Ben Atash

9.9

I tried this vintage once before and was excited to say the least. Upon first quaff, the wine seemed surprisingly reserved compared to my mental notes. I revisited it over a three-hour period, and sure enough, it came to life. A vibrant bouquet of lime and honeysuckle jumped from the glass. Totally balanced with electric acidity and minerality. It definitely lived up to its reputation. — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

This is quintessential 2004- a vintage that I am sure will grow in reputation just like 1988. Composed of 70% Chouilly Chardonnay and the rest Tauxieres and Epernay Pinot, this wine is 100% estate. This has precision and cut that put it up with the best of Blanc de Blancs. It also has creamy lees character and good mouth feel... What a bottle! — 10 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.5

Smooth, velvety, bold, aromatic; lives up to reputation! — 10 years ago

Justin Scappaticci

8.9

Gorgeous nose of ripe pineapple, lime zest, petrol and flint. The acidity is very intense but is supported by the lush fruit. Its long finish is indicative of this quality producer and its excellent reputation — 10 years ago

Vic Goel

9.4

Wow. Smooth, silky, ripe fruit, complex. This was my first KB, and although this is their entry level Pinot Noir, it upholds the reputation spectacularly well. — 10 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

2005 White Burgundies have a reputation as being soft, round and forward, but not at chez Coche Dury--broad on the mid palate with plenty of gentle toastiness in the glorious finish--perfect balance from top to bottom--a ROCK STAR BOTTLE! — 11 years ago

with Petra and Andrew

Dade Thieriot

10

If the quality of this bottle is any indication this estate is very close to its former renowned reputation--a triumph! — 12 years ago

with Petra

Jason Duff

9.6

You see why this has the reputation of being the best. — 9 years ago

Brian Grech

9.4

Pow. The reputation is well-earned. Great wine. — 10 years ago

with Ashley, Chi and 1 other

Tai Krueger

9.0

It's good. It's really good. Shows off that bright, confectionary fruit typical of the Santa Lucia Highlands area. Here's the thing though: Sierra Mar Vineyard was only planted in 2008. The vines are still pretty young. The Franscionis have a stellar (and well deserved) reputation for their vineyards, and I'm sure Sierra Mar will get there, but right now I'm just not sure it's showing the complexity I'd like for a $60 single vineyard Pinot. If it's between this and Roar's Gary's Vineyard, Rosella's Vineyard, or Pisoni Vineyard, get one of the other single vineyards. — 10 years ago

Steve Alcorn

9.7

Tasted June 20, 2015. A perfect bottle that lived up to its reputation. So hard to find one with guaranteed provenance and not a fake. From the German cellar of Armin Diel, Mahler-Besse. Almost overwhelming chocolate mint, dust, great tannic structure, cherry cola, eucalyptus bark, vanilla, unchanged in the glass for two hours. This wine will likely live another 100 years. — 10 years ago

with John, Ron and 1 other

Zachary Price

8.9

Received the 2011 Reserve Chardonnay from Riverbench in a member shipment a while back and drank it about a week ago. Riverbench, founded in 1973, has long held a very favorable reputation for producing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay out of the Santa Maria Valley. Their winemaker, Clarissa Nagy, has all the tools to make great wine and this is a great example. ~32$ | #riverbench #chardonnay #santamariavalley

On the eyes: starbright, yellow-gold with light stain and med tears. No gas/floc.

On the nose: very buttery with an oaky nuttiness rounded by melon, guava, and pear.

On the tongue: slightly effervescent with med acid, med tannin, and med+ alcohol, floral notes yielding to lemon, melon, and pear on a nice creamy mouthfeel. There's a bit of spice and unmistakable buttery oakiness on the much appreciated long finish. — 11 years ago

Florian Soler

9.2

High as is reputation but it doesn't worse this price — 11 years ago

Stephen Moore

9.8

The Velvet Glove. What a nose on this one! Dark fruit, tobacco, chocolate, and mint. Lives up to its reputation :) #yegwine — 12 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.8

Giving absolute credence to the reputation that the wines from the Margaux commune show, both displayed an elegance allied with a subtle power and perfect balance, especially 2005.

2000 had a trace pyrazine note that I found unexpected, and quite frankly not that enjoyable. Outside of that the wine was perfect. The second bottle did not throw it as strong, so not exactly in the clear on this night.

The 2005 was in perfect shape, drink now or age it another 20 years easy, this was so enjoyable and balanced with perfect tannin integration and a seamless, dense and pure finish that sailed on forever.

#margaux #bordeaux #wine — 10 years ago

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

9.3

Steve Peck- Great gumdrops! I really like this wine. Ripe fruit flavors with elegant structure. A legendary wine that actually lives up to its renowned reputation. — 10 years ago

Dade Thieriot

9.7

#2009 was a spectacular year for #dry #German #Rieslings and the #Spreitzer brothers made an #OestricherLenchen that lives up to this vintage's reputation. Creamy, silky, mouth-coating concentration with a fine core of ripe acidity to support its innate opulence--well done! #erstegewachs #GG #Rheingau — 10 years ago

Adam Jesberger

9.7

At first a bit closed and tight. With time the hype became understood. Layers on layers of dense dark fruit with epic length and complexity. Stunning in every facet. The nose contained an inky tone that i love in the high grade napa cabs. Followed by a subtle mint accent that really complimented our prime tri tip with rosemary. Marthas is one martha fuggah. After a couple hours......the menthol/eucalyptus became insane. Like a york peppermint rush on the nose. Almost icy in nature. If i had known, i would have allowed for a 2+ hour decant before touching this wine. This is a wine that really lives up to its reputation. It was a baby, tannins were still super grippy and coarse. This needed about 7-10 more years. I will be finding more to put away! — 10 years ago

with Jenelle

Felix Warners

9.6

This was the 1990 vintage and it was great! Still so young, an amazing wine and it's reputation is well deserved. — 11 years ago

Oliver Marion

9.3

Cool climate Aussie Shiraz at its best. Certainly lives up to its reputation. Fantastic drop. — 12 years ago