Anthony Lombardi

9.5

Open for business right on the pop. Aromatics show a freshly cut, perfectly ripe pear which doesn't relent. Wonderfully balanced palate with rich fruit & nervy acidity. Shows nuances of smoke and spice, but is hard to track those as it is amazingly easy to drink and doesn't last long. — 9 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.8

A wine with enormous energy, tension, width and length. Plenty of fruit here still, but mellow; flawless balance. Definitely on the right track towards perfection; just make sure not to touch it until 2022+. Easy 98 p. A true treat to drink. — 9 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.4

Back upstate and starting with a quick split and caviar to get things back on track. The softest bubbles, brioche, yeasty, toasted almonds. Yum. Great balance to the brine. Christmas Carols have switched to George Michael. Can this year please end already?!?!? — 9 years ago

Jason Lede

9.2

franc in the front x let you r feet stomp x merlot in the back x come on to the track — 10 years ago

Victor Aul

9.0

Back on track!! Solid wine well balanced. Honey, orange taffy and balanced oak. — 11 years ago

Ameilia Douglas

8.9

Lovely Tuscan Shiraz drunk in Romez Can't think of tasting notes as I've drunk too many reds on this month in Italy and not kept proper track but do remember specifically asking the waiter to bring the bottle so I could take a pic to remember it. — 12 years ago

with William

Nick Lobaccaro

9.6

This wine, made from a blend of very old vine Grenache and younger vine Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on terraced vineyards, is among the most exciting wines I have tasted. Unfortunately, only 300 cases are produced, all of which is exported to the United States. It is aged in 100% new French oak casks and bottled without fining or filtration. 1994 is considered to be one of Spain's all-time great vintages, so it is not surprising that this wine possesses more potential than the exceptional 1993 and 1992. Try to imagine a hypothetical blend of Petrus, l'Evangile, Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape, and Napa's 1993 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is an opaque black/purple. The nose offers up spectacularly rich, pure aromas of blackberries, black-raspberries, minerals, and subtle vanillin from new oak barrels. Extremely rich and dense, with unbelievable levels of concentration and extract, this amazing wine is a strong candidate for a three-digit rating when it develops more maturity in 5-8 years. Since it is a newly created wine, there is no track record established for ageability, but a wine such as this should keep for 20-25 years. This is one of the most exciting young wines anyone could possibly taste. Awesome! — 12 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.2

Haven't a burgundy in some time, and this premier cru from Frederic Magnien is hitting the spot! Surprisingly intense color given its age, the wine exhibits a much more fruit-forward nose than a typical burgundy (likely due to the fact that 2003 was an extremely hot vintage). Medium-plus bodied on the palate, but much of the tannic backbone has dissipated considerably, suggesting that this is on a (relatively) fast evolutionary track. Finish is balanced. Overall this is an excellent wine, but if you have bottles of this stashed away you might want to consider enjoying them sooner rather than later. — 9 years ago

with Vanessa

Carl Fischer

9.7

You know it's a good vacation when you've actually lost track of what day of the week it is! This wine is just beautiful and drinking so well right now. Blackberry and creme de cassis explode on the nose and on the palate as well. Slight hint of chocolate as well but the fruit flavors lead here with the slightest sweetness. It's lush and full bodied with tannins that are nicely integrated at this point but still leave some dryness in the mouth. This is beautiful and will be fun to try this again in a year or two (if I can keep my hands off it!). — 9 years ago

Doug Griffin

9.0

I had a slight chill on this which was a mistake. Drinks more like a Pinot. Rose type notes breathing in but hitting the palate is another story. Jammy stewed raspberries, some heat, green herbs a touch of clove. Very enjoyable — 10 years ago

J

9.0

Nutty, nice hops, not so bitter that it runs over the malt. A good beer on a hot day. — 11 years ago

Dana Thompson

9.5

Happy New Year! Nothing like a big 'ol Columbia Valley blend on a chilly New Year's Eve. Lots of blackberry, oak (but not enough to make this bomb too edgy) and leather. Had the '11 and was really impressed but the '12 has more depth and accessibility. — 11 years ago

Jonathan Udkow

Import & Logistics, CA Sales Manager Pacific Prime WIne

9.7

This Rose is one of the years best and perfect after a long sunny day. Tried this at Toast and had to track it down. Bright ripe strawberries And Rose petals on the nose. A nice touch of wet gravel as well. Mouth feel is crisp, great acidity, almost perfect. Cherries and strawberries with a bit of lavender and spice on the finish. A long lasting taste of chocolate covered cherries finishes it off. — 12 years ago

David Kline

9.1

A sturdy mare. Mussel shell, blackberry mignonette, cedar cones, blueberries, rye toast, Parmesan crisps, chocolate and pencil shavings aswim in raspberry liqueur. Medium heavy mouthfeel on this swarthy beast. Tar, cedar bark and black currants with mocha espresso, thyme, allspice and graphite. Take this black beauty to the track for a few laps. #CuvelierLosAndes #LeovillePoyferré #Uco #ValledeUco #Argentineanwine #sawine #malbecmalbec #malbecsyrahblend — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Anthony Lombardi

9.5

@Jonathan Wall - got me back on track. One of my favorite examples of Pinot Noir from anywhere. 2008 showing loads of structure, forest-y notes and wonderfully deep red fruit. This will be long lived and will really hit stride in a few years, but drinks very well with about an hour of air right now. — 9 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Textbook! Unique Chablis earthy minerality exudes marine chalkiness, flint, chicken broth, and bright lemon-oil tinged fruit. Intense flavors glide effortlessly (as if on a mag-lev track) across the palate. Intensely stony and pure and long. Still youthful. Really classy. — 10 years ago

X'Zavierr Garland

9.7

This wine is very lit. Pairs perfectly with pepper-jack cheese cubes and track 5 on the Blueprint 2 . — 10 years ago

John H Duncan

9.2

2010 is right on track. Violets! — 11 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

If anybody harbors doubts about whether or not the Chateau Rayas southern Rhone estate is back on track after the passing of the great Jean Reynaud in the mid 90s need only have a whiff and a sip of this glorious wine to be totally convinced--HALLELUJAH! — 12 years ago

with Petra

Doug Burress

Sales K&L Wines

9.2

Ok! Back on track! Fresh and delicious. — 13 years ago