Aaron Tan

9.6

Another night, another insane Krug. Tessa’s palate has certainly been calibrated for this because the blind was instantly untangled by her - this is Krug… 02’ perhaps? Boom! Thanks for sharing this, Toni. Typical Krug opulence, yet so energetic. Just starting to mature, it combined ripeness, great structure, and phenolic grip, with deep mineral drive and acidity. Just hitting it’s stride, but I reckon it still has a long way to go. Love it! — 3 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.5

Aroma is uncanny; a perfume of rose petals and coconut cream wafting from the glass. Totally beguiling. Vanilla and marzipan lead the way with fresh and dried red berries, red cherries, dried flowers and orange peel. So polished, but this needs more time for the oak and fruit to integrate. The 2010 Ardanza remains my favorite now for its classical balance. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The 13 was a brutal tannin vintage when I tasted it at En Premier. The tannins are still bitty but, nothing like they were out of barrel.

The fruit in the 13 shows the difficulty in the vintage. They are duller and it’s really stands out from other vintages and not in a good way.

It’s lean and there is nothing that really draws you in. Fruits are; dark cherries, rhubarb, blackberries, some blueberries@and the strawberries show some ripeness the other do not. Lots of dry earth, dry stones, some herbs, dark withering florals, decent acidity and a uneventful dry finish.

Photos of; Clyde and Alfred at the bar, their Amphora style cement tanks they ferment part of each vintage now, road signs of the good neighbors they keep and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

LM Segal

9.5

Leathery and red floral nose. After 1 hour decant, opulent, lightly spiced and earthy-red palate infused with dried mushrooms, iron and throughout with notes of garrigue. Punching way above its weight in a meh vintage...just entering a window that will last 10+ years. — 7 years ago

Dave Wood

9.0

Still with some life after 50 years. Nice with hazelnut espresso chocolate pot de creame. Nice way to end the 50th birthday dinner. — 7 years ago

with David

Ryan Vento

9.1

Velvety, plush and deep; hints of plumb and baking spice with an almost chalky mouthfeel. Decanted for 3 hours as per the winemaker's suggestion and turned out beautifully. — 9 years ago

with Krystal

Michael Perry

9.2

Just F'n fun — 10 years ago

Cody Short

9.2

Fall has finally arrived in Texas and no better way to enjoy it than sitting outside, watching football, grilling and drinking some amazing Champagne from one of my favorite Houses — 10 years ago

Richard Shin

9.7

Still way too young...needs time to integrate the tannins! — 10 years ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.6

Demi bottle & perfect split for two ! Great way to begin the evening. — 3 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Way too young. Still pretty tough after a 5-6 he decant. There’s is a lot of structure here and the dark roasted fruit plays well with the other aromas / flavors like charcoal, pencil lead, and soil. Not my go-to style of wine, but decent with prime rib. — 4 years ago

Austen Ito

9.3

Floral, strawberries, blueberries, dried black fruits, oak, olive, black pepper, fragrant. Smoked meat, mocha, earthy. Full bodied, medium tannins, med+ acidity. Long finish. Wow. 6 years is indeed the ready to drink time. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

A great balance between fruit and funk. In my opinion, this one is right at the peak of drinking, because it is only going to get Bordeaux funky from here. On the nose and entry, lots of black cherry in fig, baking spices give way to haymore weedy and herbaceous sign that turns to a hint of Brett and funk towards the finish. Although this wine is very good, someone who likes this style a little bit more may have rated this a couple of points higher than I did. Very enjoyable wines, and definitely belonged on the table next to a high-profile Napa cab, high profile Australian Shiraz, and twenty-year-old CDP. — 5 years ago

with Dan, Bradley and 2 others

Matthew Valentine

9.4

Top 5 for me. Let it open up, so good! Way better than regular Caymus. Drinks like a big boy wine — 6 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.2

Garnet with browning. Initially quite funky on the nose, but with some air opened nicely. Leather, black fruit and graphite. Medium+ finish. Good but on its way down. — 7 years ago

with Frankie, Stanley and 1 other

B

10

1986 Chateau Margaux CS. Drank at DR concert. Wow! This wine kicked ass. We loved this so much. Even without decanting, this wine drank so well. Super balanced, long smooth finish. Dark fruit, leather, earth, and mineral notes. Not super chewy, and coated the mouth in a really pleasant way. This was the hit of the night by a long shot. — 9 years ago

Mitja Sirk

Production La Subida, Aceto Sirk

9.5

Absolutely perfect! No better way to finish 2015 — 9 years ago

Joel Tan

9.0

Yeasty, lots of apple on the palate at first, although with air gave way to a richer more bready flavour. Tinge of oxidative notes — 10 years ago

Matthew Jauregui

9.4

Great way to finish a tasting a nice champagne blend. Opens very well, in a beautiful pale salmon color. Chalk full of fruit fresh wild strawberries, pairs, apple, and lots of cherries. — 10 years ago

Cait

9.7

Love this champ!!! Wow! No headaches, not sweet. Crisp and downed way too fast. — 4 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

8.9

Too young, should get to 90-91 with more time...classic. Way better on night 2 under Coravin but cork pulled night 2. — 4 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.3

painfully intense in a very good way, bright fresh dense fruit all lifted by a well-integrated acid backbone. Superb creaminess, fine mousse, long future. Damn, makes me want 08 even more. Blows away 04 and 06. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

These can be polarizing wines due to their massive and rich profile, but they are certainly decadent, delicious and approachable young. That being said, this was probably at peak 3-5yrs ago. It didn’t seem tired, but the fruit has started to show some sappy qualities, as well as baked fig and cherry liqueur. Stewed black cherries, dark chocolate dipped blueberries and ripe blackberries. It drinks with good acidity and tannin, as well as cinnamon, graham cracker and more liqueur type notes at the finish. Still hedonistic in style. — 5 years ago

Torrey Ikeda

9.6

Fruity and smooth. — 6 years ago

Brandon T

9.1

One of my favorites. Great way to start the night. — 7 years ago

Aaron Ehrlich

9.2

First Coche ever. Technically perfect in every way though no particular wow factor. Similar experience over three hours. While not reductive in any fashion and oak didn't stick out, perhaps it needs more time to blossom into its legend... Stellar pricing btw and fantastic meal at Lameloise. — 9 years ago

Andrew

9.4

Super funky, in a good way. — 9 years ago

Christopher Suarez

9.3

This 2008 was cellared for almost five years after purchased in 2012. Consumed Nov 2015, the best way to describe this delight is that "it melts in your mouth". You do not even feel it as it goes down, the taste begins with its scents as soon as it hits your palate. Delightfully fruity with cherry, blackberry and jam. — 10 years ago

B

10

1985 Sassicaia. Second red wine at Redd Wood lunch w A, S, and K. This wine was perfect. Epic. We could not believe how perfect this wine was drinking. Thoroughly enjoyed it- it was enjoyable the way truffles are- hard to describe, but pleasing to all relevant senses. — 10 years ago

Ben Mar

9.6

Way to celebrate Eme's 3rd birthday. Pity she couldn't have any. One of the best wines you could ever have. #81 a great year! — 10 years ago