GHol

9.3

Decanted for 24 hours so that it could open up as it’s so young.
Incredible flavour, complex, red fruits but not too bold and some nuisance too.
Time will serve this well. A winemaker who dances to his own tune and making great music. — 5 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.4

Even though it says ‘Obsidian’ it is no longer called that. It is the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon...and it is enormously enjoyable, even though the 2016 can handle a lot more time in the bottle. Love what Susan and Ron Krausz have done up on Howell Mountain. Everything from this estate (and winemaker Sam Kaplan) have been memorable. So we opened a bottle to celebrate turning the never-used dining room into a tasting room with this memorable bottle from Arkenstone. — 5 years ago

with Lauren and Katherine

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Made by superstar winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards, the 2017 ‘Feather’ by Long Shadows is a masterful effort from this exciting warmer vintage in Washington. Once on the nose there is a lovely round core of toasty oak that wraps around the rich dark fruits, sagebrush and chocolate fudge aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing a round and generous mouthfeel. The seamless effect created mid-palate is utterly fantastic. Black currants and blackberry cordial dance with shades of Black Forest Cake and espresso bean on this highly complex palate. This finishes long with dark fruits and a beam of minerality. While enticing to savor now, the 2017 ‘Feather’ will have a long life ahead of it. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to afford a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Cheval des Andes tasting with their technical manager who is also an assistant winemaker. Tasted ‘05, ‘07, ‘14 and ‘15. Very cool story behind this winery (and its affiliation with Chateau Cheval Blanc).

This contained the largest percentage of Malbec they’ve ever used at 83%, rounded out by petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Decidedly darker and more dense on the mid palate than the ‘15. The texture was more plush and this seems to be open for business now...not sure it has the structure to hold as long as the ‘15. More plum, added black currant and licorice. — 7 years ago

with Dan

Brad Henn

9.5

was a saver but so enjoyable. complex fruit with smooth tannins, hints of spice, balanced, slight vanilla. oh so good. — 8 years ago

with Alicia

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Tastes a lot like a Hendricks Cabernet juice that wasn’t made in 2008. Mmmm...wonder where that Hendricks juice went? On the nose; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice, rubber toy (VA) with dark dry florals & old violets. The body is full. It’s lush, ruby, ripe & graceful on the palate. Tannins are 60% resolved. The tension, structure, length are still bold. The balance is perfect bass & terrible. Fruits are ripe & slightly baked. Dark currants/ cassis, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, black plum, blue fruits, strawberries pull up the rear, dark chocolate covered cherries, caramel, milk chocolate, mocha, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, anise, leather, older tobacco leaf, black licorice, spice that intensities in flavor & heat, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, moist soil, bay leaf, eucalyptus, rubber toy, slight tarry notes with dark dry florals & old violets. The acidity is round & dripping. The long, rich, ruby, ripe, elegant, well balanced finish lasts & lasts. It’s tastes a lot like Hendricks Cabernet without the spend. Drinking beautifully with 7-10 ahead. This 08 would likely finish higher in a blind tasting over many much higher priced cult Napa Cabernets. WOTN! Photos of, their tasting room in the center of the town of Yountville and the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and his private label “Hendricks”, Charles Hendricks. — 8 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.6

IloseaveyBilimet Philielkswithvilldeaveyatthewinerybillllhad Philip has his winemaker through the 90s and early 2000s leave Milkha yeahisisgreatdarkfruitwithalittlecigatboxanlesthersogladijustfoubdaboxofit — 5 years ago

with Kristine

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Wine honors long-time Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez & his relentless pursuit of quality. A blend of 90% Syrah & 10% Petite Sirah, a more bucolic grape than Syrah, providing for lush & rich wine. Aged for 30 months, 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of concentrated dark berry fruit & hint of smoky pepper spice. Layered meaty flavors of blackberry, cherry & blueberry explode on palate & subtle tannins relax to a nice long finish, great mouthfeel. One of the best Syrah’s I tasted. Aging well! — 5 years ago

K L

9.0

Drinking really nice! Sad to see the last bottle go especially knowing this was a one year vintage. Would get again if available. — 6 years ago

with Matt

Mark Mannebach

9.0

Smooth and balanced. Lack berry with some spice — 6 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.3

