Gil Krakowsky

9.3

Just a really enjoyable wine that is both hearty and even “ big” but still refreshing.
Clearly some Brett and some effervescent feel like may hint at VA, but I find both to be well integrated and enjoyable. A deep darker-side-of-red fruit profile: red and damson plum, dried red cherry, Black licorice, olive. Has a floral sense to it, and some exotic woody undertones as well earth - like a forest after the rain . A full bodied and almost lush wine that might recall the mouthfeel if a Napa cab, but with much more refreshing a acidity coming through - never the least bit cloying or overwrought. Simply a great wine with a broad food pairing potential. That said, I do wonder if it would taste dramatically different at the source. With zero sulphur amidst a long boat ride, life in distributor warehouses, a wine shop and ultimately my euro cave, whether the original intent is preserved in its entirety. Drinking fantastically but also wondering if peak drinking is 2-3 years ahead. Again, the sulphur thing... — 6 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.6

Beautiful color, with just the beginning of brick on the rim.
Aromas of tar, black currant leaf, dried black fruits. Still so youthful.
Actually this wine needs more time so show more complexity and has lots of life left. — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.3

I’m a huge Paul Jaboulet fan & grabbed this @ £125 - great wine but overpriced 😉 I love the 2011 at the moment but this is delish to with loads of life left 😎

📍 Paul Jaboulet Aine La Chapelle Hermitage 2005

🏵 93-94 points

🍇 Syrah

🍷 Deep blackened ruby

👃 Peppered cherry mud pie, raspberry bakewell tart & cocoa sprinkles w/ a light earthy dry cured herbed meat herby smokey oak backbone & black berry fruits then a coffee kick

👄 Med bodied creamy smooth dark cherry & raspberry chocolate pie w/ a rich blackberry jam undertone, black olive & light dry minerals

🎯 Med+ touch dry dark cherry & raspberry chocy licky lips w/ a dark fruit berry, olive tapenade & mineral linger — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

As I evaluate my wine purchases over time, I consider; quality, pleasure and the price of the bottle of wine. Specifically, how good is the wine vs. the price and others that I’ve had that are certainly better wines but cost over $70-$500 more? In this case, are they worth 3 to 14 times more money? I find the answer more often than not, no. I feel this way about the Heitz & Joseph Phelps regular Napa wines over their higher priced wines for sure. And, many other high end producers. This wine was under $35 and it’s delicious without having reached its peak.

On the nose, stewed; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals.

The body is medium full, rich and elegant. The tannins are round, fine and nicely resolved. It’s seamless wire to wire. The structure, tension, length and balance are starting to really jell. stewed, ripe; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries, creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark spice, dry stems, used leather, tobacco leaf, graphite, touch of mocha & caramel, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals. The acidity is near perfect. The finish is beautiful and last minutes. Still a lot of life in the 08...another 10 years plus.

Photos of; the side of their tasting room, transiting Winemaker David Heitz. Still disappointed a Napa pioneering family sold to a corporation. Tasting room terrace, old school basket press and a wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 7 years ago

Brian Stotter

9.6

PnP at a friend's house. Wonderful nose of blackberry, black currant, dried blueberries, cedar, eucalyptus, and tobacco that keeps intensifying with time in the glass. Full body with fully-integrated tannins and a long complex finish that fluctuates between black fruits, organic earth, and eucalyptus. Everything about this wine is in perfect harmony right now but it still has plenty of life left. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

1️⃣9️⃣7️⃣1️⃣

🗞 Intel 1st microprocessor, Disney World, 18 🗳
🎵 Maggie May, Brown Sugar. Ain’t no Sunshine
🎥 Clockwork Orange, Willy Wonka
🗣 I know what you're thinking Did he fire 6 shots or only 5
🌍 3.72B

Fab @ £95 for a 47yr old 😁

🍷 Ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Gravel, gun smoke, soot, pencil lead, minerals & faint dark fruit w/ mocha

👄 Med body of mineral laden faded dark fruit w/ black currant coming to life in the mouth & a mocha & liquorice touché

