Glenn Fiddich

9.1

this is one of the examples I was looking for, for a long time in my own cellar. A wine which you want to drink the whole bottle because it's heaven on your toung. Nice tanines, drunk the whole bottle at once. Sorry but was worth it. — 5 years ago

Philip Patston

9.2

One of the classic gins. A bit harsh on its own but a dash or two (or more depending on your preference) of vermouth brings out the juniper and botanicals. And it’s perfect for a classic gin and tonic. A must for any well stocked bar. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

As a Sommelier, it’s interesting to read professional reviews. Something you need to keep up on for what consumers will be looking to buy.

As someone who attends a lot of tastings, you get to get to do your own comparisons. For me, a lot of Bordeaux. It’s my true love. I’ve been to Bordeaux eleven times. Two of them En Premiers.

When I tasted this so called critically difficult/bad vintage from Chateau Belle-Vue, I saw its potential and wasn’t wrong. Now, eleven years later, this wine is singing. While the critics haven’t tasted this wine as recently as this year, they would tell you this wine was average. It is anything but! If I put this wine in a blind tasting, I am confident many would call higher end Napa Cabernet and this is a Bordeaux producer from an ancillary region, under the radar known producer and a difficult vintage.

If I’ve learned anything about wine, it’s in all difficult vintages anywhere, there are producers who still make good wine. This one is magic for around $20 upon release. I’ve had $100 a bottle plus Bordeaux and Napa Cabernet that weren’t this good.

The nose shows, ripe, earthy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries on the glass edges, some blueberries & boysenberries and baked plum. Rich, forest floor, steeped black tea, used coffee grounds, limestone minerals, crushed, dry, rock powder, black licorice, hints of herbaceous notes, touch of mushroom, purple flowers, violets and faint lavender.

The body is full, round and lush. The structure, tension, length and balance are harmonious. The tannins are dark, round, soft, velvety and slightly tarry. Ripe, earthy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries on the glass edges, some blueberries & boysenberries and baked plum. Rich, forest floor, steeped black tea, used coffee grounds, tarry notes, limestone minerals, crushed, dry, rock powder, dry top soil & clay, black licorice, dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, dark spice, some vanilla, hints of herbaceous notes, touch of mushroom, graphite, burnt charcoal, suede leather, pipe tobacco, purple flowers, violets, dark red florals and faint lavender. The acidy round & beautiful. The finish is; ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced between fruit & earth and persistent for minutes.

The well know professional critics would tell you this wine is old or late. I will tell you, from my storage, it’s has another 7-10 years of life ahead of it.

Have it with a good butchered Ribeye (not store bought) seasoned with coarse ground garlic salt & pepper.

Photos of, a modest Chateau Belle-Vue, the beautiful backside of the chateau, barrel cellar and Estate vines.
— 6 years ago

Zachary Price

8.9

Friday Night Whites. Picked up this little southern beauty from the grocery based solely on location and label - yes, that’s me, basic AF. Anyways, Southern Right is a winery based on the southwest tip of South Africa that specializes in Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. The 2017 SvB is a dry offering of 10% Hemel-en-Aarde Valley grapes with the rest being a blend of other Walker Bay SvB with ~14k cases produced. Most of the grapes in the area grow in a sandstone/clay soil in a maritime climate, yielding a nice old world flavor profile to the wines, (think acid and mineral). Wine has been grown in South Africa since the 1650s, but only recently with the ending of Apartheid, has the industry been able to thrive. Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Colombard are the most grown varietals. Drank this one, on its own, chilled and unpaired. Remember to drink this now - SvB is best when young. ~$16 | #sauvingnonblanc #southafricanwine #fridaynightwhites

On the eyes: Pale light yellow, clear, light stain, med tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Delicate gooseberry and quince, sweet lychee, some floral notes and wet slate. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ acid, light tannin, med alcohol, juicy and round. Quince, asian pear, persimmon, and lychee rounding out to a bit of leafy notes and high mineralty. Really nice, long, pleasant finish. Not your classic SvB! — 7 years ago

