Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2003 vintage. Pretty, still full of stuffing and on the top of the summit currently. — 3 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.7

Haven’t had this top of class of 2000 in awhile. It so outperforms most of that vintage. Tannins are perfect. Lush red fruit that lingers forever. Spent a little time tending the vineyard and decided to treat myself. WOW!!! Only two bottles left. Boo🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 4 years ago

Michiel Gruijthuijsen Van

10

Top top top!! — 6 years ago

Eric Egan

9.5

Another level... Still dense at the core, with steady, attractive bricking: Wonderfully dense nose of blackcurrents, pencil shavings, fine tanned leather, and a hint of woodland floor (fine moss, leaves, and fresh soil after an autumn shower). Velvety tannins and great acidity. Along with the '66 this is one of my all-time favourite Bordeaux vintages. Seems to be keeping up better than the '61s I've had over the last few years!

We drank half of it from the coravin before waxing the top in case the cork had lost too much elasticity to self-seal. I'll have the rest with my brother in a few weeks' time! — 8 years ago

Mark Calkin

9.2

#wsetschool Deeply ruby coloured top level Rioja with large quantity of Graciano given it that deep intensity. Pronounced nose of black cherries, red currants and cranberries, with wet leaf notes. There are smoke and toast, cinnamon and cedar from its time in oak, and of course there are tertiary aromas from bottle ageing, like: tobacco, game, leather and dried fruits. This has medium (+) tannins and acidity and an excellent long finish. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.5

The 1995 Shafer Hillside Select is still youthful, and would benefit from further another 10-20 years of cellaring. Saturating aromas of burnt brown sugar, toffee, cherry liqueur, blackberries, blueberries, graphite and dark chocolate round out the nose. In the mouth, its big and brawny, endowed with firm, ripe tannins, and vibrant acidity—that narrowly prevents a total plunge into velvety darkness. The intensity and concentration of fruit is over the top. A powerhouse from start to finish. 14.1% ABV — 9 years ago

Lia Zavisho

9.8

So smooth and delicious! Worth the price. Top cab I've tried ❤️ — 10 years ago

Scott Stephens

9.8

Ulee's Cabin, on top of the mountain in Crested Butte, only accessible by Snow-Cat. — 10 years ago

Raul Puga

9.6

Damn!!! Unbelievably delicious — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Happy Birthday Christine & Hedy!

Allen Bothers meats; Tomahawk, Filet Milon, New York Strip & Ribeye served family style. Allen Brothers buy only the top 1% of meat quality available on the market.

St. Julien beauty & elegance with steaks cooked on the Egg Grill. Heaven together. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s been a long wait for this program but, today so great! Celebrating Minnesota being Outback Bowl Champions and perhaps a top ten finish. What a great start to my New Year.

Somewhere, my father who played for them in the 40’s is smiling. He is resting in glee today.

This calls for Champagne! Bollinger tastes just a little better today. 9.3 on the Bollinger, perfect 10 on the game.

— 4 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.3

Fairly fruity on the nose. Hint of black pepper and something earthy/mineral. Flavor is very dry. Dried strawberries and red vines. Classic jammy Zin thing. Some pomegranate molasses perhaps. Fresh and zinfulliciuos. Plenty of tannin to give it more bite than Zin usually achieves. Complex. True. Enjoyable. — 5 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.4

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher @Mike Smith — 7 years ago

Mark Howard

8.9

This vintage shows more oak than in prior vintages. Big, bold, version of California chardonnay. Missing the elegance of last year. Still enjoyable. Just me splitting hairs. — 8 years ago

with Elizabeth

Doctor No

9.2

Everything a top Gamay should be. One of the world's great food wines. Will likely age effortlessly. — 9 years ago

Jeff Lietzke

9.4

92 rating by WS. At least that good. A top favorite. Complex. Oak. Not fruity. Aged, wonderful. Expressive of its 14.5% AV. A steal for $15; worth the $18 I paid. 2011 — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

One of the top 5 Pinots in Australia I think. The power of the nose and palate belies its pale Burgundian colour. Plummy and spicy with incredible length. A marvellous wine. 18. — 9 years ago

Paul Borys

8.9

1934 Château Margaux

Top shoulder fill. Semi-opaque at the core, almost like an old burgundy with its brownish hews. Beautiful and graceful bouquet of roses, raspberries that have been baked, very elegant and healthy nose. At first very dry, with the fruit barely hanging on for dear life, but after 15 minutes in the decanted it comes alive with sweet fruit, high acidity and just a kiss of tannin. This is very complex and sublime for about a period of 20-40 minutes, what else could you ask for from a 80 year old bottle of wine.
THANKS DAVE !!

50-5-12-13-5=85+ — 10 years ago

Brandon T

9.6

@Stanley Barrios can do no wrong in my book. A great blend! — 3 years ago

RPP

9.2

Dark, bold, velvet smooth mouthfeel. Like a Texas Hill Country sunset in late October. I don’t know if you could top that. (twss) — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Caymus like extracted style, one of the top Paso cabs — 4 years ago

Kirk F

9.4

Amazing after 2 hour decant. @Stanley Barrios great recommendation. Stunning wine. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The 96 is a nice surprise add from Clyde’s cellar. Thank you Clyde.

This 96 is beautifully floral. The evolution is right around its peak. The body is medium full and the tannins soft. It’s an elegant beauty.

The fruits are ripe and delicious. Leaner blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries and shades of raspberries. Soft earth; dry top soil, dry rock, limestone minerals, old tobacco, soft leather, cedar with dry and withering red & dark florals. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finish is well balanced fruit & earth and in a sweet spot.

Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.5

@David L Thank you David for sharing this incredible beauty with me! Such a soft, opulent rich wine. The bottle age definitely helped and was evident throughout. Drinking superbly right now and I imagine would evolve for another 15+ years! It was that good!!!!
I am biased, I am a huge fan of Spottswoode. I felt like a kid that robbed a candy store when I uncorked this one. I hadn't tasted their 2003! It was in my top three for wine of the night. Swing, batter batter swing, homerun! — 7 years ago

with Ryan and Christine

Nicole Penalva

9.0

First bottle of the evening on New Year's Eve. Top rated wine of 2015 in Wine Enthusiast. Available at Target and Trader Joes $19.99 — 8 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

La Rioja Alta is but a stone's throw from my other favorite Rioja producer, Lopez de Heredia. The pedigree of the 2005 Reserva Viña Ardanza is evidenced by layered, complex aromatics—leather, terracotta roof tiles, plums and sun-baked figs, Madagascar vanilla bean and a lofty top note of char. In the mouth, it's medium bodied, but no less intense, and varied, with red cherries giving way to black peppercorn and green notes of dill, celeriac and dried rosemary. Perhaps even dark chocolate shavings. — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

8.9

2007 vintage in magnum. Very closed nose. Sweet feel on the palate. Slightly caramelised. Good acidity keeps finish clean. It's ok. — 9 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.3

1999 vintage. Really good. Top form. — 9 years ago

Kumar Sivananthan

9.9

Top bottle of wine. Maybe not quite as deep as some of the other years but loved it just the same. I need another. — 10 years ago