In tonight's WS tasting, we had the 06, 04 and 02. There are at least two things that are true. One, time is kind to the older vintages and/or the 02 vintage was special. Likely, both are true. One thing that is undeniable, WS grows and cellars amazing fruit. Seriously, consistent! The raspberry in their aged fruits really shine. Followed by bright; strawberries,cranberries, pomegranate, limestone chalk, mid minerality, black & red licorice, earth, sweet spice and flat out elegance that goes on and on. The quality amongst their single designated vineyards is marginable from their Sonoma coast blends. Also, how they price them. — 10 years ago
The 07 Lytton Springs is blackberry,boysenberry, blueberry, mulberry syrup over pancakes, an easy integrated array of spices with a whiff of white pepper in the forefront. Rich, jammy, juicy and syrupy. Really starting to shine but I'll hold the rest of my bottles another three years for it's perfection. — 11 years ago
Great work. Natty PS, done really well...a little marsanne to boot — 11 years ago
Phenomenal level; slow-oxed for 3 hours and decanted for 30 mins. Deep hue with a hint of bricking but good shine and legs - still vibrant on the nose with clear Cab Franc notes; smokey, almost meaty (bilton-like) with hints of cocoa nibs, roasted peppers, and pipe tobacco. Ever so slightly numb on the palate - clearly well balanced but perhaps becoming slightly unknit. I suspect it will come back together for the long haul so drink now or from 2040:-) — 8 years ago
Rain or shine, this bottle makes me feel happy:-) — 10 years ago
Rich mouthfeel and ripe raspberry and cherry flavors. yum! — 10 years ago
This wine still needs another 5-10 years to fully shine. However, it was none the less great. Dark multi layered cassis, tobacco, light leather vanilla and just right amount of oak, tannins not fully resolved and made in that remarkable Martha Heitz style. — 11 years ago
Firm, masculine and structured, notes of tobacco, cassis, blackberry and earth shine through with effort. Full bodied and traditional in style — 12 years ago
At first, cassis and cherry shine on the expressive and generous nose. But soon lovely notes of treebark, licorice, forestfloor and grilled bell-pepper add in.
Slightly slender and feminine on the mid-palate, this wine could use some more flesh and stuffing.
Wine definately scores on the nose! — 8 years ago
Classic approachability always found in Raphet, young yes, but with some air it really starts to shine. — 9 years ago
Light and dry with some minerality. An easy to drink white. Held up to Thanksgiving dinner but would really shine with lighter fare. — 9 years ago
This was a winner. Black cherries and red fruit shine forth once the tannins have had a chance to mellow out. Chocolate, herbs and earth throughout. Well structured. — 9 years ago
Earthy and still a bit tannic, a darker side of Lalande. I think it will shine in another 5-10 years. — 10 years ago
The second domestic Super Tuscan I tried this week. The first being David Arthur's Meritaggio. Hands down this is the choice. Also, typically my favorite release from Long Shadows each year. Sangiovese blend with Cabernet and Syrah. Dark, smokey with rich fruit and fine tannins. I'd let this one cellar a bit longer to catch its peak. Look at 2017 and beyond to allow it to really shine. — 11 years ago
I'm usually not a fan of white but this was amazing. Notes of citrus, melons and a hint of honeysuckle — 13 years ago
Niki Sherman
Scot likes lots — 7 years ago