Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.

I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.

The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.

The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!

Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.

This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Light gold color. Fruit forward nose, almost tropical. Notes of green apple and orchard fruits, wet river stone, apricot, white flowers. Notably younger in its evolution than the first two bottles today, with a slightly lower heaviness and depth. I go with a guess of 2000 Leflaive Pucelles. Nice to see a young 02 Leflaive sans premox, with a lot of upside in front of it. 94+ — 4 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.2

Medium yellow with nose of yellow apple, white peach, and vanilla. The main theme for me though, is honeysuckle. Light-bodied with crisp acidity and a simple, but pleasant finish. — 4 years ago

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9.3

Bright, green-tinged yellow. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus and pit fruits are complicated by suggestions of chalky minerals and pungent flowers. Juicy and sharply focused, offering vibrant pear, Meyer lemon and honeysuckle flavors that show very good clarity and minerally lift. The mineral and floral notes carry through the incisive finish, which lingers with strong tenacity. Raised in neutral barriques. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our favorite Spring day is when we get plant the yard. Especially, during Covid-19 lockdown. Never more enjoyable.

Flowers by Sofia. Garden is me.

A great weather day and worthwhile doing a cheers with of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne’s.

With the lockdown, I am running dangerously low on Rosé Champange. I might have to Soda Stream some Rosé wine soon.

All my many, many notes still apply.

Cheers all and Happy Easter if you celebrate it. 🍾🥂🍷 🐣 🐰 — 6 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

What a tremendous bottle ! Very dark rubi color, with no signs of aging. Nose of black currant, some secondary aromas and a hint of flowers. Very polished tannins, in a medium length mouth and the traditional rich and round Pauillac mouthfeel. Its incredibly good to drink right now, but will for sure hold at the very least another 10 years or so. Very highly recommended. — 8 years ago

with Adriana

Bob McDonald

9.4

Mid Gold in colour, looking way older than it actually is. Strong aromas of Apricot and to a lesser extent honeysuckle and White flowers. An unctuous flavoursome full bodied palate exhibiting great texture and intensity with the Apricot coming through. Finishes Dry. Delicious and different. Will purchase more. Muscat of Alexandria also known as Zibibbo in Sicily. — 8 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.1

Distinct memory kick of the Muir Woods pine needle clad path by the mossy area. Sweet forest vanilla. Though even with that a bit light. Color has too much "water" on the edges. Still gorgeous. — 10 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

And now I understand the reason why many call this the greatest expression of #Riesling in the world. A warm, but not so sunny vintage still produced a wine with a nose of smoked minerals, taught, but open citrus, and an insane persistence. #apex #clossthune — 11 years ago

with Lyle

Mackenzie Svee

9.1

Pale gold in color. Fine bubbles feed a persistent mousse. A delicate nose with hints of fresh citrus and white flowers. The wine’s complexity is expressed in successive notes like vine peach and white fruits notes. A perfect balance between freshness and delicacy with fruity flavors very present on the finish — 2 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

(Disgorged 1/19)- Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s stunning tonight, rich, powerful and intense with crazy depth to its layers, unfurling in a Burgundy glass to reveal its complex core of rich orchard fruit, roasted nuts, gun smoke, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all with seamless integration and balance. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that just keeps going. For me, the BdB benchmark. — 3 years ago

Conrad Green

9.7

This is stunning. A beautiful nose of bright fruit with fresh lemon and yellow flowers and hints of secondary notes coming through. On the palate gorgeous full sweet fruit with some brioche and lemon oil and perfect balance. Long and seductive and wonderfully pitched. Really good. — 3 years ago

with Bex and Major-General

Alexandre Pagliano

9.4

Dark rubi robe with a hint of brick color on the rim, nose of crushed flowers, cigar box, tobacco and blackcurrant, medium bodied, complex, elegant, fresh and balanced, ready to drink but will for sure last a fee decades more. Great bottle and we are happy we bought others :) — 4 years ago

with Adriana

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Congratulations to TB12 on going to his 14th Conference Championship.

The nose shows; more macerated green & golden apple, pineapple than usual. Touch of apple cider, bruised pear, some dried apricots, nougat, melted, salted caramel, alluvial limestone minerals, chalk, sea spray, roasted white spice, dry yeast, rising bread dough, baguette crust, ginger ale with withering lilies and some spring flowers.

