Carter White

8.9

Richer, creamier style than prior years, probably more oak. I prefer it leaner but still very well made and enjoyable. — 4 years ago

Michael

9.4

Outrageous. Honey, hay, apricots, wet leaves. Lovely structure. One of my favorite things to drink

Opened up after thirty min to an hour and evolved subsequently. Lots of dried fruit. Burnt orange and orange marmalade. Tastes like it belongs on a danish. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included a Chateau Meyney Saint-Estephe. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Rafanelli exhibited great color, noticeable darker than the Meyney and quite a bit of sediment too which left the appearance a bit cloudy but certainly not murky. The fruit was remarkably fresh! Red and dark fruits with leather, red rope licorice, mushrooms and a heavier amount of smoke than the Meyney. Full bodied. This was remarkably tannic still! As I mentioned in my note about the Meyney, it was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! Sort of blown away how well this Rafanelli has aged and it has years to go before it dies. Bravo! — 5 years ago

Scott Cowan

9.1

Delicious. One of the best Languedoc blends I’ve tasted this side of France. Of course, in France, — all over France, in supermarchés and corner tabacs, let alone actual wine shops, devoted to the finest expressions of the noble grape — one has access to scores and scores of offerings from small producers who take pride in terroir handed down over generations and all manner of wine-making techniques to coax all manner of flavors from various grapes, handed down over scads more generations.
What’s this got to do with this particular wine?
Glad you asked! For under thirty bucks, in San Francisco (i.e., what locals here call “free”) at Costco, you can taste all these generations of wine making in this bottle. Many layers of flavors. Blended and buoyant and long lasting. Good after thirty minutes if breathing in the decanter. Better after an hour. Best the next day.
Serve with charcuterie, goat and sheep cheeses. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.9

So, we arrived in Napa Friday morning and started at Promontory with a glass of 2006 Dom Perignon as they do not make a white, only one red wine. We also tasted the 2016 out of large Austrian oak vats. That wine shows great promise but won’t be available until 2021.

We then tasted their inaugural 2008 vintage and the 2009. Thirty-six hours later and five other excellent Napa wine producers visits later, I am still thinking about these wines.

This wines were so good, heady and absolutely stunning, it was painful not to spend an hour contemplating each of them. Instead, having to rush off to Vineyard 29 for our next appointment with my tasting glasses half full.

My notes below detailed as they may, will not do these wines justice and still underwhelm the experience. At times, I was at a loss for words to wholly convey the experience. It defied the allotted time and my verbal skills. These wines created an entire body experience. I am still thinking about my tasting experience and will likely still be thinking about it for weeks.

Beautiful dark currants & cassis framed in light oak with amazing florals. There’s a light smokiness, blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries, soft wood, beautifully layered light baking spices, very light spice, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, Provence herbs, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. Absolute stunning nose I didn’t want to stop experiencing the layers, the way it nuances crisscrossed in my head.

The body is light, weightless, yet full. Fine dusty tannins with some stickiness. It glides in layers & waves across the palate. What finely knitted structure, tension, amazing length with incredible balance. Both dark currants & cassis framed lightly in oak with amazing enticing florals. Light smokiness, ripe beautiful; blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries. soft saddle-wood to light presence of cedar. Beautifully layered light baking spices, asian spices, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, anise, Provence herbs, finely crushed rock dust, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. The acidity is brilliant like a gentle rain shower. The incredible finish is everything you look for in a wine and then some.

When I left, I wished I had another undistracted hour or more to enjoy and study each wine further.

Photos of, the view from Promontory over looking Harlan and Promontory vines, the fire we enjoyed on a cool morning to enjoy our 06 Dom Perignon, immaculate barrel room and new oak barrels and their oak & concrete vats. — 6 years ago

with James

Vincent Wouda-Séguin

9.3

What an absolute amazing wine. This is truly one of my favorite VQA’s. Subtle spice, strong fruit, light finish. Nothing too complex but just perfect. — 7 years ago

Bill Belanger

9.2

The wine steward at One Market recommended a montepulciano from Napa, of all things. Thirty minutes later, we were drinking the Pavi version of that grape. Dark purple, with prominent tannins, but also with the plum/berry flavors of Abruzzo. Wonderful! — 8 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

This Rioja has been tamed by time. The color on this wine is medium ruby with a colorless to brownish rim. The nose is a rustic bouquet of old dry cedar, leather, and tobacco, with scents of dry dark stone fruits and dark berries. Some tertiary wet earth and damp forest floor scents as well.

The mouthfeel is captivating with oak, smoke and vanilla followed by black cherry, prune, and raisins. This is full bodied, dry, and complex with smoothed out but lingering tannings and soft acidity. Low alcohol with a finish that goes on, and on, and on till the break of dawn. You literally keep tasting everything: the dry fruit, the tannings and the acidity.

