Jim Gilbert

9.5

Love Sheldon! Superb host! He reminded us how good and complex a Merlot can be. Lots of subtle dark fruit and mellowness compared to the brighter 2013 and 2014. — 4 years ago

J Chechik

9.1

Awfully good, but I was also expecting a bunch! Have always found Papillon to be super chewy & dense. This didn’t fail, but it was a bit closed for longer than I remembered past btls. Used an aerator...
Darn fine NYE, tho! — 5 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.3

Fresh red cherry, red berries with an undertone of réglisse. Silky tannin, great depth which requires a good hour to open. Once opened amazing nose that takes you to another place, a place you feel high! Must be the alcohol. Great 2015 vintage for this super Tuscan. Cheers — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

What a great vintage. Its tannin structure will outlive the 09 and anyone 45 and older. The 2010 is a forever vintage and while different than 09, it will undoubtedly be just as great. It’s just going to take a lot more bottle age than the 09.

The body is full and round. The tannins have rounded but are still big and chewy. It’s more concentrated than 09. The fruit is really beautiful and again perfectly ripe. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum, poached strawberries with hints of raspberries. Soft soil structure; dry top soil, moist clay, medium intensity dark spice, fresh tobacco, dry herbs, crushed rock powder, with dark, withering florals with violets. The texture is velvety. The structure and tension are big. The length and balance are worthy of its perfect score. For me, it’s just not there, yet! The acidity is really good. The long, lush, ripe, well balanced, polished finish is deliciously persistent.

Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

Nigel Stuke

9.2

I really enjoyed this wine. Good nebbiolo is good to me. — 7 years ago

with Jolene

Chad Thompson

8.9

Might be the bottle but just a bit past its prime. Still good - sweet core, good acid, dark fruits. — 7 years ago

Lyle Yablonsky

8.9

Not quite dry enough for my taste but a very good wine. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

Gotta be really careful here. This bottle is as good. Not 9.8 good. The complex blackberry cassis, pencil shavings, herbal front is incredible. This doesn't resemble an 07 Howell Mtn. Would have guessed 11 or 12. Pride Brother and Sister PNV outdid this wine by a narrow margin, but I don't think I've had many 9.5+ bottles in 20 years and nearly 2600 bottles. The power and peppery black licorice finish just kept going and going. OMG. Not worthy!!! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of fresh berry fruits, cigar box spice and earthy mineral notes. On the palate rich ripe fruit, blackberry & black cherry with hints of dried spices. Good balance with slightly firm tannins, opened quickly, and lively acidity. Long finish, complex ending with oak, herb, mineral and earthy character. Will improve with short term aging, but don’t wait too long as you might be disappointed! Very nice Shiraz! — 5 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Good balanced between fruity and acidity. Acidic but really good enough to stimulate me. One of the approachable Nebbiolo from just opening it. It has transparency, but mid +++ body, and enough tanning and spiciness felt later on. One of the + would be created by barbera. @780, Kping - XH, 200707-200711 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 6 years ago

Daniel Jr Pilote

9.5

Absolutely beautifull, tannins are still a bit harsh, but few more years should be good. Perfect pairing with “ries de veau”. — 7 years ago

Anthony Pro

9.0

It’s going to be good... It’s a Caymus. But man, for the price, there’s so much better out there. An abundance of fruit. Perhaps too much. The birthday boy isn’t even drinking wine...

Update: just realized this was my 100th California wine. — 7 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.2

Big Opus One fan. So far I find most ‘07’s to not be as great as the wine reviewers predicted. Still very good though. — 7 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.6

Wow.. Shocking how good these wines can be when they are on. Wonderful nose of dark fruit, old glove leather and graphite. This was still kicking after 3hrs and shows how strong the vintage was to keep going so strong after 50+ years. — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.7

Celebrating 20K on Instagram with this beautiful wine!

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim. Doesn't show age at all.

Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black currants, figs, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cloves, cola, chocolates, mocha, caramel and black pepper.

Full bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, mocha, coke, light earth, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.

Long finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Napa Bordeaux blend. Showing great complexity and mouthfeel. Nicely balanced and fruit forward.

A fantastic wine from a great vintage. I've had a few different vintages of this, from older to younger, and this 2012 vintage is so nice right now. Will be even better in the next 10 to 15 years.

Thank you John for sharing this with me.

Rich yet elegant. Opulent and luxurious. Delectable and delicious.

Robert Parker 96 points.

Good right out of the bottle and much better after 3 hours of airtime. Fun wine for parties if it's in the budget. 😉

A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. Aged in New French oak barrels for 24 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$250. — 5 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.5

Vivid. All sorts of little purple flowers, the type that bloom early in the spring. Also, some just-ripe cherry, leaf litter, a little leather and pencil shavings. But so so floral. All the hallmarks of this bottling in astonishing balance here. Good acid, supple texture with just the silkiest of tannins. Wowing me already at the young age of 6 (for this wine), I think in time it will be a classic.

This is not a showy wine and won’t please everyone’s taste. But the class and finesse here speak volumes. — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.4

Dinner party, notes will be limited.
Bought from a restaurant closing about 5-6 years ago.
Menthol, mint, red pepper, steely, soft tannins but still good acid, our first 78 Bordeaux. — 7 years ago

Daniel Porter

9.3

Very young. Needs 3-5 years to round the tannins. High acidity. Fruit is very nice. Lots if bing cherries. Will be very good in a few years or with a long decant. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

At 17 years of age full of vim and vigour. A perfect mature blend of currant and mocha (oak). Almost resolved tannins but will be good in another 5 years at least. This is the last of a dozen bought on release. Very Good. Better than the 2000 and not quite as good as the excellent 2002. — 7 years ago