🎯 Med mineral & dark fruit w/ liquorice mocha

Bonus 🗣 Weebles wobble but they don't fall down 🤣 — 7 years ago

Michael Schamis

9.5

A spectacular nose of black, stewed plum, blackberry, dark cherries, sandalwood, leather, and cloves. The palate is lush and lively for a pinot with some age and great acidity. Juicy flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, plums and even a touch of orange rind lead to notes of cola, leather, oak, cloves and dried spice. The layers of fruit continue through the amazing long finish complimented by big acidity and continued spice. While this still has life to spare it's in a wonderful spot. Awesome! — 8 years ago

with Kati

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When I tasted this wine fresh at the UGC in Bordeaux, it was one of the wines of the day. However, I must confess it was one of over a hundred wines I tasted that day. This is my first taste of it since then. Being an 04, it will forever be overshadowed by the 05 vintage. The wine while evolving nicely is still a fairly long way from being ready. Right now, it needs food/grilled meat to bring it to a fuller life. The 04 is; dry blackberries, spiced black plum, dark cherries, violets, decayed floral bouquet, mocha chocolate, dry herbs, mint, menthol, strong leather, lots of graphite, tar, tobacco with ash, dry dark soil, dry pebbles, volcanic minerals, dry stems & big spice. The structure and tannins are still big. The fruit and earth are only beginning to come into balance and still need a lot of evolutionary work. The length is still somewhat austere but long. The acidity is a short of what is required. The finish is sticky big dry tannins, dry dark cassis, mocha chocolate, big spice, dry herbs but has it's pleasure. The 04 needs another 8-10 years before it delivers on any of it's early preconceived expectations. However, this wine has the potential to be much more than it has tonight. — 8 years ago

Conrad Kenley

9.3

Cedar and black fruit. Plenty of life left. — 10 years ago

Olivius Maximus

9.2

$25 at the local store does not start to do any justice for this beast of a wine. Daou is a medium to heavy Cabernet that spells of dark ripe sex fruit. Blackberry, blueberry, black courrant...oh fucking my! After tasting Daou's zesty finish, one will require the jaws of life to unlock purple lips from this delectable monster. — 10 years ago

John A

9.5

Sometimes words are not enough...truly fabulous. Still has two decades of life. Blue and black fruits. Still a dark purple that gives no hint to its age. Black currants, tobacco, spice box....phenomenal effort. Lucky to share this with Julia and to have one more bottle left. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The BV Tapestry doesn’t show its real self and value until it approaches 20 years. When you open these inside 10 years, it’s an average to very good wine depending on vintage. I’ve said it many times, you simply can’t get this kind of elegance and flat gorgeous complexity with any amount of decanting. You cannot fake or cheat long bottle evolution.

The one quality I get from this bottling at this age is Cognac with deep caramel flavors.

The nose reveals, dark currants, deep blackberries, dark liqueur cherries, baked, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, baked rhubarb pie, poached strawberries, anise, heavily steeped tea, limestone minerals, dry, crushed, rock powder, sweet tarriness, soft leather, hints of graphite, dry twig, salted caramel, Cognac, herbaceous notes-bay leaf, dark, rich, turned earth, hints of mushroom, hints of; vanillin, clove, nutmeg, understated, medium, dark spice, saline, peppercorns, dark, red, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets and lavender. Floral heaven and then some!

The body is round & full. The mouthfeel is gorgeously sexy. The tannins are round, soft but, still show some teeth & tarriness. The structure, tension, length and balance are exquisite and still has at least 5 years of life ahead. It’s magnificently on the other side of its peak. Dark currants, deep blackberries, dark liqueur cherries, baked, black plum, black raspberries, blueberries, baked rhubarb pie with golden crust, poached strawberries, kirsch cherries, figs, prunes, dates, anise, heavily steeped tea, limestone minerals, dry, crushed, rock powder, sweet tarriness, soft leather, hints of graphite, dry twig, salted caramel, dark chocolate, Cognac, herbaceous notes-bay leaf, dark, rich, turned earth, hints of mushroom, hints of; vanillin, clove, nutmeg, understated, medium, deep, dark spice with shades of palate heat, saline, peppercorns, dark, red, fresh & withering florals with fields of violets and lavender. The acidity is flat out perfect. The long finish is; extremely well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, gorgeous, sexy, silky, ripe, lush, captivates the whole body, persists until you go to bed and even intrudes on your dreams.