The palate has softer mousse & less lively acidity than previous bottles. Still nice but, it’s giving cause to wonder when this bottle was disgorged. Macerated green & golden apple, yellow peach, pineapple juice. Touch of apple cider, bruised pear, some dried apricots, nougat, melted, salted caramel, alluvial limestone minerals, grey volcanics, gritty chalkiness, sea fossils, saline, roasted white spice, nuts, dry yeast, rising bread dough, baguette crust, ginger ale that has the high notes of root beer, vanillin with withering lilies and some spring flowers. The acidity is ok but, seems off a bit. Change in base wine for this bottling? The finish still rich, elegant, well balanced persisting minutes.

Bottle is off slightly from the many others we’ve enjoyed.

Photos of; the House of Bollinger, branded cave with resting bottles, their Cooper making barrels and one of their Grand Cru vineyards.

1/17/21 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite.

The nose reveals; bright, very ripe, slightly candied; dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, blackberries notes and poached strawberries. Beautiful violet florals, black licorice, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, light graphite, saddle-wood, limestone minerals, dry stone, rich dark earth, just a touch of dry herbs with red, dark, blue flowers with violets.

Surprisingly fresh and soft for a Lafite this young. The fruits are lean, ripe and slightly creamy. Lively on the palate. The body light for Bordeaux and the tannins round and soft. The structure, tension softer for Lafite. The length and balance are excellent. Mouthfeel incredible. Bright, ripe, slightly candied; dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, blackberries notes and poached strawberries. Beautiful violet florals, black licorice, dark chocolate, caramel, dry brush, mocha, light graphite, saddle-wood, underbrush, dry crushed rocks, dark rich earth, just a touch of dry herbs with bright red, dark, blue flowers with violets. The acidy is perfect. The finish is smooth, soft, elegant and incredible balanced and persists on and on.

The most approachable young Lafite that I’ve had but, I’d still hold it for 20 plus years so shows more complexity and fully integrates.

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, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2003 'Vina Tondonia' Blanco Reserva is a tremendous effort from a challenging vintage. Needing more than 30 minutes in the decanter to be fully expressive, this wine opens to aromas of beeswax, smoky oak, Bartlett pear and slight suggestions of fresh white flowers. This leads to flavors reminiscent of nutmeg, cardamom, cantaloupe, beeswax and green papaya. There is an gorgeous overall range of flavors that persist with an oily texture through the finish. Drink 2019-2030- 93 — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The 15 vintage is still in barrel and will be for awhile longer. On the nose, bright, fragrant field of wild flowers, black licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, ruby fruits of; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries and dark loamy soils. On the palate; bright, fresh, ripe fruits that mirror the nose, nice deep spices, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, tobacco, graphite, soft leather, dry crushed rocks, edgy volcanic minerals and pronounced dusty/crumbly tannin structure. The long finish has beautiful ripe fruits with good structure, balance, acidity with a touch of strawberry cola. Photos are the other large old oak fermentation vats inside their estate and another perspective of their awesome terrace view. Notice on the label...no Merlot? The decided to rip up and replant their Merlot vines. — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Cloudy ruby, this wine smells of earth and cedar and dried red fruits. In the mouth, dried flowers and forest floor mix with river-mud-tannins and a bright juicy acidity. Tasted out of magnum. — 10 years ago

Thomas Droumenq

9.6

Never disappointing, I'll call it Bordeaux grand cru with a kicker (but let's be honest without the smoothness). You want a wine with long palate, magnificent fruit, strength in the tannins but no aggressivity. A bomb in the mouth but one of flowers. — 11 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy New Year!🎈🎆🎊

From mag. Who said the2007 vintage was bad? They didn’t taste it 16 years from inception or 14 years in bottle. Excellent as our first prime rib wine.

2nd night tasting with leftovers. One glass left. It’s dark inky, round, mushy velvety tannins, dark currants, blackberries, blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum pudding, strawberry highlighter, dry stones, limestone powder, dark turned earth, soft, fresh & dry tobacco notes, soft lead pencil shavings, wet volcanic ash, moist clay, charcoal, sandalwood, understated dark spice, dark chocolate, just a touch of baking spices, dark & red withering flowers, violets, excellent round acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced fruit & earth, good tension with a long elegant finish that falls on a dry mineral finish lasting 90 seconds.

