Will Stanley

9.1

Zesty and herbaceous, the 2017 Sancerre Les Chailloux by Claude Riffault sports a nose of lemon peel, garden mint, limestone, flint, and a touch of tomato leaf. The palate is juicy and vibrant, characterised by Granny Smith apple, high acidity, and a depth of flavour that suggests some (very gentle, and successfull) use of oak.

I’m not a great lover of Loire whites, but this is a very good quality Sancerre that should continue to improve with age. The minimalist label and wax seal makes for an attractive bottle. — 5 years ago

Evan Bienstock

10

Unofficial last night of summer... so long Dark & Stormy’s for a bit.... — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

From a nice old-looking bottle that had a mid shoulder fill. Solid branded cork and seal. Dark tawny color, mostly translucent with clear rims. Soft delicate nose. Notes of dark berries, old cedar box, gravel, mocha and old saddle leather. In the mouth this comes across as a bit fruit-faded, no tannins. This bottle was past it's prime and fun to try, but I would hope there are better samples of it still out there to be had. — 7 years ago

The Meg

9.1

This got the Brosé seal of approval from the hubby. Will get this again. At first sweeter than expected but then most perfectly refreshing sweetness. Doesn't make sense because we drank the bottle. But it's good. Will get again. #rosealldayeveryday — 8 years ago

Fleur Shave

9.6

A beautiful soft chianti that melts in your mouth before you even start to eat !!! Even has the seal of approval — 8 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.3

Been holding on to a few bottles only because I'm too lazy to open because of the wax seal. Actually, it's not that hard to open. Very smooth and a good time to drink. Would not suggest holding much longer. Had lunch with the family many years ago and they were very gracious welcoming us in their home. Also, they've been supporters of Meals on Wheels SF. Gotta respect those who respect and help the elderly!!! Cheers! — 8 years ago

Janet Ross

9.4

Now it's my turn to try this bad boy from Perliss. It was indeed an experience getting through the tough wax seal, but after a couple of YouTube videos and a few attempts I got the damned thing open! Seriously there needs to be a better way. Use the pull-tab a la Makers Mark. Anyway on to the wine, which is indeed really good! 100% Cabernet, the 2012 is made by Aaron Pott and I've become a huge fan of his wines. This one's from Calistoga and is brimming with dark fruit as well as chocolate and some toffee flavors. Totally drinkable now. Cheers! — 9 years ago

Jonathan Fuss

9.3

Picked up from ambassador after telling them I liked Akashi. Tastes similar. — 5 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

Boy. This one makes you stand in attention. Dark extracts gripping your throat and keeping a hold for nearly one minute. Forest, earthy tannins slowly highjacking your taste buds and letting you go just in time for your next sip. Bone dry. Decanted it before we went on a four hour fall ride in the Idaho Mountains. Great way to seal the day! — 6 years ago

with Tammy

Eric Stravitz

9.0

Delicious, jammy, pretty well integrated, fruit bomb. Love this wine generally and especially for the price. Post-script: a bit on the sweet side. — 7 years ago

P A

9.2

This Province Rosé is absolutely one of our favorites. The 2016 vintage was good this 2017 is very good and earns Mrs. A’s seal of approval. Light fruit aromas , blush in color, a clean crisp mouth feel displaying some complexity. Long legs for a Rosé with a slightly tart finish. Another fine selection from Metrovino Calgary, AB . 13% Alc/vol. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Australian winemakers seem to be competing for the Quirkiest name. First we had Sailor Seeks Horse and now Yes, Said the Seal. Both specialising in Pinot Noir. This wine had notes of Cherry red berries Forest floor and unobtrusive spicy oak. The savoury palate reflects the aromas. This was the Winner of the Australian Pinot Challenge recently. Chief Judges were seasoned Show Judge and Burgundy nut Phillip Rich and Jim Chatto chief winemaker at McWilliams. Young Pinot doesn't get much better than this. Tasted again 49 weeks later on 9th September 2018 with consistent notes. Yet made another note on Delectable. — 8 years ago

Keri Jean

9.5

Received Keri's Super Good seal of approval 👍🏻 — 9 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 9 years ago

JKT

9.2

Another incredible oldie that held up amazingly well. Cork looked like it’s ten years old with only bottom third stained through though it did break apart when pulled and lead seal is in excellent condition. Wine level showed no loss. Wonder if recorked at some point. Nice ruby color with little bricking. Whiff of worrisome sherry note that dissipated very quickly. Again like that Souverain Pinot a beautiful endlessly sniffable nose of almost fermented fruits and apples and autumnal forest floor carrying through to firmly textured palate but a relatively short finish. It’s a class act that still plays well. So second gem of the four. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a young wine that I opened last weekend and enjoyed but, had to seal it up and put back into storage until tonight. It’s a touch faded (10%) but, like all young wine, resilient.

The nose reveals, ripe & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, well extracted pomegranate, the blue fruits he does so well and I love in Pinot, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, raspberries, beautiful layered baking spices, medium intensity dark spices, steeped fruit tea, red fruit cola, hints of dry crushed rocks, limestone, dark, blue, purple flowers with hints of lavender.

The body is full with a fair amount of tannin presence. Nicely knitted structure, tension, length and balance for such a young Pinot. Ripe & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, well extracted pomegranate, the blue fruits he does so well and I love in Pinot, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, touch of cooked rhubarb, raspberries, beautiful layered baking spices, medium intensity dark spice with shades of palate heat, steeped fruit tea, red fruit cola, saline notes, dry herbs, menthol, eucalyptus, hints of dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, dry & moist clay, limestone, leathery, wood staves, amazing dark, blue, purple flowers with hints of lavender. The acidity is excellent. The ripe, elegant, balanced, polished finish is delicious and persists nicely for minutes.

Paul makes beautiful expressions of Pinot, Rhône styles & Chardonnay. If you have not had them, well worth your time & investment to seek out.

Photos of; his Sierra Madre Vineyard...netted to keep the birds from eating his fruit, fruit near harvest time, my picture meeting Paul for the first time last week weekend at a “Matter of Taste” in Napa last weekend and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.0

Taut structure — 7 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

Seriously, Malibu. Do you have to use an inch of wax to seal every bottle? You're really making me work for this one. Ripe black cherry and baking spice entices the nose. Young bright and fun on the palate. It's definitely equipped for aging across the decade. Just have a machete handy to bust through that wax. Paired tonight's offering with a massive rare tomahawk steak. Nom nom. — 8 years ago

Kevin M

9.0

Gagliole is an ancient property sitting at 1640 feet above seal level. HOwever, having undergone a vine reintegration process, the vines are no older than 30 years. State Archives in Siena mention the estate as far back as 994 A.D. The Sangiovese vines enjoy exposure to the south-southwest, nestled between the gentle Chianti hills. A blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% merlot, it is an enjoyable and easy going red. Vibrant cherry, plum, spice and a hint of leather together with well balanced tannins give the expected crisp Chianti Classico flavours sought by many. Approachable now or within the next 3-5 years. Great value!
#chianticlassico #gagliole #sangiovese #italianred #redwine #italianwine #tuscanred #tuscanwine #rubiolo #chianti #goodvalueitalianred — 9 years ago

Eln M

9.6

Smoky! Just right — 9 years ago