Tom Garland

9.1

2 hour decant (little chunky and cloudy sediment). A wonderful dark red garnet color. On the nose: floral perfume, strawberry-plum, smoke, crushed rocks and orange peel. Taste: Young...still some grippy tannins...needs a few more years. A fresh and juicy wine with raspberry, wet stones, tobacco, pepper....finishing with a herbal strawberry medium plus finish. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 6 years ago

Zack Hall

9.4

Just fire drank fire straight out the gates. Mouth full of oyster shells and smooth river rocks. — 7 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.6

For a 20 year old St Estephe this Cos d’Estournel is sublime. Perfectly aged but shows a lot of youth throughout the hour opening with red fruit mixed in with leather and chalk. A good 35 sec finish. A classic Bordeaux that rocks! Kept from my Phd days ( Rodolphe this is the last one buddy) is surprisingly vibrant. happy birthday 🥳 Philippa. — 7 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.3

Clear lemon color. Opened beautifully after a little bit of air. Lemon, rocks and ocean spray nose. Great balance between the acidity and the softness of the wine. Very long finish. — 7 years ago

with Frankie

Justin Hart

9.4

Ah, the Rocks at Milton-Freewater produce such remarkable and distinctive fruit. Morgan Lee’s take on the Stoney Vine Syrah is outstanding. Earthy, gamey, succulent, dark and full stone fruit (plum) that just keeps going. This is good for another 5 years I think. — 8 years ago

with Cherish and Jen

Katherine R

8.9

Delicious on a hot summer evening. If wine was water rushing and flowing over rocks in a stream with fruit trees and bushes on the banks, this would be that wine. — 9 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

1 hour decant(decent chunky sediment). A dazzling dark ruby red color with some bricking. On the nose: bursting from the glass are dark plum, toast, stewed meat, graphite, and a sweet minty chocolate. Taste: a elegant, smooth, medium weight wine with plum, currants, tea, crushed rocks, earthy....velvety mostly resolved tannins coat the mouth with a chocolate tobacco long dry finish. — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Last night, my second favorite pairing. Tonight, my favorite! An older Pichon Lalande and a ribeye. Counting it down.

While this 03 is delicious tonight, I won’t touch another bottle until 2028 for the way I’ve learned to enjoy em. However, a good time for a check in given I have several more bottles.

The nose reveals; thick, rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, older tobacco, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers.

The body is creamy, lush and full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting themselves together nicely. The tannins are round, dark and only 45-50% resolved. She’s an elegant beauty that will deliver so much more at 25 years and later. Rich, dark currants, creamy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, hints of cooked rhubarb, black plum with heavy skin & strawberries on the glass edges as it opens. Anise, Indian & Asian spices, soft leather, cigar box with ash, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, coco powder, some black licorice, steeped fruit tea, limestone minerals, dry, river stone, moist clay, dark, rich, turned earth, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with candied, fresh & withering, red, dark flowers & violets on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The creamy, elegant finish is balanced fruit & earth and persists nicely for minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande,
General Manager-Nicolas Glumineau, Pichon Lalande’s tasting room and their Estate vineyard at twilight and is adjacent to Chateau Latour. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

Côtes de Bourg is a Bordeaux region that many don’t know that delivers incredible wines for a fraction of the price of other regions. This higher priced bottle at £40+ sure delivers an amazing wine that would be triple in St Emilion & made by the folks from Tertre Rôteboeuf & called “the junior Tertre Rôteboeuf“ 👍 Drinking great young but will improve 😉

📍 Roc de Cambes 2014

🏵 93 points

🍇 80% Merlot, 5% Malbec & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

🍷 Blackened opaque ruby

👃 Soggy soil pot & thick farmyard through muted dark plum, blackberry, crushed rocks & gravel galore w/ mulberry, blueberry, broken twigs, pencil lead, violet, fresh mint & parsley herbs

👄 Med body of rich ripe blackcurrant & damson bathed in minerals w/ earthy soil stone tones, raspberry liquorice & a touch dry bitter mocha

🎯 Med+ touch dry mineral earthy black, purple & red fruit liquorice smack — 7 years ago

ES

9.0

This wine rocks, balanced, well made, bright fruit, fantastic acidity, wonderful QPR — 9 years ago

Annika van Leynseele

9.0

Chateauneuf-du-Pape-esque. Low acidity and tannins. Berries, spices. Yum! — 9 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Weltner’s sleeper wine. This is always so brilliant. What a nose. Lime pith and rocks. Tons and tons of rocks. Spring air on a mid 60’s day in the Franconian forest. Herbs, some flowers, sprigs of mint. Palate is tactile and intense with serious sap and structure. Great density. Amazing balance and purity. This has structure and guts to age. What a finish. It’s so long. This is more about freshness, minerality and fruit at this young stage. Although if you look there is some apricot there. Very complex and juicy and bone dry. This is a 10+ year wine easy. More notes as it opens which Paul’s wines do better than anybody. — 6 years ago

Chris

9.0

Great wine. $23 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Joseph Party and the 1983 Insignia from 3L.

The nose show lean, stewed fruits. While it is always a treat to drink their older vintages, this one probably better served 5 years early. Still enjoyable. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet.

The body is lean and very well resolved tannin structure. The tension, structure, length has lost some their step. Blackberries, dry, dark cherries, rhubarb, bright cherries, ripe strawberries, old leather & tobacco, limestone minerals, cedar to saddle-wood, steeped tea, touch mint & dry herbs, crushed dry rocks, barnyard, pine twigs, underbrush, forest floor with withering, dry red floral bouquet. the acidy is nice. The finish while fun, interesting has lost some of its flare but, again, still enjoyable. — 7 years ago

Sarah O'Kelley

8.9

Always a pleasure rocks, flowers, peaches 😋 — 7 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Deep and concentrated, lots of minerals, lime zest, citrus, spices, crushed rocks. Loire Sauvignon Blanc at its finest. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.8

In 775 the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, bequeathed his ownership of the Hill of Corton to the Abbey of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu. Corton-Charlemagne is the only grand cru in Cote d'Or that faces west. Since 2008, when Romanée-Conti’s cuvée Duvault-Blochet changed to include 1er crus, Bonneau du Martray has been the only domaine in Burgundy to produce only grand cru.
Opening with a perfumed and mouthwatering toasted sesame oil note that when you prompt yourself to think about what crushed rocks smell like, it instantly changes to it. Mindblown... Next up, imagine the combination of lime oil, juicy peach, and tangerine peel, and then imagine the ‘cream of’ that blend. Lastly, juxtapose that against the racy, minerality-filled finish, that’s really long on energy and focus. It could make a case for the most complex wine I’ve ever tasted, but certainly, Bonneau du Martray’s 2006 Corton-Charlemagne is the best white wine I’ve ever tasted. — 8 years ago