Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Jay Kline

9.3

Earlier this year when I was first getting acquainted with the 2016 vintage from the Southern Rhône, I made the comment that it reminded me of the 2010 vintage. I’m now more convinced than ever that it is one of the most classical vintages of the last twenty years and will drink well for decades...and 2017 might be nipping at it’s heals. Anyway, let’s talk a little bit about this wine. I’ve never been a huge Vieux Telegraph guy, despite the near universal adoration it received from others. Maybe it’s because it’s such an archetypal wine of the region and therefor sort of bores me. But on its own, in 2016, without other CdP’s on the table, this was really very good and worthy of its merits. Lucious bramble fruit and minerals with black pepper and a lovely lavender/garrigue mix. The tannins are firm but fine, like other 2016’s. And there’s good acid too. Very well balanced. — 6 years ago

A Sherwood

9.3

Not a traditional CDR flavor, but more universal, maybe from the blend. You think it's sweet initially then immediately dry prune and thicker mouth feel. Slight earthiness and nice all-around experience. — 7 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Drunk for first time out of a new glass-Zalto denk’art universal- holy moly: much more subtle & fresh for a “purple “ wine that I typically would expect. Maybe it’s the glass...but boysenberry, blackberry & lift. Kermit import. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.4

First indulgence of this £59 bubbly white crunchy fancy fizz bucket and it’s rather delish with a bit of white fish we nommed with it 😁 here fishy fishy 🐟 Perfect in a #zalto universal @zaltify your bubbles 😍

📍 Billecart Salmon Sous Bois Brut NV

🏵 94-95 points

🍇 A third equal Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

🍷 Golden pale straw

👃 Vanilla custard & ice cream smothered over apple crumble w/ torn butter brioche, soft oak, lemon curd, mineral water & honey

👄 Med bodied dry refreshing fine bubbled mousse of creamy butter green apple & citrus pie in caramel custard creme brûlée w/ mineral sprinkles in med acidity

🎯 Long dry rich velvety zingy apple & citrus shortbread biscuit linger w/ lemon peel shavings — 7 years ago

Brent S

8.9

Almost a fishy nose, but the flavor was interesting - in a good way - unlike anything else I've had. Not a universal opinion at the table though. Some hated it. — 8 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Vibrant red purple. Inviting, abundant nose of musty black cherry. Medium-bodied palate of that same black cherry with some light black tea, earthy pomegranate, and a hint of anise. Throw in medium plus acidity and medium tannins and we have a classic New Zealand PN that can hold its own with meals of any type (it’s the universal red, after all). New World meets Burgundy: that’s New Zealand. Drink now through 2029. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark blackish purple. Inviting nose of blackberry cobbler and boysenberry syrup. Full-bodied palate echoes the nose adding supple, medium plus tannins and a backbone of medium acidity. A fantastic New World representation of the variety in which the signature body and structure sit squarely in a universal comfort zone. Enjoy with barbecue, steaks, pulled pork, or even American style cassoulet. Drink now through 2027. — 6 years ago

Elizabeth S.

9.0

Zuriah’s medium red. Reminds me of France with Milena and Myles and Zuriah so I’m not objective. Seems like a very universal red wine. Zuriah says it’s smoky but not too much. I don’t taste it but I do smell it when she mentions it.
Bold but not bitter. I liked it a lot at first but I feel like all red wine’s unpleasant flavors build more than white wines — 6 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.4

Mind bending freshness at 15%abv! Venus strikes back! I’m a sea of dead wines this crackles — 6 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.3

Served at red wine temperature. Baked apple was the dominant aroma upon opening but transforms into a sour ale nose with air. A creamy palate of white peach , apricot and a strong saline note. A wonderful accompaniment to all my dinner courses; Parisian ham , beef tartare, and fennel sausage. A unique wine that could divide the table. — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.3

Always reliable amazing QPR NV Rose bubbles @ £30-36 that is our go to Rose next to Bruno Paillard, LP Rose, Billecart Salmon, Perrier Jouet Rose ... oh ok we like too many NV Rose but hey it’s nearly Christmas 🎄🥂 & perfect in Zalto Universal glass 👍

