Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.

Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.

The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

A nice white Bordeaux, tasted twice, aromas of stone, tropical & citrus fruits with some honey oak. On the palate flavors of peach and grapefruit citrus, notes of botrytis with oak wrapped in balanced acidity. Long finish ending with a zesty edge. Nice! — 5 years ago

Joseph Dodge

9.0

Happy 21st Anniversary bottle at the lovely Ranch House in Ojai, CA. Could use another year or 2 in the bottle . A little tannic still, notes if cherries, pomegranate and dill. Great mouth feel and even finish — 6 years ago

with Diana

Jan de Weerd

9.5

Our favorite Figgins blend. 2011. A tough year but Chris Figgins turned it into a gem. Minerally. Full body, rich mid palette with a sweet edge, evolving into a dry, grippy finish with with minerals edging the experience. Perfect with aged Gouda cheese. — 6 years ago

with Tammy and Chris

Jan de Weerd

9.3

Potent! Deep dark sweet plum/fig with a spicy edge. Smooth finish for a perfect landing. — 7 years ago

with Tammy

Nicholas Flagler

9.0

on the edge, almost rusty but brilliant ripe plum, betaine, long finish. what made this a mark lucky to taste this — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Opened another recently, legendary wine, said that in the 18th century was introduced to Sultan of Constantinople's palace b/c of its clarity and called "mineral water from Carbonnieux", defying Islamic law. Pale lemon with pronounce aromas of tropical and stone fruits with herb notes. On the palate flavors of melon, mango, apple, green herbs and a crisp mineral edge. Medium+ length, balanced acidity, ending with a fruit, citrus mineral character. Nice, aging well. — 4 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.2

The Cos was decanted two hours earlier and that helped lift the aromatics. Slight brown on the edge but plenty of classic Bordeaux fruit. Good cork . Shows very well and was a nice addition to dinner. Still has life and vitality.👍👍 — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.3

32% semillon and sees barrel time...more body, darker in color- Pistachio, floral olive oil. Quince. Meyer lemon peel. Mustard blossom. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Pronounced rich aromas of ripe dark fruits and spices. On the palate ripe cherry and plum with rustic spices and some tea notes. Fine ripe tannins, with slight grippy edge, hints of oak on medium+ finish ending with fruit and slight mineral edge. Nice Hermitage. Nice! — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.5

😍 @ £31 this Musar is top & I’ve reviewed a few times 👍 personally i find it the best of many vintages I’ve had & not as funky as others 😉

🏵 495 points

🍇 Cab S, Cinsault & Carignan

🍷 Garnet cherry w/ brick edge

👃 Smokey oaky spiced leather infused cherry choc gateaux, red potpourri, prune compote, red berry jam, barnyard, mushroom risotto & herbs - gorgeous in a Zalto Burg 😎

👄 Med balanced body of earthy smooth red cherry in mocha, date & prune sauce w/ strawberry & redcurrant tones

🎯 Med+ earthy red berry/cherry gateaux💥 — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.4

Everyone knows I’m a fan of LRA but I’ve not had the 98 for a long time!

As I just found some @ £68 I had to try & it’s lovely for the money with lots of life left 👍

🍸 Perfect in Zalto Burgundy 😎

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smoked dark balsamic oak in spiced black cherry w/ vanilla cocoa cream, herbs, smoke, leather, coconut & caramel

👄 Med creamy smooth body of dark cherry bathed in balsamic & vanilla cocoa w/ red berry tones

🎯 Long chocky cherry w/ touch tart balsamic thick linger — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

Fab St J drinking great @ £79 just past it's peak so enjoy now 👍

🍷 Light blocking opaque ruby w/ brown edge

👃 Damp oaky musty dusty cellar filled with old squished blackcurrant & plum, liquorice, herbs (bouquet garni), aged wet earth, soggy leaves, tobacco smoke & bad boy leather w/ eucalyptus hint

👄 Med body of stewed slight sweet black fruit, liquorice & mocha all well integrated

🎯 Med dark aged fruit & mocha w/ a touch of cherry & herbaceousness — 8 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.4

Exquisite! Dark earthy extracts with hints of blue berry and currant, minerally edge, tar. Smooth, round but present tannins giving it a lingering finish. — 4 years ago

with Tammy

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Just love this wine, just tried ‘18! Nice blend of grapes from the Bierzo Valley, the ‘18 has about 4% of perfectly ripe white grapes, 6% less than ‘17. Deep Ruby with loads of Berry fruits aromas adding some sweet floral spice and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry with a juicy mineral edge. Well balanced and integrated with fine smooth tannins, lively acidity and a long finish ending with oak and spicy notes. Tremendous value for such a complex wine. — 4 years ago

Garry Siskos

9.3

OMG delicious! It was suggested this would be great for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll definitely buy a few bottles. — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Some bricking, garnet with orange on the edge. Dried red fruit, fig, leather and fun musty old CA Cab flavors. Nearly resolved tannins but the acidity is there and completely smooth tasty sailing. — 6 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.4

Blackberry, bramble, and dried herbs. So smooth. Black fruits, spice. Delicate, but not wimpy. Dry finish. Really lovely wine — 7 years ago

with Chad

Chris England

9.2

This £126 Talbot feels a few years past its peak but still enjoyable; mainly on the aromas 😉 prefer 03, 05 & 86 but better than 81 😁

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Gravel, soot & burnt smoked oak driven mineralised herby faded dark berry fruits w/ melted liquorice, dry cured meats, gravel, pencil lead & dirty earth

👄 Med body of liquorice infused dark fruits w/ a red berry undertone & dry mocha blackcurrant tickle

🎯 Med earthy liquorice charred dark fruit silky finale w/ a red berry kick — 7 years ago

Ian Staub

8.9

Super interesting white/orange blend. Nose is full of rose and other dried florals, orange blossom, jasmine tea and green unripe nectarine, with the fruit showing better on day 2. Due to 15 days of skin contact, palate is slightly tannic and as a result comes across strongly like a lemony black sun tea, with juicy acidity that lacks an edge. Round, somewhat drying finish. Tough pairing with an Asian salad day 1 and a veggie curry day 2 - this needs something like a simple fish preparation. — 7 years ago