Severn G

9.3

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has smoked roses, partially dried black cherry, dried cherry, dry autumn leaves and dried vanilla bean.
Palate has smoked cherries, smoked blackberry, fresh rose petals, dried Bing cherry, little to no tannins, mild acidity remains. Future bottles may be 2024+ in proper storage. Superb pairing to slowly (apple wood) smoked pork loin with a tight crust (thank you medium thick fat cap) and appreciable smoke penetration. — 5 years ago

Jean-Francois Brunelle

9.2

1994: The bottle was opened and not decanted, air removed after every glass and drunk over 6.5 hrs. It took about an hour for the funk to dissapear making place for very refined and elegant aromas of blueberries, stone dust, autumn leaves/forrest floor, and chocolate. The wine gained density with time and was beautiful all evening long. The bottle has been kept in very good conditions. For a Burgundy lover this is really lovely juice. — 6 years ago

Peter Farrell

9.0

Peach and pear on the nose, but stereotypical Sauvignon Blanc dryness and acidity on the palate. Hints of grass and grapefruit, but not to the degree that some SBs go. Very very light straw lemon color. Overall, a great SB for these warm summer nights. Will be revisiting soon. — 7 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Finessed, terrific complexity, bruised white peach, petrol, wet stone and a bit nutty along with tea leaves on the finish. Such a brilliant expression of Wachau. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

A surprising lighter style Pauillac for an 05 but @ £90+ it’s in a nice place, but a touch disappointing compared to others such as the amazing 2000 😁

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 64% Cab S, 29% Mer, 6% Cab F, and 1% Pet V

🍷 Blackened ruby

👃 Warm oak, soggy earthy leaves, gravel, minerals, pencil lead through dark berries & plum w/ mocha

👄 Med body of smooth rich blackcurrant, damson & red/black currants w/ a mineral mocha & mineral undertone

🎯 Med red & dark berry kick w/ touch dry minerals, light mocha & liquorice

— 7 years ago

DL

9.2

Smells alcoholic, kind of stings my nasal canals. Has a musty, rounded smell over it, di says is American oak. Tastes complex, not super sweet, kind of savory. Feeling spreads out and mellows out in mouth. Has tannins, leaves an aftertaste, but not unpleasant — 8 years ago

with C

Chris McClellan

9.3

Wow...loved this wine. Tart red fruit, med plus acid, smooth med tannins, leather, earth driven, soy, leaves, and that heavenly kiss of new american oak with vanilla and dill . Just an outstanding classic example of Rioja..IMO! — 8 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Having had the coveted 2005 vintage just a few months ago, ‘04 is far more open and rewarding today. So seductive and captivating. Smoked meats, black fruits, balsamic glaze and hints of roasted sage leaves and tobacco. The tannins are integrated beautifully and the finish shows wonderful finesse, elegance and length. Gorgeous now but will continue to improve over the next 8-10 years. — 5 years ago

Jeffrey Woo

9.0

Pale yellow hue. Aromas and flavors of lime, pineapple, passion fruit, cream, and mango. Refreshing finish with hints of grass and hay. Crisp, bright, and acidic. An exemplary Sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. — 6 years ago

Peter Farrell

9.0

A very nice Sauvignon Blanc! Grass and citrus on the nose. Light elements of grapefruit. Moderate acidity. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.4

One of my favourite well priced Pauillacs @ £55 in a great year that keeps evolving lovely 👍 I’ve always loved the label and we call it “The dancing men” 😁 what do you think they’re doing?

🏵 94 points

🍇 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot & 12% Cabernet Franc

🍷 Opaque blackened ruby

👃 Crushed wet minerals & pencil lead through soft elegant smoked oaky black berries w/ spiced plum jam , light mocha, herby tea, soggy earth & wet autumn leaves

👄 Med bodied smooth rich mocha infused & earthy driven dark berries & plum with a soft liquorice tone

🎯 Med+ earthy mocha dark berry liquorice slight dry mineral linger w/ a black tea smackeroony — 7 years ago

Spencer Stuart

8.9

Burst of fruit but leaves you flat on the finish. — 8 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Big aromatic nose of grass and grapefruit. Mellows on the palate, but still lean with Bosc pears. Great cali example of an old world style. — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Since this is the last Friday of the year, my Cabernet fix is going to be a little different this time.

Dark ruby in color with a short brick /orange rim.

Earthy nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, earth, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, forest floor, leather, pencil lead, light barnyard, licorice, light vanilla, bell pepper and vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry and earthy on the palate with blueberries, cherries, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, wet leaves, vegetables, herbs, beef jerky, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, green pepper, black tea and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

What a wonderful Cabernet based red from Saint Estephe. Nicely balanced and very complex with a great mouthfeel. Earthy and still young, but drinking very nicely now.

Not a great vintage, but so enjoyable by itself or with food. The nose is so complex, that it's so nice just to sniff on.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show some tannins.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

13% alcohol by volume. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

We returned to Hourglass after our visit in 2018 as the wines are just so enjoyable, but the tasting cave may be one of the coolest spots to enjoy a glass of wine.

I’ve had many vintages (and bottles) of this and it’s always consistent. In an age of “super SauvBlancs”, this toes the line between old school and new school. Lots of grass, little bit of grapefruit, lemon lime candy and minerality in the nose. It gives way to more lemon on the palate, waffling back and forth between oak or steel with high acidity and a slightly rounded profile on the finish. I like this SB a touch warmer than others as the acidity can be razor sharp when it’s cold. Great for the price. — 6 years ago

Andrea Fix Lovering

9.2

Smells like lawn! Crisp grass. Melon, hint of sweet, delicious!! — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Dark ruby red with lighter edges. Dark nose with layers of cocoa, a bit dirty, earthy and dark berries. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Elegant palate with tons of dark notes. Layers of black cherries, cassis, dark earth and tobacco leaves. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2022. — 7 years ago

with David, Ron and 3 others

Ariel

9.0

Full bouquet, taste of fruit blackberry and aged oak with a noticeable amount of tannin and a loooong finish as it opened up. Going from tangy to spicy and leaves your mouth feeling like it went to sleep for a good 30 seconds. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Weekly Wednesday Wine Committee and this was a special treat as not only was Weston from Montagu Wines in attendance, but Jason Moore, owner and winemaker for Modus Operandi Wines out of Napa. Blind format as always. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert.

Every part of me, and most everyone else in the room, called this New Zealand SB. Never had a SB with so much grass and jalapeño pepper on the nose. More grapefruit rind came in to play later and it had a typical SB finish with acidic/stone driven notes, but what a nose! — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.4

I 💗 the smell of Figeac in the morning! A hot random year in Bordeaux with many hints & misses - this £110 fav of mine is a sure hit 👍 Stunning nose, good body but average finale

🍇 35% Cab S, 35% Cab F & 30% Merlot

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Smokey spiced dark plum through minerals, oak & cedar, soggy earthy leaves & liquorice w/ mocha, black cherry & herby tones 😍

👄 Med body of creamy smooth silky stewed dark plum w/ minerals, mocha & liquorice

🎯 Long plummy creamy molasses liquorice earthy touch dry linger — 8 years ago