Lisa F

9.0

I was looking for a wine to pair with a spicy (but not hot spicy) chili that had just a touch of dark chocolate. This worked wonderfully with its sweetness. The cornbread had a bit too much sugar, but this wine did not bitter at all. Perfect match for the chili and sweet cornbread meal. The wine is full of berry flavors and ends with a black peppery spice. This is a wine I will love adding blueberries to. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This run of about 13 PHENOMENAL wines I'm posting are from the SQN wine dinner/WNH interview I did at @Shawn R 's house last night. I was like a kid in a candy store on Christmas. What an absolutely EPIC night! Love ya brother!

Ok, so, wow, you know the night is going to be insane when this is the welcome sparkler! Rosé champagnes are becoming a favorite of my wife and I and Shawn seems to be the man when it comes to them. I've never had Krug Rosé, but I can't imagine it being better than this. The fresh strawberries, kiwis and knock your socks off acidity on this made me a believer in this stuff. — 7 years ago

with Shawn

Ricky Archer

10

I'm no connoisseur but bull run has the excellent wine. The merlot is fruity and delicious. — 8 years ago

P Webb

8.9

I bought all of this that I could find.
Some 9+ bottles. It was a wine inexpensive enough to open whenever, and when it was gone I only lamented its passing without coveting. If you run into any in the $30 range, snap them up and drink them. Gattinara at twice the price is unnecessary. Much better than their Spanna. — 8 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.0

Deep red fruit and spice on the nose and coming through on front mouth first blush showing more dark cherry than black fruit (all still slightly tight post aerator-corked bottle pour).. It seems well-balanced with tannins showing slowing the final downhill run offering that finishing touch and back-end memory. This wine shares classic Cali cab notes with slightly brightened fruit, all of which will benefit from a few years in the cave followed by some playtime in a broad-bowled decanter, where its truth will thereafter come to the table.
PS, my guess is that the spice on the nose is largely the result of some newer oak bathing😎 PSS, back @ Matt & Mindy's fabulously folky yet scrumptiously sophisticated Friendly Market just off the bike trail (emphasis added) where you will find very special stuff soundly local with influences from Quebec to NC, at least! 100 years...🌀🌲 — 8 years ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.2

2010. Still an alarming sense of freshness; as though it hasn't budged on some level. A bit more meaty and sweaty, same smoked paprika. Black truffle, bitter orange. Amazing how long these co-op wines can last; but then, I guess that's (mostly) Nebbiolo for you. I consumed just over 2 cases over the years of this. Good run. At first it appeared to have a bitter finish; but without buttery creamy mushroom pappardelle that disappeared so obviously I paired it wrong. Probably best with thinly sliced charcuterie appetizers. — 9 years ago

Brenda Lambert

9.5

Enjoyed during a birthday celebration! — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Tawny rim, lovely perfume. Great rendition of a southern Rhone style - Grenache Shiraz Mataro Cinsault. Full and concentrated even at 9 years. Delicious jubey flavours. Losing a half point for an overly heavy bottle. 18. — 9 years ago

Jen Johnson

9.7

One of my favs - local VA wine at it's best. Buttery with a hint of coconut. Perfect for drinking outside on a hot day.
— 10 years ago

Christine Yasaitis

9.6

Mirjam returns to run the marathon w/Jochem, Bart & her parents at Trattoria Alba! — 11 years ago

Jamil C Williams

General Manager at Silverlake Wine

9.7

Not 'run of the mill' at all - crazy stamina - been open for 3 day and still beautiful. — 11 years ago

