Ellen Clifford

9.1

I love Madeira. I don’t know if it loves me but it is at least on friendly terms with my taste buds. My taste buds like dessert. Even if you think you don’t like sweet wine the acidity on this may turn your head. It is a nuts cutting down molasses mountains carpeted in trees loosing glazed nuts. Malmsey. Definitely my friend. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, if it’s my birthday celebration, there is a juicy ribeye & some old(er) Claret.

My only disappointment with this bottle is as good as it is, there are better things still down the road.

The nose reveals classic Claret. There are earthy, funky fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets.

The body is medium full with rounded, nicely resolved, tarry tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are really singing. It would be good to have another 2001 LMHB in ten years. While 2001 wasn’t a critically acclaimed vintage, I think LMHB over performed the vintage. As well, it followed a grand 2000 vintage which, handicapped it from the start. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, baked strawberries, bright cherries, rhubarb, figs, with shades of raspberries. Steeped fruit teas, limestone minerals, dry crushed rocks, stones, black, rich earth, clay, dry top soil, dry herbs, dark berry cola, cedar, leather, not quite fresh tobacco, underbrush, graphite, gentle, dark spice with soft heat, slight peppery notes, clove, touch of nutmeg & cinnamon & vanillin, anise to black licorice, eucalyptus notes with fresh & slightly candied florals of, red, dark, blue, purple & violets. The acidity is excellent...like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is elegance defined, extremely well balanced ending in soft, round, dry, dusty tannins with beautiful spice.

Photos of; Chateau La Mission Haut Brion & estate vines, beautiful barrel room, pond & Roman columns and the back vow of the Chateau.

Please indulge me while I post some history on this grand producer. As much as I love the wine, I love the history & people that do the hard work to bring us such great wines.

Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is not quite as old as Chateau Haut Brion. However, they are opposite side of the road neighbors. La Mission Haut Brion dates back to the late 16th century. The property came into being after it was purchased by Jean de Pontac in 1533. US winery history is a baby compared to France.

In 1607, the estate changed hands. It was inherited by Ms. Olive de Lestonnac. What an inheritance!

In 1815, something rare happened. Chateau La Mission Haut Brion became the property of an American owner, the Chiapelle family. At the time, the family was already involved in the Bordeaux wine trade. In fact, they knew about the business as they had managed a myriad of different estates including Chateau Cos d’ Estournel.

La Mission Haut Brion continued to change hands until it was finally sold to another American family, the Woltner’s. Frederic Woltner purchased La Mission Haut Brion in 1919. The also became owners on Howell Mountain.

It changed hands one final time in 1983 when it was purchased by Domaine Clarence Dillon, the owner of neighboring, Chateau Haut Brion. They renovated the entire property, starting with replanting the vineyards which, was completed in 1987.

The 26 hectare vineyard of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion is planted to; 45.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43.8% Merlot and 10.4% Cabernet Franc. 3.5 hectares of vines are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux.

To produce the red wine of Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, the wine is vinified in large, 180 hectoliter, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats and aged in 100% new, French oak for an average of 22 months. The annual production of La Mission Haut Brion averages between 6,000 and 7,000 cases per year. — 5 years ago

Vanessa Pritchard

9.1

Oooooh she was a luscious, round and clean little number! Fragranced with lots of yellow fruit and white flowers, it had an oily texture and a pristine finish. It tastes of a different era of their Trousseau Gris, to me - not a speck of dust on ‘er. From magnum. — 7 years ago

Scott Soren

9.5

The bottle that turn me on to Rhone. So good. All still there. — 7 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.5

Snagged this Sonoma North Coast 2014 fine thing at my local shop, in Morehead City, NC. Did same with a Jersey Mike's turkey sub sporting everything but for pickles. As corporate as that might read, I nonetheless suggest you do same - or something similar thereto. Most know how groovy Pinot Noir is with turkey, so, whether you have access to a crazy cool loaf of northern Cali sour dough and a fresh turkey from the wild or you are doing a JM #7, like me on another coast, this maroon draped fineness will likely turn your head, tilt the bottle, and pour over and over as you work your way through a full-benefit sandwich drenched by this gorgeous liquid lady bathed in boysenberry, cherry and blueberry that has snuggled with seemingly new but proper oak wrapped in Merlin's seaborne magic mist lending the upper oceanside forest's wet, wild spice exaggerated with each spin and spill that clings and lingers righteously reckoning with Quicksilver's vintage plea - " have another hit..."