SF

8.9

Berrylicious ! #strawberry #blueberry and #raspberry just hug your lips and tongue ; smack-your-face acidity. With pepper and cinnamon finish. Beautiful light, youthful red. Perfect to sip on its own. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

this had to be the surprise of the night. The wind held up after all these years. OMG, they knew how to make wine in Napa way back playing! This gorgeous beast could've been mistaken for a first growth Bordeaux!!!!!!
What a spectacular rockstar it was. Badass in a glass to say the least! I loved it and he just happened to be Shawn Rose's birth year Wine!!
Great birth year bud!!!!! This really held its own I'm on the Titans that we drink this evening. It was my only bottle but I will be sourcing some more within the near future to say the least. The only thing better was our company this evening! Thank you for making a trip down from Texas! Your motto is go big or go home so I had to pull out all the stops this evening!!!!! @Shawn R @Christine Christine and I loved seeing you. We will definitely repay the favor!!!!! I'm sure your Texas barbecue will make for some great badass pairings! — 8 years ago

with Christine and Shawn

Andreina Romero

9.5

The Spaniards definitely know their wines are not just for pairing! This gem is not only great with your steaks and lamb and any other juicy treats... It will go with goats cheese, mushrooms, bread and olive oil... And even your chocolates!

Best thing about #AbadiaRetuerta is that it is just a pleasure to have a glass on its own. No need for pairing... And well... If you share it, then it will taste even better. Tobacco, plum, oak bouquet; and a rounded and perfectly balanced palate. Definitely made with care to be enjoyed with passion! #SeleccionEspecial2011
— 8 years ago

barak heller hayun

9.1

this bottle takes me back to Alsace.
i spent a weekend in Strasbourg in 2006 protesting/partying in front of the European parliament that's located there.
no wine was tasted as i sticked to self imported bottle of zubrowka vodka, drops of potent LSD (that were dropped to the tail end of the vodka by a really short vicious smiling man - true story) and local pilsner beer that i remember fondly that's called 'meteor' and came in large 750ml bottles(pretty good ice cold and just ok after the sun warmed up the last 3rd of the bottle).

and now... 13 years later. different tastebuds. but I'm still the same person essentially.

100% pinot gris

off dry officially but feels dry.

14% ABV

pale green 👀

🧀 rind, green apple, pear, very fresh lemon and finely chopped greens👃

full body. I'm guessing the rs helps to build it.
medium plus acidity.

creamy, tart and a bit fruity with added white pepper and maybe even ginger 👄

long lingering pleasent creamy 🎯 like tasty and slightly bitter 🍬

great wine, no doubt about it.
tasty and complex, plays with you and changes every sip, but always superb.

excelent vfm (110 nis). expensive but works hard for your money.

need to try the winery Riesling now.

had it all day on it's own while vacationing.
soft and spicy cheese platter could have helped but I'm too full. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The images aren’t flashy like Krug, Billecart or Ruinart etc. but, if you want a really nice, well priced Blanc de Blanc Champagne, this is for you. At, $24.99, I would challenge anyone to find another Champagne let alone a good one at this price point. As well, an equal Cremant or sparking wine in the same price range. Exceptional QPR here!

The nose is bright and fresh. Crisp green apple, lighter color citrus, overripe pineapple, orange peel and spray, touch of golden apple, touch of bruised pear, ginger notes, vanilla cream soda, caramel notes, spice, hints of baguette crust, honey, darker minerals with chalk, sea spray, fruit blossoms and withering yellow lilies.

The wine brings rich, reductive freshness and substantial acidity to your palate. Crisp green apple, lighter color citrus, overripe pineapple, orange peel and spray, under ripe green melon, touch of golden apple, light bruised pear, ginger notes, vanilla cream soda, caramel notes, marzipan, white spice, hints of baguette crust, honey, darker minerals that press the palate deeply with teeth & heat, nice chalkiness, sea spray, fruit blossoms with withering yellow lilies. The finish is quite nice with richness and goes on and on and on.

Photos of; the House of Baron Fuentes, Chardonnay grapes being harvested and Eric De Brisis, the proprietor for Baron Fuente, which is owned by Ignace Baron.

Baron Fuente is a Champagne negotiant that also owns thirty-eight hectares of their own vineyards. They are located in a village called Charly at the far western edge of Champagne. The side closest to Paris. — 6 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.3

Violet candy, bright ripe plum, vanilla frosting on white cake, roses, and licorice on the nose, a beautiful fresh dense floral bouquet. So very floral upfront. A floral dessert for the nose. Deep and seductively dark red berry palate of drunken cherries, blackberries and raspberries. Piney, bright and astringent on the upper and back palate. Deliciousness on its own. Pair with a warm salty surprise like fresh crispy bacon and seduce your lover with this one. — 7 years ago

Liz O'Neal

9.0

Crisp, light with subtle green apple and nectarine. Dry mouth feel that lags (flavor hits a few seconds after you swallow). Hard to pinpoint but objectively a good fucking wine.

