Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2020 Dominus is one of the wines of the vintage in this crazy year marked by drought and fires. There's plenty of upfront richness and fruit, but the mid-palate and finish taper off faster than they would in a higher-quality vintage. Here, too, the balance is notable, even if there is no escaping the reality that the 2020 is a relatively small-scaled Dominus. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
— 5 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.6

Absolutely gorgeous and unique. For a 23yo wine the complexity on the nose and palate is still bumpin, and the tannins are silky and smooth, with a little grab here and there just to let you know it’s past. Nose of rich dark berries, old driftwood (from Collin) with a medium body that’s fruit forward, somewhat smoky, and beautifully balanced with hints of dried herbs, and sage. Absolutely amazing. — 6 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.8

Opus One. Yes!! There is lot going on here. Perfumes of rosemary on the elegant side and that leather/cigar thing with blackberry hint on the firmer side. And they do not conflict. Going to let the last six of this vintage rest for another 5 years — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured, no formal notes. Despite its relative youth, the 2017 Sassicaia is showing very nicely right now. To my palate, this does as good a job as any in deftly straddling New and Old World…and just leans enough towards its structure and non-fruit characteristics to give it a sense of place. To be clear, there is plenty of fresh and delicious fruit, it’s just that the structure and the firmness of the tannin and acid is so “favoloso”. Drinking well in its youth but should drink very well through 2042. — 9 months ago

Arden Barnett

9.3

Magnum. Even after decanting around 6 hours the nose was still muted. Structure still there. What a fun treat. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Nice wine, but probably slightly over the hill. Tannins still there but the balance is a bit faded at this point. Still a nice wine with good acid. — 4 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.4

Wonderful example of how there can be surprises in these under rated vintages. This was full of life. — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

Still hanging in there! Such a treat! Thank you to my generous friend John Slattery.! Roasted peanuts, dark soft plummy fruit. Nice acidity. Tannin totally resolved. A little minerally on the lively finish. — 6 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Of the 2 Bordeaux drinking the best tonight, but long term the Brane-Cantenac 2005 will outlive this wine by 10 years easy. While very complex, a fine touch a green is traceable.

A classic currant and forest floor nose, fall leaves abound with a spike of spice and a barely there green that while subtle is apparent.

The pleasure here is higher for its more mature tasted and feel, while the brawny 2005 is a better wine it was not as enjoyable to me and feel it will be another notch enter in 3 years, and likely 2 notches better in 5.

The elegance and feel on this wine is ready to go and will easily go another 5+ years. — 8 years ago

Annette Niemtzow

9.0

Good, full, rich but there are bottles of equal quality for half the price. — 9 years ago

Rachael Ryan

Sommelier Quince Restaurant

9.5

Why is this wine so good? Fantastic value. Wondering why there isn't more Gamay in the US. — 9 years ago

Maryann Saenz

10

CdP is the best! This one has a lot of blackberries and tar going on. I stuck my nose in the glass and left it there, just inhaling all the goodness. It’s one of my favorites ever. 10/10. Love it. — 5 months ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Meaty and dense in the nose. Tobacco and leather. A whiff of iodine and a savory and still there palate. Some fresh and pretty fruit still which is kinda epic. Fascinating — 6 months ago

with Tony and David

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2016 Palmer is a brilliant wine from Thomas Duroux, though I feel it will ultimately be surpassed by the 2018. You cannot argue with the nose: intense black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and crème de cassis (as if there was a touch of Pauillac in there). The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, sensual tannins, perfect acidity, velvet smooth with layers of chocolate-tinged black fruit, hints of black pepper and cedar towards the sustained finish. It is a fabulous Palmer that will give much pleasure. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 6 months ago

David Koenen

9.2

Pine forest , tannic structure is there and also nicely integrated, dried herbs and leather. Fresh, elegant, lingering finish. — 10 months ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.7

What is there to say? It’s Dom. This ‘09 is singing. Lemon peel, almonds, sherry, toast. It’s creamy and unctuous while still maintaining bright acidity and focused minerality. It’s expensive, but god damn it’s good. — a year ago

with Raina

Ellen Clifford

9.1

The juice, the energy, the dammit I don’t want it to be so tasty but...Artemis got you. Because she’s a goddess and says so. I mean, there are other deities. Ones more powerful or whatevs but I’ll run through the woods with this for a night — 4 years ago

