nose, supremely delicate taste with just a bit of fruit and life left. Not the best bottle on the table but certainly not the undrinkable. Interesting experience. Would gladly do it again in the name of science. Oldest Red Bordeaux I have ever tasted. — 5 months ago

Paul J

9.4

Wow! Thanks to Steve K for sharing the retirement wine I got him. Decant for 3+ hours. Dark red color with ample bricking. Rustic, Bordeaux like on the nose and palate. Lost some depth but lovely texture and the age shows nicely. — 6 months ago

with Brooke

Jacqui Hogans

9.3

What can I say about this wine that hasn’t already been said about Concorde, AGA ranges, or the second season of “The Sopranos?” — 6 months ago

with Dave

NFL Wine Guy

9.1

2017 Marcel Lapierre Morgon in the House!
Did you know that Morgon is the second largest Cru (group of vineyards) in Beaujolais after Brouilly?
Yea anyway.... This Full Bodied Gamay was dope🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Deep Garnet, Red fruit on the nose like cherry or pomegranate.
I get plum, & nectarine/peach.
Nice finish !
I’d give it around 91 points.
#morgon #beaujolais #frenchwine #gamay #france #france🇫🇷 #wine #winetasting — 5 years ago

Jon Grauman

10

Perhaps the best bottle of wine I have ever had! Pure perfection! Elegant, rich, perfectly balanced, huge aromas, still tons of fruit, and a finish that's still lingering. Better still, I enjoyed this bottle at Martin Berasetegui in San Sebastián, a 3 star Michelin restaurant. Outstanding!! — 9 years ago

Patrick Forde

8.9

Dark Pinot, med to heavy body, slightly smokey, smooth, I like it. $18 — 11 years ago