Decanted and tasted over a two hour period. Handsdown one of the best Riojas I’ve ever tasted; many thanks to Somm Rodrigo Mares at Roothouse in Guadalajara for the exceptional gift. My only wonder is how this would have tasted in twenty thirty per say. I purchase all the wines I review but do keep in mind wine always tastes best when it's gifted. Cheers to more gifts like this one.
— 4 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.3

“Before decanting- or even much of a breathe- the ‘15 Rocca Delle Macie, Chianti Classico Riserva floats right off the glass as if it knew it’d be opened soon. seriously - this is one of the more lush and powerfully expressive Chianti’s I’ve experienced. While blackberries and hints of cherry find their way to the nose- there’s something else there that, even after thirty minutes studying my little book of aromas- I cannot pinpoint! It’s an earthy-yet youthful, “sandstone-y” type of aroma. Which I’m sure doesn’t exist but, whatever- that’s what I got. And very, very much am digging. There is a notable roundness to this wine- both in the nose as well as on the palate. The finish is long and kind of “unwinding” other flavors I missed along the journey of the swig. For its price in particular, I would even invite staunch fans of Brunello Di Montalcino to have a go at this beautifully-expressive & precocious Chianti Classico Riserva from Rocca delle Macie. #PublicofRidgewood, #PublicofPrinceton, #chianti — 5 years ago

with Beth

"Odedi"

9.3

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Here is a beautiful one from Napa Valley.

Deep ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, cherries, vanilla, oak, licorice, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco, coffee and black pepper.

Full-bodied, soft and smooth, with medium acidity and nice long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet cherries, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, chocolates, bitter herbs, coffee, peppercorn, vegetables, pencil lead, tobacco and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a very yummy mouthfeel.

Still young and needs time in the bottle to mature.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up. After 90 minutes of airtime, it shows more vegetable notes.

Good with food, but also a great sipper. Delicious now, but will be even better in the next 5 to 10 years.

I paired it with cheeses and light appetizers.

Had it all by myself. Sometimes you need to take time for yourself, with a good bottle of wine, right? 😂

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 17% Merlot. Aged in 33% new French oak barrels.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$85. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Sure is a classic example of dichotomy of Bordeaux and Napa wines. Especially, with a slightly aged Napa Cabernet vs. a thirty-two year old Bordeaux.

This 11 is big, bold, dark and super rich!

The nose reveals, black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender.

The body is medium-full, lush and rich. The tannins are round, softening and sticky tarry. The structure, tension are big. The length and balance are just rounded into something a little special. Black cherry kirsch, sour cherries, huckleberries, very ripe blackberries, light blueberries, stewed black plum & black raspberries. A little bit of gym locker, some smokiness, savory notes, melted black licorice, vanilla, clove, caramel, cinnamon stick, dark chocolate, mocha, hints of allspice, used dark roast coffee grounds, crushed dry rocks, Provence herbs, dark spice, steeped fruit tea, deep, sweet tarriness, rich dark soil, limestone minerals, warm toast with withering dark flowers, violets painted with notes of lavender. The acidity is nicely round. The long finish is rich, lush, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and lasts minutes.

One of the better 2011 Napa Cabernet’s I’ve had thus far! Just missed 9.4. Happy 2019!!! 🎉🎊🎈

Photos of, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars tasting room & estate vines, inside look at their tasting area and their Fay Vineyard. — 6 years ago

Clive McNish

9.5

After last weekends 2014 success I discovered the 2009 lurking in a local liquor store. Firstly there was a cork emergency as it broke while trying to remove. I have read other reviews mentioning this for the 2009 so beware. No drama, the wine is fine but it might make me think twice about buying any more to lay down. First thirty minutes out of the bottle is no go, disjointed and harsh flavours. After an hour in the decanter the wine comes to life, visually some browning around the edges and great aromas of dark fruit, tobacco, earth and oak. Nose develops lavender, green pepper and chocolate as time goes on. Palate is rounded, with a complex blend of all of the above plus lead pencil (I never understood that one until today), tar and cherry. Great, fragrant finish. Real quality, two vintages on two Saturdays ‘14 slightly better than the ‘09 in my opinion but both really good. I see that the ‘15 is available now; next weekend? — 7 years ago

Paul H

9.0

2003 had a clove like smell upon opening the bottle along with some hot earth or some would call minerality. This was one that got better as it breathed. First impression was ash like and somewhat hot to me. Lots of tannins but the berries and chocolate did hang around. After about thirty minutes it drank nicely. Rich berries and chocolate lingered mixing well with hints of coffee in there. Finished nicely. — 9 years ago

with Kim

Jeremy Krantz

9.3

Beautiful showcase of Pinot Gris grapes and stunning color. This one was served chilled and opened up over the course of the thirty or so minutes at ambient temp. I get a little sweetness and some blood orange hidden in there as well. It's slightly viscous. Another hit from Marigny. — 4 years ago

David Kaplan

9.1

“Pierre à Feu is sourced from Vincent's thirty year-old Sauvignon Blanc vines that are planted on the silex (flint and clay) soils that extend east from the Cher River. When I asked why he named the wine Pierre à Feu (French for "flint", or literally, "firestone"), Vincent smiled, "The name 'Silex' was already taken," [by Didier Dagueneau's estate, who produces a similar cuvée of Sauvignon grown on flint and clay; however, the cost of one bottle of Domaine Didier Dagueneau "Silex" is about the same as a six-pack of Domaine Ricard Pierre à Feu.]

