Willie Carter

8.9

A nice dark cherry red color with a wide brim. The nose opens up with some nice spice and green earth. Plenty of funk and fun on display here. Dense moss and forest woodland screams before the bright red fruits show up to play. The floral aromatics really set this one off.

45/30/25 of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, this is a Central Coast take on Chateauneuf du Pape and baby, it works. It’s a gentle onslaught of goodness. Mounds and mounds of bright, fresh fruits come in waves. Wild strawberry, red cherry, and raspberry. A hint of dark chocolate with menthol and more greenery. It seems like people don’t know how good these are and that’s a crying shame. Beautiful wine and so hard to beat. — 5 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.2

From a 375. I bought this one 15 years ago for $12 and I’ve been waiting to open it on a Tuesday night with some take out Chinese. I finally found the night! At first, it was very tight and backward. Huge tannins that I thought would never fade. I figured it was a 2003 that was off center And funky. After 30 minutes it was still tight but the black fruit rose out of the glass and the tannins faded revealing a beautiful claret that was a little hard around the edges but offered immense pleasure. Fun to find something that was laying around so long — 6 years ago

Shaun Donovan

9.9

Delicious! — 6 years ago

Connor Smith

9.2

Sanlúcar de Barrameda was the port that Christopher Columbus set off from in 1492. Just 1 year earlier, duties on wine exports from Sanlúcar had been abolished to take advantage of English merchants desperate for new supply after the loss of Bordeaux.

It began a centuries-long romance between Sherry and English wine lovers, as immortalized in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 2, when Falstaff glorifies sturdy Spanish 'sack' over thin Bordeaux 'claret' and Rhine 'hock'.

But the honeymoon, quite literally, was not to last. Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon drove a wedge between England and Catholic Europe, and left English wine lovers in need of a new source once again. But Sherry fanatics wouldn't have to go entirely without. When Sir Francis Drake sailed into Cádiz and burned the Spanish fleet in 1587, he carried away 2,900 butts of Sherry - enough to supply London for years - as his most famous prize.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

8.9

This is a value wine. You pour it for parties because it’s a crowd-pleaser but you don’t mind a little spillage. It’s also a versatile food pairer thanks to the acidity of the Sangiovese. The hints of oaky influence add a subtle smoke to the cherry flavor after the bottle has a moment to breath. A creative Italian take for Washington. I approve at the price point! — 6 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Clear and clean, medium intensity in color, ruby. Toasted vanilla, nutty nose, perhaps cedar. Even as I take notes, it's changing. Coconut, cedar, pine/mint with blackberries in the background. Medium plus bodied, Medium plus tannins . Medium minus acidity. I love this wine. There's a tremendous complexity to it. I know I'm missing a lot and as I said it's changing. This is my second bottle--its consistent. Perfect wine for pairing with any beef or tomato centric dish. Really enjoyable!!!

93+ points — 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Another young soul in an old world body. I put this solidly in the...solid realm. It has berries and some cedar/pencil lead and it is a rather uptown cahors but I’ll take it! Meanwhile I’ll just keep trying to match bottle to shirt to eyes here. — 7 years ago

Costas Constantinides

9.2

Wow good. Doesn’t need to breathe. Take it out and drink it. — 8 years ago

Chris Dye

9.7

This was possible via one helluva birthday gift and is well outside of my typical wine realm, so take my tasting as something of an idiot amongst the laureate:
One small taste immediately after opening: very full bodied. Prominent chocolate and vanilla followed by dark cherry. Clove/allspice that becomes more prominent through the finish. After about 30-45min to open the chocolate in particular is muted. The clove/allspice is more noticeable later in the finish, and the fruit only seems bigger in comparison. The mouthfeel is incomparably velvety. If I ever have the opportunity I’d love to try a bottle with a little more age on it, but this was an incredible experience. — 5 years ago

David Koenen

9.3

Such a wonderful wine, with my wonderful big brother. Everything will be just fine. And more! Good things take time. Just as this gorgeous wine took its time to become what it is now. So darn good. — 6 years ago

Ben LaBolt

8.9

Lighter bodied Shiraz. — 6 years ago

with Leo

Aaron Tan

9.4

@Dominik SonaYou're the best! Walks off into the cellar, comes out carrying a massive bottle in a sleeve that could barely cover the label. I just love how ridiculous magnum riesling bottles look! I mean, we could see that it's a Koehler-Ruprecht for sure and the table shot straight to a warm vintage on the first sip (warm finish). Didn't take long for Franzi to identify the vintage and the rest of the pieces fell together subsequently (the body = spatlese, forget identifying the "R"). Guess making wines at the winery itself helps 😂

What to say about this wine? It's pretty intense, but the acidity and minerals kept it in check. Finely strung with pitch-perfect tension. This is the kind of wine that needs very little to push it over the edge into the hedonistic territory. Begs for time (like other 09's), as it's true elegance only revealed itself with air (bring on the crushed rocks and chamomile!). The nose is deep, with exotic fruit aromas, flint, toasted almond, florals, and that classic KR funk. Immense palate with lots of lychee and grapefruit, plus superb minerality with air. Creamy and long finish. Yes, the wine finishes a little warm and could be touch more focus, but it's a real class act for 09'! Power without weight, if you ask me. — 6 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.0

We had Monmousseau’s sparkling Chenin last night, so tonight we are having one their still versions. The 2016 Clos Le Vigneau. This is a ripe, juicy take@on Chenin with bright acidity pinning it alll together. One of my favorite records from the incomparable @joannanewsom to accompany this tonight. Haunting & beautiful across 3 LP’s. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals, black & bing sour cherries, blackberries, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, whiffs of other baking spices, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals.

