Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is a sample of the 16 Insignia still in barrel.

On the nose, the dark fresh florals exploded. The fruits are very dark currants and well extracted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries and blue fruits hues on the edges of the glass. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, core of anise and fields of violets.

The body is thick and full. The wine still very fresh. The tannins big, meaty and chewy. The dark fruits are quite floral. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries with blue fruits. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, crushed dry rocks, river stones, tough leather, cedar, core of anise with red flowers and fields of violets. Very good round acidity. The long, big, ruby, lush, well balanced finish is beautiful.

The fruit, tannins and acidity all speak to it being 95+ and a long cellar.
— 8 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. — 11 years ago

with Michael and Craig

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

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 — 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. — 9 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

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 — 12 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

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

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 — 11 years ago