Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2017 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard is one of the deeper wines in this range, and yet it, too, is compact. More than that, though, the Hudson signatures just don't come through when the fruit is picked this early. Apricot, tangerine, dried flowers, honey and chamomile develop in the glass, but the 2017 lacks character, in my view. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2019) — 6 years ago

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9.7

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is another wine that has fleshed out very nicely over the last year. All of the signatures of this site are very much in evidence. Silky tannins and creamy, voluptuous fruit are front and center. A wine of tremendous exoticness and sheer appeal, the 2014 will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. A rush of sweet red cherry, plum, mocha and spice builds into the beautifully polished, refined finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 8 years ago

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9.0

The 2015 Guidalberto is a delicious, mid-priced red from Tenuta San Guido. Here, too the style is quite restrained for a wine that in the past has played more on textural richness and volume. At times, Guidalberto was richer and more voluptuous in style than Sassicaia, but the 2015 is done in a style that is more similar to that of its big brother. It remains to be seen if that is a true stylistic shift or simply a reflection of the 2015 vintage. In any event, the 2015 is very pretty. Sweet Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics, pliant red-toned fruit and mid-weight structure are the signatures. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, April 2018) — 8 years ago

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9.8

Aromatic lift, precision and intensity are the signatures of the 2012 Maya. Savory herbs, mint, violets, spices and red cherry jam are woven together in an intricate fabric of flavors and textures that captivate all the senses. Pure power and finesse are rarely found together to this degree... (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Oct 2015) — 9 years ago

Dan Michael

9.5

Dug deep in my cellar for this bottle of my daughter's birth year of Los Ninos for her 21st birthday. Hands down the best vintage (and I have tried many) of this commemorative bottling. Even more special with the signatures of many family members wishing her well. The wine drinks like a fine Bordeaux, silky texture, still youthful fruit and aromas, another testament to the greatness of the Monte Rosso Vineyard. So worth the wait, a truly great wine! — 9 years ago

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9.4

A deep, inky wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is endowed with serious depth. Here the flavors are unusually dark and intense, with plenty of blue and black stone fruits. Graphite, cloves and licorice contribute to an overall impression of gravitas. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet needs time in bottle to truly shine. Hints of violet, lavender and plum add the final shades of nuance. All of the signatures of the vintage come through beautifully. The translucent, mineral-laced finish is especially appealing. Frankly, it's hard to put the glass down. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 9 years ago

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

8.9

Lean, fresh, floral and fruity. With the flor aromatic and flavor signatures adding complexity. Very crisp & refreshing. — 9 years ago

Max Kelly

9.0

Probably should have decanted, as this showed best towards the end of the evening (and bottle). Classic Lafite signatures of graphite, cedar, and (fading) cassis/black cherry. Better focused at cellar temp than room temp. Time to drink up, but still showing the world elegance and poise of its terroir. — 9 years ago

with Doug, Eli and 2 others

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.3

showing initially very mature but with a little air great signatures of Etna fruit and minerality. — 11 years ago

Hiroki Inoue

8.9

カルディにて¥1k。久々、超ハイコスパな一本です。 — 12 years ago

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9.7

Bollinger's 2008 Grande Année is rich, ample and full-bodied, with all of the pedigree of the vintage on display. Dried pear, dried flowers, chamomile, red plum and mint develop as the 2008 shows the breadth and creaminess that are such signatures of the Bollinger house style. A whole range of brighter, more floral and chalky notes appear later, adding translucence and energy. The 2008 is 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay taken across 18 crus, and it is the Pinot that very much informs the wine in both flavor and texture. More importantly, the 2008 is one of the best Grande Années I can remember tasting. Bollinger fans won't want to miss it. Disgorged November 2018. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2019) — 6 years ago

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9.4

The MV 10 Fut de Chêne is a blend of 70% 2010 and 30% reserve wines. The flavors are bright, focused and lifted throughout. Even so, there is plenty of underlying Aÿ depth. Lemon confit, chamomile, mint and dried flowers are some of the signatures. Now that the Fut de Chêne perpetual reserve has a few more vintages in it, this cuvée is gaining in complexity, which is of course great to see. The MV 2010 needs at least six months in bottle to recover from its disgorgement. Even so, it is impressive today. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged December 6 2016. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2017) — 8 years ago

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9.1

This bottle seemed a little leaner than my last bottle, 2.5 years ago. Still, a very enjoyable cab. The signatures of the vintage come across as if there’s cab franc in the blend, rather than seeming underripe or stemmy. — 8 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.6

