David Nicewicz

9.3

This was stubbornly closed and unyielding. I think a lot of 2000 BDX are in the same “quiet” spot right now. The normal Palmer bouquet was very muted here that was far more pronounced in the 2004 I opened a few weeks ago. I think this is a sleeping giant though as there is a dense velvety tannin structure that sits heavy on the tongue. I’m holding off opening the the rest of my bottles for a few more years. I think this has 9.7+ potential... — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A lot can happen in three weeks. Cheers 🥂 to that!

Top photos, April 11th. Bottom photos, May 1st.

Happy May Day all. Hope yours was as nice as ours.

Numerous notes still stand. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Our trip ended with a tasting of Lewelling & Hayfork, courtesy of daughter Haley at their family home in the vineyard. Although I’m not posting pics of the Lewelling cabs (2017s and didn’t have labels yet), they are impressive, and the Wight vineyard cab is flat out delicious!

The fruit here is the same as Lewelling’s wines, but there is usually a splash of petit Verdot to give more color and structure compared to the 100% Cabernets that Lewelling bottles. Dense, ripe and chewy. Very dark in the glass showing sweet smoke, blackberry compote, baking spices, and espresso aromatics. Whereas the Lewellings have a beautiful red and black cherry liqueur type profile, this is decidedly darker, but every bit as tannic and age worthy. Added notes of graphite, currant, creme de cassis and mixed berry pie at the finish. — 4 years ago

Lyn Farmer

9.0

100% Sauvignon from Totem Vineyard in Yountville plus two other vineyards in Coombsville. Barrel fermented, two to four weeks of French oak, 40% new
This is less grassy and gooseberry than a Marlborough but more assertive than many California sauvignons where the fruit gets so ripe it turns to peach and fig. This is a real Sauvignon lover’s wine with hallmarks of both New World and Old.
Pale lemon, creamy texture with crisp, well-balanced acidity. Plenty of herbal overtones without losing a fruity, mineral-driven core. Long finish - an exciting wine. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

More berry/cassis than leafy herbal Margaret River style - touches of capsicum though. Very enjoyable but I don’t know whether I would pick this as Margaret River in a blind tasting. Medium bodied but M+ intensity. Nearby neighbors of some of the big name producers without the price tag. Tasted another bottle 43 weeks later on 7th February 2020 with similar notes but showing more Margaret River herbaceousness. Excellent QPR for a Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon. 92 points. Tasted another bottle on 19th March 2022 with consistent notes. Pretty much a typical Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon. 3 bottles left. Tasted another on 3rd February 2023 with consistent notes. Had this with pasta. I didn’t think that was a good food/wine match but it worked perfectly. Tasted my 2nd last bottle on 28th June 2023. Certainly not a typical herbaceous Margaret River Cabernet. More cassis and blackberry like a South Australian Cabernet. — 5 years ago

Liz O'Neal

9.2

Lovely orange wine from Umbria! 3 weeks of skin contact - acidic but round and balanced. Gorgeous amber color. Heaven! Amanda’s first orange wine on our double 30th bday celebration ✨👸🏼💕 — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Consistent notes as 3 previous tastings over 66 weeks. Mid to dark Ruby in colour. Lovely perfume of mature Cabernet with Geranium, mint and berries. Just a medium weight palate (but good intensity) from a cooler climate in the Coal River Tasmania. Beautifully made and drinking at its peak. My last one of 6. It’s a struggle sometimes in Tasmania to ripen Cabernet grapes sufficiently but Domaine A nearly always shows well. — 4 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.4

mountain of thunder indeed—in the zone and it would stay there for another decade (but not this bottle). The depth of flavor and cool menthol tame the wild layers of flavor. With a citrus center, it stays focused while providing a kaleidoscope of flavors. The texture is oh so soft as it lays on the palate and then just drives through into my brain. “Iron fist in a velvet glove” was used to describe claret but it works here. Grand cru in all but name, the finish may get me through the next two weeks of being dry. It just echoed. The term head spinning is apt. — 4 years ago

