Amit Srivastava

9.1

Opened a merlot after a long time ... well balanced . No decanting . Not v big on the palate .. just right — 6 years ago

S.S. Mandani

9.2

A bed of leafy greens, super scents of petrol. Also, vibrant citrus, freshly sliced oranges.

Vibrant. Vivacious. What’s another word that starts with “V”?

Really, really love the carbonation here. Wasn’t expecting it. It’s surprising in all the right ways, playing off the dry, sweet, and acid components expertly.

Victorious. — 6 years ago

Mickie Meinhardt

8.9

May be time for me to explore the Dinger Lakes, as I enjoyed this so much. Super high acid on this, tart and vaguely tropical, right and dry and puckering even. But crisp, v light, drinkable and refreshing. Replace your Sauv Blanc with this on a hot day. — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.5

Rather suddenly, and without much explanation, Bordeaux found itself in the middle of my crosshairs as being the next place I wanted to conduct a deep dive in. With this shift in my general attention from New World to Old World I began to do more research on the various appellations, prominent chateaus, and nuances of Left Bank and Right Bank, as well as compile a spreadsheet highlighting specific bottles I wanted to seek out. For a reason unbeknownst to me, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou was the producer I wanted to start my deep dive with. I researched the history of the chateaux, learned about their wines, priced out vintages that were immediately available for my acquisition, and added it to my Bordeaux spreadsheet, waiting for the time to pull the trigger and purchase a bottle (or two) to start the trek with. As far as wines are concerned it was all I could think about: Ducru-Beaucaillou. Apparently, the mere act of researching a chateau left me beguiled, craving a wine I had never even had before! With all of this research in mind I’ve learned over the years that as much as I thoroughly enjoy researching and trying wine, it’s certainly more enjoyable to share the knowledge and the experiences with others. Enter @codyuzzel, who has heard more than his fair share of my wine ramblings over the years. One day we began discussing Bordeaux, Left Bank v. Right bank, and changes in our thought patterns about the region over the years, which eventually lead him to asking the million-dollar question: Are there any producers you’ve highlighted that you’re particularly interested in? I told him that Ducru-Beaucaillou was in my crosshairs, along with a handful of other producers that I’d explore once I’d tried Ducru. That’s when he texted me the picture; a picture of him holding a glorious bottle of 2012 Ducru-Beaucaillou. “I took this pic before we started this conversation.” Given the serendipitous nature of this occurrence he extended an invitation to pop the cork upon our next meeting, which is interesting in and of itself given that I had been thinking about visiting him at the wine bar just earlier that day. It’s moments like these that truly make the wine journey a sweet and rewarding one. Thanks, Cody, for your generosity and epic invitations.
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Anise, graphite, plums, and blackberries. Very polished and very delicious. — 7 years ago

with Cody

Steven Beishuizen

9.1

This vintage is drinking well right now five years after vintage. No tightness. This is still all about the fruit too. Well done! — 9 years ago

with Anita

Velma Cooper

9.1

Velma had this 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Normally, we are just fine with their N/V Rosé Champagne. Thought it was time to switch it up and pull out a bottle of vintage.

The nose reveals; blood orange, tangerine, pink rose petal infused strawberries, pink grapefruit w/ a dash of sugar, rhubarb, under ripened watermelon, Rainier cherries, apricots, peach, hints of black cherries, touch of oyster shell, saline, sea fossils, grey volcanics, some white spice, crumbled, dry chalk, hints of bread dough, yeasty notes & baguette crust/toast, coriander, fruit blossoms, peach colored lilies, orchids in a field of wild flowers.

