Jeroen Koenen

9.1

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

Nico J. Snyman

9.1

Classic approachability always found in Raphet, young yes, but with some air it really starts to shine. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Creamed fruits, coffee grounds and dry floral nose. Ruby ripe dark fruits; blackberries, dark cherry, stewed plum, dry coffee grounds, tobacco leaf, softened leather, dry brown earth, crushed dry rocks, dry florals, nice acid and finish that will get there...it's just not today. There is great structure here with length and good balance but this needs another ten plus years to really shine. — 9 years ago

Ginevra

9.5

Rain or shine, this bottle makes me feel happy:-) — 10 years ago

Brianne Guist

8.9

Rich mouthfeel and ripe raspberry and cherry flavors. yum! — 10 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

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

Chantal Leyden

9.8

I'm usually not a fan of white but this was amazing. Notes of citrus, melons and a hint of honeysuckle — 13 years ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Dazzling mountain fruit aromatics of pencil lead, cinnamon and cedar shavings. Very dense and tannic but sweet blackberry fruit and chocolate covered expresso beans shine through. I absolutely love these wines but I highly recommend you give them 10+ years in the bottle so they can strut. — 8 years ago

Royce D

9.4

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

Henrik Poulsen

9.3

Amazing aging potential on (some of) these older Newton Chardonnays.
Starting out a bit questionable (possibly reduced?) it really started to shine after 3+ hours. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

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. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

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. — 10 years ago

Aran Healy

Partner Ruby WIne, Carlotta Cellars, Thistle Cellars

9.3

Great work. Natty PS, done really well...a little marsanne to boot — 11 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

Classic lunch bags and just a stellar treat in a crowded sea of Napa cab. My fave 5th growth by a long shot but Pontet Canet and Grand Puy Lacoste aren't far behind. The Lynch seems to shine for me regardless of vintage. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Blue fruits shine with dark cassis and dark chocolate. Finishes with dark and mid red fruits. — 8 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

Will come around at the moment too young and closed. Chalky rose pedals shine through. — 9 years ago

Michael Mallon

9.0

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

Flavio Menezes

9.2

Earthy and still a bit tannic, a darker side of Lalande. I think it will shine in another 5-10 years. — 10 years ago

Colin Yates

Wine Buyer Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits

9.4

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. — 10 years ago

with Derek

Dick Schinkel

9.1

Firm, masculine and structured, notes of tobacco, cassis, blackberry and earth shine through with effort. Full bodied and traditional in style — 11 years ago