Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2017 Vintage on 10/23-25/24. A real good PN that had classic Sonoma Coast flavors of cherry, strawberry, cola, sassafras and minerals. Well balanced, medium bodied with a velvety mouthfeel. — 8 months ago

Eric Grasser

9.1

Exotic. Dried tangerine peel, flowers and herbs, lemon zest and a tingle of spiced honey. Absolutely takes off with cuisine, had Sicilian shrimp and pasta with it. Really showed its depth and expansive qualities. — 2 years ago

Alex Ranzetta

9.7

From the Domaine Leflaive Montrachet, Burgundy France 🇫🇷 is 100% Chardonnay and has a gorgeous golden hue. The nose hits you with oak, vanilla, butter, honey and some sweet tropical fruit of pineapple 🍍, green apple 🍏, honey 🍯, white flowers, lemon rind 🍋 and some mineral notes (like flint and limstone). The palate was very creamy with flavours of melon 🍈, lemon 🍋, lime, apple and hints of tropical fruit too. The finish was smooth and long giving it some delightful complexity. 🤩 — 4 years ago

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

8.9

Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé 2019: Vibrant acidity & soft minerality with notes of strawberry, raspberry, citrus & peach. Even with some wind & fog, our beach day was still filled with laughter & smiles as this rosé made the day extra bright & sunny! Have a great week. Cheers🍷 — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Mmmm....better. 1999 was a meh vintage to most critics. I find it has evolved to better things with this much time in bottle.

The nose reveals, ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. Touch cooked green bell pepper, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers.

The body is just full. The tannins are soft, round, chewy and tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are pretty good for 99. ruby and candied; blackberries, black cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, raspberries, poached cherries & strawberries. more cooked green bell pepper on the palate, mixed berry licorice, anise to black licorice, used leather, saddle-wood to cedar, dark, moist, black earth, limestone, stones, graphite, vanilla, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg and dark spice, coffee, dark chocolate with fresh & withering, dark, red, blue and purple flowers. The acidy is nice. The finish is elegant, well balanced but, not as rich as other good vintages Palmer. It is spicy and persists minutes on the palate.

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Medium gold. Heavy like oil in the glass. Amazing nose with notes of apricot, vanilla, white flowers, lemon, wet stone and a little mint. Amazing balance in the mouth. Lots of acidity comes on with air, which matches an abundance of rich fruit. Last sip was the best. Aged white burg at it's best. — 8 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

Medium red. Highly complex, aromatic nose combines raspberry, underbrush, flowers and spices. Juicy, energetic and mineral-driven, if a bit youthfully imploded (and still affected by the bottling). Not a fat wine but with its flavors of red berries, mocha, earth and brown spices it's an essence of Morey-Saint-Denis. The acids and tannins are not at all aggressive, which should give this grand cru relatively early accessibility. (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, Mar 2017) — 8 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. — 9 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.2

This has aged well and might be about as good as it's going to get now. Lots of strawberry and bright cherry with hints of rose, dark flowers, some leather, but not much tar. The acids are still holding up and the tannins definitely provide some grip. The finish is really really nice and long. Had it with pasta and a chunky tomato sauce drizzled with a little truffle oil. Perfect. — 10 years ago

with Effie

Jimmy Smith

Director, West and North London Wine School

9.5

2005: gorgeous wine. Lifted aromatics, white flowers, very terroir driven with stony chalky notes, deft touches of green apple, pear and white peach. Gently integrated oak. Wonderful mouthfeel, light phenolics, lovely vibrant acidity. Very mineral led style. Is what a Grand Cru Chablis wishes it could be... — 10 years ago

with Matté

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. — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, cedar, flowers, herbs and spice, aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak. On the palate flavors of sweet cherry and blackberry with toasty notes, tea, herbs and pepper spice. Full-bodied, fine savory dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, herb, oak and a savory earthy character. Nice! — a year ago

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 :) — 3 years ago

with Adriana

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Furry nose of black currants, black cherries, dank florals, tobacco. On the palate, black, ultramarine and red fruit, ripe cherries, toasted barley, light cocoa and deep spices. Young and heavy tannins, but with a few hours of air this is very nice- velvety, with flowers, minty herbs and spices. Chewy but lively. Needs 15 more years. Even so, not sure I see it meriting the same high marks as the professional critics gave it. Time will tell, I guess. — 4 years ago

Immanuel Black

9.5

2012. Definitely slow to open up and and be Bordeaux about it. Entering its drinking timeline just now. After being open since 6 last eve....24-34 hours later..
The rad dried violet/flowers that showed on initial has finely integrated the oh-so-pretty nose with the multi-soft-grip palette. Super cool if you’re patient. Thanks Elias and Brad for letting me watch this one till it came around.....
A sleeper lies in your cellar if you’re sitting on this one. Cheers to the exploration of patience. — 5 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.
— 6 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.6

Absolutely beautiful. Aromatics are intense citrus & crushed flowers, but maintain a freshnesss which follows to the palate. Structure providing texture and detail, but a delicious Meyer lemon & hints of richer fruit line the palate. Top St Aubin producers are making wines on par with the best of Burgundy and this exemplifies that. — 8 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

I just got back from sunny Orlando, Florida and felt like champagne and I am glad I did. Today's wine I have opened is the Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee NV.

The look of this wine is very pleasing to the eye, golden yellow with fine constant bubbles. A very sexy wine that makes you want to drink it.