The mousse is extremely delicate with micro-oxygenation. Caresses the palate like a feather duster. Blood orange, tangerine, pink rose petal infused strawberries, pink grapefruit w/ a dash of sugar, rhubarb, under ripened watermelon, Rainier cherries, apricots, yellow peach, hints of black cherries, marmalade fruit pieces, touch of oyster shell, saline, sea fossils, palate gripping fine grain grey volcanics, limestone minerals, pronounced white spice with gentle yet punctuating heat, vanillin, crumbled, dry chalk, hints of bread dough, yeasty notes & baguette crust/toast, coriander, fruit blossoms, peach colored lilies, orchids in a field of wild flowers. The acidity is beautiful...near perfect. The finish is; elegant, very refined, well knitted and balanced in fruit & earth and persists endlessly with just the right level of white spice. Excellent.

Photos of; House of Billecart, Riedel Sommelier Flutes, Billecart Tasting Salon and cellared bottles. — 6 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.0

Dark ripe cherry with a touch of kirsch. Some woody aromas from the 12m in barriques, a touch of leather plus a pinch of dark chocolate. Quity fruity & round for a Mencia, with the wood v. nicely integrated and the earthy-irony streak subdued and showing only in the finish. This is nicely polished and harmonious, the tannins a touch too dry, but a fine wine and a pleasure to drink right now. — 7 years ago

Cary Silverman

9.5

Incredible right out of the bottle — 7 years ago

with David

Richard Portes

9.5

18.5. 2009. Best white in a long while. Has it all. Light gold, v deep nose of white fruits. Perfect balance, with just the right acidity for this Full, rich fruit. Very very long. I still have a few bottles of the 09 (the first vintage) - Mme Ferrando tells me she has none left, even for herself. Mine will last for a long while if I can refrain from drinking them - but I do have following vintages... — 8 years ago

Michael Flynn

8.9

2012 The secret is to wait for the right time to open a wine ( or discover it in the back of the fridge). V smooth — 9 years ago

Alan Viader

9.6

second bottle I tasted this week and showing amazing floral, rose aromatics. great structure but refined and restrained, an elegant wine. drinking so great right now. — 10 years ago

Justin Hart

9.0

Wonderful tannic grip from three whole cluster fermentation. Big, cherry and spicy notes. Chewy, intense, fruit forward,v and bam! Right in the hang ball... — 10 years ago

with Alex and Cherish

Ben Hearns

9.1

amazing napa cab. 2014 drinking v well right now. opened up beautifully. full body and pure perfection. — 6 years ago

Daniel M

9.1

Superb nose with tar, meat juice, black currant, an irony thing. This is inviting and strong, very inviting. The palate is wonderful! Super acid backbone with a bright black currant all along, a velvety touch on the sides that remains all along, tannins have already started to integrate. There is width, there is length, there is fruit, there is grip. The finish lasts for a long time with a nice fruit, some meat juice too and a pinch of bitterness. V
In a great place right now! — 6 years ago

John Smith

9.4

Special wine here. You can taste the age in all the right ways. Medium-full, earthier than your average cab. Just excellent. — 7 years ago

brando cox

9.0

Remarkable Rioja at an affordable price! Let it decant for an hour and you will be rewarded with a dark fruit forward, balanced oak and the right touch of smokiness....to compliment our seared Tuna filets. Rioja, so hot right now. — 7 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.1

Need to let it breathe. Order right away and wait until the steak arrives ... strong nose with decent amount of tannins— it’s rich and complex with a few different layers between the nose and taste. if you give it 30+ minutes, you’ll be v happy. — 7 years ago

Lindsey King

9.4

I tried this purely because it's Somm juice right now and what could be more tempting? This is happy wine but there's more complexity in there than puppy dog happiness. Nothing against puppies of course... Deep red and dark purple fruit. Green/stalky mouth tingling quality almost an anesthetic character but that's kinda all wine amirite? Smoky earthy things happening, a v romantic autumnal cabin in the woods. Could have definitely benefitted from decanting but too late it's gone. — 9 years ago

Leigh Sturges

9.0

2009. Solid. Very nice. Once it opened it was just the right amount of tangy with a slight hint of pepper. — 10 years ago