Laurent Jacques

9.5

This aromatic and robust classic is made by a venerable Tuscan estate with a history that dates back to 1877. First produced in 1927, it pays homage to the Duke of Aosta, who crossed the Alps to taste the wine whose reputation was already well established in the 19th century. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Fun comparison to the Carlisle Derivative if only because of them being fun whites from venerable Zin/heavy red houses. This one leans more into oak and oiliness, with significant roundness in the mouthfeel. — 7 years ago

ESF

9.0

Solid wine, takes some time to unwind but shows some really nice dark fruit core surrounded by pronounced tannins. Could be a little more balanced and needs some complexity to the nose (looking for Earth driven elements). Entry level wine of the venerable Termanthia — 7 years ago

Narun P

9.1

This is the latest addition to the Riserva lineup from this venerable winery on the hillside slope just north of Montalcino. And it isn't going to let anybody down. Deep and dark appearance. With a few hours of air, the wine emits incredibly opulent aromas of crushed blackberry, and plum seasoned with Italian spices and nutty new wood smell. On the palate, it's full bodied, medium acidity. Brooding and chewy. It packs a lot of complex oral sensations of more black fruits, chocolate, hazelnut, with a bit of soil tone minerality. If you have just one bottle, keep it at least until 2021. If you have more than one, you may let your curiosity runs wild and pop one now. Otherwise, the best should come round in 10-15 years time. 91+ — 8 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

In the glass, a nice ruby color. Spicy aromas with hints of cocoa and big red fruits. Another example of what a California Zinfandel can, and in my opinion, should be. Not big and fat. This is sleek and sensual, it even feels a bit European at times. The Petite Sirah and Carignane add some structure and balance here. Savory notes of smoked meat, fresh cut grass, spices, and oak. That's not to say that the wonderful fruit doesn't make itself known, as well. Ten years on, this baby is drinking like a champ. — 8 years ago

Steve Rankin

9.8

Medium bodied and bright red fruit flavors coupled with some spicy notes all work together to bring honor to the venerable Cabernet Franc — 9 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.1

Outshone in this flight, but this is still an attractive wine. Strawberries and red berries on the nose, some roses. It opens with lithe minerality, lush sweetness, red fruit, but it has neither the vitality of the Bouchard, nor the zest or multi-faceted dimension of the Clos de Tart. Taken on its own merits as it should be though, and paying due homage to its venerable age, you appreciate the classic Chambolle notes, deep intense flavors, tangy acids, a fairly elegant medium bodied finish which is just a little short to fully exclaim the wine’s other gifts. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Had this over a year ago, this is a new batch, a Fav! Rodolphe Péters took over the reins of this venerable estate in the southern Côte des Blancs in 2008, becoming the fourth generation to lead since the estate was founded in 1919, under the name Camille Péters. 100% Chardonnay, Crisp, fine mousse with steady flow of bubbles. Citrus, and biscuit aromas. Fresh fruit flavors of peach, apples and lemons, smooth and dry. Long mineral finish ending with elegance. Nice! — 6 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.1

The venerable Helene Garcin. Awesome... makes me realize how good 2014s are. So pleasant out of the gate but so much evolution yet to come — 7 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

8.9

Venerable sparkling producer from Lombardi. This is almost like traditional method sparkling in a still wine format, if such a thing exists. Extensive lees contact, very yeasty with lingering richness on mid palate and some earth notes. Definitely an intellectual wine, but enjoyable with some exciting food potential. — 8 years ago

Vladimir Evseev

9.9

A phenomenal Barolo 1994, blend of Brunate & Le Coste crus, made by the venerable hardcore traditionalist Giuseppe Rinaldi in his garage-looking cantina just outside Barolo village.

Looked and felt amazing. Violets and truffle oil go hand-in-hand with jammy dark fruit, delicate and harmonious at 23 years of age. Incredible depth in a mesmerizing multilayered palate, like a rich cake made of 10 different kinds of chocolate.

Jeff the somm said it was perfect, and hell it was. Totally at peak. — 8 years ago

Hector Escaton

9.6

This is the San Diego brewed variety. Unfortunately it makes no mention of the venerable civet, but it still tastes fantastic. Very highly carbonated in the can resulting in a large, unavoidable, stable head. — 8 years ago

Christine Havens

9.2

Named after the venerable Widow Clicquot herself, La Grande Dame Brut 2006 is a blend of 53% Chardonnay and 47% Pinot Noir. The nose is expressive—bioche dipped in honey, baked apple and a whisp of smoke hanging above richer aromas. The attack is deep and vinous, and there is a lovely creaminess at the center. It finishes nicely, with dried honey and chalk emerging when the bubbles have at last ceased. Tasted at Veuve Clicquot's visitor's center. 8 grams dosage | Sample — 9 years ago

Jeff Hasmann

9.3

The venerable Chateau Fonplegade does it again. This is a rich, full bodied wine with aromas of juicy black fruit, chocolate covered cherries, and mild espresso. The wine attacks the palate with a beautiful balance of silky tannins, lively acidity, and an opulent finish. Certainly, one of Fonplegade’s best efforts. Enjoyable now, but this will really shine in 10 years or so. 2016 vintage on Aug 26, 2019 — 6 years ago

Drew Childers

9.0

Nice with some pork tacos, picked out by the venerable Megan Childers. — 7 years ago

with Megan

Roman Sukley

9.4

2003 Merry Edwards 30th Anniversary Pinot Noir. From Merry: "Three distinguished vineyards provided grapes for this special wine. 72% came from the last vintage harvested at Windsor Gardens, blended with 21% Olivet Lane and 7% Quail Hill Ranch. These venerable old vines have all seen more than thirty vintages and harmonize in celebration of my first three decades of winemaking. I made just 333 cases of this luscious wine." A gift from a friend, bricky appearance showing some age. Bright cherry cola and rose petals on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, boysenberry, clove, caramel, mocha and some earthy notes. Fruity without being jammy. Good acidity. Rich and velvety. Well-structured with medium tannin. Best description: delicate and graceful. Lengthy and enjoyable finish. — 8 years ago

Brian Grech

8.9

Oxidization has brought el señor to the red brick washout of antiquity but there is still some citrus tang and stewed raisin to make it worthwhile. A venerable old bear. — 8 years ago

with Michael and Ashley

Arthur J

8.9

A venerable wine maker and a famous plot of land but somehow in the glass this one fell short for me. I'm scratching my head. Need to try again to be fair. — 8 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

The venerable Jadot winery was established in 1859, but the family was digging around in the Burgundy soil a good 30 years before that. His Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay is ubiquitous. I'm convinced some people think Jadot is French for Chardonnay.
Nose and palate, this unoaked full Chardonnay is loaded with apples and peaches, sweet and ripe. The freshness is a zippy delight and cries for oysters or shrimp. Minerals are plentiful, and the finish shows a citrus edge. — 9 years ago

Ted Corvey

9.5

Quite a birthday gift and quite a wine. Blind I would guess high end left bank Bordeaux yet this is a single vineyard old vine Napa cab from the venerable Rutherford Bench. This probably has maybe 5 years left until it peaks but it is sure drinking well now. On the nose there are herbaceous dark fruit characteristics followed by tar, olive, and leather. Very elegant on the palate with plum, cassis, butter scotch and rich blackberry favors balanced by subtle yet edgy tannins. Long delicious finish to boot. — 9 years ago