Lee Pitofsky

9.6

Although not the flagship, can still do an off vintage darn good here. Nice structure but also elegant and depth is there. Floral nose of blackberries and black currant. On the palate cassis, acid and a bit of earth on the finish. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.7

The flagship from Domaine Saint Préfert, and my first Charles Giraud. Préfert’s Charles Giraud has been a perennial high-scorer with multiple triple digit scores from Robert Parker. The 2015 is one of only four Chateauneufs to receive 99 points from Wine Spectator (none have received 100 points) and one of the other four is the 2010 Charles Giraud. This is epic juice. 60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre. Soaring aromatics. Incense, kirsch, lavender, fig, stone, meat, plum, Provençal herbs and exotic spice. Plush and silky, with an all-consuming intensity. Pair with Jeff Buckley. — 8 years ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

I just finished reading "Shadows in the Vineyard" about the 2010 attempt to poison the DRC, and since I can't afford Villaine's flagship wines, I figured this would be the next best thing. Not disappointed at all. While I tend to dislike young red Burgundy, this is already crazy approachable. Much riper than I'm used to. Not necessarily new-world, but closer to The fruit of Beaujolais, or maybe Rhone. Earthy and complex with a bright red cherry. Vibrant. Elegant. Lovely. — 9 years ago

Charlie Abizaid

9.2

Medium body with a tangy cherry profile up front similar to Brunello and finishing with dark fruit and soft tannins. Not as much terroir or funk as their flagship rouge but a unique wine and similar overall at a great price. Obviously perfect with mezze, lamb, eggplant, etc. — 10 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A wine that punches way above its price point in the mid $20s. Not typically the pepper and spice of the flagship "Langi" in this warm 2008 vintage. Overall a very good wine for a reasonable price. 17.5- — 11 years ago

Eric Waxman

9.5

The Black Chicken is Biale's Flagship and is right up there with Turley as California's premier Zin. — 11 years ago

Sam Ocampo

9.0

At Ed & Donna Berry's vineyard & winery, Ukiah CA — 12 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.2

An unusual incarnation of Pisoni’s flagship wine, the 2009 is a bit more austere than what one typically sees from this producer. Maybe 2009 was a cooler vintage - not sure - but both the nose and palate is almost like a cross between a Central Coast and Oregon pinot. Still has the tell-tale richness of a Santa Lucia Highlands pinot, but with higher levels of acidity and less opulance across the mid-palate. Definitely opened up and improved with time in the glass, all of which suggests that this might be one to let sit for a few more years. Still a terrific wine! — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Their Flagship Wine, made consistent from vintage to vintage defining their standard to measure against all of their Pinot’s. Vivid clear Ruby with complex aromas of rich fruit and spices, aged for 16 months in French oak (57% new). The palate yields elegant fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and sweet currants with notes of herb pepper and a hint of citrus zest. The wine is well balanced and finishes long with smooth tannins, ending with notes of cacao, mineral and oak. — 9 years ago

Adam Plotkin

9.0

Probably the best QPR of the Betz line. Can it compete with the flagship Betz Cab? No. But still one heck of a wine forn$35! — 10 years ago

Thomas Hughes

9.6

The only negative to this bottle is its a little young. In 5 years, this will be 5 star ... Of course, good luck finding it. Bryant's flagship Cabernets range from $400 to $600 per bottle. Their DB4 is a steal under $100. New world fruit yielding old world complexity. An amazing bottle to share with great friends. Cheers! — 11 years ago

Thomas Hughes

9.3

One of the best wines under $45 you can find. Incredible fruit and complexity. Rivals its flagship Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red at nearly 1/3 the price. Amazing wine. Cheers!! — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.8

This is the flagship wine and is Cabernet Sauvignon based made with 100% new French oak with a dense array dark currant and cassis berry fruit with notes of licorice and sweet tobacco spice very forward and seductive. A big and sweet seductive fruit with an array of dark berry fruit 89 CS 6 mr and 5 pv blend. Very big and chewy but has wonderful nuance exotic floral notes very exotic a bit reserved right now but should blossom over time has all the right pieces in proportion. Finish 50+ killer — 12 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

This is their flagship wine older barrique and large oak — 12 years ago

Lauren Prial

9.4

Few things compare to the Opus One flagship wine, but this more accessible version certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s velvety and decadent with a well-rounded nose. Overture is a NV but this one comes from the 2012-2014 vintages - all stellar years for the Napa Valley. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

The flagship wine from Burn Cottage, a Central Otago, New Zealand producer focused on Pinot Noir. Husband and wife owners Dianne & Marquis Sauvage sought out Ted Lemon of Littorai, and SF Chronicle's winemaker of the year for 2010 (Jon Bonné: "The simple version of Ted Lemon's story: Young American goes to Burgundy. Becomes first American to run a Burgundian wine estate. Comes back and stays true to Pinot's motherland."). Lemon oversaw the planting of the vineyards, along with all aspects of vineyard management and winemaking, chief of which being Biodynamic from inception. The label is a derivative of a 1795 fairy tale called “The Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily” which represents the ideal intersection of people and the land reflected in Biodynamics. Black cherry, citrus, and lavender pastille, with some secondary loam and herbs. — 9 years ago

Kyle Suehiro

9.0

This is Kapcsandy's flagship rose and it sure tastes like it... the fruit is more intense than most and has a long, slightly sour strawberry finish. The 17 months spent in French oak add complexity and balance... excellent effort! — 10 years ago

Christine Havens

9.4

With respect to Washington producers, Quilceda Creek is in a league of it's own. I found the Galitzine to have a slightly different profile than their flagship Columbia Valley Cabernet, which often has a unique fingerprint of soy and Asian spices. Even so, this Red Mountain Cab is exquisite and pristine. Notes of violets, graphite, wild plums, boysenberry, incense, and smoke. Well-structured, with firm, precise tannins. The structure, in fact, overwhelms the fruit at this stage, more cellaring is needed. — 11 years ago

Anthony

9.0

Sycamore Creek so far my favorite winery in Morgan Hill — 11 years ago

Anna Marie Dos Remedios

9.5

Enjoying sharing a bottle of this aromatic representation from Ampuis with our favorite Viognier grape grower John Simpson today. He has retired this year and we are going to miss the beautiful Viognier grapes we have made into our flagship white wine since 2008! — 12 years ago

with Deb