Aaron Means

9.2

Drank in the barrel room & cellar at the estate. Underwhelming considering the notoriety. Was expecting so much more. Still so young, so there may be more underneath it's surface. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The wine was double decanted and we tasted it after three hours later. On the nose, a touch of pepper, soft spices, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, black raspberries, black plums, rich dark soils, light vanilla and fresh and decayed dark soils. The 2011 is very lean. It tasted like it had 10-12 years of bottle age rather than it's 6. Not to say that the 11 is turning just yet, but I certainly don't believe this is going to be a long cellar vintage. Soft fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rock powder, very soft leather, mid intensity volcanic minerals, lightly brewed coffee, strawberries come on later and acidity that could be better. The 2011 is not going to hold up as many of the other Insignia vintages do. It's already not as rich and full bodied as other vintages at 6 years of age. On the long finish, it's already showing some fig, date and prune qualities. Photos of their big dinning room and some wildly fragrant white roses on the back terrace. — 9 years ago

Renee Gates

9.3

The Tasting Room New Orleans — 10 years ago

MV

9.3

Number 2 pencil shavings left over from my 7th grade SRA test. Combine that with a blackberry and earthy smoothness make this a great wine right now. Decanted for a couple hours. — 11 years ago

Kelsey Nelson

9.8

Stumbled upon this tasting room and was blown away from their winemaking skills — 12 years ago

with Matt

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral; blackberries, blueberries dark cherries, black raspberries, caramel, mocha, vanilla, loamy soils, fresh, red florals and violets. The body is thick & full. Tannins are round and velvety. The fruit gorgeous and creamy in style. Dark currants; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, raspberries. Mocha, medium intensity baking spices, cinnamon, vanilla, milk chocolate, loamy dry souls, violets, fresh red florals, beautiful round acidity. the structure length, tension are well executed well a balance polished finish. Photos of; the entrance to the Winery with a press on east side, Layered soil structure of their Dr. Crane Vineyard and the immaculate barrel room. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It been hot on the west coast...even in places it's not normally. Today is no different and you can add humidity; which is something we almost never have here. Time to bust out the Sauvignon Blanc. This beauty is loaded with tropical madness. Plenty of crystalline sugar in the bottom of the bottle. The green apple, ripe pineapple, lime, lemon, mango, green melon, guava, saline minerals, dry grassy notes, and spring flowers leap out of the glass. The palate matches the nose with beautiful, round, acidity and round rich long finish. Photos of, their tasting room and Calistoga vineyard. Delicious tonight! — 9 years ago

Tania Fabiani

9.6

Sanjay dinner at the marine room may 2017 — 9 years ago

Frank Zbignewich

9.0

Young Caymus wine so some of the comments are interesting. Great dark berry flavors and much room to develop. Not the toasty oak of the 2012 but still needs some time to evaluate over the next 4 years. Still a fun wine to drink. — 10 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.5

Gorgeous ruby, purple color. Knockout nose of cocoa, blackberries and cassis. On the palate, black currents, melted chocolate, espresso, graphite as well as an earthy quality. Supple tannins and a wonderful richness. This Harlan second label is probably better than most producer's primary. I don't drink much Cabernet as I've been driven from the market because of ever increasing costs (I only have room for a couple high end wines, and who in their right mind would ever say no to Mr Krankl?), but I always feel regretful whenever I open a great one and see what I'm missing. — 10 years ago

Austen Ito

9.1

Lots of developed aromas. Leather, tobacco, vanilla, coconut, cooked fruits. Med + body, long finish. Still kicking 11 years later with some room to go. — 11 years ago

Jonathan Wood

9.8

I need to get a room with this wine. — 11 years ago

with Erik and absurdhero

Jared Elder II

9.1

Great wine in our room having some wine and cheese for dinner. It was a great buy and really hit the spot. I think this will be a trip of “risk and reward”. So what is the price point and how good is it???? This is a really nice wine. Would have it again for sure. — 9 years ago

Nikki Cooke

9.4

Delicious!! Not too exy — 9 years ago

with Brittany

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose, syrupy dark cassis, blueberries, black raspberry cola, pepper, spice & fresh violets. The palate is rich, full bodied, smooth, elegant & big....it well extracted! The flavors abound. Dark cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries, black licorice, dark chocolate, salted caramel, core of anise, tarry notes, thick medium spice, pepper, soft, leather, powdery slushy tannins, liquid violets, decayed dark florals, underbrush, bitty minerals, crushed rock powder & dark rich loamy soils. The acidity is like a waterfall over the palate. The long, elegant finish is rich, ripe fruits that really pop along with swirling spice-box. Photos of our April visit to MD...shots of the grounds & tasting room. This 07 still has 5-7 years ahead of it. — 9 years ago

Colin Yates

Wine Buyer Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits

9.8

1986 and still room to grow. Lots of brilliant red fruit on the nose. Oak is faint but there. Hints of irony blood and band aid. Palate leans more towards darker fruit with fine tannins and tangy acidity. Lovely. Two bottles tasted with consistent notes. — 10 years ago

with Brigette, Dan and 2 others

Nate Redner

9.5

Crushable. Great summertime wine. — 10 years ago

with Michael

Jo Anne B

9.5

Green pepper and spice. Love it as much as I did when we were in the tasting room. — 11 years ago

with Kim, Dave and 2 others

Craig pyle

9.0

One of my favorites from Long Shadows. Thick and rich in nose and flavor. Great tasting room in Woodenville WA. — 11 years ago