Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Still remarkably youthful, it’s rich, dense and dark fruited, layered with classicism of cigar box, cedar and spices. The palate is concentrated and powerful with a silky texture and incredible length. 95 is nowhere near its peak. Many more years to go. And while I’ll never be a real Bordeaux lover, it’s clear what makes these first growths special. — 2 years ago

Sarah Noh

8.9

Super light bodied, fresh cranberry — 4 years ago

with Jean

Conrad Green

9.5

This is really classy. Restrained but powerful and clear. A hint of lanolin, lemon oil, steel, oyster shells. A soft plasticine like thing. This is lucid, focussed and gorgeous. — 5 years ago

with Bex and Major-General

Jon Bergqvist

9.2

Cork wet. I had to push it through. Some brickish color but still some depth. Beautiful nose with clear signs of maturation but still very much alive. Not super vibrant or concentrated but very elegant with wonderful notes of fresh sour cherry. Etheral and very easy drinking. — 6 years ago

Madeleine Ray

9.8

This was arguably the best Chardonnay I’ve ever had. Absolutely stunning. Chamomile and lemon zest and salty oyster shells. Bracing acidity, gorgeously balanced. Bright minerality, like sunshine and clear blue coastline. With scallops and lemon caper angel hair. 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥🔥 — 7 years ago

with Gavin

Bill Bender

9.5

A very special treat as the first wine of a Cheval Blanc vertical cultivated by @Martin G Rivard @David L @Shawn R for their visit to SD this week and an incredibly generous hosting gift from them to me. This was astonishingly intact and not falling off much at all. The finish was initially astringent with a slight bleachy quality that blew off quickly. Still an ample amount of red fruit with a clear taste profile of blood, iron and mushroom. Fun as F*%* — 7 years ago

Jen

9.6

Clear perfect flavor. Really good! At l'etoile. — 8 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Garnet core , quite wide bricking terracotta rim . Quite Subtle on the nose , red fruits , orange rind , sous bois , spice , violets . On the palate very refined , crystal clear red fruits , raspberry , cherry , touch of black currant , black tea , pin point acidity , very fine tannins . Very long and complex. Drinking well though will go on for ages still and certainly improve over the next 10-15 years. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Bright and clear. Lovely structure with sweet edges and length. Excellent. — 4 years ago

with Bex and Major-General

Gaurav Tiwari

9.2

This is a classic! Decanted for 3 hrs. Clear watery hue, beautiful pale Garnett in the middle. Medium viscosity, medium alcohol. On the nose, red cherry, strawberries, flowers, spices - thyme, clove, wet cigar, wet leaves. On the palate, confirmed red cherries, strawberries and powerful/rigid but silky tannins and racy acidity to balance it all. Long earthy finish. Elegant yet tough...like a ballerina! Very well balanced and serious wine from a good producer. This is their entry level Barbaresco that punches above its weight for what it costs. Stocking up.. this will drink even better in 5 years. — 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Very bright and sappy. Clear lemon, good minerality and a peachy midpalate. Great clarity- still dynamic with a flinty backbone — 6 years ago

with Matt

Keith Crump

9.3

Remarkably clear and precise not over oaked a great wine — 7 years ago

Shane Walker

9.0

Crisp, clean, clear, dry Champagne — 7 years ago

with Michele

Shane Walker

9.2

Clear, ruby colour. Clean nose with aromas of blackberry and chocolate. Medium to full bodied with balanced acid and lovely smooth tannins. Long finish with hints of truffles and licorice. — 7 years ago

with Michele

Victor Hwang

9.7

Wet towel, funk, spices and fruit emerging. A bit cloudy but as it opens, the body and length are amazing.
As it opens its clear this is a baby. It needs at least a 2-3 hour decant to bring out its full expression. This is elegant, but has plenty of power. Can age easily another 10 years. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.4

In keeping with the Aussie theme from a recent Grange dinner (1997-2001, 1998 was the clear winner), this was brought as a starter.

With about 9yrs on it, this is the oldest Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay I’ve had, and I’m impressed at the evolution. Slightly reductive (sweet smoke) upon opening, but it added great character. Color was a beautiful deep yellow (but not oxidized gold). Tropical (white peach, nectarine) but also honeyed cashews and honeysuckle aromatically. Great depth on the mid-palate with added tropical notes carried by faint oak but a distinct mineral driven finish. Drinking beautifully. Wish I had more. — 2 years ago

Brett Owens

8.9

Very good for price — 4 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

This is lovely stuff. Very clear ruby red. Gnarly red and dark fruit with wild currants, herbal notes and great poise. Delicious and still fresh — 6 years ago

with Lindsay

Mike Saviage

9.3

Brownish tawny. Regal, clear and almost opaque. Sweet old Bordeaux nose. Notes of cola, cranberry, plums, dried fig, earth, spice and some wood. A bit thin in the mouth at the start but with air it firms up. Decent finish. Grows nicely in volume and impact. The fragrant nose is what you remember. — 7 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

Finally on the balcony...

I know I love this wine, so I should exercise patience. On open, it's crystal clean, ruby to pink to clear rim. Nose is evolving from initial raspberry and vanilla to mild petroleum and veggies. What I need patience with is the middle and end. Quite tart and the pucker carries through to the finish. Will update...

So the acidity balanced by about 20%. This makes this a good choice with a rib eye, but I max out at 92 points on this. — 7 years ago