Matt Pacheco

9.0

Had this at Sip with my wife. Would definitely have again! — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Pichon Lalande is my favorite 2nd growth with a steak. Yup...it's #SteakandClaret night to quote my buddy Gary Westby. Further, it's certainly one of my favorite producers period. I've waited for this wine to be in the bottle for 10 years before finding out definitely how good it was or wasn't. You see, the 05 Bordeaux vintage was exceptional. It's drinking right now better than 00. 00 may turn out to be better, but not for some time. The real issue was the division of scores between RP & NM. Parker had this as low as an 86 and now has it at 89. Neil Martin has been consistently at 95-96. I found it simply inexplicable that Pichon Lalande could have bombed in such a great vintage. Tonight, I know they didn't. This wine is beautiful. Although, I don't believe it will cellar as long as their some of their very best vintages and many others I've enjoyed. On the nose, bramble, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries, graphite, baking spices, cedar, lightly perfumed violets and dark, fresh & dry red flowers. The body is medium-medium plus, tannins nicely resolved with 10 years to be completely resolved. Fruits of; ripe blackberries, dark cherries, notes of blueberries, poached strawberries and pomegranate with a whiff of spice. There's notes of dry bramble, soft leather, fresh violets, graphite, cedar, dry stones, dark rich earth, limestone, tobacco, spice-box, vanilla, very light cinnamon & nutmeg. The finish is very long, elegant, ripe, round, smooth, good acidity and beautifully elegant...50-50 earth & fruit. I bought more bottles of this at $85 after it's was first released in futures and I do not regret it. $85 is proving to be a steal for this wine when it normally sells for between $100-$150 a bottle and higher. Might heavy up further after tonight if I find more around the same price. Oh yes...I'm with NM on the scoring. Photos of the Chateau, estate vines, newer tasting room & the Virginie de Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande. Forgive my long post, but my passion and love for this producer is profound. Producer history and notes...as I wrote in an earlier post for Pichon Baron, Pichon Baron and Lalande started as one entity. The first mention of what is now called Chateau Pichon Lalande was the creation of Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan. Pierre de Mazure de Rauzan is responsible for forming many of the top Bordeaux estates today. Pichon Lalande was given its name when Therse, the daughter of the founder received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville. Pichon Lalande was essentially managed by three women, Therese de Rauzan, Germaine de Lajus and Marie Branda de Terrefort. On the eve of his death in 1850, Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville divided the property between his five children. His three daughters received Pichon Lalande and his sons Pichon Baron. What happened next was Virginie, the wife of the Count of Lalande took over the management of the estate under the name of Comtesse de Lalande. In 1850 she commissioned the popular, architect Duphot to build a residence inspired by the Hotel de Lalande, located in Bordeaux. Without heirs, Pichon Lalande passed down from aunts to nieces. Following World War I, the Miailhe brothers, bought Pichon Lalande in 1925. They were the ones who planted even more Merlot. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, the daughter of Edouard Miailhe became the new owner and general manager of Chateau Pichon Lalande in 1978. She expand the size of Chateau Pichon Lalande from 40 hectares to it's current 89 hectares. Chateau Pichon Lalande remained in the same family for more than 250 years! In fact, over three centuries, only two families have owned Pichon Lalande. May-Eliane de Lencquesaing sold Pichon Lalande to the owners of Roederer Champagnein in January 2007. This family-run company is managed by Frederic Rouzaud who owned several other wine estates in Bordeaux; Chateau Bernadotte, Chateau de Pez, Haut Beausejour and Chateau Reaut la Graviere. He sold Chateau Bernadotte in December 2012. In February, 2011, Sylvie Cazes was named the director of Chateau Pichon Lalande. She replaced Gildas d’Ollone. Sylvie Cazes was replaced in 2012 by current Director Nicolas Glumineau, who was previously at Chateau Montrose. In 2012, Pichon Lalande renovated the estate with a budget estimated at over 15 Million Euros. The new facilities included; building of a new underground barrel aging cellar and several new buildings...one that houses their new tasting room as shown. This renovation provided numerous improvements in their wine making. Most importantly, in the vinification. They created a new, triple tiered, cellar where everything moves by gravity. They also added numerous new, stainless steel, temperature controlled, double skinned vats. These new vats allow Pichon Lalande to vinify on a parcel by parcel basis as well as get much softer & gentle extractions. The 89 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Lalande is located adjacent to Chateau Latour and and across the road from Pichon Baron. The terroir of Chateau Pichon Lalande is deep gravel with clay and limestone soil and is planted to; 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. — 7 years ago