While 94, no ordinary 94 with its age, complexity & beauty. It’s a WOW wine that rocks your mind, body & soul if you are deeply passionate about wine as I am. You want to slowly sip this all night.

Photos of, all the amazing scenery in and around BV...a Napa pioneer & legend. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I only have have a 1/2 dozen bottles of vintages that predate the 2012 vintage when Caymus still made wines in a style I appreciated. More; tannic, spice, earth and complexity.

Now, they are amongst the last to pick fruit, which translates into higher brix levels and much sweeter wines. They pick just as the grapes start to show the slightest raisin shrivel.

I thought I might be early on the 2007. Instead, it’s right around its peak form.

The nose reveals dark black currants. Ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, stewed plum, dark cherries, stewed strawberries and creamy raspberries. Dark spice, black tea, mixed dark berry cola, limestone minerals, rich dark soil, some dry crushed rocks, vanilla, cinnamon, sweet tarry notes, just a touch of eucalyptus with blue, purple and dark red fresh & withering flowers.

The body is full. Tannins round, grainy, tarry, sticky and meaty...60% resolved. Still lots of life in this 07....another 7-10 years of good drinking left. The wine is delicious. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a great spot. Ripe; dark black currants, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, stewed plum, dark cherries, stewed strawberries and creamy raspberries. Dark spice with some palate heat, soft, understated and well integrated baking spices; light vanilla, clove and cinnamon. Black tea, mixed dark berry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, rich dark soil, some dry crushed rocks, vanilla, cinnamon, sweet tarry notes, just a touch of eucalyptus with blue, purple and dark red fresh & withering flowers. The acidity is round and perfect. The flavors glorious. The long finish is extremely well balanced, seamless, it glides over the palate effortlessly and last minutes.

Photos of; Caymus Estate vines, the front entrance to the winery, the grounds around their tasting room and their tasting bar.