The body is round & full. The tannins just starting to hit a good point of softening and rounding, yet have 10 plus years ahead. The structure, tension are hitting their stride. The length and balance are just getting to near perfect form. Two years ago, this wine was not ready and is now at the place I was hoping to get. I have two bottles left and I will have another in five years. Based on that performance, another in three to five plus years more. It’s the evolution that is so much fun to follow.

Black & bing sour cherries, blackberries show more on the palate and the pork pasta bring them out more deeply, slightly baked strawberries, blueberries, some black raspberries, pomegranate extract, cranberries and hint of plum, a fair amount of vanillin, soft limestone, nuances of volcanic minerals, soft baking spices, dark medium intensity of spice, black tea, rich dark soils, faint crushed rocks, beautiful, fragrant, bright, blue, red and dark red florals. The acidy is like a fresh water river. The long finish is unbelievably elegant, well balanced with a touch more fruit than earth, polished and persists seamlessly for several minutes.

I look forward to trying this wine again as it continues to evolve and improve over the next five to ten years...should be stunning! Well made Brunello’s simply take more than ten years in bottle to even begin to amaze.

Photos of, a wide hilltop shot of Casanuova, field hand harvesting their Sangiovese, large oak fermentation cask so there is less noticeable oak influence on the wine and their sloping vines on a sunny beautiful day.

@Oenotri Napa — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

The 2014 Seavey Merlot is in the zone right now. Although a lot of Seavey offerings take time to develop, this Merlot can either be kept or consumed. But, after having this one I just don't know how much better this will get. It is balanced well between brambleberry and slightly underripe plum on the front, herbs and a hint of a nitrogen note in the middle. Acidity is good throughout. Well structured, this wine went well by itself and also went well with a chicken burrito. Finished darker than it started. I think this one is right where it needs to be right now. I think you could hold this for 5-7 years but really just is a nice drinker now. — 5 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.1

Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the disgorgement date but I know it is pre 2013. Aromas of baked apples , nuts and hints of oxidation. Robust acidity and complex flavors tease your tongue but somehow lacked the energy level I expect with this producer. Definitely more oxidative in the mouth then on the nose. — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.4

Continuing the 2011 extravaganza with this light Spatlese. That's right! I didn't get it wrong... It's a light Spat. Too powerful and sweet to be a kabi in my opinion, but as a Spat - Glorious! The tug and pull between sugar and acid is at a deadlock. Brilliantly balanced. The nose is spicy, herbal, floral, and very typical of Egon. The palate is crystalline. Like sucking on a piece of slate that was used to cut lime, then rubbed with mango and preserved lemons. To finish, take a bite of the juiciest peach, then lick some rock salt. The finale is long, smooth, and begs for you to take another swig. Gone in no time at all! — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Strong nose of black plums, cherries, cloves, light vegetables, oak, light tar, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, leather, light vanilla, light vegetables, wood and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, cherries, sweet raspberries, tobacco, spices, peppercorn, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, vegetables, wood, light cloves and tar.

Medium on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Italian Brunello is drinking very nicely now.

Well balanced with a great mouthfeel and nice complexity. This 12 year old is peaking now.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly and show the complexity. Do take your time with it, as it is well worth it.

A very nice wine to sip on, and share with friends and talk about. Good with food as well. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, and light appetizers.

Robert Parker 91 points. Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

100% Sangiovese grapes, were aged for 24 months in Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Pale to mid Lemon in colour. Funky aromas which blew off after 20 minutes Citrus aromas. On the palate citrus with pronounced minerality and acid finishing with a salty note inviting you to take another sip. I remember reading about the terroir of St Aubin which gives it a cool environment. Delicate wine. Drinking well now but will go on for a few years yet. Impressive. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.8

🥇 After my failure to take notes last time, we couldn’t resist popping another of these 1990 beauties & it definitely delivered again 😍 at €90 it’s just simply incredible for the money 👍 My favourite Pomerol Chateau for the money hands down 👏

📍 La Croix St Georges 1990 Pomerol 🔝

🏵 98 points

🍷 Opaque ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Bordeaux nasal sex of soggy earth, sooty underground 🚇, char-smoked oak, old leather, damp musty cellar, mushroom, mirabelle plums, damson compote, obliterated blackcurrant, herbs, toasted fig, bitter mocha & liquorice

👄 Med body of creamy earthy smooth silk dark plum & berry bathed in ground mocha & liquorice

🎯 Long mocha liquorice dark fruits mouth filling linger w/ a big happy smile 😍

👏 @josephjanoueix @jeanphilippejanoueix 🏆 — 7 years ago