Somm 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.
— 7 years ago

Jenna Robinson

10

My favorite wine, sweet and refreshing. — 9 years ago

Lenard Henson

9.7

Lenard had this 9 years ago

Matt Maese

9.5

I haven't had one of these in a few years. It's still amazing. Nice tannins, a little pepper, mineralogy, blackberry & leather. This is my wife's all time favorite wine. — 10 years ago

with Bill

Lindsey Robida

10

Crisp and easy to drink! My favorite riesling — 10 years ago

Nicole Buote

9.0

This has been one of my favorite Pinot grigios forever. Maybe I like it just because I drank it when I was learning about wine. — 10 years ago

Pete Faletto

9.5

My favorite red blend — 11 years ago

Noah Carlson

9.6

Noah had this 11 years ago

Naomi Hendricks Scharkopf

10

One of my absolute favorite reds! — 12 years ago

Charles Antin

Senior Wine Specialist/Auctioneer Zachys

9.0

Some of my favorite wines recently have been 80s Cali. — 12 years ago

with Christie's

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s officially Summer! Time for Rosé. Tempier is one of my favorite Rosés. They’re even better when you let them round out a year in bottle before enjoying. The color darkens to a slightly rustic orange color.

On the nose, some sour notes with a little funk. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, unbelievably just a touch of petrol, gummy character, chalkiness and fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses.

The body is round and full for Rosé. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, oranges, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, well ripened rhubarb, just a touch of petrol, gummy character, spice, chalkiness, perfect intensity of crushed volcanic minerals with fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses. The acidity is like a waterfall. The length, structure, tension and balance are excellent. The long, rich, elegant finish is beautiful and lasts minutes. It’s delicious!!!

Photos from our 2016 visit. Domaine Tempier tasting room and cellars, shot of our barrel tasting w/ their assistant Winemaker (a sweetheart), the digging for their additional cellar; which I imagine is now complete and the view from the Domaine entrance — 8 years ago

Jared Elder II

10

My favorite night with my favorite uncle with the best wine!!! This wine is still awesome and has not lost a beat. — 9 years ago

with Craig

Shay A

9.4

Caymus, especially the last few vintages, are polarizing, I know. However, my wife claims this is her favorite wine. As you can imagine, this anniversary vintage is difficult to find, but my buddy @Mike R came through BIG when I told him I was searching for my bride. He graciously sent 3 one liters in exchange for some recommendations of my own. Needless to say, in Mike's own words, my wife is smiling huge! Many thanks to you, Mike! Our family opened this up at my wife's request as we put together the finishing touches for our trip out to Napa in 2 weeks.
*The rating is from my wife* — 9 years ago

Ian Downey

9.5

Great dinner, tasted the 79; 85; 90; 99; 04; 07; 13. Memorable night! Like most, I thought the '13 was fantastic. The '99 was my favorite, however, showing a little more attitude and personality from a vintage that challenged the winemaker in different ways than the '13. The '85 was also very good. The '79 was past prime, noticeably. — 10 years ago

Angie

9.7

This is my favorite wine — 10 years ago

Shanna Broussard

9.6

One of my favorite staple wines! — 11 years ago

Mike Kerr

9.6

Still my favorite Corison vintage. California Cabernet perfection — 11 years ago

Mae Jackson

9.4

My favorite moscato d'asti. Light, sweet and crisp. — 11 years ago

Mac Riding

9.8

Probably my most favorite! Not inexpensive at restaurants ($65-$76), but pairs so well with just about anything. Year after year it is consistently great. It's hard not to share it, but then you must keep multiple bottles in stock! — 12 years ago

with Heidi

Rachel Hart Rios

9.5

I am not a fan of Pinot Noir but this one is delicious. Almost as bold and big as my favorite Washington reds. — 12 years ago

Michael Lavely

9.3

My new favorite. Lots of fruit. Full body. — 8 years ago

Bear Dellinger

10

Red wine....by far my favorite roscato!!!! — 9 years ago

Somm 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

— 9 years ago

Chad Moroni

10

My favorite time of the year! — 9 years ago

John Fiedler

10

My favorite Cabernet. Heck,'my favorite wine! Soft, perfect blend. — 10 years ago

Josey Mann

9.9

One of my favorite Zins! — 10 years ago

Michael Januszeski

9.4

A cab from one of my favorite Napa wineries. This 1997 Silver Oak has done exceptionally well over the past 18 years. I'll plan to tap his brothers over the next few years to see how far this vintage can go — 11 years ago

Lindsay Rodman

9.1

My favorite Sauvignon blanc - very fruity (citrus, tropical) without being overly sweet, which is perfect. Not as herbaceous/mineraly as Loire SBs. The 2014 vintage isn't as good, unfortunately.
— 11 years ago

Fred Zin

10

My favorite. Wonderful with steaks — 12 years ago

William Mulligan

9.5

My favorite. — 12 years ago