Mike Mayer

9.3

Great nose of dark cherries, baking spices and cassis. The grapes for this wine come from the famous Dr. Crane vineyard just south of St. Helena. This wine is named for the Salvestrin’s 3 daughters. Fantastic tastes of black plums and wild berries with a hint of cinnamon and rosemary. The tannins are super sleek and the finish is complex and long-lasting. An excellent wine. — 6 years ago

with Lisa

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! — 6 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. — 6 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.5

First red on the cruise and given three hours in the decanter. Beautiful wine. Still semi-young in appearance with a deep purplish ruby red core and a touch of garnet on the edges. Complex nose with layers of cassis, dark spices, purple floral notes, tons of dark cocoa, and a touch of aged characteristics like forest floor. Heavy tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Well integrated and rounded. Layered palate with dark cocoa, soft dark fruits, plums, sweet spices and cinnamon. Long and lingering finish. Excellent wine with rib eyes. Drink till 2025. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have to say this is my favorite Chateau to stand in front of and gaze. On the nose, spice, wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, mint, tobacco leaf and dark fresh & dry flowers. It's drinking nicely with silty medium-medium + tannins & full bodied. Ruby, ripe wild blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, plum, leather, cedar, dark moist soil, wet stones, crushed dry minerals, mint, tobacco leaf and violets, dark fresh & dry flowers. The acidity is round and mouthwatering. The long finish has great elegance, beauty, length, tension & balance. It's just starting to hit it's stride and has plenty of life ahead of it. Another 15-20 years. Who said 04 was a difficult vintage? This will continue to improve and will stun with another 10 years in bottle. Photos of the the exterior Chateau front & side, tasting room and Christian Seely Managing Director. Chateau Pichon Baron and Chateau Pichon Lalande were originally part of the same estate. Pichon Baron got it's name when Therese, daughter of the founder, received the estate as a dowry when she married Jacques de Pichon Longueville the first President of the Bordeaux Parliament. Chateau Pichon Baron changed because of the Baron Joseph de Pichon Longueville. He took over managing Pichon Baron when he was only 19 years old! When the Baron passed away at 90 in 1850, he divided his Pauillac estate. The sons were awarded what became Chateau Pichon Baron and the daughters were given what later became Chateau Pichon Lalande. Pichon Baron went through three rough decades in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Part of the issues were, lack of investment and they machine harvested. The first really great vintages for them were 89 & 90 after Jean Rene Matignon, Jean-Michel Cazes join them and AXA Insurance Company purchased them adding capital. The 73 hectare vineyard of Chateau Pichon Baron are planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. However, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot are reserved exclusively for the second wine. The terroir is mostly deep gravel, sand clay soils. Pichon Baron uses 80% new French oak and rests in barrel 18 months. @ FogoDeChao

— 7 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.0

Immediately displays aromas of fresh raspberries, spice and roses. Zero alcoholic burn in spite of the 15.2% abv. Silky texture, dry, but with huge, bright fruit flavor. Probably will get better with a few more years in cool, dark and undisturbed conditions. Also a very good value. Paired nicely with pasta. — 7 years ago

Shaun McGregor

8.9

Dark berries, strong bold flavor, has a nice peppered spice to it. Delicious. — 7 years ago

with Elaine

Stewart Higgins

9.2

Great dark ale, chocolate and nut/fruit flavored are very present. — 8 years ago

Chris Thomas

9.0

Celebrating tonight! This is a fun wine, dark, smooth, cherries and vanilla. Enjoy! — 9 years ago

David Refuerzo

9.7

Dark, fruity. Excellent blend of the three coastal wine regions. Best Pinot under $20. — 11 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! — 6 years ago

with John

Bryan Abel

9.1

Dark berries, herbal and hints of smoke. Great complexity and smooth finish — 6 years ago

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. — 6 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. — 6 years ago

