Cameron Etezadi

9.2

Again another super vintage of this wine. Refreshing crisp melon notes and slight mineral aftertones. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 6 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.4

Ovum makes “quiet wines of place.” This is a wine that really sang for me and reminded me just how much I find inspiration from aromatic white wines. It’s old world and new world. It’s expressive but not heavy. It’s supremely unpretentious. Perfumed lychee and wasps of smokey tangerine. Full bodied. Neither oily nor fat. — 6 years ago

Kathleen Masters

9.4

Like it a lot — 7 years ago

Bret Barker

8.9

Pizza and wine Saturday. This bottle was still 2/3 rd full by the end. Least favorite from the crew. Second label for ornellaia is usually sound but this bottle was dry, lacking the fruit with more of tar and smoke. — 7 years ago

with Ben and Adam

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

The Caymus of the Central Coast. Inky with massively extracted red and black fruit, and in a mode not unlike pie filling. Not to be denied, it's loaded with vanilla, baking spice, fig, and a few drops of root beer extract. The aura of charcoal and new leather weave throughout, all with an edge of tilled earth. Translating this from taste and smell to sight and sound, this is walking into a brand new casino. — 8 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.0

Gifted from a neighbor who had no idea what it is. The good news is that it was in his fridge. The nose is understandably reticent, but the wine is sound. It shows an almost Chenin-like quality of quince paste & pears accented with classic hazelnut flavors. Shows plenty of acidity, very good Sherry. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Recent reviews by some on CT had me curious about how these were evolving so I had to check in myself and personally assess, you know, for science. Popped and poured; consumed over three days. The first day was OTT with red fruit and spices...but mostly the fruit. The spices, really sort of a one-note black pepper bomb, pricking the tongue, perhaps giving a glimpse of something more interesting if patience was exercised. Super clean with no signs of brett. I was almost taken aback because this was coming across rather ham fisted and definitely an outlier for Pegaü. I say almost. Two days later, I revisited the remaining half of the bottle and that’s when things really started to show off. Chewy red and black fruits were still very much in abundance but they were now more delineated and showing somewhat grainy tannins which seems much more pronounced now than they were on the first night. Think the texture of eating a mouthful of brambles. The spices that were teasing on the first night were stepping up to play a more pronounced role taking on more of a black licorice character with some lovely garrigue. Sound structure...though perhaps not as impressive as the 2016 Cuvée Réservée. Long, lip smacking finish though...and really delivering the goods! Based off this experience, I would imagine the best is yet to come for the 2015 Pegaü. If you’re drinking on the pop and pour, prepare for disappointment. These could use some time. I look forward to revisiting in 2025 and beyond. — 5 years ago

Gavin Baum

9.4

Really extraordinary Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay, drinking at its peak. Has started to take on wonderful secondary character, with lots of honeycomb, hazelnut, and toasty brioche showing on the nose and palate. That makes the wine sound a lot more decadent than it is, though. At its heart, like all of the Tyler Chardonnays, this wine is first and foremost a masterclass in focus and precision. Even at the ripe old age of 6, with its contours slightly softened and its flinty reduction tempered, this wine is still wonderfully, vividly alive, with copious lemony acidity and fruit that still leans more towards tangerine oil and grapefruit. That this is still so piquant and salty and mouthwatering and more-ish after 6 years in the bottle is a real testament to the quality and the substance of these wines. — 6 years ago

Drew Miller

9.4

So solid. A little dry and a little mineral. Some interesting slight sweet flavor. Damn. Drank like water. — 7 years ago

TJ Maxwell

9.4

The cork appeared slightly dried out, but bottle was sound. Dusty and delicate aromas of dried rose petals and cedar. The tannins have softened and the black cherry, cracked pepper, gravel flavors give a very classic flavor profile. The alcohol seemed touch on “hot” side (13%). Good bottle, in good drinking spot — 7 years ago

Jason Jones

9.2

Still plenty of time left on this one. Opened two, one unfortunately corked but otherwise sound. — 8 years ago

with Erin, Casey and 1 other

Renee Pasman

9.0

Favorite out of the flight. I'd use the word soft to sound cool. — 8 years ago

Keith Crump

9.1

1998 throwing some sediment but a sound Bordeaux — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose is brightly floral fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, haunting blue fruits, raspberries and strawberries. Limestone, crushed dry rocks, leather, light, fresh tobacco with ash, dark rich earth, stones, anise, herbaceous, steeped fruit teas with amazing, candied, bright red, dark, blue florals with violets.

The body is medium full and lush. Beautiful; structure, tension, length and balance. Sound round, meaty and chewy, tarry, sweet tannins. Floral fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, haunting blue fruits, raspberries and strawberries. Limestone, caramel, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rocks, leather, light, fresh tobacco with ash, dark rich earth, stones, anise, dark spices with incredible palate heat, herbaceous, steeped fruit teas with amazing, candied, bright red, dark, blue florals with violets. The acidy is fresh & lively. The well balanced and polished finish is really delicious and persists minutes. This is another wine that jumps 2-4 points with 15-20 years in bottle.

Photos of; Chateau Canon, barrel room, centuries old entrance sign and a wine shot of their Estate and vines. — 6 years ago

Sean Wallner - WSET II

9.0

Delicious! Actually has a lot of similarity to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Blanc. I’m not an expert, yet... but if I blind tasted this I would have guessed a New Zealand Sauv Blanc. Notes of Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Mandarin Orange, Green Apple, Lychee, Pear, Nectarine with hints of Slate and some Salinity. Low alcohol at 11% and good acidity with a medium finish. — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.5

When you pop one and decant and then taste you never really know what to expect but gratefully my family on Delectable has helped me so much - I know it is holidays speaking but we have so much as a group to thankful for - to you and yours - have a glorious holiday

This wine has been resting for a long time - I have decided to start drinking wines that I was storing as I cannot take them with me so Dilly Dilly

What a wine what a wine what a mighty good wine

Dark purplish red as is the season - when I taste I immediately smile and laugh with hohoho sound - the smell is amazing with all the kitchen sink ingredients but somehow I smell mistletoe and cinnamon - ''tis the season again" - and the finish is long like when you watch a big snowflake fall from the sky - it takes forever and ever

Starting my annual Christmas wine journey and again thank you folks for making the wine taste even better with your likes and comments - more wine to come tonight and tomorrow

Smiling for so many reasons and happy holiday — 7 years ago

Beau Carufel

Winemaker/Owner Random Wine Company

9.0

I suspect this wine had the best night of it's life. Excellent balance and structurally sound. Well integrated tannins mixed with black fruit and only a touch of oak. — 8 years ago

Brandon Jamieson

Tasting room Lead/Wine Educator/Sommelier at The Winemakers Studio at Wente Vineyards

9.1

Aromas of leather and dried dark fruit. Structurally sound after 17 years👍 — 8 years ago