I always leave an inch to inch and half in the bottle to pour a bit to all at the end. I believe the expression for that is, “The Truth! From the expression, the truth is inside. It doesn’t lie and makes for more extremely concentrated sip(s). You might say it is a lot like monosodium glutamate…everything you tasted in the wine previously, taste more. — 3 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2020 vintage. General manager Laure Canu states that Cantemerle has never followed trends and will always be a wine of elegance, never showy. And that is exactly what it is. After 15 minutes in the glass, it displays bright cassis fruit, mixed with flowers and cedar wood. Medium-bodied, fresh, and elegant, with more complexity and more refined tannins, compared to the 2018. Very good length too.This is the finest Cantemerle I have ever tasted. Incredible value too. Abv. 13,5 %. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

More advanced than other 97’s I’ve had. Still grit with flowers. Always get a touch of Cognac from the mid 90’s BV Tapestry’s. Less on the 97. Beautiful, ripe, foral fruits with spice, barrel toast with evolution & integration. Incredible structure, balance. Violets for days. Still has 5-8 years.

This bottle on auction are more advanced than my bottles or others bought at auction. This is just around it’s precipice where other bottles I’ve had required more time. Another 8 years. This is more within 3 years. I would add that a 1997 94 points rating greatly over shadows a young(ish) vintage of the same. Just gets better and better with each sip.

1997 the vintage of our modern times. This wine was about $25 on release, give or take. Today, it drinks like a $100 plus bottle of Napa Cabernet. — 3 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.8

Popped for our 30th and taken to Sons & Daughters in SF. Straw gold color, still looks youthful. Spectacular nose. Notes of lemon curd, marzipan, wet river stones, white acacia flowers, tan spice and some petrol. Equally amazing in the mouth, this explodes in the glass with great structure and acidity, bounded by ample fruit. In short, this is everything you want in a white burg. Still easily has a decade or more of enjoyment at this peak performance. A top all time bottle for me. — 5 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2020/5/5 with grilled lamb leg heart from a Lulu Peyraud / Richard Olney recipe and grilled zucchini. This certainly had the inimitable Northern Rhone bottle bouquet going, though it’s also quite lithe and red fruited, as opposed to deep and dark, with prominent acidity. It reminds you of the diversity in Northern Rhone terroirs - and that (if I recall) the Chance estate St. Jospeh is from relatively young vines — 6 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A deep ruby color with a wide brim. A huge burst of fruit on the nose consisting of raspberries, wild strawberries, and pomegranate with cedar notes bringing up the rear. This is a very deliberate Pinot. Showing a consistent profile through the vintages, it’s a really nice juxtaposition of delicate fruit and a full body with firm tannins. A bit of elegance on the palate with more nice red fruit, baking spice, toasted cedar, and lavender. This is such a nice representation of this style of Pinot, it really is quite well done. — 7 years ago

Shane Walker

10

Clear, deep garnet in colour with clean, pronounced aromas of flowers, black cherries, tobacco, leather and figs. Dry, medium to full bodied with high acidity and high tannins that are in perfect balance. Complex flavours of blackberries, cherries and vanilla with even a hint of tobacco. Long finish. Opened 6 - 7 hours before being decanted for an hour or two before consumption. An outstanding wine. One of the best, if not the best, I’ve ever had. An absolutely fantastic accompaniment to the rack of Romney Salt Marsh lamb.
— 8 years ago

with Michele

Conrad Green

9.3

A chalky, clean nose with hints of lime, white flowers. On the palate, clean with a nice saline quality, a touch of oyster shells. Very poised. Not the most intense or exhilarating of Rav's but very classy — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

As nursery owners in Bucks County, PA, Walt & Joan Flowers dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture and in 1989, they purchased 321 acres, in a ridge top above the Pacific on the Sonoma Coast. Bright straw yellow with aromas of tropical and citrus fruits, slight nutty tones. On the palate peach, melon and lemon zest pack a punch with sweet vanilla spice and some toasty nuts. Well balanced, a joy to drink. Long finish ending with some mineral characteristics. — 10 years ago

Andrew Willingham

9.0

I found this rosé to be very enjoyable and smooth. Beautiful light, salmon color, medium viscosity. Strawberries, white flowers, citrus on the nose. Very light in the mouth, dry, medium+ acid, medium+ finish with notes of sharp minerality, lemon. Wished there was more red fruits on palette but this was perfect for the sunny Seattle day! — 11 years ago

Christine Havens

9.6

This 375 ML is drinking beautifully now. Offers up a bouquet of spring herbs and meadow flowers. Red fruit on the palate, but fruit isn't the primary characteristic. There's dusty earth, savory herbs, and fine tannins that are very much like green or black tea. Finishes with a lovely spice note, sweet tobacco and bay leaf. There is, too...lively acidity that will make this classic Bandol an excellent food wine. — 12 years ago