Spinning_spins

9.5

Musky, savory aromas. Cranberry, pomegranate, wet granite and an unending fruit and mineral finish. Acidity that frames food perfectly. Glad I got 3 bottles, because this beautiful wine should develop well. Hope I can be patient enough to leave it alone for a while. — 10 years ago

Brendan Perrett

9.1

Powerful, full bodied Aussie Shiraz but without being overripe or over extracted. High alcohol but balanced by lush fruit, grippy tannins and good acidity. Needs plenty of air but if you can be patient, give it at least 3 more years. Exceedingly good wine for its price point. — 10 years ago

Charles Schneider

9.0

Had to be very patient with this one. Guest thought it was "corked." I would write my MW dissertation on the number of amazing bottles of Bordeaux that are "wasted" because someone thought a vintage wine was corked. Give it time people!! Btw, the wine was gorgeous after being opened 4 hours. — 12 years ago

Sarah C

9.0

Crunchy red cranberry, sandalwood, just ripe red cherry, zippy acidity and medium tannin. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

Some Bordeaux’s are just too young at 15 and this Lynch-Bages is one of them. It is composed of about 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot. Tightly wound and packed with pencil lead, black as night fruit and backed by a strong spine of tannin, this super wine will reward the patient… And punish the impatient! — 10 years ago

Cuvée Corner

10

Hello #Bordeaux In a word, stunning! It needs an hour in the decanter to fully develop and unwind. While drinking marvelously now, further aging will reward the patient! #drinkcru Classic #SaintEmilion — 11 years ago

Jeff Robillard

9.7

Need to be patient for the wine to fully breathe. — 12 years ago

Ross Hensley

9.8

Gift from patient. Excellent choice. Nice fruit for a 12 year old California Cab — 10 years ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Closed nose of bramble & cherry, prevalent tannins mute the cherry and red fruits in the body with long finish the speaks to the future that this wine will bring to the patient — 10 years ago

with David

Bernard Rethore

Owner, Fion Wines

9.1

Back in 2006, I had the good fortune to invest in a box of the Neal vineyard designated bottlings pre-release. They have been sleeping in my cellar ever since. Last night, Tony the Fish, who is a frequent contributor to these pages, arrived with a bottle of the 2010 Neal cab sav. It was a solid effort and Mrs Fish quite enjoyed it. As we finished the bottle I remembered I had some of the 2003 vineyard designated wines in the back of the cellar and figured it was time to check in on them. We started with the Second Chance from Atlas Peak. Generally I am a mountain fruit guy, and like the volcanic soil that yields low yielding structured wines. There was plenty of stuffing left after 11 years, and a nice contrast to the 2010 cab sav blend. We then moved to Chafen. Another mountain- Howell this time, slightly lower elevation vineyard. This wine was bigger than the Second Chance with mouthfuls of ripe cassis, berry fruit and coffee- almost a cocoa powder character to it. The final wine of the night - and best of show - was the Howell Mountain Estate. Dark rich tannins with intense velvety chocolate cake flavors. This was a fun night going from the 2010 blend to the all 2003 single vineyard designates. Most of us aren't patient enough or buy them as a group so you can taste them altogether at once. Everyone should do this from to time. It reminds me at least of how different climate and soil can be in the same year. It's even better with friends. Thank you Mr Fish for the inspiration. — 11 years ago

with Susan