Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — a year ago

with Deked1

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2017 Rosso San Valentino is an exotic beauty, mixing hints of blood orange with wild berries and balsam herbs. It washes across the palate with silky textures and polished red and black fruits that leave a staining of minerals, all nicely balanced by a twang of zesty citrus. It finishes lightly structured and incredibly long; a hint of primary concentration creates a cheek-puckering sensation. I would never guess this was the product of such a warm and dry vintage. The 2017 is a spectacular San Valentino. It is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino. (Eric Guido, Vinous, November 2022)
— 3 years ago

Kimberly Britton

9.2

Uhmazing! Lovely cab dark tones but incredibly smooth. Gtown 1-15-21 — 5 years ago

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

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. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Light gold in color.

Nice crisp nose with limes and brioche.

Light to medium in body with medium plus acidity and small bubbles.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing citrus, yeast, minerals, bread, green apples, herbs, earth, lemon juice and white pepper.

Long finish, tasty and elegant.

This 16 year old still feels very young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Rich and well balanced.

I love this vintage of Dom Perignon. Complex and interesting. I've had this vintage it a few times before, and it is very consistent.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Good stuff.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$350. — 2 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Quite deep ruby and , garnet terracotta rim. Quite spicy nose , slightly green touches , mix of red and dark fruit . On the palate fills out quite well , good acidity , slightly gritty tannins still with mineral , tobacco notes on the finish . Ok reasonable length . This comes across a bit greener than I remember it , so not sure how representative this bottle is , fine to drink now and over the next 10 years . 91

Second bottle medium deep ruby with garnet rim . Took a bit of time to open up , but very good definition , red and dark fruits, truffle , undergrowth, cigar box and grafite. On the palate quite charming sweet red fruits, red plum, cassis , dried spices, undergrowth , elegant for las cases , grafite and tobacco stained finish . Well balanced acidity and quite gritty but ripe tannin . This is lovely now with time in the decanter and over the next 10 -15 years . Completely different from first bottle . — 3 years ago

Richard Mills

9.5

Really tasty and smooth. Monthly pick we had with mom and Cali. — 5 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.2

That was one tough cork to remove. Took me 15 minutes and several tools, but managed. Of course I kept this bottle too long, this is beyond its peak. That said, still a lovely Bordeaux and I am curious how the air in the decanter will help. A great wine and fantastic it kept that long — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Southdakota pheasant hunting 11/16 — 6 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

Frank Chen

9.4

Still has 15+ years left...stunning integrated dark blue fruit full bodied old world earth clay driven ...the oldest wine I’ve tasted... — 7 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.3

Ya know it’s Tempranillo, but damn, that nose could be Garnacha.15 % really comes to the fore.It’s iron bloody, w hints of soil. Jammy roses?
It’s big bodied, but full of acidic lift, cherries, dusty earth, always brawnier than the brother Tondonia.fills your mouth with deep redness.
I’ll always have room for these.
Thanks@TRWC


— 3 years ago

Eric Jasso

9.4

Fantastic value: pungent vanilla fig raspberry aroma with a deep leathery coffee like body and palate and mildly lingering buttery finish. One of, if not the best, $15 wines I’ve ever had — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.3

@Delectable Wine : This is the Aonair Winemaker’s Reserve bottling. I didn’t see it in the database.

When I asked Grant what the “winemakers Reserve” was, he said “the good sh*t”, so I’m not sure what the makeup is here. Having enjoyed quite a few Aonair wines over the years, this seemed more like the Cabernet Reserve as opposed to the Mountains Proprietary sporting the higher toned red/black fruit profile with a bit of tangy oak. Very unique as it seemed a cross between American and French oak. Dark chocolate frosted black cherries, currant, violets and a mixed berry pie dominate both the nose and palate. Fine grain tannins at the finish. This needed a few hours to open up as the aromatics and palate were a roller coaster. Give this a few hrs of air or hold another 2-3yrs. — 4 years ago

LM Segal

9.4

Initially backwards and sharp-edged after 90 mins and a warmup from cellar temp this was singing. Classic Sangiovese, sour cherry and dark chocolate. Asphalt. Elegant and feminine. The 15% Cabernets were nowhere to be seen, almost disappeared tannins suggest this should be drunk up soon, which is hardly punishment... — 6 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

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