@The Restaurant at CIA Copia — 7 years ago

Jordan Gianelli

9.1

Happy to find this wine when I did. Showing tons of “other than fruit” characteristics on the nose, this wine smells older than it is. Little bit of bret, but the good kind! Dark black fruit and olive tapenade waft out of the glass while blackberry seed, tobacco and black cherry leaf the way on the palate. The body is full in the middle but lean on the edges because of the bright acidity which lifts the wine throughout. Drink now through 7-13 years! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Is there any meal better than steak (Ribeye) and well aged Claret? This is another 1991 Bordeaux experiment of mine. 1991 was a vintage with horrible frosts and a less than favorable growing season, right? A vintage critically panned. This is my 3rd recent 91 from a good producer. And again, it didn’t disappoint. Like 97 and 07, it’s better with the right bottle age than young. Magic evolution happened in the bottle way down the road. This 91 is in great form with a fair amount of life ahead of it. On the nose; a little ripe fruit funk, wonderful dark & lighter red cassis, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries, vanilla, light cinnamon, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs and fresh & dry red flowers. The body/palate is medium, round, ripe & still fresh. The tannins nearly completely resolved. Ripe, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries & half cooked rhubarb. Vanilla, light cinnamon, touch of clove & nutmeg, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs, a little band-aid and fresh & dry red flowers. The acidity drips over the palate and the long, well balanced, still structured, nice tension, good length finish lasts over a minute. Again, love & appreciate the 12.5% alcohol. What a beauty with and without the steak. Next time you’re in your fine wine retail shop and see a quality producers 91 that’s been well stored, buy it and have it with a Ribeye. Photos of; their exotic Estate, Chateau interior, newer barrel room and their vines as viewed from the front of the Chateau that are across the road. Producer notes and history...Cos d’Estournel has a long distinguished history in the St. Estephe. Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, gave his name to the estate after founding in 1811. It did not take long before Cos d’Estournel became famous with wine lovers and royalty all over the world. In those early days, Cos d’Estournel did not sell through Negociants. The owner preferred selling his wine directly to his customers. In fact, Cos d’Estournel was exported to numerous countries across the globe, with a large portion of the production being sold to India. It was that connection to India that inspired much of the unique, east Indian design we see at Cos d’Estournel today. Cos d’Estournel was one of the first Bordeaux Chateaux’s to bottle, label and sell their own wine. This practice continued until the death of Louis Gaspard d’Estournel in 1852. If you’re at the property, the statue on the bench in the front courtyard is of the founder, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel. The Estate was then purchased by an owner that sold their wines on the Place de Bordeaux using the negociant system. If the Chateau was not selling their wines through the negociant system, it would never have been included in the 1855 Classification. Imagine that! So, it turned out to be a fortuitous decision. Cos d’Estournel was sold to the Charmolue family owners of the neighboring Estate of Chateau Montrose. They continued to own the estate until 1917, when it was bought by Fernand Ginestet. This purchase was the beginning of the next major step in the development of Cos d’Estournel. Decades later, the grandchildren of Fernand Ginestet, Jean-Marie Prats, Yves Prats and Bruno Prats took over ownership and management of Cos d’Estournel. In 1995, Bruno Prats sold the property to the Merlaut family, owners of the Taillan Group. The next era in the development of Cos d’Estournel took place in 2000, when Cos d’Estournel was bought by the industrious and wealthy Michel Reybier, who earned his fortune in the food industry. Michel Reybier hired the son of Bruno Prats, Jean-Guillaume Prats to manage Cos d’Estournel. Things further improved with the efforts of Jean-Guillaume Prats who helped design the most modern wine making at that time. A complete renovation of Cos d’Estournel took place in not only the wine making facilities and cellars, but in parts of the Chateau as well. While the wine making facilities are completely modern with their 100% gravity design, the outward appearance retained the original design and feeling that has always been a part of Cos d’Estournel. On October 15, 2012, Jean Guillaume Prats announced he was leaving Cos d’Estournel to join LVMH (Pichon Baron). Jean Guillaume Prats was replaced by Aymeric de Gironde. Following the departure of Aymeric de Gironde in 2017, the owner, Michel Reybier took over managing the Estate. What makes the remodel special is that the cellars of Cos d’Estournel are entirely operated by gravity. There are no pumps of any kind to force the wine. The purpose is to allow a gentleness to the wine and improve its purity and allow for the expression of their terroir. It set a new benchmark for cellars not only in the Left Bank, but in all of Bordeaux. Perhaps, the most inventive part of the cellars is the four 100 hectoliter lift tanks or wine elevators that replace the pumps used in the traditional pumping over and the racking off processes, which introduce air and often destabilize the marc. From the moment the grapes arrive, everything travels by the flow of gravity. Jean Guillaume Prats called this process a “pumpless pump over.” The 91 hectare vineyard of Cos d’Estournel is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is located extremely close to the border between Pauillac and Saint Estephe at the southern tip of the Saint Estephe. The Estate has very old Merlot vines as well, which date back more than 100 years. Part of the terroir is situated on the hill of Cos, which is at a high elevation for the Medoc at 20 meters. They also make a second wine called Pagodes de Cos. This is a great wine to buy in very good vintages. Especially, if your budget prohibits you from purchasing their first wine. — 8 years ago

Brittany Stone

9.5

Bright wine with tons of life left. Notes of Black cherry, black tea, cigar box and anise. Delicious. — 10 years ago

John Kemper

9.8

I dug deep in the cellar for this one, but the '93 Joseph Phelps Red Bordeaux Blend 'Insignia' amply delivered. Decanted for three hours, this dark purple/crimson blend was remarkably fresh and vibrant with lovely scents of black currant, red licorice and eucalyptus. Tons of black cherry, black pepper and cigar box flavors on the palate. Well-balanced and silky smooth on the long aromatic finish. Still plenty of life remaining and I luckily have two more bottles. — 11 years ago

Steven Comfort

9.2

Wine snobs hate Beringer, but this is the bottling that is undeniably one of the most consistently excellent Napa Cabs. I've attended several blind tastings where this wine won... Heavy bodied, with layers of rich black fruit, plenty of oak - this wine has a long life ahead of it. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