PS find at PromiseLand Market — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

@David L @Joe Lucca @Ron R @Mike R @Shawn R @Shay Aldriedge @Lexi Rivard @Terri Walker @Ted Mandes @Renee Chevalier @Drew feinberg @Jim Trobaugh @Ryan Callahan @Monica O @Kimberly Anderson @Jody Scharf @Kimberly Anderson @Bill Bender @Paul Treadway Huntington Beach Native I

The only thing better than this Bressler today was the company of my friends, family, gorgeous wife, daughter & grand daughter!!! Wine truly encapsulates an event and I could not think of a better way to highlight this Fathers day than to uncork a beautiful vintage that I've been saving for a special occasion. I killed 4 bottles of Bressler today. It was my 1st time tasting his 2013. Absolutely freaking amazing. Big, bold, Rich and opulent. Bob Bressler is a master at his craft. I've never lead any of you wrong before in regards to wines that I am passionate about. No Bullshit: buy this. Freaking amazing! I was snapping necks all day!! People would immediately turn and say "Holy shit, what is this!?!?!". I've said this a thousand times but I'll say it again: Bressler flys under the radar. Snatch up as much as you can right from the winery at a great price. Bob is a badass winery owner and loves it when you call!! Call on Tuesday since I'll be calling on Monday for another case and want to be sure that he has capacity!!!! Believe me., you won't regret it!!
This was the wine of the day and everything else we enjoyed was such a distant 2nd that I won't even post them! Bob deserves today's title of being the "Bad ass in a glass " wine of the night! Bravo my friend @Bob Bressler !!!!! — 8 years ago

with Lexi and Ryan

Paul J

9.1

30+ minute decant and could have used more. Dark fruit and Bordeaux elements on the nose. First few glasses (I’m a fan of small pours) were overly spicy, which was unattractive. With air and time it dissipated and a silky texture emerged with plums, oak, and ever so slight vanilla. No mistaking this for anything but South African. Medium plus depth. Medium plus finish. Not my style, and the early spice turned me off, but this grew on me. However, I don’t think it has very much aging potential. Glad I tried this for the price. Wouldn’t turn a glass down but probably not a return buyer. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Bryan Hopkins

9.2

I am tasting the 2000 vintage. The first aroma I get is just oak, almost sterile, like an impeccably clean hardware store. Leaving the glass a few moments to give contact with air opens up softer aromas of nougat and plum. The taste is about exactly like that: oak in your face all at once to yield quickly to nougat candy, plum, and raisin, but letting the brandy sit in my mouth causes it to turn into lovely cigar tobacco flavors with milk chocolate. Slight hint of saffron-infused chocolate on the finish, but then it fades back into that really strong neutral wood as the finish lingers. Trying the 1998 vintage, less complex scent, clean spice and wood, much more mellow with the wood than the 2000. On the palette, honey and milk chocolate. Much more approachable and easy-drinking than the 2000. Trying the 1995, I get an explosion on the scent of molasses and perfectly balanced oak. There was also a fruitiness that took me a long time to identify, but it finally hit me. Have you ever had the mango custard that is served at some Indian restaurant lunch buffets? It’s like that. Rich, syrupy mouthfeel with taste of black molasses and maple syrup prevented from being cloying by the strong oak, which doesn’t overpower but gives exactly the structure and bite that it needs to do. The fruitiness in the palette is like canned fruit salad in syrup. This is really good! So much richer and more balanced than the 2000. The 1979 vintage is less interesting to me. The prominent note is maple syrup, with oak becoming apparent afterwards. There is a sweet, floral perfume note on the scent that to me gives this vintage what interest it has. — 5 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

I guess this is still a baby, but we are sitting here planning our Italy trip for this summer and I have to open something!

This is just starting to turn orange on the rim-- which to me is amazing to me, a 07 brunello would be garnet throughout by now. On the nose I get licorice and other roots, and white pepper with mild cedar. Nothing about this is fruity or Rosy.

On the palate... There isn't a ton going on (hence the 50 dollar price maybe?). The licorice and spice persists but this doesn't lead to an aha moment. This tannins are big and bold for a 2007. Perhaps even massive. So not being an expert on Barolo at the present time, Im not sure if it will improve. My hunch is No.

92+ points — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.6

As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people.

