David Walser

9.8

Second night of celebration of the closing of our commercial property. Enjoyed with rib eye cap. This is an amazing wine. One bottle left to enjoy some day. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From the Mornington Peninsula (although the fruit for this Pinot Noir came from the Yarra Valley ) - this is Tom Carson’s personal project when he’s not making wine for Yabby Lake - his main job. This had strawberry and other red fruits like cherry and a small whole bunch influence. Oak is dialled right back. A medium weight palate that is yet to show its full potential. First of 3 purchased and somewhat closed. Will leave having the 2nd for a couple of years. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Masterclass with in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Duhart-Milton is another property the Rothschild’s own.

The nose shows, bright, ripe, candied fruits with pleasant, bright florals. Blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, strawberries & pomegranate. Tobacco notes, leather, dry brush, limestone, crushed dry rocks, beautiful red, dark fresh florals with violets.

The body is full and shows the strength of the 15 vintage but, this is one should not be enjoyed at least for 10-15 years. Tannins are fine and firm. Ripe and slightly candied fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, strawberries & pomegranate. Tobacco notes, leather, dry brush, limestone, crushed dry rocks, dry river stones, black dry earth, cedar, graphite, beautiful red, dark fresh florals with violets. The acidity is really good. The structure, tension, length and balance are good now but, show greater promise down the road. The finish is very good, well balanced, elegant and persists minutes.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, our double decanters and pourers and another view of the City and Bay with Alcatraz. — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

Founded in 1960 by Charles Bravay (although the property actually dates to at least 1760), Domaine de Ferrand didn’t produce its first estate wine until 1995 when Philippe Bravay took the reins from his father. It’s 90% Grenache from vines nearly a century old. It sees no oak, only a combination of stainless and concrete during fermentation followed by aging in concrete vats.

Initially austere, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape presents a rugged exterior. With time its layers start to peel back and it’s hard not to notice how intoxicatingly sexy it is.

The entire spectrum of red fruit is on display, including kirsch, supple raspberry, and even a savory, pickled strawberry. The fruit is equally matched with a mix of Provençal herbs, lavender, and mineral purity, leading you down the path to its lengthy finish. Only then do you realize how tight the grip is. I’m not the first to point out the notions of heat, but in the $30s, you’ll get nothing and like it. What an exceptional value! — 7 years ago

Doctor No

9.5

An evening of Lynch-Bages with Stephen Bolger. Included 04 Dom Rose and a 95 Heidsieck Millenaires, ‘16 LB Blanc and the. A beautiful cascade of wines including 1961, 1970, 1975, 1986, 1989, 1996, 2000 and 2005. I would say the 1989 was surprisingly closed and primary and everything after, while still having a beautiful perfume, needed much time. Everything showed beautifully and my personal favorite was actually the 1975 because it was such a tough-as-nails vintage and yet showed a beautiful delicacy. Splitting hairs to pick a favorite. One of my favorite estates just jumped even higher in my estimation! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

It's just one of the best evening starters unless your are going to bust out; Krug Rosé, vintage Krug & Salon or like's. The fruits are bright, delicious and leaner in style. Black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, cherries, tangerine & watermelon near the rhine. Delicate, powdery chalkiness with a fine and slightly sharp edge that I love, baguette, beautiful saline & minerality. Fresh, crisp acidity and a delightful finish with long staying power. Photos of their beautifully manicured property, A frame racks waiting to be riddled, the grape press after first pressing and the best days in the vineyard...harvesting! Normally, I'm regularly a 9.3, but tonight it's showing me a little more. — 8 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Honoring my marvelous father with a meal and wine he would have appreciated with gusto.  We wish he was here to share it with us, but are deeply grateful that his spiritual presence remains so strong in our hearts today and every day.  💕

This blend is predominantly (78%) Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot.  🍷 It hails from the Haut-Médoc region on the “left bank” of Bordeaux, 🇫🇷 more specifically, the Pauillac AOC.  Pauillac is a highly-regarded commune, with favorable growing conditions, known for producing some outstanding quality wines.  👌👌 This wine is no exception. 😆

🏰 Château Grad-Puy-Lacoste is a cru classé, ranked among, and a neighbor to, the region’s top estates.  It’s incredible to think the first vines planted on this property date back to the 1500s, making it one of the oldest properties in the region.

We decanted this wine for several hours, which helped it soften and release its layered aromatics.  

👁 The color is deep garnet with notable tearing.

👃 On the nose it has medium(+) intensity and concentration of developing aromas.  The aromas include ripe black fruit such as cassis, black cherry, blackberry, and plum, as well as other non-fruit notes like black licorice, pencil shavings, and violet. It has secondary notes of clove, nutmeg, allspice, cedar, also tertiary notes of wet earth, tobacco, leather, meat, fig, and mushroom.

