RustyR

9.2

Acetone and cherry cough syrup nose. Floral. Soft fruit flavors initial but meaty flavors on finish. Good interesting Acetone blows off after 30 min. More dark bitter chocolate nose — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2005 d’Issan is showing off both the attributes of the vintage and Margaux. Its color is deep and aside from some slight rim variation, it hardly shows its age. Handsomely perfumed, the nose is redolent of black currants, black plums, dark brambles, tobacco, leather, gravelly earth and subtle warm spices. Maybe a kiss of Brett? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium(+?) acid. Both come across so smooth but they are certainly there. The notes from the nose are confirmed. The finish is long and satisfying. Bold and yet refined. Suave. Textbook. Drinking very well right now and certainly doesn’t need more time however, it’s hard to imagine a day in the next 20+ years that this wine won’t perform. — 7 months ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Have a long history with the BV GdL but not sure if I’ve reviewed the ‘11. Decanted this one 2.5hrs and served with short ribs. The nose is the star of the show: pungent, redolent, pick your wine superlative. The palate just slight underwhelms after the overwhelming nose but still superb. Probably peak aging or maybe slightly past. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

“Rain drops, drop top…” this bottle of the 2004 Paul Bara “Special Club” was popped and poured and enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The color is a light gold with a significant and persistent mousse. Developing, the nose is redolent of fresh, ripe raspberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, lemons, brioche, and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and delicious and there’s an almost oily texture. I thought this was outstanding on its own and worked very well with both the chicken and duck dish at the table. While this is singing right now, I have little doubt this will continue to age with grace for another 10+ years. A decadent champagne that’s definitely, ahem, “bad and Bouzy”. — 4 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace opens with a striking bouquet redolent of crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, blood orange and mint. Medium in body and silky, with tremendous fruit purity, the 2019 impresses with its finesse and open-knit personality. There's good energy and tension, but the Red Rock in 2019 is, unusually, a wine of total sensuality. I loved it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2023) — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; consumed over two days with little way in evolution. Cork pulled perfectly. The 2013 Caravina pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core and some very fine sediment. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense…redolent with black fruit, black currants, blackberries, some black cherry, black plum, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, espresso, some green bell pepper, iron rich tilled earth, purple flowers, vanilla and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is very dry with medium++ tannins and medium+ acid. The tannins are integrating well but remain very firm. The black fruits dominate on the palate coming across tart and fresh in the most becoming way. Dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices are there too. The finish is super long and incredibly satisfying. This wine has such a dark and sexy streak to it. It’s like, the Portishead of wines. It’s drinking very well right now and should continue to do so for at least another ten years. One of my favorite vintages of Caravina to date. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is redolent of dark fruits, leather, incense, tobacco, lavender and dried herbs. This strapping, muscular Barolo has a ton to offer. All it needs is to soften a bit, and whether or not that happens is something of an open question at this stage. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023)
— 6 months ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Quite austere, maybe a few years past its prime, nose redolent of Grenache, but palate very restrained, reminiscent of faded fruit. Quite tannic actually. J says you can really sense the “vielles vignes”. Very good but would love to try something newer, maybe a 2015 — 7 months ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.4

Hanger steak 🥩 bottle
Peeps on delectable be drinking this way too early

K&L notes

An exceptionally successful vintage for this property. Pretty, deep crimson. Rich nose redolent of treacle. Smooth, quite sumptuous texture. Very flattering and relatively subtle. I just drank a bottle of this beauty (3/15/20) and it was heavenly. So sweet and elegant. A bit toasty cassis on the nose. Lingering finish-delicious wine and top value for next few years.
Drink from 2020 to 2023 — a year ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.4

Nice bbq chicken 🐓 bottle Wine Advocate review & rating 92 points, be released in 2015, the 2008 San Leonardo is a wine in its infancy. The nose is immediately redolent of dark cherry, blackberry, leather, tobacco, mint and eucalyptus leaf. You will also appreciate the floral tones of pressed rose and almond blossom that lift from the glass. The harvest schedule played out on time with Carmenère coming in at the end of September and Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon towards the beginning of October. The 2008 vintage is especially marked by a duality of floral and menthol notes that rise from the glass with brilliant intensity. The 2008 vintage needs ten year or more to find its proper footing. — 3 years ago