This was my contribution. I had this same wine about two weeks ago and thought this bottle was a hair better...main difference was serving temp (this was served just above cellar temp). I always prefer Syrah over Grenache, and that’s no different with SQN wines, but Manfred’s take on Grenache is spell binding to me. Pepperd strip, teriyaki, and spicy red fruit on the nose. Incredibly aromatic (as expected). 9yrs of age have taken this from brooding to densely, but elegant packed on the palate. Black pepper covered rhubarb pie and black cherry notes dominate the mid palate with a muddled cherry finish. — 7 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

William Hughes

9.3

Consistent with other notes I read. Strawberry, rhubarb, cranberry and a dash of white pepper. Some tannins from whole clusters and wonderful acidity! I usually turn to John Lockwood for Syrah, but he sells me on any wine he produces. Real finesse! — 7 years ago

Matti Jokelainen

9.0

Slight brick hue on the edges. Very tight upon opening with shy granberries and red currants on the nose. Taste is dominated by tannins and very cool red berries. After 5h slow-ox wine starts to open, nose gets more sweeter sensations and some spices and leather. Tannins turn sweeter and the fruit really picks up gaining intensity and wine is a joy to drink. However it still tends to close a bit on the glass. To me this is atleast 3-5 years from peak — 8 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

I don’t understand why the average rating from everyone else is 8.7? I am tasting the latest vintage 2019 three months after bottling and I think it’s delicious. Which is hard for me to say because Herencia Altes is competition for my wines and they sell their entry level wines at prices so low that it’s absolutely impossible to turn a profit or compete with them. This wine has been aged in concrete semi-oval tanks on lees for 2 months with Battonage and then 6 months without the lees. On the nose it has medium(+) aromas and flavours and it almost seems like it has been fermented in oak. Medium(+) body, the alcohol is high 14% and while it is fairly supported and balanced by the ripe and expressive citrus fruit and the medium acidity, the alcohol lingers on and warms your chest. The finish is medium(+) and elegant. #terraalta #spain #garnachablanca #grenacheblanc — 4 years ago

Dave Teal

9.0

Great Pinot. Lite and fruity but not too much. I got lucky on this wine, been saving it for awhile now, glad it didn’t turn on me.
— 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

From a split and for my tastes, drinking at peak. In fact, this surprised me so much that I had to turn around and check the bottle when someone said it was an ‘02. Muddled raspberries, bing cherries, plum, baking spices and tobacco leaves on the nose. Balanced with wonderful structure. Not powerful or weak. Small amount of black fruit on the palate, but mainly dominated by bright red fruits. Some added notes of herbs and cedar at the finish. — 6 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Mark Flesher

8.9

Not too sure about this one. I would say that 89.6 average CT rating is probably right on the money, although I'd say that this is probably closer to an 88 than a 90. I would definitely say that the nose is extremely inviting. The entry of strawberry and some kind of young banana also here, and this one really does have a nice "pucker" effect from start to finish. However, the wine is rather short on the finish, and leaves kind of a strange aftertaste. This one was almost selected as a Thanksgiving wine, but curiosity got the best of me. And, when you have an hour or so to spare and want some private time, this is a decent 12%-er that is a nice, easy drinker. — 6 years ago

Thomas Brenner

8.9

I wish it was winter so that I could turn this wine into ice blocks and skate on it, and in the spring time it'd melt and I'd drink from it. It's magical. It's laughing at me. I wanna stick my dick in it. — 7 years ago

Tom Towle

9.0

I’ve never been a Pinot Gris fan, but I have to say, this wine was outstanding, even after all the reds we had on our Italian wine theme night. Would almost turn me....... but........would definitely have again!!! — 7 years ago

Tim Sanchez

9.5

I have to steal from a previous comment: "Nebbiolo on steroids". Not to say it's necessarily "big" - it's not - it just has so fucking much going on, er, uh - I mean it's complex! Incredibly youthful, no bricking, little rim variation. Someone shoot me wow... — 8 years ago

with Sean

Chris England

9.5

Stunning potential @ £60 it's so macho gotta be so macho ... it's big & strong enough to turn me on 🎶... buy this wine 😍

🍷 Opaque deep ruby

👃 Smokey heavy vanilla oak w/ christmas cake through chewy ripe cherry & balsamic, chocolate, coffee, lead, black tea, farmyard, soil & leather - amazing nose!

👄 Med++ silk body of ripe red plump berries oozing mouth filling mocha double choc creamy cherry gateaux

🎯 Long cherry, vanilla & mocha oaky creamy linger

👍 Big big potential loaded in this bottle 😍 — 8 years ago