John Wilmot

9.3

Christmas dinner wine — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

10

A physically pristine example from a well established cellar, the cork pulled clean and without so much as a hint of compromise. It was subsequently double decanted several hours in advance. The 2000 Margaux pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. The nose: developing and simply stunning. A cornucopia of cassis, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, new leather, cocoa, fine woody notes, dry gravelly earth and gorgeous baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid; the structure acting like the flying buttresses of Notre Dame. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is forever long and impossibly silky. Sensationally balanced.

To my palate, this falls into the very small category of wines that require no additional inquest. It is utterly complete. And, when I consider the company and circumstances, perfect. Drink now with a healthy decant and through 2100. — 6 months ago

carl thornblade

9.0

A little green in flavor (as in unripe), too acidic, but had some elements of tropical fruit, just not full and ripe. Has potential but not the best. — 8 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Big, rich, maybe just a little too ripe (as @Tom Casagrande pointed out in a note about an earlier vintage), but still a nice, solid, old vine field blend, Contra Costa County history!! — a year ago

with Jim

Kristen Grimes

9.6

Very fruity. Black cherry and blackberry aromas and some notes of cinnamon, then balanced fruit and baking spices that tingle the tongue and linger on. What Goes with That: Fall Sweets Class, pairing: pumpkin pie. — 3 years ago

James Gourley

9.2

What a delightful red. Definitely fruity but singing acid keeps it very interesting. Very high qpr. — 6 years ago

Doug Powers

9.2

128-year-old Mataro vines grown in the sand in Contra Costa County, stunning redfruits, great freshness and lift from the lovely acidity, good balance, excellent depth, long finish, terrific Mataro!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Vijay Parikh

9.1

With a three hour decant still very tannic and stemmy. Probably needs another five plus years — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Honey and corn. Yellow flowers. Oak and sweetness. Decent acidity Pure. Intense. A bit much oak for my palate but quality — 7 months ago

with Jonathan, Paul and 1 other

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Breakthru $23. $18 on 2

Nose:yellow flowers. Stone fruits.

Palate: stone fruits. Very good. Fresh.

Long finish. — 9 months ago

Eric Grasser

9.1

Exotic. Dried tangerine peel, flowers and herbs, lemon zest and a tingle of spiced honey. Absolutely takes off with cuisine, had Sicilian shrimp and pasta with it. Really showed its depth and expansive qualities. — a year 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

Zach Quintanilla

9.1

Darker fruit with more structure — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2013 Insignia pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing but still quite youthful with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: dense brambles, purple flowers, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. At 11 years of age, this remains tightly coiled and needs more time to open up and tell more of its story. All that being said, this is very good now…but to my palate, better after 2027 and through 2043. — 6 months ago

Andrew Belzer

9.0

Pear, butter, lemon curd — 7 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Medium salmon color. Aromas of white peach, nectarine and watermelon jolly rancher. Fantastic flavors of underripe stone fruit, cherry and a dry finish. — 9 months ago

LaShondra Berman

8.9

Spiced jam with a hint of floral notes. Layered and hard to nail down the exact bouquet, but it’s delicious. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Fresh, punchy and full of life. Lemon, limestone, chalk, lifted white flowers. Great fun — 5 years ago

with Aaron, Walker and 2 others

Jeremy Buss

8.9

Slight cherry, medium tannins- although I would say they are softer than most Cab Sauvs. Very easy drinking. — 6 years ago