Shay A

9.1

It was Weston’s hosting today for the Wednesday Wine Committee and probably the most informative lunch to date. Though everything was tasted “blind” as usual, we were all given a list of grapes to choose from for the whites and the reds, since they were all meant to be very similar.

I ended up guessing Nebbiolo here based on the tannic grip. It was a tad floral, but I also got some pepper/spice on it. Rather impressive after it opened up a bit. ✔️ — 7 years ago

with Jeff, Colby and 1 other

The Chimp

9.6

A young nebbiolo meant to be drunk young. This wine maker doesn't touch it. In the barely and in your glass. Recommended by K&L in Hollywood and we loved it. — 8 years ago

with Melissa

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I've been curious about this wine for some time. The original 05 Ausone review from Parker was revised and one would think it was at the request of the Chateau. Parker's 💯 point review started something like this...if you are over the age of 55, you'll want to decide if you want to buy this this wine. Largely, due to his call on it's years of drinkability; which was from 2055-80. Parker's review was mysteriously revised within two months of it's original review. Tonight, I Coravin-ed this tasting of the Chapelle D'Ausone. The 05 Chapelle D'Ausone is still very big & tight but starting it's journey into a decent drinking phase. The tannins are still chewy and dark. The fruits are; ruby blackberries, dark cherries, a mix of blue fruits, strawberries paint the back palate, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, Christmas cake, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, spice-box, black tea, a whiff of green bell peppers, irony minerals, loamy soils, tree bark, a touch of leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stems, dry stones & dark moist soil. The acidity is perfect. The structure, length, balance and tension flirt with glory. The finish runs ripe to dry fruit and the minerals are rich with a dark elegance that lasts and lasts. As good as this wine is tonight, I'll put this bottle back; which is 1 of a 6 pack and wait another 7-10 years to reopen it. Both of Ausone's 05 wines are meant for most collectors end of life or meant to be left for their children. — 8 years ago

Swanky Wine Life

10

1996 - hands down the best champagne I've had thus far. Creamy buttered biscuit, calm, present acid and a lovely very subtle balanced honey component. If you have younger bottles of Salon, let them rest and become what they are meant to be - THIS! — 9 years ago

The Schwartz

9.7

2009. How wine is meant to be.... — 9 years ago

Ian Downey

9.0

Beaujolais the way it was meant to be, and right before Thanksgiving. — 10 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.4

This is stunning and hardly needs any air at all, which is absurd for a '10. Brightly contrasting fruit and red rose petal, cinnamon, and jam on the nose. Velvety smooth texture with some tobacco, raspberry compote, and a finish that makes you salivate for more. This is the kind of wine I dream of drinking until I die. This is what cabernet was meant to be. — 10 years ago

Colin Yates

Wine Buyer Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits

9.0

A proper cheers to my father on his first birthday since his passing. Cheers dad! Wouldn't be in the wine industry if you hadn't shared your passion for wine with me. — 10 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.5

E Puddara Etna Bianco 2011. What a great wine. Showing like an apricot juice that was infused with lemon juice tonight. Heavier palate weight than I recall but lifted with bright chalky aromatics. Carricante the way it was meant to be, I surmise. Not thin and hot like others I've sampled, even if at 14% this it pulls it off effortlessly like a teen beauty queen — 11 years ago

Ryan Brazell

Rise Over Run

9.2

Was meant to be labor-inducing. Alas, it was simply delicious. — 12 years ago

Shay A

9.0

It was Weston’s hosting today for the Wednesday Wine Committee and probably the most informative lunch to date. Though everything was tasted “blind” as usual, we were all given a list of grapes to choose from for the whites and the reds, since they were all meant to be very similar.

For the 3 whites, we were told there was one chenin Blanc, one grüner veltliner and one Albariño. So, basically no white wine I drink enough of to know much about. I knew Albariño to be a bit sweet in the finish, so it ruled this out. There was a very German/petrol nose on 2 which led me to Grüner, so by deduction, this has to be the chenin! ✔️ — 7 years ago

with Jeff, Colby and 1 other

Jeanette Hrnyak

9.1

With Hillstone recently deciding to A). add a $15 corkage fee to their menu and B). take the Smith-Madrone Spring Mountain Cab Sauv. off their wine list (crime of the century in my opinion!), I wondered if there were any good wine finds left on their menu. I was pleased to find this one and enjoyed it thoroughly with my French Dip! Even better was the cute guy seen sitting across the bar from me! I would have gladly shared! Now, just need to curb my addiction to their creamy horseradish and all will be right in the world-well sorta.... — 8 years ago