Good on it’s own. Not meant to pair with anything - maybe white fish? Wine you drink because your drinking, not pairing — 7 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Importer notes are more descriptive/educational than my own: "A blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Baga from the granite soils of Quinta do Corujão. The Touriga Nacional is foot trodden in lagar, while the Alfrocheiro, Jaen and Baga are fermented in stainless steel tank at low temperatures with little extraction. Aged for 12 months 30 percent new and 70 percent used French oak barrels."

Deep purple/violet color, nose of cassis/ripe plum and wild flowers. On the palate, it is fresh with soft tannins and practically no acidity, with its very velvety texture.

Absolutely stunning pairing with our local, grass fed Angus burgers, nestled into the best Sourdough buns your ever dug your teeth into. (Our local baker from France is a crazy Sourdough guy, he does everything with it; Pizza crusts are other-worldly!) — 8 years ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

This wine wallops your nose with black cherry and a quarry full of crushed stones. Almost smells like I would imagine a Mencia grown in Saint-Joseph. Very zingy in the mouth, with little tannin but good acids and tons of stony minerality. Actually played very nicely, with a very slight chill, off my pasta with garden pesto, French beans, and new potatoes. Might be a little too simple on its own tho. — 8 years ago

Neal Schaffer

9.1

@delectable This is a Texan, not a Californian; Texas High Plains AVA to be exact. I'm speechless after this effort... insane character and uniqueness. Has it's own definitive style without losing the soul of Sauvignon Blanc. This is straight up radiating with energy.

My girl wanted in on this review. She's got a way with words that is one in a million 😜 So, here is our combined effort:

"Now featuring: The Green Elixir. Wisps of kiwi swiftly enter the nasal passage on command. Over-ripened sweet cantaloupe charges through leaping over fresh Bosc pears. Similar to walking through a field of freshly cut grass on a midsummer Sunday morning. Upon walking through the renewed grass, you will come across loamy soil, enveloped with sandy silt. Dandelions magically pop up along the adventurous route dancing lazily in the breeze.

Taste consistently bathes, not lingers, but bathes on the palate. Anyone ever kiss a lime rind? Experience it now with The Green Elixir. Sour, yet makes you yearn for more. Granny Smith apples frolic throughout the tastebuds. Heading towards the end of our adventure, straw begins to make an appearance and wants to join in the fun. At the peak of the completion of our endeavor, a special herb comes out to play. Lemon Basil pleasantly surprises you to make sure your finale is more than grand.

*Medium-plus acidity and Medium-minus body

💚🍏🍐🍈🥝🌿🌳🥂"

@Dana Dungan You're are truly one in a million. PIC all the way.

@nakedwines @texas
— 8 years ago

with Dana

Mark Flesher

9.2

Raspberries on the front. And lots of it. Lots of herbal notes as well. Green pepper and mushroom. Rosemary and sage. I am actually pretty impressed that this one has so much fruit on the front, but it is JUST on the front. I think that the better days of this wine have passed for sure, but overall I think it is still holding its own....although you need to start planning on drinking these if you have them in your cellar. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 1 other

Philip Cook

8.9

Not old school and not truly new school, this strikes a nice balance in terms of judicious use of oak and black and red fruits. Firm tannins throughout. Probably best with red meats but still enjoyable on its own. Great bang for the buck. — 6 years ago

Michael B

8.9

We were in the mood for a Rose, tried several decent yet forgettable rose’s until we stumbled upon this. Tavel is just west of Châteauneuf du Pap and many of the local Provence Rose’s come from this area. It has a very fresh nose and taste. Similar to eating out of a fresh bowl of slightly sweet and tart strawberries and raspberries, mixed in with some cherries, eating your full. Followed by a nice complimentary mineral taste. Enjoyed this a couple of times over the last few nights over cheese boards, carpaccio, fois gras, and on its own. As a side note, upon reflection, I’m learning that I have (for quite some time) given out lower ratings for wines I have really enjoyed secondarily for a fear of missing out on something else that should be rated “x” high score. Instead I have provided a “pseudo” cap of 9.5. From now on, I will do my best to rectify this, and remove the “fomo” handicap. — 7 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

I’m just going to straight out say it. There is a lot of jealousy around the valley over these wines. Yes, there is some bottle variation. Guess what, 1 man show, does everything on his own, bottles barrel by barrel, some cases are different from others. But this what we always talk about supporting, the little guy who is making it happen no matter what, doing it on his own terms and don’t give a F. When very important guests come into your restaurant and ask for a “mic drop” wine...this is my Go-To every time. Never had someone be disappointed. Say it over and Over 2005 Oregon is the vintage of a lifetime, the good wines are still getting better. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

