joy horn

9.2

Is actually North Coast, not Sonoma County.
Bought at Williamson 10/2025 $85. Luscious full body with nice tannins. Mellowed some as it opened up. — 2 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2020 Beaune Clos du Roi 1er Cru has some reduction on the nose, tightness, and broody at first, though it opens after ten minutes of aeration. I like the fruit profile here, which is wild strawberry and cranberry polished by oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, ripe red fruit, again, very polished by the new oak, detracting from the typicité. But it is a Beaune predesigned to seduce, and you cannot deny its cashmere finish and fresh figgy aftertaste. Charming. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2024)
— a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

As goth in residence I should alert you that aside from inevitable pheromones it is intellectual wine acumen that revs my motor. Ipso facto if brains turn you on, this Bandol will seduce you with its thoughtful rigor—it has its balance and complexity fine-tuned. Then pure sensual attributes (silky rhubarb/peach Melba joy/is that a bay leaf? And omg perhaps even a hint of allspice) are all guest speakers at the symposium. This wine has deep thoughts but is perky-goth enough to dance til at least 3am. Daylight may be too much though. — 4 years ago

Chris Zitzman

10

Not for nothing, but the nose on this puppy may be my favorite of all time. It’s powerful as can be but graceful and inviting, with all kinds of stewed fruit and every inclination of a powerhouse. There’s a delightful & robust jammy element to it in all the right ways. As it breathes, it says more. It’s as if this wine was the anti-Bordeaux from the standpoint that in now way is it ‘putting on airs. The palate is supremely graceful, as the tannins just melt right into the flavors that expand as it comes into its own. While powerful, it’s clear from the jump that this wine is crafted to seduce with a silky, velvety texture that patiently draws you in and holds you close with what can only be described as a one of a kind, luscious finish. This may be my very first 100pt wine that I just happened to stumble across. Memorable and remarkable. — 20 days ago

with Beth

Shay A

9.4

In the running for shocker of the year so far. Not only because of how youthful it was, but in how it cleaned house at a small Syrah tasting with my local group.

I popped this ahead of time to try a glass because I was a bit skeptical of how it would show…my jaw about dropped when I smelled this wine. My goodness…deep and dark florals, violet, stemmy green herbs, black pepper. Wonderfully balanced and integrated on the palate. Whole cluster profile shines through in a supporting role, with the pepper-crusted blackberries, mocha, olive, charcoal. Not rich, not lean, fastball down the middle. Nervy acidity still. This has a cool-climate vibe to it with just a kick of richness to really seduce you. Brilliant. I may have underscored this. — 2 years ago

Kate Hufnagel

9.3

Night One in Yellowstone. Survived the broken cork. 😆 — 5 years ago

Brent S

9.2

The 2021 of this is light years better than the 2022 — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2022 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. Medium-heavy body. Trashed label, tawdry goods. Knows exactly how to seduce and deliver and how. Plenty of acidity, fruit, minerals and balance. Excellent concentration throughout and pretties up on the loooong finish. An ascendant star. 02.26.25. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1996 vintage. Multiple (6) bottles tasted 1hr, 2hrs and 4 hrs after decanting. Sleek and linear. Not gratuitous and giving just yet but close. Needs another 5-7 years to absolutely ingratiate itself into your psyche/cellar/glass if you're a robot/AI or actually have patience. Sexy af. Decided and dedicated temptress throwing out just enough historic, Lalande-styled love currently to seduce completely if your patience is lacking. Total siren song. Fill those ears with wax and watch your bank account. Beware. This just may be the longest lived Lalande vintage I've ever hit. Discounted the 1996 vintage big-time initially but deffy mistaken with this specific/particular wine. Hard to locate but if you do, it's a go to. Been trying to source since tasting this vintage, without luck, since this visit. Number one on the Most Wanted BDX list currently. Pray for me. 4.4.23. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.7

Lights out bottle from MG, one of my top 3 favorite producers. To no surprise 2002 is so open and giving and its aromatics could seduce you across the room. It’s very Vosne Romanée like as it shows a beautiful spice character and superior combination of power and elegance. There’s red currants, roasted herbs, sous bois and lovely integrated toasty oak. Finishes with fantastic length, depth and soft tannins. A stunner, and Chef Thomas Keller approved 😇 — 5 years ago