Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

An 18th century chateau, overlooking the Isle valley, facing Pomerol and the Saint-Emilion limestone hillsides, belonged to the same family for three centuries took over by Michel Rullier in 1955, and his daughter Brigitte took the helm in 2002. Dark Ruby with an array of berry aromas and smoky scents. On the palate plum and cherry flavors with cacao, tobacco and smoky cedar notes with herb spice. Firm chalky tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral notes. Still tasting ok, but drink now! — 5 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.1

Deep ruby color. Faint hints of red and blue fruit as well as some earthiness on the nose. Maybe even a little herbaceousness. Flavors of dark cherries, blueberries, baking spices and dried herbs Very sleek tannins and nice acidity. ABV of 14.9 but it does not come across as too hot. I actually would like to try this again with a nice piece of grilled meat. — 5 years ago

with Lisa

Tierney H

9.4

Big, dark, leathery, bought from the vineyard — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

As usual a great value. Expansive nose of dark blackberry, and a eucalyptus-tinged herbal note. Rich and broad in the mouth, but with a nice core of soft tannin and just enough acid to keep it together. — 7 years ago

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. — 7 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Nice spice. Dark fruits. Rich alcohol. Color of dark burgundy. — 8 years ago

John W

9.6

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, tart cherry, tobacco, smoke and florals. On the palate, cherry, plum, earth, vanilla and chocolate. Full bodied, great balance, rich, lush mouthfeel. Long finish of chocolate. — 5 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

8.9

Dark fruits on the nose. Leathery cherry on the front. Strong tannins. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

“Let me tell you somethin’! Let me tell you...✋🏼. Don’t drink these now. Seriously. Just don’t. Five years from now? That’s probably okay. But not now. Unless...unless you are willing to decant for an extended period of time or slow-ox for three days. Patience will be rewarded however if you allow time to do its work. Only then do you get the classic Rafanelli of red and dark fruit with chocolate, coffee, tobacco and baking spices; executed in a most seductive fashion. Sound structure. The finish is long. This is a great vintage from Rafanelli with a long life ahead. Better after 2025. — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

An incredible story as well a great wine. Back in the early 2000s, The Vineyard team at Feudi di San Gregorio discovered three bush vines in their Anglianico vineyards that were not Anglianico grapes. After DNA research, it was determined the vines were the ancient Sirica grape varietal. FSG propagated these vines and eventually ended up with one and a half hectares of this grape. First release of a Sirica Single varietal was back in 2009. This vintage is a terrific red wine. Aromas of dark berries, leather, herbs and violets. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry, black pepper and cloves. Velvety tannins and fresh tasting. Beautifully balanced. This one is special and will get better with age. I need to find more! — 7 years ago

with John

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; consumed over four hours. Needed some time to open but already entering a much better, more pleasant place than when these were released. The nose is loaded with fresh brambles and underbrush. After about three hours of air, it also added a sort of spiced meat element. Lip smacking dark forest fruits on the palate. Wonderful balance. This is my sort of Zinfandel. Still a young pup...the future is bright for these. Drink now with a long decant or hold. Best after 2019. — 7 years ago

Brandon T

9.3

Nice dark fruit. A notch below the GIII, but still excellent. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Second of the four year vertical we are trying out for #WAWineMonth. We had the 05, 07, 08 and 09.

Medium to deep garnet with brick edges. Quite a bit of oak on the nose with notes of cigar boxes, dark spices, dried fruits and woody. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium plus bodied. Well integrated with quite a bit of earthiness compared to the other three vintages. Very dark throughout with notes of cocoa, herbs and some black cherries. Medium plus to long finish. Showed better on day two. Drink till 2022.

Made up of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23.5% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Meg Herring

9.3

Dark cherry, clove, sassafras, cinnamon, spice, good acidity. Dark red fruits. A lot of depth. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind... we're served three glasses from three brown bagged bottles. They all are similar in color: dark reddish tawny. This is rich and luscious with notes of red and black fruit, dark spices, some smoked meat, some warm earthy fruit pie and a little soy. Improved with air over the evening. By now we're on to the 1990 theme of the evening and these are clearly La La bottles, so which is this? I guess the 90 Mouline given its profile and that of the other two. For me this was the best of the three, although the La Turque was right there too. — 5 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Garnet in the glass with wet dirt, cherries, and floral notes. Talk about fresh. This baby is alive and kicking. Tannins providing so much excitement here that couple with the wondrous acidity and delivers a stunning package. Wet funk, subdued cherry tartness, and dark fruits on the palate. This isn’t anything like the other New World Tempranillos I’ve had before. Head and shoulders above the rest. — 6 years ago

Jeff Miller

9.6

Thank you to my good friend Andy Bunch for bringing this beer to try tonight. A rare treat for sure. Took a while to open up, bit man, it’s hitting its stride a couple hours later with notes of semi sweet chocolate, espresso liquor, brownie batter, vanilla, toasted nuts and almond oil. A rich brew with a 15%+ ABV. Black as old motor oil and super mouth coating. Yum yum yum. — 7 years ago

David L

9.2

11’ Realm Bard. This can’t be the same wine I had three years ago!?!
Slightly tight & needs a short decanting.
Color- Purple/ dark ruby. Big ,lush & graceful... all at once.
Dark berries, white chocolate, graphite. Soft tannins & moderate acidity. What an exceptional effort from this 2011 beauty. Drink them up in them next 6/8 years. What a wonderful surprise! — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Popped and poured; consumed over three days. Dark garnet bordering purple color. Bright aromas of fresh tart brambles which take center stage on the palate as well along with some minerals on the finish. Extremely primary at this moment in time. No shortage of structure with acid and tannin in ample amounts. Very little evolution over three days. Drink now or hold. — 7 years ago

Ryan M

9.6

WOW at first pour this was incredibly smooth. After 2 hours this tastes like one of the best cabs I’ve ever had. Dark red, tart raspberries, cinnamon, spice box, cherry early but subsided over the decant, clove, pine tree, chocolate early, french oak intensified over the hours. — 8 years ago

with Larissa