Tom Garland

9.5

A milestone birthday requires some fun wines! 1st bottle to polish off is a 2008 Marcassin chard with Hog Island oysters, butter poached lobster, and shrimp.

Double decant for fine cloudy sediment. An irresistible medium gold color.. On the nose: nectarines, pineapple, vanilla toast, lemon, and crushed rocks. Taste: so gooood after 12 years. A slightly creamy wine with carmalized pear, wet stones, lemon peel, and a mineral peach long finish with good acidity. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A dazzling dark ruby red color with some bricking. On the nose: bursting from the glass are dark plum, toast, stewed meat, graphite, and a sweet minty chocolate. Taste: a elegant, smooth, medium weight wine with plum, currants, tea, crushed rocks, earthy....velvety mostly resolved tannins coat the mouth with a chocolate tobacco long dry finish. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.4

Double decant (lots of chunky sediment) and pour. A noble dark garnet color with little browning on the edges. On the nose: beautiful.....that sweet aged cab aroma with blue fruit, black olives, green veggies, eucalyptus, crushed rocks. Taste: Red plum, chocolate espresso, pencil lead, some blackberry. Beautiful sweet tannins coat the mouth....such a elegant, rich wine with a long finish. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Last night, my second favorite pairing. Tonight, my favorite! An older Pichon Lalande and a ribeye. Counting it down.

While this 03 is delicious tonight, I won’t touch another bottle until 2028 for the way I’ve learned to enjoy em. However, a good time for a check in given I have several more bottles.

The nose reveals; thick, rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, older tobacco, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers.

The body is creamy, lush and full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting themselves together nicely. The tannins are round, dark and only 45-50% resolved. She’s an elegant beauty that will deliver so much more at 25 years and later. Rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, cigar box with ash, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, coco powder, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers & violets on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The creamy, elegant finish is balanced fruit & earth and persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande,
General Manager-Nicolas Glumineau, Pichon Lalande’s tasting room and their Estate vineyard at twilight and is adjacent to Chateau Latour. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals, ripe, slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with lavender & bright red florals.

The body is medium and lush. The tannins are nicely resolved with dust. The fruits are bright and ripe; slightly baked plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries & strawberries on the glass edges. Raspberry cola, baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove. Dark spice, limestone minerals, crushed dry rocks, some black licorice, herbaceous notes, notes of eucalyptus, dark rich soil, used leather with candied lavender & bright red florals. Beautiful round acidity like a rain shower. The long, rich, lush, round, elegant, balanced, polished finish is delicious.

Photos of, Regusci Winery shot from the Silverado Trail, tasting bar, entrance and Estate vines. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

A good follow up to the 2008 Forts de Latour.

Great bottle that shows beauty of the 2012 Napa Valley vintage managed by the right hands.

Charles Hendricks is maybe one of the most under the radar producers in the Napa Valley and certainly shouldn’t.

This wine is $125 in futures. I can think of other Napa Cabernets that cost much more that are not nearly as good.

Charles does not make this bottling every year...only when he has the right quality of fruit.

His wines always drink well young and will improve with the right bottle evolution depending on varietal and vintage.

This 12 is a gorgeous, sexy wine immediately upon entry. Beautiful round, supple tannins. Perfectly ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and blueberries. Black licorice, sweet tarriness, Asian & Indian spices, just the right amount of barrel selection/toast that bring out soft baking spices of; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, soft earthiness of; dry crushed rocks, loamy soils, limestone & volcanics. Suede leather, some fresh tobacco & shades of graphite with fresh; dark, red, blue & purple florals. The acidity is round and near perfect. The finish is; elegant, well knitted & balanced in fruit in earth, polished and excellent wire to wire settling onto mid dark spice on the long set.

