Matt

9.2

Generous, silky, dense and holding onto its ripeness extremely well. Cannot imagine aging, love the approachability now. — 4 years ago

Carlo Maiorano

9.7

Hard to imagine a more well rounded, full bodied red. A high alcohol content disguised by a beautiful bouquet of flavor that assaults the taste buds. An immediate favorite. — 5 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.7

Very well balanced. This reminds me of Sierra Nevada celebration mixed with a tropical/citrus hazy of the moment. I can only imagine having this 10 years ago and being shocked with flavor similar to pliny. What makes this great for me is the excellent malt backbone that isn’t sweet or boozy. — 6 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Last of several bottles, 2005 vintage- still strong but perhaps some wear & tear. Still, an elegant (for Etna) wine, brick red in appearance, strong acidic backbone yet lithe in its medium body. Black fruits, no blueberries here, & the strong tannins are mostly integrated.I can imagine the Pinot comparisons, but feel this kind of Etna is even more unique. Has a slight petrol character, not unpleasant, reminds of a modern Alsatian Pinot noir. Nothing suave here either, but the in house aging & overall old school approach reminds too of old school Rioja like Lopez. Oh, & these sell for under 30$. Crazy. — 6 years ago

with Owen

Jim McCusker

9.4

Wow. A great wine from Cris Cherry at Villa Creek, this 2008 syrah/mourvedre/grenache blend is drinking absolutely perfectly right now. Really sweet nose of candied blackberries coupled with some earthy undertones. The tannins ate totally resolved and leave a sweet (but not cloying) palate that has an impressive amount of fruit for a 10-year-old wine. Not sure how much longer this will last given the tannin profile...but I also can’t imagine it drinking any better than it is right now. — 7 years ago

with Vanessa

Brent S

9.2

Bold and powerful. I imagine this was a complete fruit bomb originally, but after 7 years, this has softened up and become quite enjoyable. — 8 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Chenin ❤️‘ s botrytis

Unlike anything I’ve had nor was it what I was expecting. After the first sip (or the first pour), I had to set aside all previous experiences with Savienniéres. I mean—just look at that color.

Do not mistake the browning for oxidation (Nicolas Joly makes this distinction clear on the back label and on his website). The wine is developed, and there are oxidative notes, but the fruit flavors are still there, ripe and vibrant.

This is distilled essence of Chenin Blanc right here. Green apple, pear, apricot, beeswax, honey and almond. A dominant honey note but not sweet. White pepper and maybe a hint of ginger. That lanolin note hasn’t completely disappeared, but takes a back seat. Imagine a dry Sauternes…

Nicolas Joly recommends decanting and drinking over several nights. I skipped the first part of that recommendation and am working on the second this week.

Ordinarily, I’m not sure Joly would approve of my choice of “glassware,” but under the circumstances (birthday + oysters + a perfect afternoon watching the ocean mist rolling in over Tomales Bay) I have to imagine he’d be 100% on board.

Not bad for an 882nd consecutive vintage! — 4 years ago

Ryan Mullins

10

I can’t imagine how 79 year old Bordeaux could be more complete and beautiful. Lived at the winery until 2011. Amazing — 6 years ago

Greg Viola

8.9

Very drinkable plavac with lots of berries and raisins. Held up against a spicy red sauce, but imagine it could accompany something more delicate as well. Versatile and cheap...quite a combo! — 6 years ago

Deborah M

9.4

Drink this now. Just wow. Christmas Eve pull. Cinnamon and licorice. Well balanced and fully integrated. Nice legs on the glass. Great finish. Silky tannins. Can’t imagine this will get any better. Wish I had more. — 7 years ago

Mark S.

9.2

Sweat nose, making me imagine it has already been ready. But initially still feeling lots of tanning. More than one hour, very smooth and I am sure that it is quite higher level than 3rd one. Of course, 2010. 8 year's vintage. Excellent! @1750, Wineplus - , 180430-180615 — 8 years ago

Cathy Levy

9.3

Delicious now, but can’t imagine how much better it will be even later. — 8 years ago

Thomas Sorbo

9.4

2009 drinking perfectly and with the distinct Pisoni fruit. Hard to imagine a more enjoyable Pinot. — 9 years ago

JKT

8.9

Well made New world style wood infused dark red fruited balanced wine of half half Grenache and Syrah. Didn’t pair so well with Amah meat balls, kalbi but would have been good with steak. AA value 5! — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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10

The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 5 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Excellent, excellent montelena. This wine was subject to a flood during Hurricane Sandy but has held up very well. Really delicious example of Napa cab made in an old school style. Can’t imagine a better pairing for a steak. — 6 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.6

Disgorgement date April 2016. Like drinking stars... bright, light, ethereal... imagine grand cru burgundy with the tiniest pinprick bubbles gushing flavors of ripe pear and green apple... a true bargain if you can find it...absolute elegance and weightless brilliance. — 7 years ago

James Webb

9.6

First time trying the 2008 - Spectacular balance - power and finesse. Lemon brioche with the chalk even coming though on the nose. The palette is just grand - long and winding. Fresh acid but the mid and finish are soft and long. Hard to have sufficient words. Can’t imagine this in 10 years. — 7 years ago

Josh Weinstein

9.4

Still 15-20 years left in this bad boy! Can’t imagine how this tasted out of the barrel. — 8 years ago

with Evan and Kristen

Shay A

9.3

Needless to say, we slayed some dragons tonight. Let the birthday week continue!

This was the one wine that was poured blind from the evening. I guessed Napa (check), I guessed early 2000s (check), but figured it a petite sirah, mainly due to the amount of lively fruit in this! Since my experience with Caymus is limited to the 40th anniversary, you can imagine how my eyes were opened. At 16yrs old, this was blueberry pie, cassis, chocolate liquor and great oak integration. Tannins were PERFECT at this point. Open if you have it! — 9 years ago

with Mark