Mark Flesher

9.4

This wine has a lot of things going on. Immediately after cork pop, this bottle seems to be a little flat with a muted nose, modest (at best) acidity, and next to no tannin. Well, 30 minutes later and this Merlot is completely different. This wine is a little more weighted than the 2011. Not calling the 2011 'thin' by any means, but this one has some torque no doubt. Pours a dusty violet to the glass. The nose is baked cherries and some darker milk chocolate. The entry of this wine has sharp acidity, dark chocolate cherry cordials with some pretty damn good liqueur here. For a split second, a little bit sweet in the middle. Finish is acidic. Tannin seems to be there, but not significantly. Allows for a beautiful finish. — 8 years ago

Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

8.9

Pretty good. Definitely budget friendly. I've had a few too many stellar old world riojas lately that this doesn't compare to. Anyhow....

Baked raisin on the nose. Smells cooked but it's not cooked. Some soft dried fruits. On the palate...at first huge acid and petrol. Automotive stuff going on all around. After an hour in the decanter, the acid is dialed down to a gentle roar, demanding to be noticed but not taking over. Notes of eucalyptus, lilacs, dried bitter black cherry in the mid palate. Still very lively and certainly kicking...tannin has dissipated and the structure and flavors are quite harmonious. Definitely in a good spot now. Could go considerably longer, but I doubt it will improve beyond this. Nice value for Gran reserve rioja. — 9 years ago

with Matt

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.5

Impeccable wine. On point. There is no doubt that the vineyards are great and the team was top notch. — 10 years ago

David Annis

9.6

This is wonderful now, but I have no doubt it will last another two decades easily. — 10 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Without doubt, WOTN. Check out Joe Lucca for tasting notes
😃🍷 — 10 years ago

with Diana, Joe and 1 other

Henrik Poulsen

9.4

More and more finding myself in disagreement with "Bob" I think he is right on this one (RP 96-98).
I doubt it's going to improve for 30 years but it is certainly in a great spot now and the next 5 years.
GREAT WINE!!! — 11 years ago

with Kenneth

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.3

Very vivid strawberry fruit with a touch of anise and mint. The beauty of this wine is in its' balance. It's so fresh and alive. I tasted this against some of the older vintages, and it is not doubt that this well stand the test of time. — 11 years ago

Christopher Hoel

Sommelier/Senior Wine Advisor Soutirage

10

Wine of the night, no doubt at all! It just crushed the rest. Yeah Buddy! — 12 years ago

Steve Dummer

9.8

All note say it no where near ready - but double decanted recently this is very good - no doubt it will develop further — 13 years ago

Philippe Dupuis

8.9

Blind tasted. Nose is very tight; star fruit, green apple, hints of poolside vapors. First sip is intense, acidic and tight as well, a few chews revealing structure and contained complexity. A nice buttery and ripe fruit retro really shows the quality of the wine, in conclusion. Very hard to describe - a thinker - that's for sure. Still very young - a sleeper - that's no doubt, pleasure was partly intellectual. I'd recommend to carafe for half a day or to taste the bottle over a few days. Taste around 14 degrees. Impressive !@Rajat Parr — 9 years ago

with Marco

Jean Suzuki

9.3

Beautifully balanced! A classic white burgundy with just the perfect pitch in every aspect! Harmonious! Without a doubt, everyone will enjoy this one! — 9 years ago

Joakim Andersson

8.9

Concentrated fruity aromas. Not much herbs. Heaps of tannins and oak no doubt thanks to long maceration. — 9 years ago

Marc On

Writer Originalverkorkt, Lobenbergs Gute Weine

9.3

My first ever DRC. Always a special feeling I guess. This Echezeaux seems a bit harsh showing a bit too much of the new oak. Appeals darker on the nose than the St. Vivant. Lots of wild berries, high acidity, nice structure. No doubt a very good wine but I think it needs more time to get together. — 10 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.3