On the nose, bold, ripe fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, dark cherries & black plum. Warm baking baking spices, mocha, light caramel, black cherry liqueur notes, rich dark soils, perfumed violets & lilacs. The body is round and full with powdery tannins. The fruits sing on the palate. There is waves of fruit, earth and florals that swirl and dance across your palette. The fruits are ripe, sweet and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black plum with juicy strawberries coming on strong at the mid palate. Black cherry cola/licorice, vanilla, light caramel, mocha, semi-sweet loamy dry soils, just a touch of crushed rock powder, soft spice-box, fresh tobacco leaf, perfumed violets & lilacs, round, rich, palate raining acidity and finish that is simply long, well balanced with perfect structure/length/tension and above all beautiful and elegant. It just swirls and dances endlessly & gloriously in the mouth. What mouth harmony! Photos of, vines in Stags Leap, Charles Hendricks, ripe fruit for the picking and one of mine and Charles favorite paintings. Producer notes and history...Charles Hendricks is one of the best Winemakers in Napa Valley. He is well grounded in the science of winemaking. As a 1982 UC Davis viticulture graduate, Charles was able to tailor his own curriculum, and was one of the earliest to integrate winemaking and viticulture course work. Having knowledge of both viticulture and enology forms the bases for well-rounded winemaking under varying circumstances; this is the making of a great Winemaker & consultant. His greatest gift is the ability to make wines the are elegant, beautiful and smooth young but will age effortlessly. Charles Hendricks sees himself as an assistant to the natural bounty of the vineyards. Using his knowledge and experience to guide and coax the very best from the wine grapes. Charles believes in minimal intervention in the wine cellar, but knows that if we leave nature completely on it own, we would be in the vinegar business! To quote him, “It is a wonderful game of hide and seek that we play with Mother Nature…It is natures glory to conceal, and the winemakers glory to reveal, to discover and to persuade the grapes to unveil their highest potential, It is the playfulness of guessing when and how much to step in, that is at the heart of the winemakers’ task." So true in his case. Charles makes his own label wines only when he has the very best of fruit. He is also is the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and until recently was the Winemaker for; Regusci, James Cole and T-Vine. In previous years, he's worked with; Viader, Barnett Vineyards & Paoletti Vineyards. He is truly a gifted Winemaker. If you are able, seek out and try his Henrick's Cabernet & Santa Lucia Pinot Noir, you absolutely won't regret it! @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is one of my more interesting Bordeaux stories. I attended the 14 Bordeaux En Primeur largely through the kindness of Clyde Beffa the owner of K&L Wine Merchants. For those of you that aren't familiar with the En Primeur, it's a professional event where you basically barrel taste the new Bordeaux vintage. The 13 vintage we tasted was one of the most difficult vintages in recent times. Perhaps, even more difficult than the 97. Time will certainly tell...it always does! Over the 5 to 6 days I was there, we tasted somewhere between 1000-1500 wines. Not for the faint of heart. Nearly all the 2013 wines we tasted that week were brutally rough tannic wines. It was like coarse sandpaper on the sides of your cheeks, gums and palate. So much that when we went to the Negotiant Joanne and tasted 250 wines over 3 hours, I brushed my teeth at least three times without toothpaste as the tannin build up on the gums etc. was more than one can handle. However, when we went to Chateau Palmer and tasted their second wine (Alter Ego), it was elegant heaven on the palate. We asked ourselves, what had the other producers gotten so wrong that this second wine had gotten so right. It stood out above & beyond the first & second growths wines we tasted that week. Not that those wines in the long haul won't be better in the years to come over the Alter Ego. However, the Alter Ego was elegant relief after so many brutally tannic red wines. It was so soft, elegant and beautiful. Tonight is the first time I've had it since then. It's not as fresh tonight as it was in the Spring of 14 but delicious none the less. This is the only 13 I purchased in futures. Tonight it's showing everything I expected back in the Spring of 14 except the freshness. This is not a wine that will cellar 20 plus years but it will certainly cellar 10 years plus. This 13 would fool many as a new world wine as the fruits are so ripe. The fruits run ripe to dry and are; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, pouched strawberries, spice, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, milk & dark chocolate, dry florals, lavender, dark soil with crushed dry rocks, volcanic minerals, leather, dry stems, The acidity is a little lean. However, the structure & tannins are fairly smooth and the length is beautiful for such a young wine. It still needs some cellaring time to bring forth the complete balance of fruit and earth into harmony. The finish is still a bit dry but at the same time rich and complex. Quite impressive with food and or on it's own. — 8 years ago