Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The nose reveals, ripe, brightly floral dark & red fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, black raspberries, baked strawberries & rhubarb, cherries, prune notes, and dry, slightly burnt cranberries. Mixed berry cola, steeped tea, vanilla, touch of clove, allspice, used leather, limestone minerals, dry stone, whiff of graphite, faint herbaceous notes, dry underbrush, old cedar, tobacco leaf, with withering red & dark withering flowers with violets.

The body is medium to full. The tannins round, nicely softened but still a little tarry. The structure, tension, length and balance are are harmonious and starting its climb to their peak. The mouthfeel is gorgeous and sexy. Brilliantly, bright, laced; blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruit heaven, black raspberries, raspberries, baked strawberries & rhubarb, cherries, and dry, slightly burnt cranberries. Mixed berry cola, steeped tea, vanilla, touch of clove, dark medium spice with heat, allspice, used leather, some sweet tarriness, limestone minerals, rich dark soil, dry stone, whiff of graphite, faint herbaceous notes, dry underbrush, old cedar, tobacco leaf, with withering red & dark withering flowers with violets. The acidity was very good and the finish showed it’s Saint Julien elegance. It’s a beautiful wine now and over the next 15-20 years.

Photos of, Chateau Leoville Barton, the “Gentleman of Medoc”, Anthony Barton, harvest work of their Merlot and their barrel cellar.

An hour and a half in decanter.
— 8 years ago

Kyle Fortman

8.9

Excellent California cab. Bought at Kroger on sale for 15. Very smooth, light fruit, great tannins, nice heat. Would buy again. — 9 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

— 9 years ago

Leslie Bartos

9.4

birthday & house warming celebration with George & Jeff at Tinto, Palm Sprngs 11/14/15 — 11 years ago

with Tony

Eric Hiatt

9.9

Last drops of a hoarded bottle. So much long, tangerine-laced mounds and almond joy. Goodbye. — 11 years ago

Watanabe

9.5

コルクからはまるで香水の芳香
だがまだ少し早い
あと15年後が飲み頃だと思う — 11 years ago

Patrick Ayotte

8.9

Medium gold color. Nose of wax, brown sugar, flowers. On the palate there is not much acidity, flavors of oxidized apples, exotic fruit, flowers, wax, and butter. Shows some evolution but in the same time great depth. A wine to pair with a meal instead of taking it by itself? Very good (89)

Made of Assyrtiko and aged 6 months in stainless tanks. Alcohol level of 14,5% — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

The signature wine from the exquisitely tended Puente Alto vineyard, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 91% Cab Sauv and 9% Cab Franc, aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate pronounced flavors of black cherry and plum with herb notes. Firm grippy tannins, long finish ending with herb tobacco notes, still tight needs time. Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2010. Dark fruits and smooth finish. Will be really nice with a grilled porterhouse. — 7 years ago

Luciano Silva

9.3

This wine was a gift from a friend and it is a nice surprise to me from Argentina. Known by the Malbec this Argentinian Cab blend (60% cab, 25% Malbec and 15% cab franc) has great notes of robusta coffee, tobacco and flower (hydrangea). In you chocolate and dark fruits. It’s higher alcohol level 14,5% ensures its long lasting flavour and a surprisingly round finish. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

My last 2011 bottle. The estate of Sette Ponti lies in the heart of the Chianti zone, 15 miles northwest of the city of Arezzo, past the village of San Giustino Valdarno. Crognolo, aged in French Allier barriques, deep red with red fruit aromas and sweet perfumed spice. On the palate raspberry and cherry flavors, gentle spice and soft tannins with great mouthfeel. Good balance, lingering finish ending with some oak and mineral tones. Aged well. — 8 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

Nose: fresh fresh flowers, with cherries,; almost rose in color; light medium weight, strong strong minerality, slight effervescence really pops in mouth. Cut through yummy salmon, pork loin, & various vegetables. Downed at Rouge Tomate on 15% off bottle Thursday-score! — 9 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

The color has faded to a translucent garnet with tawny colored rim. It has developed a complex bouquet of red cherry, dried fig, old leather, and tobacco as well as some barnyardy notes from Brett. This is one of my favorite producers in Rioja but I would prefer to consume this younger as although there is some nice fruit and acid, the tannins have really faded leaving little grip or bite. Classic blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo. — 9 years ago

with Drew and Kelly

David Lincoln

9.3

Very expressive out of the bottle. Reeks of espresso grounds, blackberry, macerated black cherries, and potted soil. 15% alcohol slightly overshadows the fruit. Three more years minimum and this wine will really come into its own. — 11 years ago

Punky Mahle

9.3

Delicious - even better day two and day three — 11 years ago

Anthony Giglio

Wine Blogger WineWiseGuy

9.4

Never fails to delight. 15 years on its still delicious. — 11 years ago

with phillip and Annabelle

Ryan Mullins

9.5

Continues to be stellar. This whiskey always reminds me of my admiration for the Japanese culture as a whole. #kampai — 11 years ago

Madelyn

9.1

2013. Surprising Pino. Let is sit for a bit and you will have a drinkable balanced wine. Will buy again. $15 at Kroger. — 12 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 85% Garganega & 15% Trebbiano di Soave, from the heart of Soave, the Winery of Leonildo and Teresita Pieropan dates back to 1860. Pale lemon with green edges and aromas of fresh stone fruits, floral blossoms and herb spice. On the palate apple and pineapple with lemon citrus juice notes. Well balanced with vivid acidity carrying through to a pleasing finish. Tasting a Sample. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

The second Rhone last Sunday. Earthy loam notes together with ripe Grenache aromas of raspberry and red liquorice although the raspberry notes are much more savoury at 12 years. On the medium bodied palate some Liqueur cherry notes with mild resolved tannins. At its peak - fruit, oak, tannin and acid all in balance. The perfect accompaniment to Roast Lamb and Vegetables. A blend of 65% Grenache 15% Syrah 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault. — 7 years ago

Matti Jokelainen

9.1

Great torre in the making. Sweet black and red cherry, strawberry and dusty like tannins. Nice structure. This beauty has 10-15 years ahead of it even with some air and food it already works great — 8 years ago

Nicola Morvillo

9.6

On 15/2/18 — 9 years ago

Severn G

9.1

Christmas party No. 2 of the year so far, good start with my go to favorite. So smooth and floral! — 9 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.8

A softened ruby color. Beautiful balance, everything in harmony. Wet earth, raspberry, cinnamon, a whiff of truffle, intoxicating nose. So much ripe, fresh red fruit on the palate. Such soft tannins, damson plum, a mineral streak running through. Drinking a 15 year old wine for 15th anniversary of diabetes. This is splendid in the moment — 9 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.0

SD 11/18/16 — 10 years ago

Lindsay Brooks

9.2

Amber in color. Apples and cinnamon, brown sugar, fairly woody, with a fresh bread finish.

Darn good dram. If you got it as a gift, you are well liked! — 11 years ago

Edward Tai

9.2

Scalini 10/14/15. Easy drinking blend. — 11 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Extremely dark inky in color with a purplish rim.

Big fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, figs, cooked plums, raisins, peppercorn and vanilla.

Fruity and dry on the palate with blackberries, plums, figs, spices, peppercorn, oak, vanilla, licorice, cocoa and mocha.

Big and full bodied with medium acidity and Long legs.

Long finish with big round tannings and black pepper.

Still young, but drinking well now.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

85% Petite Sirah and 15% petit Verdot. — 11 years ago

Tom Gutting

9.5

Absolutely superb. Youthful color. Lively. Complex. Great fruit. Structure remains. Will go 10-15 more years. — 11 years ago