Photos of; the Hope & Grace tasting room in downtown Yountville (Charles makes H&G as well), Charles doing the heavy lifting of winemaking and my favorite Pollock like painting that used to be behind their tasting bar and now hangs in Charles house. — 6 years ago

Chris Shultz

9.3

Tight at first. Resembles other fianos until it gets some air. Meaning some light tangerine and pear notes, rocks in a stream, with good spice and acidity. Then it gets caramel apples, spice, chestnut, walnut, oyster/mushroom, with lots of electric minerals tingling over the whole mouth. There’s something great about good fianos and grecos, maybe it’s volcanic, but the spice and electric mineral component takes on a piquancy like blue cheese. I love it, and this is probably my favorite young. I wish I had space to put some aside. Not super long but full of flavor. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Picking up a juiced pear on the nose today, but otherwise prior notes still apply:

Nose has ripe yellow apple, lightly oxidized green apple peel, baked phyllo dough, partially aromatic white flowers and damp rocks. I always get a natural wine vibe here, without the vinegar-like profile, but it seems alive!

Palate has baked green and yellow apple pastry, crisp acidity yet dense, candle wax begins on the finish and ends with dry granite. Great balance, very lengthy finish, clean and not cumbersome, superb vintage, long life ahead. We love you Jean-Jacques. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This stunning Grenache was sourced from Monette's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks region. Prior to bottling the wine was left on the lees for 18 months in neutral French oak barriques. This wine begins with aromatics of rose petals, white flowers, Mandarin orange rind and potpourri. This leads to flavors of red cherry, strawberry, orange zest and strawberry jam. This is pretty, downright sexy wine and absolutely irresistible at this juncture. While less acid-driven than the ’14 bottling, this outstanding wine is just as good and even more impossible to put down as the gorgeous aromatic and flavor range shines through. Only 103 cases made of this absolutely stunning Grenache, which is one of the best of its kind in Washington state. Drink 2019-2029- 95 — 7 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.2

2016 vintage. Great typicity and very aromatic. Lilac, rose petals, blackberry, strawberry, tart cherry, black rocks, incense, graphite. So delicious. Great with a little chill on it. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.

On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.

The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.

Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Weltner’s sleeper wine. This is always so brilliant. What a nose. Lime pith and rocks. Tons and tons of rocks. Spring air on a mid 60’s day in the Franconian forest. Herbs, some flowers, sprigs of mint. Palate is tactile and intense with serious sap and structure. Great density. Amazing balance and purity. This has structure and guts to age. What a finish. It’s so long. This is more about freshness, minerality and fruit at this young stage. Although if you look there is some apricot there. Very complex and juicy and bone dry. This is a 10+ year wine easy. More notes as it opens which Paul’s wines do better than anybody. — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

2 hour decant(very little sediment). A medium dark magenta color with some browning. On the nose: A sweet perfumed nose with tart cherry, floral, crushed rocks. Taste: Red berries, floral notes, mocha, minerals, with a dry smokey cherry finish. A soft medium body wine with soft tannins that could use a few more years to fully resolve...still drinking well on this rainy Saturday night! — 6 years ago

with Brenda

A. R.

9.2

Really nice aged Chablis. On the nose waxy lemons and wet rocks. In the mouth, rich lemon curd and minerals. Round and full midpalate. Long finish. Doesn’t really show it’s 15 years of age and needed about an hour to open. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂

What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me. — 7 years ago

Dean Quintal

9.4

Old world on the nose and the pallet. Crushed rocks, herbs, fruit, graphite and one of the Classics of California! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose reveals dark ruby, ripe, fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries & plum. Nicely layered and soft baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark medium intensity spice, star anise, volcanic minerals, soft leather, underbrush, violets, lavender and very dark fresh floral bouquets.

The body is full. The tannins are round, tarry and sticky. Their wines drink so easily young. Dark ruby, ripe fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, nicely layered and soft baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark medium intensity spice, anise, volcanic minerals, crushed dry rocks, some mint & dry herbs, soft leather, underbrush, violets, lavender and very dark fresh floral bouquets. The acidy round & beautiful. The long finish is ripe fruit with balanced earth, elegant, juicy and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Teucer vineyard in Coombsville, Lobby of their new facilities on the southern border of Napa, tasting bar and winemaking facility. — 8 years ago