Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and double decanted several hours prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1996 pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a lovely combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: cassis, brambles, horse blanket, cigar box, old leather, earth and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Another lovely and immensely charming Poyferré. Drink now with a decant and through 2046. — 10 months ago

Will Stanley

9.6

Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage.

Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.
— 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Love this Meursault producer! Consistent with my prior notes. — 3 years ago

Guillermo Gonzalez

9.0

The Txakoli that put Txakoli on the map! Tart pomegranate and grapefruit. Effervescence and salinity that feel like sea spray. A little less nuanced than prior vintages. Perfect with salmon bowls. — 3 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2013 Vintage. Consistent with prior notes, yet this bottle was showing some sediment crusting. Winery direct bottle, so not a provenance issue. Best wine of the weekend. Decant recommended. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.1

A solid case buy on most vintages, can't really go wrong here. 🤯 NV(2018) Pinot Noir Crémant; please see my prior notes. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.1

The best Champagne one can buy for $27! Our last bottle until my next shipment lands between now and the end of the year. Prior notes still apply. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 10 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Classic vintage for GL that is drinking well mirroring my many prior notes — 2 years ago

Ron R

9.4

See my prior notes. — 3 years ago

with Anne-marie

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2018 Vintage. 14.1% ABV. Consistent with prior notes. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Presented blind alongside three other red wines; another Bordeaux and two Bordeaux blends from CA. All wines were descanted and returned to the bottle 8 hours prior.

This wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core. Medium+ viscosity. Medium+ intensity. The nose was a mix of red and dark fruits with currants and cherries, tobacco, pencil shavings, earth, espresso and baking spice. There’s just a whiff of a barnyard in the distance too. On the palate, again the mixed fruit set with beautifully ripened blackberries and black cherries, currants, earth, coffee and baking chocolate. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Finishes looooooong, dry and immensely satisfying.

The wine is balanced and leans towards its structure. I called 2004 Latour. The soaring aromatics were simply incredible. I just wanted to spend the entire evening with my nose buried in the glass. This is squarely in the drinking window yet has many years left in it. Drink now with an extended decant or enjoy over the next 10-15 years. — 4 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Prior notes apply. This ranks as one of the very best Napa cabs in the less than $100 range - we just love this stuff. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Jay Kline

9.3

Poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2006 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black and red currants, black and red, bramble fruit, tobacco, leather, cocoa, earth, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. Despite the character and quality, I didn’t find this to be a powerhouse rather, this was quietly confident. The finish is long, lovely…very demure. Looking great at 18 years young and there’s a lot of life left. If this is any indication of longevity, the 2006 “Terrace Select” might live forever. Drink now with a decant for air and sediment and enjoy through 2036 easy. — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Such a nice wine at this $$$ level. A wine & producer that I have purchased by the case every year since being introduced to this at la Paulee. Plenty of material here that will reward cellaring. Consistent with my prior notes. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.4

See prior notes. Outstanding Chardonnay… — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 96% Sauv Blanc with 4% Sauv Gris adding an interesting dynamic to the wine & distinctive aromas (prior to ‘18 vintage some Semillon added). Pale lemon color, citrus, tropical & floral aromas. On the palate peach, melon, herb & earthy tones, well balanced with acidity, smooth yet robust on a long finish ending rich with wet stone character. Good value! A Fav!! Very consistent! — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.1

Similar to prior notes:

Nose has Maraschino cherry juice, mashed strawberry/banana and red delicious apple peel.
Palate has sweet strawberry, banana peel, ripe red currant and light green herb notes.

The wine is 100% DeChaunac, a more common varietal for colder climates, like Ontario; fruit is sourced locally (FLX region) from Sheldrake Point. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Prior notes apply; fruit is lightly fading, but this is still an elegant and sophisticated lady.

Nose has strawberry, roses, cut tangerine, juiced Clementine and dry earth.
Palate is strawberry-tangerine (light), wet minerals, so much finesse, yet light in the mouth, just stunning.

Our final bottle of the vintage. — 5 years ago

Joshua Fisher

9.4

Burgess is gone. Viader is not — 5 years ago