Color of light red mixed with black tea and brown sugar. Dark yellow on the rim. A bit hazy. Nose of condensed dried cherry, black pepper, a bit balsamic vinegar, salty bacons, and some wet earthy note. Taste of nice black tea flavor, mix of cherry and strawberry note, intense oak and cedar wood, firm tannins, balsamic acid, tobacco leaf, and some spice note like clove. The taste is a mirage of different nice and saturated Barolo signatures and surpass the nose for sure. Aftertaste is lingering flavors of aforementioned flavors and still powerful tannins. Overall very good Barolo to enjoy now or shelf for several more years to come. — 9 years ago

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.2

A definite hint of VA, with strong Nebbiolo signatures but also tobacco, spice, underbrush. Savory and tannic in a pleasant way. — 9 years ago

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9.5

Just as magnificent from bottle as it was in barrel, the 2013 Napanook is dense, powerful and brooding, with searing intensity and extraordinary balance. Lavender, plums, violets, licorice and smoke are some of the signatures, but the 2013 exudes finesse, power and intensity. Bracing and searing, the 2013 is going to require quite a bit of patience. If anything, this is an insane level of quality for the second selection. The 2013 could turn out to be a thirty-year wine. It is every bit that magnificent, especially if given some aeration. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) — 9 years ago

Steve R

9.0

Fruit forward, fresh Grenache without much length. At ~$12 it's perfect for what it is. I'm a fan. — 9 years ago

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

9.4

Slate soils high up on hillside. Pure, lifted, perfect fruit and acidity (Raul signatures), got that great Bierzo bacon savory character with some air. Spanish N. Rhône fa sho — 10 years ago

with Casa

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.1

Maturing in a Southern Rhone like fashion. But finesse and lightness are the signatures of the texture & body. — 11 years ago

Michael Larner

9.9

When turning 40 it is best to look back, hence thus 13 year old Sperss. Typically Cab Based, this wine still reveals the Piedmont signatures of asphalt and licorice. Not super peppery or dusty, and has a hint of balsamic notes. Truly a great wine, but perhaps not the strongest of the vintage. — 12 years ago

Anthony Shideler

9.4

A hedonistic Pomerol in every sense of the word, this wine shows all the signatures of the warm, ripe 2015 vintage. There are certainly better values in 2015, but you definitely get your money’s worth here. Give the oak a few more years to integrate, then this should be ready to rock — 7 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.3

2003 Vintage in Magnum. 14.1% Alcohol. Took a while to soak up some air and settle down but once it did, smooth palate and aged fruit flavors and resolved tannins. Not Gail’s style but nothing wrong with this over several days. Slight sediment but no bottle coating. Tried to have it opened iat a restaurant for a friends retirement party but I forgot bring the Ah-so. Waiter with corkscrew destroyed the cork and I gave up and opened a 2003 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum instead which was perfection. No problem with using the Ah-so at home and the corkscrew has not penetrated the bottom or the cork. Purchased at a ZAP silent auction in 2004 or 2005 so it has the three owners signatures on the label. — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

A good wine from a challenging year. Medium bodied, aromas of sage and leather. Signatures of licorice, tar and plumbs. Very drinkable right now and perfect this evening with delicious stew for the winter. — 8 years ago

with Cara

Tyler Atha

9.5

Spectacular South African cab that starts berry and finishes smooth and light. Great find!! 😋 — 8 years ago

Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

9.0

Nuanced aromatics and bright red-toned fruit are some of the signatures in Vajra's 2014 Langhe Nebbiolo. This super-expressive Nebbiolo punches well above its weight. (AG) — 9 years ago

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.0

Light and lively. Shows schist-like mineral signatures, savory earth and spice, subtle red fruit. — 9 years ago

Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

8.9

The 2015 Rosé of Pinot Noir is bright, focused and finely cut. Cranberry, white pepper, chalk and flowers are some of the signatures in this super-appealing, chiseled Rosé from the team at Jonata. (AG) — 9 years ago

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen KC

9.1

Savory with strong Musar signatures but also quite spicy. A broad wine that can pair with a wide array of food and scenarios. — 9 years ago

Eric Guido

9.0

Absolutely an example of the darker side of Barolo. The '99 Corino Rocche dell'Annunziata is coming from a time when new oak ruled the day. Dark red fruit aromas, as well as tobacco, cedar, exotic spice and minty-pine rose up from the glass. On the palate, ripe cherry with notes of licorice, spice and dark chocolate were kept firm by the wines structure, which is helping more than hurting on this night. The finish was fresh with pure ripe cherry fruit, sweet herbs and inner floral tones. Good? Yes, but I miss the Rocche signatures that are completely covered over by the new oak that was used here. — 10 years ago

Bryan Garcia

Sales Grand Cru Selections

9.7

Elegant, seamless, and tertiary. It has all the Chave signatures in their final forms. — 11 years ago