Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

After three hours decanting, this wine was just starting to show its true profile. Amazed at how locked up this wine still is. Yet, even when it matures in 2018-19 and it is closer to a pop and pour, this wine will probably still be "powerfully elegant." This wine is not a full bodied monster. Has a lot of floral perfume out of the glass. Hawthorne? Jasmine? Entry with a lot of acidity, good black cherry and terroir on the entry, with a smoother, more delicate middle that has an herbaceous component -- black licorice and a hint of cherries with Italian herbal notes. Stiff, very YOUNG tannin finish. Overall, very happy, and glad to be finally drinking on the case that I have in storage! Drink from 2019-2026 — 9 years ago

Jenn Birchwhat

9.1

Like a pina colada wine, very summery — 10 years ago

John Wehner

9.0

The Chardonnay goes well with chicken and brie — 10 years ago

Tricia Jansen

9.0

Loves it! Woody taste to start but a nice smooth creamy finish. — 10 years ago

Sam Lieblich

9.5

2015 savoury like a salty eel — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.5

Looks like apple cider, with a short buck shock white flattop of white foam, and arabesque lacing. The apple cider suggestion colors the bouquet, with lemon poppyseed cake and pineapple. Brusque mouthfeel becomes focused around a mineral and lemon toasted pretzel bread, with a waterfall-fresh rock essence and an orange blossom shadow. My new favorite Kiwi beer! Amazing stuff from Down Under and around the corner. #yeastieboys #ipa #newzealand #newzealandbeer #dank # — 11 years ago

with Courtney

Wineshout 💀

9.0

Another keeper from the Black Sage Bench. Truly unique, creamy and spicy nose on pepper steak, freshly milled steak rub, chocolate and raspberries. Dry and dusty on the palate with a good level of acidity to balance things out. — 12 years ago

Matt Kiessling

9.0

We've bought Soter NV Pinots from the vineyard for three vintages now. Oregon rock star! — 12 years ago

Sarah Green

9.6

smooth , hint of smoke — 13 years ago

Io Hanafusa

9.6

Yep. Very solid wine. Thank god I have three more of these bad boys in the wine fridge — 14 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Friday night vibes... The Hossfeld’s aptly named Coliseum Vineyard was planted by the late Henry Hossfeld during the 1980s. The rock is so solid at this terraced vineyard that he literally had to frack the vine holes with dynamite. Late last year, the Hossfeld’s suffered significant damage from the Atlas Fire, including their homes and 15 of the 20 acres under vine, not to mention most of their 2017 crop. I knew this bottle would be special, but had no idea of the impact of the fires on this family.
Mark Carter founded his eponymous label in 1998 with the help of Nils Venge. Mike Smith would later become winemaker after Thomas Rivers Brown introduced him to Carter. Carter’s 2015 Hossfeld Coliseum is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and easily rivals Duckhorn’s 2014 Three Palms. Decadent black fruit leads the way, but it’s loaded with dates, fig, clove, spice cake, baking spice, and just the right edge of underbrush. This is best described as a gravy train of hedonism. — 8 years ago

PA

9.0

Not usually a fan of sweet wines but this was not too sweet and blueberry flavored. Good desert wine. — 9 years ago

Matt Trader

9.1

One absolutely fantastic domestic Riesling. This is the only one that comes close to German styled Riesling for me. It has that slate/rubber, and lemon zest nose I adore in a Kabinett Riesling from Mosel. Apricot, keylime, crushed rock, edible flowers, and a touch of white pepper. Touch of sugar, beautiful acidity, and light - medium mouth feel. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.4

Just a little something something to prep my palate before the Festivities began! Solid Chardonnay but I expected more.
On the fun side!: Blind tasting three wines tonight with friends: 2013 Beau Vigne Estate, 2014 Becklyn Reserve & 2013 Morlet Coeur de Vallee. Can't wait to dig in to those 3 bad boys!!! — 9 years ago

with Gina and Christine

Tom Johnson

9.7

This is my first exposure to this wine, but definitely won't be the last.....ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!! Rich dark fruit, very lush and complex. From back label, "Along the western slopes of Napa Valley in Calistoga, lie 125 acres of premium vineyard. Dr. Kenefick, retired neurosurgeon has farmed these red rock filled soils for over three decades. Kenefick Ranch wines speak of the place, the man, and his vision. 100% estate grown and sustainably farmed. Aged 18 months in French barrique."