2005 vintage extremely tasty. Tastes great and this wine has another 20 years of life. No doubt a superb effort but I am very worried. Just like Bordeaux is no longer claret, rayas is no longer a delicate wine. Rayas was a delicate, subtle, light colored, feminine wine. It has become high alcohol, big color, masculine wine. Very good but I miss the elegance. Has Emanuelle Reynaud listened too much to RP. We don't need another Pegau. Rayas was just fine as it was. — 10 years ago

Carsten

9.1

Ideal expression of Amarone--heavy, fruity, with great length, but in no way syrupy (still with that distinct note on the nose that I identify with glycerin... and Amarone). Balanced by supple tannins and even a bit of acid. Incidentally, tried the 2010 vintage of the same bottle (using a Coravin) just before opening this one--initial impression was a bit more floral complexity and interest on the nose, but with grippier tannins that likely needed a few more years in the bottle to be ideal. The '09 was ready for drinking without a doubt. — 10 years ago

Rogelio Silva

9.5

With out a doubt, this is currently the best Mexican wine. — 11 years ago

David Wanek

9.7

Best new world Sauv Blanc. No doubt. — 11 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The 1991 vintage. Good Penfolds Choc Malt. Aromatic. Rich to medium palate. No doubt it is Penfolds but astringency at finish. "Rewards" says to 2040. Personally I would not want to wait that long. 18- — 11 years ago

Ed Matthews

8.9

Jammy new world Syrah. Saving grace is the tannins which give it reasonable structure. It has the tobacco, bacon fat, and smoke that I expect on high-end Syrah, but the fruit just overwhelms me. No doubt Parker raves about this wine. — 12 years ago

Jose Reyes

9.5

No doubt a excellent wine🍷
Loved it👍 — 9 years ago

with Rosa

Anthony De Blasi

9.0

There is a lot going on here. Every component is still looking for a way to blend in. Quite tannic. Long finish. Clearly a bright future. I loved it already now and gave it the benefit of the doubt and pushed it into my 9.0 scoring. — 9 years ago

Brendan White

10

Without a doubt one of my top 10 bottles. Un. Real. — 9 years ago

Bradley Brown

Owner/Winemaker Big Basin Vineyards

9.7

Love 1990 Rhones! No doubt hints of Brett, but quickly buried beneath beautiful red fruit. Powerful mid palate, long long finish — 10 years ago

Matthee Curtis

9.1

Very interesting. Def get again. Nobody here loved it but we all liked it. Doubt I could drink a lot in be sitting. — 10 years ago

Ben Atash

9.3

What a surprise from a young Chablis. Don't doubt it could benefit from a few more years, but it's sharp acid was a luxurious pairing for a Mexican sea bass. If only all chardonnay could be this good. — 10 years ago

with Elise

Cheri Coyle

9.1

Without a doubt one of my favorite California cab's. Never disappoints — 11 years ago

David Dunphy

10

This is why I started loving wine 40 years ago....I doubt I'll ever make anything this ethereal...but I'll try. — 11 years ago

Rupert Millar

9.5

If the d'Issan was a treat this was...Utterly delicious, and from a larger format would've been sublime I have no doubt — 11 years ago

Raul Cartaya

9.7

With out any doubt one of the best garnacha wines around. Very nice body and deep color. — 12 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.5

Wine of the night for many, the facts: made from 80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc, from vines between 10-40 years old, and a small quantity of the “Vieilles Vignes” cuvee, produced entirely from Roussanne vines of at least 65 years of age. Deep gold in color, this is indeed in the mature stage. A complex and full nose showed layers of almonds, sea breeze, candied citrus and honeysuckle. The palate indeed confirmed the small bit of oxidized notes (sherry like saline) that went very well with the yellow fruits and flowers, full bodied with grace, minerality and good acid cut which no doubt is how it was able to age. — 12 years ago

with Javier