Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2013 Insignia pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing but still quite youthful with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: dense brambles, purple flowers, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. At 11 years of age, this remains tightly coiled and needs more time to open up and tell more of its story. All that being said, this is very good now…but to my palate, better after 2027 and through 2043. — 8 months ago

Starven Marven

8.9

Last time i took out the purple cowboy was a lot different but it was great to enjoy this one and not need a new sofa. — 2 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Still youthful with dense , purple to the eye and earthy graphite to nose with blackberry on the tongue. Great richness and long finish. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of fresh berry fruits, cigar box spice and earthy mineral notes. On the palate rich ripe fruit, blackberry & black cherry with hints of dried spices. Good balance with slightly firm tannins, opened quickly, and lively acidity. Long finish, complex ending with oak, herb, mineral and earthy character. Will improve with short term aging, but don’t wait too long as you might be disappointed! Very nice Shiraz! — 4 years ago

Bill Duffy

9.3

From the son of Ken Wright. He does a really good job at making a very good Pinot. Medium to full flavors that are intricate and rounded with a very nice finish. — 5 years ago

Jon Hanlon

8.9

Very nice pinot. Paired perfect with lamb and gnocchi. Gift from Carmen as part of case deal. — 5 years ago

Keith Lite

9.5

A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 6 years ago

with Bruce

Karilyn Lesassier-Van Oosten

9.0

Balanced smooth and easy in the palette — 9 months ago

Ted

9.0

Deep deep purple. It was a warm day yesterday I might have chilled this first. Ripe mouth watering juice. — 2 years ago

with Jeni

Tom Casagrande

9.2

I suppose since this is Castello di Ama I shouldn’t be surprised it’s very good. Gobs of ripe fruit and freshness on the nose, with a nice crushed rock background. In the mouth, it’s dry, fresh as heck, and has good concentration and balance. Totally dry. Phenomenal with Chinese takeout on a warm evening. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Owned in collaboration with Chris Ringland, Jorge Ordonez, Miguel Gil and others, located in Valley of La Aragona inside the Murcia district of Jumilla. Very dark Ruby, purple edges with floral fruit aromas & floral spice. On the palate blueberry & sweet black cherry flavors, savory with great mouthfeel, 24 months aging on French & American oak, the 70% Monastrell & 30% Cab Sauv has fine soft tannins, well integrated with oak, long finish ending with mineral tones, Will age well! — 5 years ago

Justin Wade

9.7

One of my favorite Orin Swift wines. Dark purple hue. Nose of blackberry, currents, boxwood. Full bodied, jammy, light tannins. Flavor of black cherries, blackberries, raspberries... Very smooth. Love it! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Second time having this wine this year with consistent thoughts.

It’s delicious and very approachable for a Lafite. Light on its feet.

The nose reveals, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed/spiced plum, raspberries on the glass edges, poached strawberries and hints of blue fruits. Dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, anise, dry stems, crushed dry rocks, dry top soil, clay, rich, dark earth, Indian/Asian spices, limestone, stones with dark, red, purple, candied florals in a field of violets.

The body is round, silky and just full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are astounding. The tannins, light on their feet but, grip with round tarriness. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed/spiced plum, raspberries on the glass edges, poached strawberries and hints of blue fruits. Dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, anise, dry stems, crushed dry rocks, dry top soil, clay, rich, dark earth, chewy leather, cigar with ash, Indian/Asian spices with medium heat, limestone, stones with dark, red, purple, candied florals in a field of violets. The acidity is perfect and holds the higher alcohol well. The finish is very well balanced, polished and persists endlessly. With proper cellaring this flirts with a perfect score in 20 plus years.

Photos of; Chateau Lafite Rothschild, their barrel room, oak aging vats and Estate vines. — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Traditional Bordeaux style blend. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of blackberry jam, violets and toasted bread. Palate is full of jammy black currant/berry flavors with additional notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, blueberry, graphite and baking spices. Full bodied and juicy. Not overly complex but very well made. A bit more bottle age is necessary for the wine to calm down a bit. Thanks for sharing, Ron B! — a year ago

Jess

8.9

Deep purple color.
Aromas of roasted cocoa, asparagus, baked black fruit.
Dry. Flavors of baked blackberry, green notes, blackberry leaf, vanilla. Rich velvety tannins. High acidity. The green notes diminish the flavor.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 2 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Seemed like the right time to open this. The candy like flavor that I see people complain about had blown off this wine and it just had this incredible purple inky color and rim to it. Very enjoyable. Still had good fruit and sweetness without losing too much luster. Caymus used to age forever but I would drink these up by 10th bday. — 4 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Purple inky colour, chocolate and a hint of fine leather on the nose. Silky smooth, with elegant tannins and structure Smooth and long finish. #beringer — 5 years ago

with Allan and David

Chris McClellan

9.1

Super solid napa Cabernet with ripe blackberry and blackcherry, still with purple core out to a touch of garnet, smooth but powerful tannins, acid still present, toasty oak with vanilla and the pyrazine presence of mint/spicy jalapeño and long finish... — 5 years ago

Taylor Burnside

9.1

Light-bodied and delicious. Perfect for socializing! — 6 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.0

On tap! Guess what State I'm in the second half of this week? It's colder and more snow than home too! — 6 years ago