with Larissa

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

If you thought Australian wine weren't for you or just weren't that noteworthy, you haven't had Dan Standish's wines. This is as good as any great producer I've had anywhere. On the nose, boysenberry, blueberries, black raspberries, olallieberries, raspberries, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, Asian spices, raspberry cola, dry stems and brilliantly fragrant violets. The mouthfeel and texture are liquid elegant heaven. 12 years in the bottle and it's just now peaking. On entry, it's a rush of ripe, lush; boysenberry, blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries &raspberry cola. Dark chocolate, darker but mellowed spices with uplifting heat, hint of pepper, loamy moist soils, dusty tannins, crushed dry rocks, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, blue fruit pie with crust, volcanic minerals, liquid fragrant violets, perfect acidity with a finish that doesn't fade and lasts minutes. The tension, length, structure and balance push perfection. photos of; estate with with Dan, wide side shot of the estate, a sample of the soil structure of the vineyard this wine is grown...under the top soil and Dan's estate vines. Producer history and notes...The Standish Wine Company was created in 1999. Dan Standish purchased a small parcel of Old Vine Shiraz from his parent’s vineyard in the heart of the Barossa Valley. The 96-year old vines are planted on the typical sand over clay soil profile characteristic of Vine Vale the sub region of the Barossa Valley. Dan never got a enology degree. He learned on his own traveling to the Rhone Valley. The influence definitely comes out in his wines despite the very different terroirs. He's worked in various regions around the world including; Napa, Sonoma and La Rioja. After he returned to Australia, he eventually became the Winemaker at Torbreck in the Barossa Valley. Interestingly, Dan worked as a chemical engineer prior to his career as a Winemaker. Meeting him for the first time in April was a pleasure. He is a true salt of the earth type of person, with a great sense of humor, who is absolutely passionate about making wine. He marches to his own drum...not at all a person who follows trends or changes styles if something or one becomes successful. His wines are beautifully special if you can find them on Winesearcher or other. He does not have, need nor want a US importer. He sells all his wine through his mailing list. You can order his wines from here but the shipping charges are hugely expensive from Australia. The shipping cost for three bottles were as much as the cost of the three bottles. The quality of his wines will stand in there with any producer world wide. Tasting his new releases in April was impressive. Finding a well aged bottle back in the US to enjoy tonight is simply fabulous! — 7 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

I love this under-the-radar winery, which specializes in century-old sand-grown reds from Contra Costa. This wine is a smorgasbord of scents and flavors. Earth, caramelized baking spices, iodine, dark berry oozings, vanilla. So rich, it's like liquid food. But, amazingly, it avoids jamminess and heat. Possibly the best wine I've had from these folks yet. — 7 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2004 vintage. Drinking a little "hot" but brooding and still showing oodles of dark fruit-predominantly plum-and cedaresque tannins. Much fresher than anticipated. — 8 years ago

Mark Buchanan

9.2

Black pepper and herbs dominate rich, spicy dark fruits, cedar and fruit on the long finish — 8 years ago

John Kemper

9.8

I dug deep in the cellar for this one, but the '93 Joseph Phelps Red Bordeaux Blend 'Insignia' amply delivered. Decanted for three hours, this dark purple/crimson blend was remarkably fresh and vibrant with lovely scents of black currant, red licorice and eucalyptus. Tons of black cherry, black pepper and cigar box flavors on the palate. Well-balanced and silky smooth on the long aromatic finish. Still plenty of life remaining and I luckily have two more bottles. — 10 years ago

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. — 6 years ago

Brandon T

9.3

Nice dark fruit. A notch below the GIII, but still excellent. — 6 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

Nice spice. Dark fruits. Rich alcohol. Color of dark burgundy. — 7 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. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Third wine in flight three for the Bordeaux Master's Class at Heart's Delight with all wines from Margaux.

Medium ruby red with a dark core. Honestly, was very surprised with this. Seemed more New World over Old World. Tons of sweet spices, loaded dark juicy berries, and definitely some oaky influence as well. Balanced acidity and heavy tannins (7/10). Light red fruit like red currants on the palate with some stoney and woody characteristics. Medium plus body with a long finish. Definitely a baby and needs some time to hopefully improve. Drink till 2035. — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.1

Some more #whiteglovelove for you guys haha @David L @TheSkip @Bill Bender @Martin G Rivard @Shay Aldriedge @Shawn R @Ron R
@Carl Fischer @leon egozi


First wine in flight three for the Bordeaux Master's Class at Heart's Delight with all wines from Margaux.

Medium to deep ruby red. Layered nose with an attack of blackberries and cinnamon. Followed by an undertone of red cherries. Heavy tannins (7/10) with a touch gritty in texture, almost like a soft sandpaper. Quite a bit of a acidity but still balanced with notes of yeast, sweet spices, cinnamon, vanilla, and dark black fruits. Dry medium plus to full body with a long finish. Drink till 2037+. (91+) — 7 years ago

with Sean and India

Kim Stanbro

9.0

Great price. Coffee, dark chocolate, glass looks muddled. — 7 years ago

with Dave

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This ungrafted 100 year old vines Carignane is excellent. Nose has smoky dark minerally gravel and ripe black cherry fruit. Carignane can be coarse and angular, but this is deep and richly textured. Nicely tamed tannins. Not super complex, but pure and loaded with character. Will work great with stews and meaty pastas. — 8 years ago

Shawna McGeouch

9.0

On of my fave. Well balanced tannins and dryness.hits all parts of the mouth. Dark ripe cherry — 8 years ago

Kellie Dolan

9.0

Very dark cherry with black cassis and hints of vanilla on an oaky nose. Strong tannins with a peppery finish. — 9 years ago

Greg Beattie

9.7

Good California Zin. Medium bodies with great dark fruit. It opened up nicely after about 20 min. Great value @ $17 at Reno Costco!! — 11 years ago