In the glass, this shimmering pale yellow-gold Sauvignon Blanc reveals enticing aromas of white grapefruit, bergamot, lemon verbena, and gun smoke, along with apricot, green mango, sage and orange oil, as the nose evolves over time. On the palate, the wine is silky, polished, precise and persistent, with a fine core of yellow-green citrus and exotic fruit flavors that echo the nose, all seasoned with its namesake flinty minerality throughout a seemingly endless finish.” — Moore Brothers — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

One half of a double-blind, France Vs. USA 1990 vintage showdown that also included A. Rafanelli’s Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines had great provenance and were properly cellared over the last thirty years. I opened both bottles about three hours before we got into them. Corks on both wines had held up very well but looked pretty gnarly. The Meyney still looked quite youthful and was remarkably clear and exhibited gorgeous aromatics. Tobacco, green bell pepper, leather, berries, forest floor and smoke in that order. Tannins are fine and well integrated. Persistent acid. The finish was long and had a hint of burnt toast. In many respects, an evergreen wine that, while showing certain signs of age, certainly has many years of life ahead. It was really hard to chose a favorite between the two. I think the Meyney had a more compelling nose but the Rafanelli had a slightly more gratifying palate. Regardless, we were all winners tonight! — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The images aren’t flashy like Krug, Billecart or Ruinart etc. but, if you want a really nice, well priced Blanc de Blanc Champagne, this is for you. At, $24.99, I would challenge anyone to find another Champagne let alone a good one at this price point. As well, an equal Cremant or sparking wine in the same price range. Exceptional QPR here!

The nose is bright and fresh. Crisp green apple, lighter color citrus, overripe pineapple, orange peel and spray, touch of golden apple, touch of bruised pear, ginger notes, vanilla cream soda, caramel notes, spice, hints of baguette crust, honey, darker minerals with chalk, sea spray, fruit blossoms and withering yellow lilies.

The wine brings rich, reductive freshness and substantial acidity to your palate. Crisp green apple, lighter color citrus, overripe pineapple, orange peel and spray, under ripe green melon, touch of golden apple, light bruised pear, ginger notes, vanilla cream soda, caramel notes, marzipan, white spice, hints of baguette crust, honey, darker minerals that press the palate deeply with teeth & heat, nice chalkiness, sea spray, fruit blossoms with withering yellow lilies. The finish is quite nice with richness and goes on and on and on.

Photos of; the House of Baron Fuentes, Chardonnay grapes being harvested and Eric De Brisis, the proprietor for Baron Fuente, which is owned by Ignace Baron.

Baron Fuente is a Champagne negotiant that also owns thirty-eight hectares of their own vineyards. They are located in a village called Charly at the far western edge of Champagne. The side closest to Paris. — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

One of the two or three most moving wines in this vertical, the 1988 Cristal is eternal. Deep and vertical, with Gothic spires of soaring aromatic, flavor and structural intensity, the 1988 has it all. At thirty years of age, the 1988 is fresh, vibrant and incredibly powerful. Lemon peel, white flower, chalk and almonds are all given an extra kick of vibrancy from the bright acids and underlying energy of the vintage. Even after three decades, the 1988 remains searing, classically austere and beautifully focused, with tremendous pedigree and stunning balance. The 1988 is a rare Cristal where the Chardonnay, at 48% of the blend, is on the higher side. “When I joined Roederer in 1989, we were blending the 1988s,” Lécaillon explains. “They were such hard wines to work with because the acidities were so high. My teeth suffered. I thought ‘am I going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life? Maybe I should change jobs?’” Luckily, he did not. “In 1988, flowering was very bad for the Chardonnay. Yields were quite low and flavors were super-intense and concentrated. This, to me, is one of the keys for making great Champagne with real dimension. Interestingly, the same is not true of Pinot Noir. Keep a glass of the 1988 to compare with the 2008 later. In my opinion, 2008 is the new 1988.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 6 years ago

Timothy Lynch

8.9

Starts out with sour cherry notes and not much else. Dreadfully thin. Thirty minutes in that sour quality has been replaced with a semi-rich barnyard presence that is simply a joy to drink. One hour in an amazing burnt orange tang pulls it all together. — 7 years ago

Keith Whitener WSET Diploma, CSW

9.5

Actuall this is 2013 Lindsay's Vineyard. One hour thirty minutes to Turkey. Ladies and gentlemen, pop your corks ! Happy Thanksgiving🍷Cheers — 8 years ago