LM Segal

9.5

Stunning nose of brambly dark red fruit and black tea. Bacon fat and scorched clay on the entry followed by a broad beam of melted tannins and fig, iron, Provençal spices and lavender. 45+ second finish. Outstanding, another great bottle though now at its apogee (but likely to stick around and turn to burgundy over time). — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Joseph Phelps Party and the 83 Insignia from magnum.

The nose reveals; floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits; strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, cedar, old leather & tobacco, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with dry & withering dark, red florals.

The body is medium full with a fair amount of tannins in a wine with this age. The structure, tension, length and balance are still quite sound with harmony. Floral liqueur notes, more mid red fruits, strawberries, cherries & dark cherries. Blackberries, black raspberries, rhubarb, soft, volcanic minerals, limestone, steeped fruit tea, dark spice with some heat, cedar, old leather & tobacco, cedar, dry crushed rocks, dark spices, dry herbal notes, eucalyptus, dry stems with some funkiness. withering dark, red florals. The acidity is nice. The long finish still show ripeness, good balance but, has leaned and shows nice persistence. — 6 years ago

Dmitri

9.6

Jasmine tea and wild flowers — 7 years ago

Diana Eng

9.3

Black tea, raspberries, ripe strawberries and red cherries. Slightly meaty, red roses. So perfumed. — 8 years ago

with EatSommThings

Lauren Vance

Buyer Whole Foods Market Oakland

9.0

Very pleasant nose full of red fruit and spice. Tart cranberry dominates with cherry, black tea leaves, and black pepper shining through. Palate shows elegance and earth. Soft velvety tannins and a firm veil of acidity, the finish is long lasting. Excellent Pinot, although still a little pricey for what you get. — 10 years ago

Patty

9.0

For a wine at less than $10, very enjoyable. More spice than fruit. Very good. — 10 years ago

Joseph C Burke

9.4

2003; black red color; sweet dark fruits and tea spices; huge ripe fruit dominates the center palate: black raspberry and Kirsch, large scale but not sappy, bright acids provide perfect structure, spicy and long finish. — 10 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Gains weight over a few hours. Cherries, umeboshi, black tea, baking spices, hint of vanilla. Tremendously well made. Tough vintage. — 11 years ago

Kevin Walsh

Wine blogger doxologywine.com; Freelance Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers) Doxology Wine Consulting

8.9

2008. Dried cherry, black tea, dried mushroom and rose, prosciutto. Minerality is reminiscent of standing on a dry, dusty dirt road. Only criticism is that it falls off in the mid palate, but finishes with a nice gamey note. — 12 years ago

Jose Merino

9.8

As one can expect from a wine from 1928. Notes, Tea leaf, figs, etc. The color was an amazing amber. — 13 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.3

Dark cherry, and charred fruit on the nose. The palate displays more dark cherry, rhubarb, cigar box, black tea, and oak. Moderate plus tannins, medium alcohol, and high acid. The long finish is tart red berries and acid sizzle. A fresh and bold Chianti that should age nicely. — 5 years ago

with Susan

Dan R

9.5

Smoking good, with a savory character and silky smooth, velvet texture. So harmonious and complete, with all elements in place and perfect balance. Red apple skin, pennyroyal and black tea and a sous bois finish. A delicious pinot that reaches rarified heights of sophistication and elegance — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite.

Saskia told me they are buying an existing property or starting one in China.

The nose reveals; ripe and slight stewed fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid=VA, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, crushed rocks, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers.

The body is full and thick. This wine is just coming out of its infant stage and just starting to stretch it arms & legs. The tannins are firm, rounded and powdery. The structure, tension, length and balance show the beauty of the vintage but, the drinking window on their 2000 is somewhere between 2035-2080. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum skin, dry cranberries & poached strawberries. Dark, dry soils, limestone minerals, touch of bandaid, saddle-wood, steeped black tea, dry river stone, dark rich & dry soils, lots of graphite, crushed rocks, limestone, dry crushed rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, dry herbs, dry underbrush, cherry cola with dry and fresh dark and red flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is very good now but, if you don’t cellar it 35 years from birth, you are cheating yourself out of something truly special. Its well balanced, rich, ripe and persists for days. 95 now with more to come in 16-25 plus years.

