Will Stanley

9.4

The 2016 Chateau Musar, the winery’s latest vintage on release, is much less forthcoming on the nose than the 2013 and ‘15 that I’ve tried recently, despite - or perhaps because of - the fact that the Hochars consider 2016 to be a successful and very ageworthy vintage.

The nose is quite dense and tightly wound, much like a left bank Bordeaux presents in its youth, not yet revealing its cards besides aromas of cedar, steeped plum, smoked beef and cinnamon. The palate, however, is open for business - powerful and saturated, striking that wonderful Musar balance between dark fruit and tangy acidity, expanding towards a puckering finish with good length.

The lasting impression here is of a very modern rendition of Musar, with great clarity and purity to the fruit, fine tannins, refreshing acidity on the palate and great drinkability now (though equal potential to age). My preference of late remains the 2013, but that’s now quite hard to buy - so I’d happily have a case of this instead.

94+ — 3 years ago

Jared O'Connell

9.1

This was a bottle the previous renters left at my parents house in the wine fridge. Unknown storage but it’s in pretty good shape. Nose has rose pedal, brambly fruit. Palette tart cran. Serious smooth tannin and acidity but pleasant. Undercurrents of bittersweet chocolate and leather. — 5 years ago

Peter Windred

9.6

4 yrs in oak, 4 yrs in bottle, 10% gracriano for acid and ageing, 90% temp
C:Garnet, med int,
A: med + int, cooked straw, chocolate, choc, tobacco, leather hints, aniseed, cloves, complex, vanillin obvious,
P: quite conc, long length, lovely rubber temp finish, soft tannins. spice, strawberry and mocha flavours persist.
Great classic wine with lots of concentration from a great year suggesting much more potential to come. 35 Euros.. Good value. Fab wine. Fully expect more tertiary flavours and complexity to come in time. — 6 years ago

Jack Petras

9.8

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 6 years ago

Monica Ramirez

9.4

Smooth finish, love this addition from Mondavi. Can taste the hint of bourbon — 8 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

1st vintage if this wine, so a real treat to try. A little shrill and sharp at the front. Lovely fruit. Still some fresh notes but in a good place age-wise. Doesn't hang together as well as the wines beside it. — 8 years ago

with Matt and Paul

Barb

9.7

Wow... So many flavors in this wine. It's quite a treat to your mouth. Smooth with a great mid taste and a long finish — 9 years ago

Nicole Behrman

9.5

Having this one today. This one is more in my budget vs the Caymus Bros we had yesterday... Damn me and my good taste! Lol — 10 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

From a great looking bottle with a fill almost into the neck. Double decanted and left in the bottle for 5 hours before attacking it. Amber color. Good weight and haunting nose. Notes of old cedar, mocha, plums, cola, dark fruit, molasses and some sweet red cherry. Early on it’s all about the amazing nose. But with time the wine gains weight and you have a gorgeous old St Estephe in front of you. Still giving its all, and although the fruit is somewhat faded, this has complexity and structure that still drives the experience. And that nose is simply stunning. Great showing. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 5 years ago

Chris England

9.6

My favourite St Julien in great year I got @ £82 now £190+ now 😱 So hard to stop drinking as it's good young & old 😍 Given 5-15 years this will be a 98+ wine easily 👍 It’s in a lovely place now 😍 Sexylicious 💗

📍 Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2005

🏵 96+ points with bigger potential as age will help this 😉

🍇 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot & 6% Petit Verdot

🍷 Opaque deep ruby

👃 Heady soft alluring smokey oak through spiced rich blackcurrant & creamy dark plum w/ double choc mocha, cracked rock mineral, blueberry, herbs & liquorice - dreamy 😉

👄 Med+ bodied silky intense mouth coating blackcurrant & dark plums w/ cocoa, black tea & liquorice in fine dry mineralised tannins

🎯 Long touch dry earthy dark fruits smothered in cocoa w/ a creamed liquorice 💋, black tea 🥊 & a dry mineral 👋 — 6 years ago

Shawn R

9.3

Back in the good ol' days of Silver Oak...I bought several on release knowing very little what my wine future would hold. Cellared perfect, green/bell pepper and straight up dust on the nose. Plenty of fruit and tannins with bright acidity. Mouth fills with a ting of cherry, cola and a mineral element. Finish comes then goes. Hint of spice on the back side. — 8 years ago

Judy Martin

10

Smooth & rich & really good. Deep red in color. Served chilled. Had with Jenna at J. Gilbert's 09/27/15 — 10 years ago

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 3 years ago

Peter Collins

9.1

The nose was weirdly muted and indiscernible. Also a bit tight but the finish was full and nice. It’s good but for the price and time in the bottle, it just left me unimpressed — 5 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.1

La Mission Haut-Brion was one one of my favorite Chateaus during our time in Bordeaux. A floral wet leaf, earthy nose lingering with smoke, tobacco and subtle barnyard funk. Dark red brown in color. Black cherry fruit, pencil lead initially on the taste. Tannins are surprisingly still there on the tongue. It finishes with hints of vanilla, cocoa and green veggie. — 6 years ago

with Karin, Franca and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Warriors game in the backyard with friends. Hoping for an early celebration with the Billecart Rose. Go Warriors! 🏀

All my many Previous notes apply.

Cheers to a good weekend everyone! — 6 years ago

Alex

9.1

Tannic chalkiness on the nose along with a hint of leather and tobacco and dried fruit. Smooth in the palate with good acid and dried cherries and abbot of spice. Great find. Not as jammy as some Zinfandels. — 8 years ago

Noel Geisen

9.1

In spite of my worries the 1991 was still in good shape. Old but very nice to drink. — 8 years ago

Mark Lipton

9.4

If you have to drink a 2011 Napa Cabernet, this is the one. Overcomes the flimsiness and off-centered taste of many of its peers. Blueberry, suggestive of Alexander Valley cabs, is present in spades, and wonderful, smooth, and satisfying midpalate and finish. — 9 years ago