Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I’ve had at least two cases of the 97 over the last eight years or more. Our friends Jeff & Hedy brought this bottle of 97 to dinner tonight. It’s the best bottle of this wine I’ve had. We drank our last bottle roughly two years ago. The wine continues to improve. Tonight it’s so lush, ruby, elegant with blue & dark & mid red fruits. Great balance of fruit & earth. So beautiful & easy to drink. The 97 vintage was one no one wanted to buy as it was critically panned. I have said this many times, “in every difficult vintage, there are always producers that make good wine.” In the case of the Potensac, it took 15+ years to fully spread its wings and it continues to improve with another 10 years left ahead. No critic would have told you in 98 & 99 when the initial reviews came out to buy this wine. Potensac is made by the same technical team as Leoville Las Cases. Always follow good producers, even in difficult years. K&L bought 5,000 cases of this wine 10+ years after the fact. They are Masters in Bordeaux wines for this kind of value. Clyde took the shipments in two blocks of 2500 cases and sold through them in about a year or less at $24.99 a bottle. It remains the bargain of a lifetime! @Shay A This is the wine you want to buy to keep you from opening your 09’s & 10’s too early. So delicious tonight!!! Photos of; Potensac, concrete tanks, fruit near harvest and their barrel room. — 7 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Big rich full bodied wine! Wow after 14 years it still needs more time. If you like deep dark fully extracted fruit that possesses chocolate, plum, blackberry flavors like I do, then this is your wine. Good luck finding a bottle..... @Paul Treadway @Evan Bienstock @leon egozi @Eric S @Eric LaMasters @Jacqueline @Vanessa D @Carl Fischer @Jim Trobaugh @James Parker Huston, CWE @David L @Warren Sapp @TheSkip @Terri Walker @Terri Walker @Warren Sapp @jesus g @Kimberly Anderson — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

This is an excellent example of honey, vanilla, toasted brioche, and very elegant body. Refined bubbles reminiscent of the Dom Ruinart.

Please make time to get a tour from this wonderful gentlemen. Jesus you have an inviting personality that is old school in every way!

@jesus g @Paul T @Martin G Rivard @Neal Schaffer @TheSkip @Terri Walker @Warren Sapp @Vanessa D @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @leon egozi @David L @Doug Davidson @Eric S @Eric LaMasters @Jim Trobaugh @Carl Fischer — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@Mike R @David L @Joe Lucca @Ron R @Paul T The WOTN was a beauty so generously given to me by my Bud Paul Treadway! Thanks Paul!!! The tasting notes between the Beau Vigne Estate and Morlet's Coeur de Vallee are eerily similar. The true differentiation between the 2 is Morlet's seem less integration at this time. My buddy Kirk @Kirk Alexander always says "The test of a great wine is when nothing jumps out at you". This particular bottle did just that. Every person this evening commented on the fact that it was such a superbly balanced wine. It was dialed back ever so slightly in all the right spots for it to dance on your palate effortlessly.
Thank you Paul for a stellar bottle!!
It was enjoyed by friends outdoors on this beautiful S FL cool night. What else could one ask for?
— 8 years ago

with Christine and Gina

B

10

2013 Peter Michael Ma Danseuse Pinot Noir. Lunch at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Can't go wrong with this wine. Lovely PN to enjoy with lunch on a hot summer day. — 9 years ago

B

10

1996 Screaming Eagle. Dinner at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Superstar. We all remarked how unbelievably balanced this wine was, despite how big it remained at 20 years old. Finish lasted forever and was a truly memorable finish to the evening. — 9 years ago

B

10

Magnum 2009 Merry Edwards Olivet Lane PN. Lunch at Tap w P&S C and S&L D. Solid, easy to drink on a hot day. — 9 years ago

Chris Peppler

9.0

2011 Vintage. Really nice. — 10 years ago

with Katie

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.9

Jeff G's birthday mag after the roll downs were pulled at K&L. From vines planted in the 1950's in Cramant & Oiry, still the source of cuttings for Launois' massal selections. This is a very rich, creamy BDB that goes deep on minerality, even in a fatter vintage. — 10 years ago