Pablo Vazquez

9.1

Purple dark color and red berries to the nose. Medium tanines and a bit of pepper. Long finish that lingers for a while. This is a young Malbec meant to be drank today. Great with grilled steak. — 8 years ago

Andrew Knox

9.7

the label reads:
"This bottle originated from a boot legging operation my buddies and I had in college. We started making wine knowing it would be used for late night drinking, and that the French are annoying. It took some time, but we finally perfected our blend, and came up with this full bodied red that pairs well w/ Wednesday night and pizza. We recommend this be drank immediately, and shared with girls..."
I can attest to the truth in its labelling. Yum. — 9 years ago

Meg

9.8

Mother's Day was perfect. And realistic. It meant doing dishes, laundry, and making four beds before 8am. But it also meant having an impromptu dance party with my Mom and my twins in her bathroom before 9am. It was a day devoid of cancer talk, acknowledging the obvious with extra long hugs, but choosing to embrace the moment and be hopeful there will be many more Mothers' Days with my Mom. This Vin Perdu was an excellent ending. Earthy and maybe even smoky vs what I have been drinking (because it's on fiiiyyaaa🔥) Heidi Barrett - need I say more - you know how I feel about her. And PS, if you've ever had it, you would know it's quite possibly the best label ever (a hologram) — 9 years ago

Jack Krawczyk

9.6

Meant to be with food. Full bodied; what buttery tries to be. — 10 years ago

Larry Sheer

9.5

This is my Go To Wine and I can find no reason for it not to be your!!!
Fruity, full bodied with an absolutely smooth and satisfying finish. I have found no one that I've shared a glass with who can argue the point. As a matter of fact in a blind tasting Phelps came out above bottles costing twice as much — 10 years ago

An Le

10

Had at Osteria Mozza with quail hen. Paired perfectly. This is how food was meant to be paired with wine. — 10 years ago

terroirista-cy

9.0

Old style Xynomavro like it's meant to be!!!
Needs more time reminds a very tide Nebbiolo! — 11 years ago

Paul Weldy

9.9

Tasty tasty Soave - made in a style that's meant to be drank young. — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I can’t pour enough praise on Dan and his talents. I don’t give many wines near perfect scores, but this merits one. The nose is a beautifully balanced mix of floral fruits, earth and spice. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, lilacs, violets and lavender. The balance is incredible...one of the most balanced wines I’ve had. The structure, tension and length are so close to perfect. It’s in the OMG realm. The tannins are nicely resolved but still have teeth. It’s gorgeously lush and rich. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, hues of blue fruits haunt the palate, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, black licorice, touch herbaceous, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, black & white pepper, dry crushed rocks, stones, lilacs, violets and lavender. The finish is heaven all the way around. To borrow Bordeaux terminology, this is First Growth Shiraz. If you don’t seek out Dan’s wines on the secondary market, you are missing something special. Not at all meant to be enjoyed young. This wine is in a very good spot and has another 10 years of life going forward. — 8 years ago

speedy duncan

9.3

Wherever this came from it was meant to be with Elis macerated peaches and local ice cream — 8 years ago

with Eli, Laura and 1 other

Christanna Honer

9.5

Beautiful. Still a baby, needs time for the oak to settle in a little and for the rich tightly packed core to bloom into what it's meant to be. Smooth like cocoa butter on the palate. — 8 years ago

Meredith Needham

9.0

First time I've ever had a red wine that's meant to be chilled. Slightly sweet and tart. — 9 years ago

Scott Wren

9.3

Chenin the way it's meant to be. Lemon chiffon with life changing acidity and beautiful minerality. — 9 years ago

YNlover

9.0

This is meant to be savored. — 9 years ago

Felicity Ferguson

9.2

Probably not meant to be drunk with curry. Worked anyway. — 10 years ago

WineWire

9.1

One of the best baby Brunellos out there. 95% of a full Brunello meant to be drunk today. — 10 years ago

Crystal Crystal

9.3

Best $12 u will spend. Rose is meant to be sipped all day. This is the one. — 11 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.1

Don't know what came first, the roasted chicken or this wine but man were they meant to be together. — 12 years ago