Aaron Means

9.2

This is dark, brooding, grainy, and deep. Not the best by TRB. I prefer his other wines, this was falling flat with me. — 8 years ago

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. — 9 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+) — 9 years ago

with Sean and India

"Odedi"

8.9

Very inky in color (almost black) with a short deep purple rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black plums, sweet cherries, dried figs, green vegetables, herbs, chocolates, leather, tobacco, earth, vanilla, oak, forest floor, cola, spices, peppercorn, smoke and alcohol.

Full bodied and bold with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Extra dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, earth, spices, leather, smoke, tar, beef jerky, chocolates, mocha, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Medium plus in finish with hugh, green tannins and black pepper.

This teeth staining Petite Sirah, is still very young and austere for most drinkers. A little unbalanced, with big tannins.

Needs 3 hours to open up properly, and will be better in 3 years, when all of the component will come together. Still has some heat at the back of the throat.

A Great wine to pair with BBQ Meats. I enjoyed it all by itself with a gorgeous weather.

15.4% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago

Stewart Higgins

9.2

Great dark ale, chocolate and nut/fruit flavored are very present. — 10 years ago

Adam Coy

9.1

Pretty tasty, nice balance between minerality and dark fruit. — 11 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. — 12 years ago

Somm 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! — 8 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. — 9 years ago

Shaun McGregor

8.9

Dark berries, strong bold flavor, has a nice peppered spice to it. Delicious. — 9 years ago

with Elaine

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. — 9 years ago

Mark Buchanan

9.2

Black pepper and herbs dominate rich, spicy dark fruits, cedar and fruit on the long finish — 10 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. — 11 years ago

Somm 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

— 8 years ago

WineMascot

9.9

2010, 100 pointer rt here and I can see why. the most masculine of the three vintages of the night (also 2004, 2014) dark fruit and tons of acid, not ready for sure — 9 years ago

with Erik

Kim Stanbro

9.0

Great price. Coffee, dark chocolate, glass looks muddled. — 9 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. — 9 years ago

Shawna McGeouch

9.0

On of my fave. Well balanced tannins and dryness.hits all parts of the mouth. Dark ripe cherry — 10 years ago

Chris Thomas

9.0

Celebrating tonight! This is a fun wine, dark, smooth, cherries and vanilla. Enjoy! — 11 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!! — 12 years ago