Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Joe Martin, established St. Francis Vineyard in 1971, planting 22 acres of Chardonnay & 60 acres of Merlot. He opened the winery in 1979 with partner Lloyd Canton. Dk berry fruits, spice & cedar aromas. Black cherry and blackberry flavors with tobacco, oak and pepper spice. Well structured firm tannins (needs decanting) lingering, complex ending with subtle earthy tones. Very Nice, easy drinking will age a bit. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Champagne Paul Bara, Bouzy – Special Club Grand Cru, Reims, 2005

Overview
A standout grower Champagne from Bouzy, carrying the prestige of the Special Club designation and the depth of a Grand Cru. Crafted with meticulous care, this cuvée rested over 36 months on the lees before disgorgement, bringing a richness and complexity worthy of the vintage.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose is expressive with layers of baked brioche, toasted hazelnut, and almond cream, underpinned by ripe orchard fruits and subtle citrus zest. On the palate, it delivers a beautifully yeasty core, with flavors of apple tart, quince, lemon curd, and a touch of honey. Mineral edges and a faint chalky salinity keep the richness in perfect check.

Mouthfeel
Elegant yet powerful. The mousse is fine and persistent, coating the palate with creamy texture while the acidity provides both lift and tension. The lees aging shows in the roundness and savory depth, giving a long and polished finish.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seared scallops, lobster in beurre blanc, or a simple truffle risotto. Its balance of richness and freshness also makes it a stunning partner for aged Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
An impressive expression of both terroir and time in cellar. Champagne Paul Bara’s Special Club 2005 shows off why Grand Cru Bouzy fruit, combined with extended lees aging, creates a Champagne of immense character and grace. A bottle that commands attention at the table, while rewarding patience and appreciation. Cheers! — 8 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.2

The reserve from Lesmos shows the most cake like American oak, and the sweetest, darkest fruit of their range. It drinks very nicely now and was a good partner for a paella stuffed pepper with an egg on top. Hurray for leftovers and Rioja! This wine was very easy to guzzle! — 9 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.0

Delicious. Gritty berries. Perfect pork chop partner. — 10 years ago

Adam Ames

9.3

Great food and wine with a great partner. #H-D, #rollyourown, #citgo — 10 years ago

with Erin

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

Steak & claret night is always better with friends! Thanks to super Dave and Gabby for coming over and drinking this magnum with us. This herbal, light bodied Cabernet was in my wheel house and a refreshing partner to NY steak, baked potato and grilled Caesar salad. I think I got a little carried away with it! — 11 years ago

with Dave and Cleora

Payton Stiewe

9.0

30 years in the USA and celebrating with my partner and friend Bettina. Love the American Dream. — 11 years ago

Nathan Wegener

8.9

Another phenomenal bottle. Love this wine great partner with beef tenderloin and roast veg. Plum fruits through in this bottle. — 11 years ago

Joe Wines

9.5

A welcome partner in crime for sushi — 12 years ago

Dan Dake

9.3

Needed time - around 4-5 hours. Afterwards it really started to soften and display some delicate fruit accompanied by some soft tones of vanilla bean amongst other qualities. A lovely partner in contemplation. — 8 years ago

Kirk F

9.1

Wasn’t holding out much hope for this for whatever reason. Instead, a surprise. Bright fruit flavors, an elegant nose and an amazing acidity. A fantastic partner with my bolognese as i sit in the other room....while the 7 sorority sisters destroy the bread, pasta and kung fu girl riesling in the dining room. 😂 I’m a good dad. — 8 years ago

with Jeff

Ira Schwartz

9.4

Reminded me of the first time you see the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls. Powerful,majestic and endless. For me the wood is a partner not a distraction. — 8 years ago

Ginnis Tonik

9.0

I'm still figuring out Chardonnays that I like but this is a buttery Chard from Total Wine that my partner and I like a lot. It's decadent and light at the same time, perfect for the end of summer. — 9 years ago

Emily Graney-McKinley

10

This is the bottle that made me think I had a future in wine. It was a lonely bottle found in the basement that ended up in a flash sale to make room for restocking. I saw a nearly 10 year old French wine with a $9 sticker on it & thought "Either it's gross or they don't know what they have...either way, MINE!" When first poured I was disappointed - no nose to speak of & sediment, grr. I decanted it and took a shower. MOTHER OF GOD...it's amazing what a little bit of air can do. My partner, who isn't much for red wine couldn't believe how fragrant & smooth it was. We managed to keep from gulping it & enjoyed t across 2 dinners. I tried to find a case & the only one was auctioned through Christies! Ha! Sometimes you get lucky & this wine literally changed my life. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

Excellent claret- big and cabby, but still refreshing. A fine partner to dry aged ribeye and russets! — 10 years ago

with Cleora

Brenda Magnetti

9.4

Delicious fruit and finish that lasts. Perfect compliment to terrific local housemade pasta and red sauce. Local sourcing makes me feel even better about the WA wine partner. — 11 years ago

with Rick

Steven Spencer-Steigner

10

Absolutely LOVE! Great holiday present from my generous partner. — 11 years ago

Kat Collins

10

Va La Vineyards. Full bodied Italian white blend. Notes of wheat, grass, lemon, and honey with a woodsy smooth finish. Floral zest with a honeyed grass on the nose. I could smell and drink this for hours. Very limited production. Honey goat cheese is it's divine partner. — 11 years ago

Deborah Heath

9.4

@osomarket w Isabelle. Lovely Rhône mineral/acidity: limestone + nectarines, lime zest. Splendid partner to umami-laden kale/molten egg sammy — 12 years ago

boyd

9.1

Perfect pizza partner. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In 1912, Andrew James Symington became a partner in Dow's and today, five members of the fourth generation Symington family own and manage this historic house. 10 Years" indicates an average age – this Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, matured in oak casts. Amber color with aromas of sweet dried fruits, citrus and nutty notes. On the palate sweet ripe fruit, vanilla oak, ending with fig and cacao notes. Smooth, Nice value. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago

Gad Giladi

9.0

Delicious partner to all sea food & fish , pasta & white meats. A cold glass of Piero Mancini's Vermentino will also serve as a very good apéritif. Consistent year after year; never disappointing. — 8 years ago

boyd

9.2

Perfect pizza partner. — 9 years ago

David Lee

9.0

A terrific effort that shows with the right partner California Chardonnay can dance lightly and with grace. — 9 years ago

Jennifer L.

9.5

A good chardonnay that both me & my partner (who likes reds & not-sweet wines, opposite of me) enjoyed. It's not earthy and has more depth when eating with acidic foods like tomato based things. — 10 years ago

Kim Radtke

9.2

A household favorite. I buy this wine all the time and every time my partner (never realizing it's the same wine) all ways exclaims over how good it is. — 10 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Lunch wine, partner with salmon and risotto — 11 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Lots of fruit and velvety power, I Iike it, partner of cassoulet au canard, Dutch bottling — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.1

Philipe melka and agustan Huneeus Is the partner. — 11 years ago

Matt K

9.6

Album released on beer. Beer good. Album even better. — 12 years ago