JB RAY

9.2

Légère réduction à l ouverture , carafe puis le vin s équilibre et on a un grand Languedoc pas encore très complexe , mais un superbe équilibre et une belle bouche fraîche — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Medium ruby core with garnet edges. Aged characteristics on the nose with damp earth, a little espresso, a touch smoky, cinnamon and stewed plums. Medium tannins (6/10) and plus medium body. Dark cocoa on the attack of the palate intermingled with plums, black currants, black cherries and lots of spices. A bit of anise and the Petit Verdot coming through in the medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
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Starting today we are partnering with Vinlumin in order to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Northern California earlier this month. Until November 15th or for the first 200 units, Vinlumin will be donating $100.00 per unit to three different Northern California based charities: Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and Mendocino Community Fund. Go to www.vinlumin.com to learn more and to grab one while supporting those affected in Northern California.
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@David L @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Martin A. Cody @James Cahill @Carl Fischer @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Bill Bender @Eric S @Isaac Pirolo @TheSkip @Mike R @Lori Mike @Jody Scharf @Jo Anne B @Kim Stanbro @Roman Sukley @Greg Gregory @Sean Smith @Shay Aldriedge — 8 years ago

with India and Sean

Fredybeans

9.2

Pourpre a reflet noir
Nez apres une longue aeration car reduit
Fruit noire tapenade et thym
Bouche gaz au début ample et dense sur les fruits noire et l olive noire et thym voir eucalyptus
Milieu ample avec de la densité et de la fraicheur et pourtant tres dense
Finale longue sur des notes amers tel que la tapenade et finale sans bois sur le thym très très long
Pas en élégance mais enCore sur la puissance mais une des plus belle bouteille de gramenon — 8 years ago

with El

Rob Brobst III

9.3

This wine possess a great deal of potential. The vineyard has the capability too. Honey, melon and a coated citrus fruit marries with bright acidity. A medium bodied wine. @Palmer Emmitt @Paul T @Martin G Rivard @Connor McMahon @Terri Walker @TheSkip @Warren Sapp @Terri Walker @Eric S @Jacqueline @Vanessa D @Jim Trobaugh @Jody Scharf @David L @Vanessa D @Eric S @Neal Schaffer @Bill Bender @Ian Blackburn — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

Beautiful blueberry with loads of blackberry, rock minerals, and a long long finish. This is a keeper if you can still find some. They went out of business last year. @Connor McMahon @Martin G Rivard @TheSkip @Jim Trobaugh @James Parker Huston, CWE @Ron R @Jacqueline @Ian Blackburn @Neal Schaffer @Terri Walker @Warren Sapp @Kimberly Anderson @Vanessa D @Bill Bender @Eric S @Eric LaMasters @Paul T @David L — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

All this and no one around. Man I really need a few friends right now and the 3L needs a party to attend tonight. 95's n 98's @Paul T @Vanessa D @David L @Jacqueline @Bill Bender @Neal Schaffer @Terri Walker @Jim Trobaugh @Eric Shanks @Warren Sapp @Eric LaMasters @@Jade Moore @TheSkip — 8 years ago

B

10

1995 Domaine Leroy Clos de Vougeot Burgundy. Dinner at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Such a treat. Pleasant sweetness and a really enjoyable lightness, despite its complexity and structure. Favorite. — 9 years ago

B

10

Magnum 1996 Dom Ruinart Champagne. Welcome drinks for S&L DiM and P&S Co. Despite rich yellow color, not as heavy and "honey" as we had expected. Very light and pleasing to drink on a 100 degree day. — 9 years ago