Eric Nichols

10

Excellent wine. Smooth, berry flavored. Not acidic at all. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Last year Barb and I attended the annual Tasting at the Pinot Shop in Launceston. Of the 75 approx Tasmanian Pinot Noirs this one was in my Top 3. It has gone on to wow audiences at subsequent tastings around the country. Had a bottle a couple of nights ago with the following tasting note. Whole bunch stemmy notes. More floral savoury and earthy than fruity notes. Incredible depth to the palate - sumptuous and delicious. Oak perfectly judged giving a slight burnt flavour. Medium + bodied with silky ripe tannins. Low acid. Beautiful now - drink sooner rather than later. Will please “crowds” and experts alike. Opened a bottle 176 weeks later on 21st October 2022. Still very good - raspberry notes coming through. Not the absolute wow when it was young. — 5 years ago

Rob Russell

9.0

Just had this in Bordeaux a few weeks ago. Like most wines of this vintage it took a bit of imagination to fully appreciate. It is clearly time to drink this wine, it may be on the downhill side of life. Overall a good experience for what was not noted as a premium vintage, but is a very solid wine. — 5 years ago

Love You More

8.9

Silky, smooth and fruity. — 5 years ago

Mike Smith

9.2

I was very surprised with this Pinot. Darker in color than most and not much legs. Letting it set 1 hour was a good thing. A very nice wine with fruit on the front and back and finishes nicely. — 6 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

A much better bottle than the last one a few weeks ago. This one showed excellent earth and bramble complexity. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid yellow in colour. Nose of really ripe grapefruit and that trademark dried pear character. Good to see the oak dialled back in this Art series from their previous big style. This is an excellent new world Chardonnay (more Stone fruit than citrus/grapefruit) drinking at its peak. Wonderful Balance- medium minus acid with medium plus intensity. Consistent with previous notes from October 2019 and also 86 weeks ago. — 4 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.4

You give Merlot a good name! Just spectacular. They will never make enough of this. So glad to have a private viewing again a few weeks ago. One of my favorite merlots. @Sean Capiaux — 4 years ago

with Steven

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Chateau L’ Evangile is owned by the Rothschild Family.

The nose reveals; ripe, ruby, brightly floral fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum skin, baked strawberries with hints of pomegranate & cranberries. Steeped fruit tea, cedar, dry clay, crushed rock powder, sandy soils, graphite, dark rich soils, vanilla, touch of caramel & mocha, anise with fresh and dry dark & red florals.

The body is full. It’s mouthfeel beautiful and gorgeous already. Brightly floral, ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum skin, baked strawberries with hints of pomegranate & dry cranberries. Steeped fruit tea, dry cedar plank, dry clay, crushed rock powder, sandy soils, graphite, dark rich soils, crushed rocks, dry underbrush, volcanic minerals, vanilla, touch of caramel & mocha, anise with fresh and dry dark & red florals. The acidity is round & really nice. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting a good stride. The finish is well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, beautifully floral and persists for several minutes. Needs to be held 15 years from birth and will drink through 2035+. 93 now with room for more down the road.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, our double decanters and pourers and another view of the city of San Francisco and the Bay. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Colour of mid Lemon with green tinges. Aromas of mouldy Apple with dust and honey. My wife noted Geranium and cut grass (and generally loved the wine). Perfectly judged oak influence which doesn’t intrude. The next day after use of VacuVin different aromas of grapefruit and honeysuckle. Really must drink more White Bordeaux. Had another bottle 13 weeks later on 18th August 2019 with consistent notes. Slippery mouth feel. Minimal oak influence. Great wine with oysters. — 5 years ago

Paul T HB

9.3

Probably opened this too soon, which is so unlike me😬
Curious how this will stack up against the Carter Hossfeld which is almost the same blend of Merlot & Cabernet.
Find out in a couple weeks when Carter ships
Same price & almost exactly same ratings from WA,
95 for this & 94+ for Hossfeld — 6 years ago