Kelsie Jessica

9.2

Best port wine I've had. Excellent for sipping with chocolate . — 9 years ago

with Nathan

Jeff Nyveen

9.1

Very smooth and dry and silky right out of the bottle. — 9 years ago

Kelly Hirschuber

10

Tasted with Josh at M wine cellar — 9 years ago

B

10

2010 Tyler Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard. Drank at Tortilla R w K after our trail run. Was really delicious. Drank it slightly cold which was nice on such a hot day. — 10 years ago

Nick Werbeck

9.6

Wow. Loved it! Not trying to sound like drama queen, haha — 10 years ago

Marcy Simon

9.5

It's beautiful & complex home run at Nomad — 11 years ago

Jessica Thomas

9.0

Meritage Reserve 2014- wine club pick up 12/17. strong tobacco and licorice flavor. — 6 years ago

with Jolinda

Santana Chavez

9.5

Good body, sweet at the front, dry finish, fruity notes — 7 years ago

Julie Bandi

9.5

Wonderful! Complex and smooth at the same time. — 7 years ago

with Sue

Dave Kluz

8.9

Black cherry, cassis and cedar. Integrated tannins at this point. Developing nicely with a few more years to run. — 8 years ago

Ravi Kalyanaraman

9.0

We actually just picked up this bottle at the Riverwinds wine fest. It's so good and perfect with sushi — 8 years ago

Meg

9.6

Wax on, wax off: this evening I took a rare field-trip to Waxhaw, which is way beyond my typical radius of existence. I had planned an anniversary dinner at Heritage, and my good friend "Coach Witty" encouraged me to run a mile race with her at track night in those parts beforehand (why not run a 5min race right before a nice dinner?!) I ended up winning and getting a PR, and Heritage was worth the trek. Food Babe walked in and sat down next to us - hopefully she only had good things to say about Paul Verica's passion project, as I loved it!! As for the wine...I have been asked, "what's a good wine to give as a nice gift?"....and I often suggest Caymus cab. It's always solid, a fruit bomb, and elegantly-finished. A known quantity. Perfectly paired with the local summer vegetables and my steak. And last but not least, let's all raise a glass to Pat Summit - the winningest coach in D1 history to date - that certainly gains my respect. May her legacy live on #caymus #theextramile — 8 years ago

Patrick Bean

9.5

Dry, but full bodied. It would likely pair well with a hardy stew. Winemaker's tasting notes: "This rich and savory red emulates flavors of blackberry, black cherry and black plum notes with hints of vanilla and spice. Dry and tannic due to thick skins, this wine finishes with a long smoky wood finish. Aging potential 5-10 years." — 9 years ago

Kevin Hill

9.7

Decant for 2-3 hours. Smooth. Oaky. With late tannin hot, and a berry/jam hint finish. Nice tight finish with a sandpaper tongue at the end. Worth visiting if you run into it. — 9 years ago

Dock Hooks

10

Scoring big this evening, as this Calistoga 100% merlot is a spice fest for one's nose reminding me of an early morning forest run, breaking out into a fresh meadow, where I scoop up a handful of blue an black berries and engage. Very cool! Buy this wine!! Also, the fresh, raw kale Ceasar at Il Palio is right-on..:)!
— 10 years ago

Evan Ashkin

10

Lovely dinner at L'epigramme wonderful coud who run the place. Great Lamb and Endive Torte. Cheryl had Frois Gras and Veal — 10 years ago

Josh Eichorn

9.5

What merlot should be. Black and brooding, this monster needs some air time to show. No apparent loss in 10 years. Black fruit and cedar with some herbals hints with mineral. A complete wine. Could make a strong run at being a Pomerol in a ripe year. Cannot recommend highly enough. Especially if you find it at a good price. — 11 years ago