Brian Hearty

9.0

2020. Wonderful tropical and lime aromas and flavors with almost off the charts minerals and acidity on the finish. — 3 years ago

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10

The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that's a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago

Paul K

9.4

Wrapping up a long weekend in Miami celebrating with friends.
Really good. The fruit is round. Get the Malbec and Petit Verdot. Classy finish that shows off the Cab Franc. This will improve with time as fruit settles down. — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Always a great choice for a 2nd btl off the list to finish lunch. Lots of berry fruit, citrus, pastry dough in a creamy finish — 5 years ago

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10

The 2005 Cheval Blanc has been nothing less than magical on two separate occasions. A wine of breathtaking nuance and sophistication, the 2005 Cheval dazzles right out of the gate. With a few hours of aeration the aromatics blossom and the wine is explosive in every dimension. Espresso, rose petal, mint, blood orange and incense all open as the 2005 shows off its magnificence and pedigree. Bright saline underpinnings convey energy, tension and brilliance. Cheval Blanc is perhaps not as immediately seductive as some of the other top 2005s, but its all there. In spades. I would give it a few more years to unwind. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2021)
— 5 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

An assault of dried bacon fat 🥓 and kirsch liqueur. Give this time in the glass or long decant, gets better and better, and there’s a hint of prune there that I ❤️ but may turn some people off. — 6 years ago

Jonathan

9.3

Berry. Guessed this but was 2 years off. — 6 years ago

Neil Cornish

9.5

In a perfect place. The 15 years of age has taken the spikey edge off, and developed some nutty intensity. Power and grace. — 8 years ago

with Michael and Jon

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1989 vintage. WOTD! Funky, old grandparents nose for a spell, then blew off. Still a bit of the feminine (blueberries, raspberries, cocoa powder) characteristics evident. Better than the last bottle tasted (4.4.23 a 9.4) but not as good as another fairly recently (12.9.22 a 9.6). Still pretty damned delicious and still at the top of the bell curve for another half-decade or so. Hit. It. Now. Ain’t getting better. 5.5.23. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 4 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

10

Just perfect whether a 1/2 or a full bottle. Primary taste of white flowers, lychee, peach and pineapple. Perfect acidity, bitterness and off sweet. Now 10 to 15 years waiting for these secondary tastes to develop. Quite a challenge to not touch something this good earlier. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Kicking the festivities off with some 1990 Champagne. This is medium gold with active bubble stream. Brioche toast nose. Also notes of citrus, apple juice and stones. Pleasant in the mouth but not overpowering. Decent showing but I expected (and wanted) more energy and mousse. (Bday 1 of 13) — 5 years ago

Rob Kiley

9.2

Maybe the best expression of Riesling I’ve had from Ovum, certainly Oregon. Off-dry, orchard fruit, tropical fruit, minerality and slight petrol — 6 years ago

Bret Barker

9.3

Off vintage but who cares? Tignanello is a personal favorite. Took a good hour to open up, this wine tastes surprisingly young. cherry, earthiness some mineral and a little smoke flavor as well. Very good — 8 years ago

Jason Gelman

9.3

Kicking off birthday weekend with my first Musar experience. Sadly the cork did not hold up but after lots of straining I have some drinkable wine. The nose is extraordinary. Bordeaux profile with pencil shavings and tobacco leaf and a rich dark chocolate. Very expressive. On the palate this wine is mature and beautiful. Mostly aged Bordeaux character but there’s a mix of red cherry fruit and a touch of mint or menthol. Perfect drinking window as a lot of tertiary flavors are driving and the tannins are present but softened by age. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Reddish tawny. Youthful nose. Notes of black currants, blackberries, herbs and spices and some menthol. Silky in the mouth, although at first it comes off as delicate. With more air, some spice and white pepper notes develop, and this goes full on Chave and Hermitage power on you... Not bad for Syrah that's pushing 40 years in age! — 4 years ago

Brent Clayton

9.3

Crazy asparagus rotten vegetables note on the nose that burned off. Beautiful waxy yellow fruit on the palate. — 5 years ago

Pierre Gourinchas

8.9

A bit disappointing, for a Leoville Barton. Probably needs more time. I was also coming off tasting the 2009! — 5 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.1

ID 314057 (just off one digit from pi)
Golrious balance. Cork was compressed and showing age, though I stored this in my cold cellar. Nose of yellow fruits and flowers. All of a piece, though feeling a bit spendy.
Happy Mother's day to my wife, paired w almond croissants and truffled eggs. — 6 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.4

Hands off! Let it rest for a while. It needs time. — 8 years ago