Ming L

9.0

Probably my least favorite entry level NV bottling from the large houses, but this has some bottle age (judging from the cork maybe about 5 years after release?), and it shows. Bubble is a bit mellow than I can remember. There is hint of dried fruit that make it more interesting. Really nice development. — 5 months ago

Raul Puga

9.0

Not my favorite but enjoyed it with a good steak — 9 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was still youthful at 16 yrs showing good balance with notes of dark fruits, expresso, graphite, smoke, leather, spice box & tobacco. One of my favorite Cali producers that offers a Bordeaux styled wine. — 3 years ago

Sarah Blakemore

9.2

tons of sediment. mildly sweet & tangy. not my favorite — 5 years ago

Laura Barnobi

9.7

Perfectly smooth. My favorite pinot grigio! — 6 years ago

Jack Badavas

10

Mom and Dad in town. Busting out my favorite wine. Bulletproof every time! — 6 years ago

with Alex

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 6 years ago

Raul Puga

9.6

Still one of my all time favorite wines — 8 months ago

Paul K

9.5

👃 is incredible. Black and blue fruit + olive.
Medium+ body, chewy mouthfeel. Blackberry, currant, black cherry, touch of dust, and acidity that is Corison. This is my favorite Napa Corison. Different than the ‘14s, ‘16’s, and 18’s that I love. Thanks @Cathy Corison !! — 2 years ago

Kyle Ripp

9.0

Bottle given to my dad by his late friend Tom McHale. Excellent bottle — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

If you want to impress a Somm with a bottle of wine, bring a Grand Cru Gamay. I hate using the term Beaujolais. It gives a lot of people the lesser impression of Beaujolais Nouveau which, equates to the impression left by Blue Nun in the 70’s/early 80’s and Yellow Tail in and around 2000.

This is one of my favorite producers of Gamay, a member of the “Gang of Four”; Lapierre, Thevenet, Foillard & Breton. There is a fifth honoree member to the “Gang of Four”, Yvon Metras, who I enjoy equally. If you want to finally appreciate this varietal, look for one of these producers from Morgan or Fleurie.

The nose reveals; dark cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, blueberry hues, spearmint, granitic minerals/soil, dark berry cola, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, a whiff of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets.

The body is full, rich and guides over the palate. It shows some tannins. The structure & tension are still big. The length and balance are at the beginnings of truly rounding into butterfly form. Still will benefit from 5 plus years in bottle. Bright red florals are far more pronounced on the palate. Ripe/bright; dark tart cherries, blackberries, dark plum, stewed plum, baked strawberries, half baked rhubarb with lovely blueberry hues, blood orange & dry raisins. Spearmint, tree sap, granitic minerals/soil pressed in to the palate, dark berry cola, orange peel, thyme, rich forest floor, touch of cinnamon, very light caramel, dark chocolate, Indian spices, berry bubblegum, touch of band-aid, steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, hints of black pepper, dark red, purple fresh flowers with shades of violets. The acidity is like a warm summer rain shower. The long, rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant finish is nicely persistent for minutes.

12% ABV 👍

Photos of; Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Marcel Lapierre (may he RIP-2010), Marcel’s son and current Winemaker-Matheiu Lapierre and their Morgan Vineyard.
— 5 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.1

Hands down, my favorite value play for Moscato d'asti, a perfect match of sugar and minerals, off-dry and well balanced. $15 makes this a star any day. — 6 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Probably my favorite vintage for Latour. Stunning! — 8 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

One of my favorite vintages of GL next to the 82. This was a perfect btl showing red & black fruit, currant, cedar, leather, graphite, savory spice cigar box & tobacco leaf. — 10 months ago

Paul Krzych

9.4

My second favorite after Ruinart. Lovely fine bubbles exuding citrus, orange marmalade, and just baked brioche. Delicious for brunch and Sunday football. — 4 years ago

Dawn E.

9.3

Ok this is my experiment!! My first experience with Domaine Tempier was three years ago; this wine, this vintage. Presenting with an extremely plush salinity in the mouth the wine was lacking just a bit in smell and quite a bit more in pallet.
I did some research..discovering that Bandol Rosé has a pretty unique aging potential. It took a bit but I was able to acquire another 2014...and I waited...(suggested 5-6 yrs.) So I split the difference ...almost!
This wine is so much better on the nose and palate...Rainier Cherries..Watermelon..Kiwi fruit..Jolly Rancher strawberries..tangerine and wet gravel!
Every vintage is different....the 2015 was great from the start and remains my favorite!! — 5 years ago

Steve Wymer

9.2

One of my absolute favorite Pinos! — 6 years ago

Michael Lavely

9.3

My new favorite. Lots of fruit. Full body. — 6 years ago

Bear Dellinger

10

Red wine....by far my favorite roscato!!!! — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 7 years ago