All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.

Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite presenting and another view of the city of San Francisco/Bay and the Golden Gate Bride in the background.
— 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Over 30 years ago, Jack Cakebread came to photograph the Napa Valley for a book, one thing led to another and he found himself making an offer on the vineyard that later became Cakebread Cellars. Wonderful fruit aromas with soft spice notes. Cherry and raspberry flavors with black tea spice, pepper and mineral tones. Fine tannins, great mouthfeel and balance. Give this more time to develop. — 8 years ago

Mike

9.2

20 very smooth. Very good and recommended. — 10 years ago

LM Segal

9.0

Fresh, sturdy. Bright cherry nose and a mouthful of tart darker berry and tea leaves. Solid. — 10 years ago

Howard Greenfield

9.1

Not a fan of this wine- not my cup of tea.
Tasted at Tenuta San Guido today — 11 years ago

Mike D

10

Wine of the night. Sneaky Burgundian profile and weight that might have been green once upon a time. Finished long, with lingering raspberry leaf tea notes and lip smacking stoniness. — 11 years ago

Jade Leet

9.1

Opened about 90 mins in a decanter. Tea leaves, blackberry and cassis I the nose. Bit a dry finish. Rounded out since opening. First sip had strong tobacco. — 12 years ago

with Nick

Eric Grasser

9.4

Aristocratic for a 15 year old American Pinot. Has all the hallmarks of Savoy: lush bing cherry, sandalwood, licorice root, black tea leaf and forest floor. Light tannins falling out. The core of the color totally remained intact with just a ring of brown near the edge. Seems in a near perfect place at the moment — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had another bottle, aged well. Steve & Paula Black pursued a dream in 2003 and purchased a 110-acre vineyard located in the Red Hills of Dundee creating The Four Graces, named after their four daughters. Medium Ruby with surprisingly complex aromas of red fruits, herb and spice. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors with tea and espresso notes adding a bit of pepper spice. Well balanced acidity with fine tannins, medium(+) length, ending with earthy notes. Nice value! Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

I absolutely adore where the 1995 Cos D’ Estournel is drinking at this time. Toasty oak and copious dark fruits with earthy tones round out the nose. The palate shows some serious weight and brilliant acidify despite the wine’s age. Black tea, Asian spices, cigar box and creme de cassis with blackberry compote flavors al impress in the glass. A stunning wine now, this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2019-2045- 95 — 7 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.4

@ 9 Park St. Earth, mulch, tea leaves — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Darker and more exacted for a typical a LB. Ripe blackberries, dark cherries, big strawberry finish, dusty brown soil, dry stones, leather, steeped tea, coffee grounds, nice acidity and delicious finish. — 9 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.5

Color of light and semi translucent burgundy with brown and light purple hue on the rim. Slow flowing dense legs. Plummy fragrance and cherry sweetness upon opening. After breathing, nose of this wine turns unique with cure meats, anise, roasted black pepper, plums, and baking soda. Taste of cure meat like prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, quite dried in the first sip, round but firm tannins, a touch of spice, with some fruity and sweet notes hidden on the 2nd wave. Aftertaste of roses, balsamic acidity, black tea, a bit spice, subtle alcohol, and medium finishing. This wine is one of the best in terms of providing meat flavors. It is light in this hot day, but fully structured. What a piece of work. — 10 years ago

Liz Dreessen

9.0

Great for price! $5.99! — 10 years ago

Pascaline Lepeltier, MS

Master Sommelier, Wine Director Rouge Tomate New York

9.3

A lot of tea, and a great showing for the vintage. Very good tannins — 11 years ago

Rebecca Hopkins

PR Folio Fine Wine Partners

9.0

Stunning little wine; bright tea rose aromatics w restrained and elegant silky tannins — 12 years ago

GaYoung Kim

Graileys Fine Wines. Sommelier. Broker

9.8

Fresh citrus like Meyer lemon, melons, white tea, and orange blossoms. Dry, bright acidity, one of my favorite wine makers. — 12 years ago

P. Shields Ferber

9.8

Nice light Zin served at the Lorian. — 13 years ago