👄 This wine is dry and its flavors on the palate are consistent with the nose.
This wine has balance, complexity, a strong structure, with firm, grippy tannins, and a long elegant finish.  👏👏

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, vintage 2011, ABV 13.5%.  — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Philip Deibel

9.1

One of (the only?) the only whites made by Heidi Barrett, this is a really great Chardonnay. No noticeable oak, which is my personal new requirement. Slightly sweeter than I remembered but very balanced with good acidity and minerality (I don’t care if this term is falling out of favor amongst the “experts”, as it still describes how a wine feels to me!) — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.

Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.

Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.

Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop. — 6 years ago

Marcio Morelli

8.9

Too much oak for my personal taste. — 7 years ago

Paul H

8.9

If you looking for something a bit different you might like to try this wine. This a really good wine for just plain enjoying a glass of wine. Aromas of of dark fruit and bell pepper greet you. This not a big massive cab that you would want with a premium steak but rather a delightful medium bodied Cabernet that drinks above its price point. Great for a nice afternoon drink and good conversation. Drinks well with a nice finish. Hints of nuts and tobacco interlace with the fruits. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

Superb €38 now £65 personal fav from St Em in top year 👍 w/ fab QPR & a soft spot for me as I had this same vintage from the barrel 😍 93 going 95-96

🍇 71% Merlot & 29% Cab F

🍷Opaque ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Chocolate coated black cherry, berry & plum through smokey oak, liquorice & wet crushed mineral rock w/ violets

👄 Med+ creamy silky mocha dark berry plum bang w/ liquorice & minerals

🎯 Long mocha berry plum slight dry mineral linger purple teether — 7 years ago

Josh Shields

9.2

Cellared from the source, these are the wines you look forward to share the most. I can vaguely remember the terraced amphitheater Mourvèdre vineyards next to the estate but was such a beautiful property. It's beginning to turn the corner but has oomf left in the fruit. Graceful and subtle come to mind too. — 8 years ago

David Walser

9.3

Fun family that does the tastings on the property. Always a treat. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

In 1964, while looking for land to expand Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Marchese Lodovico Antinori discovered & acquired property of Tenuta di Biserno near Bibbona. A blend of Merlot, Cab Sauv, Petit Verdot & Cab Franc, aged for 12 months in French oak, intense aromas of ripe currants & sweet spice. On the palate ripe black fruit flavors, elegant fine tannins with cacao & tobacco tones. Long ending with an earthy character. Nice. Consistent with ‘15 I tried. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

20-year tawny a personal favorite. I’m always amazed how good this is whenever I have a glass. Taylor run today from Oporto by descendants of the Yeatman & Fladgate families, both of which have been partners in the firm since 1830s. Complex aromas rich with dried fruits & nutty spice. On the palate apricot and sweet berry flavors with honey and toasted nut notes, well balanced nice acidity. Lingering finish ending smooth with oaky nutty character. Very Nice. Price keeps going up each year. Tasting Sample. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

It was 19 in TX Tues, hailed yesterday, and is 80 degrees today. Welcome to spring in TX.

I love the info on the back of these bottles as they give detail to the base vintage and when they were disgorged. This is ‘08 base, disgorged 2017.

Right up my alley. I’d call this oxidative, but not overly so. There is a Krug-ness about this style. It’s toasty and savory with a little caramel, toffee and baked apple. Creamy. For my personal taste, while I enjoy all champagne cold, this is one of the few styles that holds up well even once it warms up slightly as there isn’t a lot of tartness here. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

M/M Paul Chaperon owned this estate in the mid-19th Century and their descendants, the Ducasse Family, have since kept the property in their able hands until 1990, Mrs. Luis Ducasse, brought in a partner, Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), insuring L-T stability. Big fruit aromas with mineral & spice notes. Blackberry flavors, almost jammy, cacao & spice, rich and full. Smooth sweet tannins, great balance, lingering ending with soft earthy character. Pricey but great. Tasting Sample. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had another bottle, aged well. A neighbor of Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, Les Carmes is positioned on the same bank. The name derives from the friars, known as ";Les Carmes"; who owned the property between the 16th & 18th century. This estate has been under new ownership since 2010. Predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak, (33% new). Red fruit and currants on the nose. Raspberry and plum flavors fine tannins and lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Nice! — 7 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

Pichon-Lalande is the single hottest property in the Médoc right now. Although the Chateau has a long and esteemed history, a Second Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, no less, it is the winemaking today that is taking the property to new heights. If you are looking to treat yourself with a wine that is truly world class in every sense, then look no further. The wonderfully nuanced, finessed 2014 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande exudes pedigree. Crème de cassis, licorice, lavender and sweet spices are front and center, while beams of supporting tannins and acidity give the wine its energy and overall tension. All of the elements are simply in the right place. Powerful and also remarkably delicate, the 2014 Pichon Comtesse might very well be the wine of the vintage on the Left Bank. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2017) — 8 years ago