Shay A

9.5

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

This was slow oxed for a few hours before the event. I was fortunate to try this a couple times throughout the evening. Monster stuff that is only getting better. Aromatics of dark cocoa, mocha, bayleaf, cedar, currant, underripe blackberries and raspberries. Built like a tank on the palate...big structure sporting notes of leather, herbs de Provence, grilled black cherries, plum, mulberries, graphite, and a tannic finish. If you can decant for half a day, go for it. Otherwise, hold on and enjoy the fireworks in 5-7yrs. Thanks for bringing @Jid R . — 6 years ago

with Jid

Kevin Blix

8.9

I prefer the 2007 better at current time. Had two times in last week. Wine seemed sweet compared to others John brought. — 8 years ago

Michael Phillips

9.9

Have had this wine at least 6 times during the past decade and it never lived up to its hype!
This time it did. Velvety smooth with big ripe dark fruit cherries and plums Great! — 8 years ago

Cody Short

9.5

Simply stunning. Big red fruits, tobacco, earth and brilliant nose. Had this from 750ml several times and wasn't impressed but this absolutely killed from the larger format. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

In every difficult vintage, anywhere, you will find producers that make exceptional wines. This 91 Palmer is such a wine. I have to thank Clyde Beffa owner of K&L Wine Merchants who has been traveling to Bordeaux for 35+ years for highly recommending two 91 Bordeaux's to me. The 91 Pichon Lalande; which he described as "heavenly." It's just the word I would have used to described it 5 or 6 years ago. Also, this 91 Palmer. He described as, "​I love it-soft and silky." I would strongly agree. You see, critics gave the 91 vintage a horrific review as a whole. Bordeaux had two frosts in April and a cold growing season. These elements didn't prevent either of these producers from making beautifully elegant 1991 wines. I have said it many times and will say it again, taste wines even in difficult vintages. You'll find value and some excellent wines. As for this 91, it's in perfect form. Excellent on it's own and even better with the ribeye. It's so elegant, smooth, beautiful, ripe and well balanced with earth & fruit. The fruits are slightly stewed & baked. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, touch of rhubarb, cherries, strawberries. Dried florals, used leather, tobacco with ash, slight vegetal quality, anise, not too sweet black cherry licorice/cola, figs, dark earth with crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, understated spice and perfect acidity that drips over the palate. The length, structure, balance and finish are in perfect harmony & the finish goes on and on and on. As many times as we've been to Bordeaux, we never get tired of the drive on the D-2 through Margaux and Pauillac. Chateau Margaux & Palmer stand side by side in beautiful prodigious history to say nothing of Baron Pichon & Pichon Lalande. Every year, for my B-day, I have a great steak and an old Bordeaux. It just doesn't get any better than that. And as many of those nights I've had, B-day or not, this might have been the best. Perhaps topping or equaling the Ribcap at Bourbon Steak and the 91 Pichon Lalande. To quote Gary Westby, "it steak and claret night." 12% alcohol is so much more enjoyable than 15% plus. ❤🍷🎉🎂 — 9 years ago

with Gary

Daniel Bailey

Sommelier Mastros Steakhouse

9.4

wow. Where is my beef? So many secondary flavors in this wine, and they continued to evolve throughout the finish. Restrained at times, this wine was not dominated by just one character. Graphite, blackberries, leather, spice rack, medium plus acid and tannins still. — 10 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Very Pauillac like served blind and tasted next to the 86 Mouton. I guessed 86 Dominus as I have had this wine more than a dozen times over the last few years. — 11 years ago

Brenda Alvarez

9.7

One of my favorites!!! Havw tried it 2 times — 12 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.9

..........RESPECT!.......... — 12 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.3

Raul is one of those special and unique producers whose wines stand out in just about any field with others of similar quality. I could fill pages with tasting notes, but I feel it’s more appropriate to simply reiterate that these wines are beautiful, complex, superbly crafted and downright delicious. It is nearly impossible not to drink a whole bottle. I’m giving an extra point or two for the Saint Jacques Mencía cuvée because of the exceptional value it delivers at well under $20. This would embarrass many village level Burgundies at three or even four times the price. — 7 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This was a perfect btl that had an intoxicating nose of sweet red fruits, cassis, earth, cedar, forest floor, spice cake, leather & cigar box. As I have stated many times one of the great drinking vintages of GL next to the legendary 82. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

After finally getting caught up with last weeks posting, its back to our regularly scheduled Friday N/V Rosé Champagnes. My favorite after Krug. Sofia’s is different about every 2-3 weeks. 🤣🥂