Carrie Bowden

9.3

This beauty will last a decade, how I bought enough to get there. — 6 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

Released in 2013. This is still so young and forward, I can barely understand. Sure, I suppose there was development here, but I keep chasing these wines backwards in time, and they never seem to reach that place that my vinous instincts suggest they're headed. I mean, this was really tasty - maybe my expectations are the problem... — 7 years ago

Meg

9.4

Friends don't let friends drink bad wine on Thanksgiving! There is nothing better than the afternoon drop-in and impromptu wine from loved ones. And as I cook, does anyone else have the Sledgehammer song or video on the brain today?! Just sayin. #friendsgiving #thankful — 8 years ago

with Nick and Rebecca

Marty Winters

9.7

There are times when I am completely surprised by a wine. Low fill, destroyed capsule but the best bottle of Mouton that I have had pre 1982. This wine was singing. — 9 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Is there a better SJ on the planet? This had a shoe polish, glycerin note with a silky, elegant texture showing black cherry, raspberry, black olive, sweet & savory spices, graphite & violets. — 5 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Too young I know but was hoping with a 5h+ decant this would still deliver. It did, though I’m not sure it showed as distinctively as I was hoping. On cork pop a medicinal note that blew off. Lots of dark red fruit and purple flowers. Tannins are there but alongside a ribeye weren’t overbearing. Quite nice but was hoping for something more. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2003 vintage. For my ca$hi$h, still, consistently, the sexiest, most voluptuous red Bordeaux out there. Medium-heavy body. This kicked in the door to “the zone” recently without knocking and is set up for the next 10-12 years easily. Such a fantastic balancing act of fruit and structure. Total and blissful synergy. . 9.25.23. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2000 Chateau Musar Grand Vin Rouge pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with some signs of sediment. On the nose, this is drop dead gorgeous with all the vibes I would come to expect from a 20+ year old Musar. Clearly a vinous wine with a wonderful mix of red and dark fruit; mostly ripe while some dried fruits are beginning to appear. Earthy characteristics were also playing a strong supporting role along with sweet pipe tobacco, leather, some red and purple flowers, some green herbs, exotic spices and there was a touch of brettanomyces but nothing out of control. On the palate, the wine was quite spry with ample structure still; firm tanning and lovely acid. The finish was long and simply to die for. Musar's Grand Vin Rouge is often compared to some of the great wines from Bordeaux however, I have traditionally eschewed this comparison as I have found these wines to be almost singular. That being said, this bottle was far and away the most relatable to Bordeaux that I have so far experienced. It should also be noted that this bottle came to me ex-chateau a couple of years back and provenance likely had something to do with the strength of this showing. It was a fabulous pairing with grilled lamb chops and fattoush. Based off this experience, I expect well stored examples to drink well for at least another decade and likely, longer than that. — 10 months ago

David Lieberman

9.1

Wow! Best vintage I have had of this in several years. Six bottles is not enough. Great strawberry nose with the garrigue we associate with Provence. I don’t think there’s a better Rosé out there, but I keep searching! — 5 years ago

CYesh

9.0

A bit past it’s prime but the bones are still there. Delicious. — 6 years ago

Matthew Beckman

9.0

A surprising number of bubbles for the age yet the age showing itself and not a lot of life left. There was concern about storage based on the shape of the bottle. — 7 years ago

Rob Andersen

9.1

Vintage after vintage these guys knock it out of the park, 2011 is just sweet. Soft tanins, alc in check and balanced for the level, beautiful, crunchy red fruits with a crazy splash of plum bordering on pluot. Phenomenal value for the quality. Lots of shops out there with it right now for$26-28, get some. — 8 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.1

1990: Corked, unfortunately. My mom had the best line, "It sure tastes better than it smells!" I recall what it was like on release, hard candy sweetness with a surprisingly light framework, particularly compared to both the '88 & '89 on release, and the crazy depth of the'90 Ch. Filholt Creme de tete, which was massively concentrated. This bottle still had oomph, yet wasn't all there. — 9 years ago