Amy Evans

9.8

Found this during our recent move, and were worried it was bad when the cork was cracked. Best bottle of merlot we have had! Full-bodied. Delicious! — 6 months ago

John Tan

9.3

Sorn. Rich, ripe fruit nose. Beautiful dark golden colour. Medium sweet, textured, complex.

The Fallers’ 2009 Pinot Gris Altenbourg (from lower-lying, non-grand cru parts of that site) introduces a sense of primary juiciness and buoyancy relative to its Saint Catherine counterpart, with only a bit over 14% alcohol and prominent residual sugar. Overripe peach, musk, black truffle, and orange are the prominent elements of this decadently rich, satisfyingly long Pinot Gris likely to be best drunk over the next 3-5 years. (No Cuvee Laurence was produced from this vintage.) Both 2008 and 2009 were clearly challenging at Domaine Weinbach, many of their wines from the latter illustrating that vintage’s weaknesses. (Catherine and Collette Faller elected not to present me their – admittedly, at the time not yet officially approved – 2009 vintage V.T. and S.G.N. bottlings.) Harvesting at this estate is generally on the late side and in this instance continued until October 20, which I hypothesized while tasting might have been a bit too late for such nearly uniformly ripeness as seems to have prevailed by late September of 2009. The first vintage from this estate that I tasted as young wine was 1979 (‘though I did not visit until 1984), so I’ve experienced a full range of collections from cool, late growing seasons such as have nowadays become scarce; but only from a couple of genuinely ripeness-deficient vintages of the 1980s, and then again from 1996, can I recall acid levels as prominent as those harbored by the Weinbach 2008s, and this has rendered some of them youthfully severe or nervous, though one hopes and indeed expects that the best will calm down, round out, and harmonize over time, without losing their vivacity, focus, and in some instances power. Don’t be misled by the scores I have assigned to this 2008 collection: really, a question mark hangs over them all because it’s how these wines respond to bottle age which will determine the verdict that matters. A look at the 1996s provides some tantalizing clues but little confidence. Some 1996s have evolved beautifully, while others seem caught in a time warp, their agitated, faintly aggravating adolescent Sturm und Drang almost unseemly for their age. With all this in mind I recently revisited a bottle of 1981 Weinbach Gewurztraminer V.T. – a wine whose residual sugar was lower than that of most non-V.T. Gewurz at this address today, and whose acidity in youth was formidable – and that wine was spectacular. And as you’ll see from my notes, Gewurztraminer is the most likely candidate for stardom in the 2008 Weinbach collection. (For considerable detail on the slope origins of the many Weinbach cuvees, consult my reports in issues 188 and 175.) I can’t resist noting that suggested retail prices for the most recent releases are little more than half what I was being quoted as recently as three vintages ago, making the best of the current crop especially worthy of wine lovers’ attention, even though neither 2008 nor 2009 is among this illustrious domaine’s most consistently successful collections. — a year ago

Andrew Schirmer

8.9

Solid weeknight southern red blend, well-made if lacking the complexity of its illustrious big brother. Nice fruit, minerals, legs—would benefit from another year or two in the cellar. Decanted 6 hours. — 3 years ago

with Alsu

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Wow, this is interesting coming from the illustrious Far Niente. Nice round, chewy, cab. Approachble, 40 bucks. Quite the sweet spot. I will rebuy and put it through my full process. Alc comes across a bit hot. But otherwise, very good.

92 points — 9 months ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Well this is just about damn perfect. First things first, the cork was in excellent condition. The color of this baby is glorious. A dark golden illustrious color in the glass. A bit of diesel gas on the nose initially but that fades rather quickly. The nose here is outrageous with plenty of floral notes and well defined fruit. Brown sugar and cinnamon, pineapple and stones. The citrus fruit comes through over time.

I don’t want to be too effusive in my praise of this gem but it’s hard not to. Sexy and showing so much depth at this stage. In tip top condition and evidently with much more time left, this is drinking so well right now. The acid still shows a bit and the sweetness level is optimal. More wet rocks and still lively fruit on the palate. Long sumptuous finish with just the faint whisper of warm spice. This Riesling captured me a little bit, and I like that. Gorgeous. — 2 years ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.6

2nd day on this one👍🏼

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, the fruit for the 2019 The Bard fetches from Calistoga to Coombsville, including portions from illustrious vineyards such as Dr. Crane, Moonracer, Houyi and Larkmead. — 2 years ago

Ryan Kravitz

9.0

delicious salinity minerality great with the homemade garlic ginger chicken pulls your socks right off from the top. illustrious maneuvers abstracted twirls for a luscious taste — a year ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Located just outside the walls of the illustrious Clos St. Jacques, Rousseau’s old-vine 2009 Cazetiers is fabulous tonight showing serious power, intensity and concentration, yet remaining impeccably balanced and detailed. It’s super expressive and aromatic with deep layers of ripe black fruit, tea leaves, violets and exotic spice. The palate is pure silk with balanced acids, vibrant energy and a mineral laced finale that keeps on going. Just ~10 cases of Cazetiers are imported to the US per vintage. Special wines… — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Similar tasting notes to previous note in July 2018 with mulberry and herbs. An easy drinking Margaret River Cabernet from a good vintage. Great value at around $40 compared to its illustrious neighbours but also lacking the finesse and complexity of those $120+ wines. — 2 years ago

Ron from VA

9.1

It took a day, but I finally pegged the very distinct profile of this terroir/build combo: Lodi Zinfandel that is brooding and lacking clarity/crispness of black cherry fruit. So, that is just the taste-like reference. The blend is both compelling and illustrious of Jumilla’s verve. 15$ is a great value - punches at twice the price. What is unique: the high, roof of the mouth tannin effect and the subsequent long sinus-driven finish. Almost the Ricola of wines ;) — 3 years ago