My notes are listed many times previously. I’m taking a break from notes for now and going to fully enough my baby bottles 🍼 of 375ml. Ahhhh! — 8 years ago

Andrew S

9.6

This will likely wrap it up for me. A birth year bottle on my birthday and my 1000th bottle on Delectable. It’s a bottle that makes you appreciate the beauty of the wine, it’s story, and times and occasions you share a bottle. Faint red fruits, leathers, dust, tar, and a pretty acidity. It opened up over an hour, drank well for a couple and did some fading thereafter. — 8 years ago

Bruce Hill

9.8

I've been fortunate in having had Musar alongside first growths several times. It holds it own and more,more often than not. The 99and 03 are incredible. — 10 years ago

Adam Nesto

9.3

Very good beer. Enough malt to balance the hops. Nice sweetness to aftertaste. Helping Chef Marlin test new menu items at The Perch. — 10 years ago

Craig Wallace

9.3

First class — 10 years ago

Marshal White

9.0

Ths pleasures of simpler aged Bordeaux — 10 years ago

Mark Bright

Partner/Wine Director Saison Restaurant

9.9

Ive posted this many many times, it is my opinion the best vintage of Jamet ever... — 10 years ago

with Tingting

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.9

Flirting with perfection, this bottle was special. Opened at Mother's Day, is shows depth, drive and enormous acidity, leaving the finish crisp, clean and very long. I've had the '02 at least 10 times by now, and this Bottke is by far he best one. Great wine! — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

@Plate&Bottle

Second Course: Green Salad, Shaved Apple, Parmesan, Honey Walnut & Lemon Vinaigrette.

Acid meets acid in a beautiful tug of war. Lemon, nuts, honey and citrus all get along very well. So good!


If you live in & around the greater Bay Area, you owe to yourself to attend one of the dinners Hedy holds 4-5 times a year. Not only is the food amongst the very best we had, the people that attend and environment are as equally good. Find Hedy @Plate&Bottle — 7 years ago

Rosie Johnson

9.6

A little sweet as is with a dessert wine. Rated -00 points many times over by professionals. I loved it but I wouldn’t give it 100 points. — 7 years ago

with Richard

Patrick Derdeyn

9.6

Have been fortunate enough to have this wine 3 times now. It’s just so good. Iron, blood, pepper, black fruit and a finish that continues on for over a minute. I still think this will improve with a couple of years, but it is truly a special wine now. — 8 years ago

Rob Moose

9.1

This wine has been very impressive each of the 3-4 times I’ve had it. Purchased after seeing a rave on instagram and I’m happy to report that it’s in great shape, with a lovely balance of freshness and complexity. Punches above its weight for sure. Becoming a big Lamy fan! — 8 years ago

Eric Egan

9.4

What a beautifully graceful wine! A bit muted on the nose (slow ox for three hours - perhaps I should have decanted) but one of the most amazingly expressive palates I have experienced for a very long time. All the elements in perfect equilibrium; one of the rare times that I would actually apply the term 'smooth' to a wine. Tannins still lightly peppery, poised acidity, and an insanely long velvety finish that kept revealing hidden layers of complexity. Like a Burgundian peacock's tail that keeps expanding, adding new layers of graceful shades and patterns to the rolling tapestry of flavour. — 9 years ago

David Conway

9.4

I've had this wine maybe 15 times but this is the first time it was every bit as good as Meursault. Stunning bottle — 10 years ago

Hector Escaton

9.2

Bitter melon, passion fruit, guava. Modern Times is making fantastic beer. — 10 years ago

Dan Hess

9.7

For centuries now, the luscious, bright, all-encompassing delight of Champagne has been used to toast happy occasions. Often times a decent bubbly does the trick, but other times, something grander deserves to be poured.

Dom Pérignon (named after the monk who put Champagne on the map), a 2000 vintage. It's the kind of Champs one drinks upon making the decision that wine is not just a hobby, not just a passion, but a career. — 10 years ago

with Sarah

Jerry Raphael

9.0

Nice fruit intermixed with cassis, licorice, roasted meats, leather, and truffles. And a little brett which seems like a typical Beaucastel. Opened up more later on. Should of decanted multiple times. Dinner at Zahav with Barb. The wine was excellent with Lamb Shack — 11 years ago

Martin Diehr

9.8

1997 Brunello - good times at Restaurant Orsay — 12 years ago

Brian Khoury

9.7

24 hours later 2 times better! — 13 years ago