Louis Schofield

Sommelier/Wine Merchant East End Cellars

9.4

E U C A L Y P T U S — 10 years ago

Christopher Olin

9.2

Another L&S wine with a nose that draws you in. A spicy palate earthy fruit and a stony finish. — 10 years ago

with Kristin and Neha

JB RAY

9.2

Année de canicule , le vin a superbement tenu , nez cabernet noble ( pas de poivron 😜) , pas une énorme complexité , mais je pense qu à l aveugle y a certains crus de St émilion qui peuvent s inquiéter — 7 years ago

Doctor No

9.1

Dawn of a new era at W-S but same-old at Hirsch. This is starting to get towards the end of it's prime drinking window but tonight it was lovely and had sweet, ripe-but-not-overripe candies fruit notes but no cola/pomegranate thankfully, and the zingy acidity balanced out the fruit well, which is classic Hirsch to me. Was in SF for a conference and picked this up at K&L for dinner with friends — 8 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

From Mag. Mature... a hint of apple and sherry but not too much. On the palate broad and slightly lush with settled acidity and decent length. Given this is s mag, it's probably worth checking in on these as their time may soon be up, but for drinking right now- very good — 8 years ago

with Major-General

Aaron Tan

9.3

Many have said to be weary of bottle variation, but this was incredible last night. Tasted with the importer here in Australia - Michael at Quelvino. Previously Coravin-ed bottle, so maybe why it didn't have the spritz everyone talks about.

So inky and meaty. The palate screams sour cherries with an array of spices and herbs. There's a richness imparted by some RS too, I feel. What stumped me the most was the finish - started of big and tannic, then evovles into this subtle drive that goes on and on. I'm guessing this is still too young, with such heavy fruit. Can't wait to try more of this.

Note: The cuvee came with analysis values, which showed good TA and pH for a red. Alcohol was in the low 13's and it was surprisingly dry (0.8 g/l if I recall) - could be fruit sweetness that I was tasting. The spritz mentioned is a common feature of the wines because they finish fermentation in bottle. The grapes used are mainly Croatina, Uva Rara, and Vespolina (also known as Oltrepò ughetta). Italy's OG natty winemaker, making wines from a single cru (monopole?). — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

I would love to get more bottles! Thanks@Palmer Emmitt @Eric S @Eric LaMasters @Neal Schaffer @David L @Vanessa D @Warren Sapp @TheSkip @Bill Bender @Ian Blackburn @Evan Bienstock @Martin G Rivard dark blueberry and black fruit that holds a purity and cleanness that keeps all the structure in place. The tannins are noticeable but pleasant and enjoyable. — 8 years ago

with Palmer and Austin

Matthew Hannam

10

Tastes like garbage. I'm alive for the first time in years. A/S/L? — 8 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.7

I needed to open something just to get through @David L 's posts of all his epic wines from last night. I hate you, I love you, brother! But back to this. Wow. Talk about a vice - this could become one for me - definitely is one I need to stock up on. Drinking so incredibly well. Berries all day long with some nice hints of vanilla. While nicely balanced this is definitely a fruit-driven wine. And there is nothing "petit" about this. Big, bold, badass. Loved it. — 8 years ago

B

10

Magnum 2008 Peter Michael Point Rouge Chardonnay. Dinner at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Super. Loved especially at Susie and Lydia- the Chardonnay lovers. Not overly oaky- just rich and oaky enough to know it's a CA Chardonnay, but not so much that it's buttery and too rich in oakiness. Enjoyed. — 9 years ago

Mark Knol

9.0

Dilisious wine frome a loveley family — 9 years ago

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

8.9

1503 Classic Cuvée: classed as the 'white' but has a blush colour. 2010-12 fruit, minimum 1 year on lees. Sweet apples, apricot and fuller than the Rose. Dosage is 13g/l. Soft, sweeter and fuller. 89 40,000 bottles per year, at Majestic, M&S and going into Tesco. — 10 years ago

Anna Tyack

9.6

Terrific old-vines riesling by Gary Mills from the Garden Grully vineyard in Western Victoria (planted in the 1890's) | With a touch of rs (15 g/l) — 11 years ago