The nose was so wonderful, I had to taste before letting it breathe....it was marvelous. It continued to improve in complexity for three hours before it made the best compliment to braised lamb chops. — 10 years ago

Cynthia Marquez

9.0

Waited three years to open this bad boy #whiterock #2007 #groezingers @Rick Beard — 11 years ago

Rubychick

8.9

Zinfandel, spicy and lean. Local. — 11 years ago

Spencer Chaffey

9.1

Early development. Still too youthful and somewhat closed after three hours of decanting. Bold black currant, wild red cherry, cassis, and hints of black berry liquor. Decaying red roses and violets. A monstrous dried crushed rock, lead, minerality and wet chestnut/cigar box tannic finish. Sweet/salty soy throughout. Will hit its peak after 30+ more years. — 12 years ago

Dorsey Weikert

8.9

A favorite of mine and Steve. Sweet with a nice smooth peach flavor — 12 years ago

Jim Edison

9.8

Three years and I finished it! I fucking rock! Yeah... Not for lightweights... — 13 years ago

Ryan Mayes

9.4

Our second visit to the winery and even more spectacular than the first. Hands down one of the most uniquely beautiful properties in the valley. They just don’t make them like this any more!
The Red Rock Terrace was my favorite of the three ‘15s. All three are offering ripe fruit core characteristic of the vintage, but found RRT to also have a velvety texture and balance of its own. — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This is absolutely ridiculous. One of the best chardonnays I’ve ever had...all have been from Dan! Best nose on a Chardonnay I can remember. Salted popcorn kernels, toasted brioche, sweet caramel. The palate is gorgeously textured...lingers full of savory notes and wet rock. Benchmark Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

with Dan, Benjamin and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The wine was double decanted and we tasted it after three hours later. On the nose, a touch of pepper, soft spices, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, black raspberries, black plums, rich dark soils, light vanilla and fresh and decayed dark soils. The 2011 is very lean. It tasted like it had 10-12 years of bottle age rather than it's 6. Not to say that the 11 is turning just yet, but I certainly don't believe this is going to be a long cellar vintage. Soft fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rock powder, very soft leather, mid intensity volcanic minerals, lightly brewed coffee, strawberries come on later and acidity that could be better. The 2011 is not going to hold up as many of the other Insignia vintages do. It's already not as rich and full bodied as other vintages at 6 years of age. On the long finish, it's already showing some fig, date and prune qualities. Photos of their big dinning room and some wildly fragrant white roses on the back terrace. — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Second of the two Left Bend reds sent over to us from Gary. Love the labels on these wines and the name of this vineyard, 'Vanumanutagi' which is a Samoan word meaning "Vale of the Singing Bird". Trust us this wine sings! Bright ruby red with purplish hues. Nose started off a little tight with just red cherries and a slight perfume, but as it opened up over the next few hours it developed some cinnamon, vanilla, baking spices and some light lead. Strong acidity on the palate, makes us this it is definitely packing a punch and can last. The strong acidity hides the alcohol well. Moderate tannins (6/10) and moderate body carried by the acidity. Strong attack of red fruits and cherries. As it had some time to breathe the palate developed some baking spices, slight caramel and herbs, all very subtle. Slightly drying finish from the acidity with a little wet rock feel. A ton of potential with this wine, we drank this on day one, two, three, four and it kept opening up and its body held together. With a few extra years this will definitely score a few more points. Drink now till 2026. — 10 years ago

Jeff Smith/Vintner

9.2

Death Cab For Cutie, Portugal The Man, Cage The Elephant... New Alt rock band? Nope. Really nice new Napa Cab that Thomas Brown is making. Deep, rich yet bright enough to keep it interesting. Tasty juice! — 11 years ago

Virginie Boone

8.9

Young but ready to rock. 100% Cab from three vineyard sources, including Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder estates. — 12 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

8.9

Wine from Corsica the us a unique minerality a big rock with unique varietals three vineyards in the nw this family fought with Napleon a clone of vermentino — 12 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.0

New grape for me, Gamay de Bouze. As it was told to me this is indeed Gamay on steroids, and like its crossed with Cabernet Franc. Wild strawberry, pepper and spice notes, and licorice. Finishes clean and minerally from all of the granitic rock notes. Rocks and fruit here boys and girls! — 13 years ago

with Kristen

Mara Cruz-Meehan

9.8

Three Boys Brand-Wagonhouse Winery. Fallen Quaker — 13 years ago