D6. Young. Very young. Even though it was decanted and frequently agitated, this one didn't come out to play until almost 2 hr after opening. Nose of Bing cherry and mint. Some red clay must. The entry is very acidic. Black cherry hint but Bing cherry backbone. Herbal middle. Started to show terroir-driven notes to the finish. Youthful and tight tannin. LOTS of life ahead. Be in NO HURRY to drink this one. I'd say optimal drinking time 5 to 10 years. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Long Shadows 'Saggi' is a thrilling blend of Sangiovese (Boushey and Candy Mountain Vineyards) with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon (Weinbau Vineyard) and the remainder Syrah (Den Hoed Dutchman and Bacchus Vineyards). The nose is drop-dead gorgeous with bacon fat, black olive tapenade, mocha and fennel. The stunning range of aromas bring you back to the glass for more. Revealing a silky texture and a wonderfully ripe mouthfeel, this slowly unveils smoked meat, black tea, milk chocolate covered cherry and roasted fig flavors. Decadent, layered and downright delicious, this beautiful wine will enjoy an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 20-9-2033- 95 — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.3

Still a tannic beast. But shows pr ok mise for those that are patient or enjoy these rustic style wines in their youth.
Black fruits, tobacco, earth, and oak on the palate.
Drank with a blue cheese topped NY Strip Steak. I think at this point in its youthful life cycle this needs a nice fatty piece of meat and cheese to slice through the tannins. — 6 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Very well balanced. Some black fruit and pepper Vanilla and smoke and slight herbal notes- of thyme. Tannins well integrated and still lots of life left Good mouthfeel and texture — 7 years ago

with Edel and David

Chris England

9.8

The fight was a draw on points but on QPR the judges voted on the Palmer 🥇

At £340 it has less life but better & a bigger thrill drinking today 🥊 a bit more masculine than Ch Margaux

🍷 Deep ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Perfumed red flower, burnt oak, musty cellar, dark berry fruits, cocoa Black Forest morello cherry gateaux, liquorice & herbs

👄 Med body of super smooth dark berry w/ rich mocha liquorice

🎯 Long lingering rich deep liquorice dark mocha through dark spiced berries — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.4

Everyone knows I’m a fan of LRA but I’ve not had the 98 for a long time!

As I just found some @ £68 I had to try & it’s lovely for the money with lots of life left 👍

🍸 Perfect in Zalto Burgundy 😎

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smoked dark balsamic oak in spiced black cherry w/ vanilla cocoa cream, herbs, smoke, leather, coconut & caramel

👄 Med creamy smooth body of dark cherry bathed in balsamic & vanilla cocoa w/ red berry tones

🎯 Long chocky cherry w/ touch tart balsamic thick linger — 7 years ago

Joe Flo

9.5

This is hitting it's stride great black fruit silky soft tannins. This still has loads of life left. — 8 years ago

Brad Pejcic

9.3

This thing must have been nothing but oak on release. It's still very noticeable but the fruit is giving it a good run. Savoury red and black fruits, black olives, herbs and classic Hunter earth. If only there was less oak, this could have been a great wine. I had the same vintage last year which was almost dead but this one had plenty of life left despite the cork crumbling into a million pieces trying to extract. — 8 years ago

Jason Hemming

9.4

Bought of restaurant list at reasonable price. Decanted and frank over 90minutes. Beautifully perfumed with dark black and blue fruit, menthol, leather and touch of smoke. Well integrated but firm fine tannins. Plenty of life left. — 8 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.1

Opened just in time - near end of life, strong earth with black cherry and plum fading fast, relatively short finish, however still delightful for a 31 year old wine. — 8 years ago

Mark Seeber

8.9

A few more years of life. vibrant and tannic (but balanced). Celebrating being Lutheran (official) again! Concentrated fruit, strawberries, figs, black pepper, touch of oak. Weak nose, otherwise would score higher — 10 years ago

Aran Healy

Partner Ruby WIne, Carlotta Cellars, Thistle Cellars

10

A perfect 10. What a pleasurable balanced vintage. With so much life. If any soil and earth, it would be black soil, rich and full of life. But the fruit, it's so full and vibrant still. Really hit this on a good year to drink! — 10 years ago