📍 Bollinger Rose NV

🏵 93 points

🍇 62% PInot Noir, 24% Chardonnay & 14% Pinot Meunier with 6% still red

🍷 Peachy salmon glimmering pink

👃 Strawberry cream biscuit w/ raspberry & peach in rock minerals & a citrus mist

👄 Med bodied creamy fresh fine mousse of peach, strawberry, raspberry, red currant & grapefruit w/ red apple & a sweet citrus shortbread biscuit in med acidity

🎯 Long fresh red fruits w/ a dry biscuity grapefruit & red apple finale — 7 years ago

Jack Petras

8.9

Gulpable food wine with unmistakable Italian character, casual, dark berries, leather , like the universal donor of wine — 8 years ago

Shay A

9.2

My first pop of this vintage of Geyserville. I don’t open zin often, and when I do it’s normally on the young side, so I was unsure how this would show (perfect, too early or too much in a quiet period). I think this is a combo of the last two.

Following over two days (and out of a Zalto universal), this sports a beautiful dark ruby color in the glass, albeit closer to black cherry at its core. Aromatics really jumped on day two showing notes of rhubarb, rosemary, mint, and just a faint kiss of that classical Ridge American oak usage. Vibrant and energetic acidity on the palate...certainly not a jammy/flabby style zin. The palate reveals red and black berry medley, cherry infused mocha, cocoa, and a slight note of spice on the finish. I think this may be in a quiet period, but more than anything, it’s young...I’d decant a couple hours if opening any time soon. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Star bright pale straw in color. Abundant nose of yellow apples, white peaches, and honeysuckle. Medium light bodied palate yields those same fruits and flowers bolstered by bracing acidity with a hint of burgeoning dark petroleum on the finish. “Classic” is the word that immediately come to mind with anything from Erben-Thanisch, and this is no exception. Just enough fruit, just enough acidity (well, maybe a wee bit more), and just enough body make this an excellent sipper or dinner wine with just about anything (Riesling is the universal white, after all). Mosel from entry to finish, it satisfies now and will reward with a bit of time. Drink now through 2027. — 6 years ago

with Jay

Bridget Rynne

9.8

Rockeman wine — 6 years ago

Jason Orr

9.2

Cici like. Very approachable, more universal Napa cab. Mild tannins, soft, balanced fruit. — 7 years ago

Chris Haywood

9.2

Shone dried leaves black cherry nose. Power tannins! White pepper and menthol more prominent in your trap. Chalky lavendar hints. Pleasingly huge and tight. More brutal, less primary than the 2016, oddly. Down a point as the appeal is less universal even though this is more to my taste. — 7 years ago

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

A savory juicy textured herbal food pairing champ. Like cooking sous-vide with an immersion circulator, what was once a geeky oddity has found a permanent home on our table. Not a universal solution, but really the right tool for the job in certain situations. Like pan seared halibut with fennel or spring vegetable risotto. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is an elegant, feminine beauty. It's a back to back night of 2003. On the nose, liqueured black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, warm, slightly chard toast, anise, black cherry licorice, baking spices and dark fresh & dry florals. The mouthfeel is resolved, rich and elegant. Fruits of; black cherries, cherries, poached strawberries, a blend of black raspberries & raspberries. Bright vanillin, cinnamon, medium spice, toast, bright red florals, violets, dark & milk chocolate, rich, moist loamy soils, touch of crushed rocks, delicate volcanic minerals, mouthwatering acidity and a polished, rich finish that lasts & lasts. This is somewhere around it's peak. It's incredibly delicious! Photos of; their beautiful vineyards, amazing Italian style villa estate and front entrance. Producer history and notes...Blankiet was started by Claude & Katherine Blankiet in 1996 with 46 acres ranging over several volcanic hills above the town of Yountville. I believe Claude made his first big money as the creator of Stone Washed Jeans. David Abreu was hired to develop the land and Helen Turley made their first eight vintages. The winery is connected to a deep underground network of caves and were designed by architect John Lail. Blankiet’s current winemaker is Bordelais Denis Malbec, the former cellar master at Chateau Latour. Blankiet is located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Their Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted in volcanic soils while the Merlot is planted in gravelly-clay alluvial soils. Blankiet has great Terrior locations and have spared no expense in their winemaking facilities. If you haven't had their wines, they are definitely worth acquiring. — 8 years ago