The aromas are very pronounced with notes of lemon peel, lemon curd, strawberry, granny smith apples, a good bread dough and a bit of raspberry.

The palate reveals wonderful notes if brioche, yeast, lemon peel, lip smacking lemon, green apple, a steely minerality and limestone.

There is a creamy full bodied mouth feel with high acidity and a long crisp finish. Total enjoyment. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago

Holly Orchard

Certified Sommelier, President of Savvy Cellar Wines Inc.

9.0

Really nice but definitely needs food! Plenty of acids and tannins and pairs magnificently with pork/beef meatballs in a homemade tomato sauce. I would recommend some aggressive, aerating style decanting before serving this wine- smokey tar, wet concrete, dried herbs, anise and dried flowers, dried cherries,dried red currants, finishing with a "meat jerky" note. Did I mention the acid?? Hold on to your teeth enamel, grab some food, and enjoy! — 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. — 10 years ago

Patrick Knöfler

9.7

With my wife. The wine was pale lemon in colour and offered bouquet of flowers, citrus, peach, orange peel, almond, fresh sea breeze and mineral notes on the nose. On the palate the wine showed white flowers, stone fruit, peach, orange peel and almond, complicated by a salty mineral touch, paired with medium-level acidity, a great, buttery mouthfeel, and very good length. The medium- to full-bodied wine had good complexity and tasted concentrated yet fresh. A great Condrieu! 92 — 11 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2013 Comtes de Champagne is a towering Champagne, as it was last year. Rich, sumptuous and explosive, the 2013 soars out of the glass with a captivating mix of tropical fruit, apricot, passion fruit, baked apple tart, mint and yellow flowers. It is one of the most explosive, extroverted Comtes I have ever tasted. Impressive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2024)
— a year ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Blinded by the light. There’s something ineffable about this blend of three grapes, that has seamlessly woven them together to be greater than the sum of its parts. Like an antique glass window shining in the evening sunlight, 48% Friulano, 41% Ribolla Gialla, and 11% Chardonnay meld into a synesthesia of sunlight, burbling mountain stream and white flowers. Pear skin, lemon pith, grapefruit and wet stones soar through a gorgeous arc, with small bursts of chamomile. Outstanding. 2018 Massican “Annia” White Blend, Napa, California. @massicanwinery rocks it, as usual. ⁣ — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Primarily made with the native Cataratto grape, this Sicilian white features fresh and fruity aromas of yellow apple, peach, white flowers and a touch of lemon zest. Same fruits on the pallet. Hint of saline on the finish. Mild (but tangy) acidity helps this wine to be quite thirst quenching and refreshing. Straw gold color and lovely texture. — 4 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. 🍾🥂🍷 🐣 🐰 — 5 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 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

As a Sommelier, it’s interesting to read professional reviews. Something you need to keep up on for what consumers will be looking to buy.

As someone who attends a lot of tastings, you get to get to do your own comparisons. For me, a lot of Bordeaux. It’s my true love. I’ve been to Bordeaux eleven times. Two of them En Premiers.

When I tasted this so called critically difficult/bad vintage from Chateau Belle-Vue, I saw its potential and wasn’t wrong. Now, eleven years later, this wine is singing. While the critics haven’t tasted this wine as recently as this year, they would tell you this wine was average. It is anything but! If I put this wine in a blind tasting, I am confident many would call higher end Napa Cabernet and this is a Bordeaux producer from an ancillary region, under the radar known producer and a difficult vintage.

If I’ve learned anything about wine, it’s in all difficult vintages anywhere, there are producers who still make good wine. This one is magic for around $20 upon release. I’ve had $100 a bottle plus Bordeaux and Napa Cabernet that weren’t this good.

The nose shows, ripe, earthy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries on the glass edges, some blueberries & boysenberries and baked plum. Rich, forest floor, steeped black tea, used coffee grounds, limestone minerals, crushed, dry, rock powder, black licorice, hints of herbaceous notes, touch of mushroom, purple flowers, violets and faint lavender.

The body is full, round and lush. The structure, tension, length and balance are harmonious. The tannins are dark, round, soft, velvety and slightly tarry. Ripe, earthy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, creamy raspberries on the glass edges, some blueberries & boysenberries and baked plum. Rich, forest floor, steeped black tea, used coffee grounds, tarry notes, limestone minerals, crushed, dry, rock powder, dry top soil & clay, black licorice, dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, dark spice, some vanilla, hints of herbaceous notes, touch of mushroom, graphite, burnt charcoal, suede leather, pipe tobacco, purple flowers, violets, dark red florals and faint lavender. The acidy round & beautiful. The finish is; ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced between fruit & earth and persistent for minutes.

The well know professional critics would tell you this wine is old or late. I will tell you, from my storage, it’s has another 7-10 years of life ahead of it.

Have it with a good butchered Ribeye (not store bought) seasoned with coarse ground garlic salt & pepper.

Photos of, a modest Chateau Belle-Vue, the beautiful backside of the chateau, barrel cellar and Estate vines.
— 7 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. — 9 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.3

Like drinking a garden full of white flowers. Exactly what a decent Condrieu with a bit of age should be. — 10 years ago

with Michael and Craig

Scott Hill

10

Boldly aromatic with layers of stone fruit, lavender honey, crushed flowers and mineral. Unctuous on the palate, very complex and extremely rich, with expressive honeysuckle, peach, white grapes, baked pear and a hint of marzipan. Gorgeous on the finish! #wine #beaucastelblanc #roussanne #heaven — 10 years ago