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! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Amanda Jones

9.1

Hazy pink, funk on the nose, with stone fruit and citrusy zest. Higher on acidity, dry, a delicious natural rosé! — 5 years ago

with Cameron

Martinez

9.0

Grapefruit, subtle oak, — 5 years ago

Mjaouu

8.9

Complex, weird and wonderful - with body and tannins yet bright — 6 years ago

Jack Petras

8.9

Gulpable food wine with unmistakable Italian character, casual, dark berries, leather , like the universal donor of wine — 6 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. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — 3 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. — 4 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. — 5 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. — 5 years ago

Pierre-nicolas Chabanel

9.0

Vintage 2015 — 6 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.1

Things which are painfully underrated. One of New Zealand’s best bands, The Brunettes with their best record, Mars Loves Venus and a 2013 Collio Cab Franc. So many rocks to turn over in this world for great stuff. — 6 years ago

Andrew Reetz

8.9

Damn this is good. Hybrid grapes from Colorado make for bright acidic mix that differentiates this wine from its dry sisters and brothers from Augustina's Winery. — 7 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. — 3 years ago

Manny Abascal

9.2

Not my favorite vintage of this wine but still great. — 3 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 — 4 years ago

Tegan Marriott

9.3

I throughly enjoyed this cider fermented with their own pomace plus la garagista's wine, my personal favorite winery in Vermont at the moment . I think it's a great cider that is not too sweet & has enough acid and tannins to pair it with a nice pork dish meal. — 5 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 — 5 years ago

Bob Yoon

8.9

Lime and minerally goodness. — 6 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.4

Banging. All natural, very bright, rich and round. Very happy wine. — 7 years ago