A stunner. Opened with that rustic cab smell. Not sure what lies beneath that initial nose. And then just pure explosive goodness in the glass. Black fruit, swirling with brown fruit in every sip. Lingering finish made for a wonderful moment or two. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had another bottle, Wow! Laura Catena, 4th gen winemaker, grew up in Argentine-Italian winemaking family in Mendoza. Wines, named after her children - Luca, Dante & Nicola - background of the label is the McDermott coat of arms of her American husband, Daniel McDermott. Single-vineyard wine from land belonging to the Laborde family. Deep red with big ripe fruits & smoky oak. Palate plum & jammy blackberry, spice with nice earthy character. Tannins are a bit rustic, lingering ending with toasty oak & spice. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Saturday, steak & Claret night. Ribcap (the prime and most tender meat cut) & an 05 Clerc Milon. 05 an excellent vintage in Bordeaux! 😋

Time to look in on the 05 Clerc Milon after 10 years in bottle. 10 years in bottle is always a good first check with quality producers. Since I have nearly a case of the 05, I’ll open another bottle in about 3 years.

On the nose, slightly candied, ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and hues of blueberries. Vanilla, caramel, mocha chocolate, some cinnamon, saddle-wood, steeped tea, light graphite, dark rich soil, sweet tarry notes, crushed, dry rock powder, stones with lavender, fresh dark flowers and violets.

The body round, ruby, lush and full. The tannins like velvet. It’s starting to enter a very good drinking phase with another 15 years plus ahead. The fruits are ripe but more floral on the palate than the nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries, creamed raspberry cola, hues of blueberries and cherries on the long set. Vanilla, caramel, mocha chocolate, some cinnamon, saddle-wood, steeped tea, dark roasted coffee, used leather, light graphite, dark rich soil, underbrush, sweet tarry notes, crushed, dry, rock powder, stones with lavender, fresh dark flowers and bright violets. The structure, tension, length and balance is hitting its stride. Great round acidity. The ripe, rich, lush, well balanced finish is very good and will continue to get better & better and lasts minutes.

Photos of, Clerc Milon, their new barrel room first used for the 09 vintage. Their dining & reception room, our friend and Winemaker Jean Danjoy. He was the Assistant Winemaker at Opus One for 10 years before designing the new Clerc Milon Cellars and becoming the Winemaker for the 09 vintage. He has pushed the quality at Clerc Milon with each vintage...achieving the highest rating every for Clerc Milon with a 93-95 Parker rating for their 2017 vintage. Not only is he a very talented Winemaker but, perhaps the nicest person I know. And the last photo, Chateau Clerc Milon and Estate vines.

Clerc Milon sits adjacent to her sister property, Chateau Mouton Rothschild. — 8 years ago

Cathy Gilbert

9.1

Love this one from@Edna Valley — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

No formal notes - dining with friends at a BYO Italian restaurant in Surfers Paradise. Interesting background story - this is made by Australian winemaker, Dave Fletcher, in the old Barbaresco train station. Dave is one of the chief winemakers at Ceretto. Ceretto allow him to make wine under his own label on the side. A well made correct medium bodied rendition showing red fruits and fine powdery tannins. A great match with Fettuccini Puttanesca. — 5 years ago

Eric

9.4

Astonishing color and depth of concentration. Chewy, fat and full-on. Needs beaucoup years to settle down. Made by Penfold Grange’s winemaker. This guy does NOT f*ck around!! — 6 years ago

Lucy Rodriguez

9.0

Great taste! — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Earlier this week, a rep for Crown Point wines hosted a tasting to show off a few of their newer releases. New to me, they are out of Santa Barbara and have the duo of Adam Henkel (former assistant winemaker at Harlan for 8yrs) and Philippe Melka (who came on starting with the ‘15 vintage) making the wines.


This wine is their Estate Selection, which is 73% cab, 16% malbec and 11% merlot. I believe this was the first vintage for this wine. It sports a very soft profile and is made in a riper style. Aromatically it smells of baked boysenberry, fig and mixed berry pie with milk chocolate chips. The ABV is around 15.2% and it shows here. Extracted on the palate with chocolate covered dark fruits, baking spices, nutmeg and Andes mint. — 7 years ago

with Clare and Weston

Rodney Rosser

9.5

Serving this stunner from Pam Walden by the glass at #shagbarkrva this weekend!! — 7 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Tonight to start the Fathers Day weekend off I have opened the 2013 Leviathan California Red Blend. 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Syrah, 24% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. This is the 10th Anniversary wine from Andy Erickson the former winemaker of Screaming Eagle.

The nose is very expressive with notes of black cherry, blackberry jam, boysenberry, black currant, chocolate, pencil shavings, herbs and mint.

On the palate there is jammy dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, allspice, herbs, graphite and earth.

This is a full bodied wine with medium + acidity and medium + grippy chewy tannins that lead to a long fruit driven finish. Enjoy your Fathers Day weekend and do it safely. Nostrovia. 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago