Gil Krakowsky

9.3

Just a really enjoyable wine that is both hearty and even “ big” but still refreshing.
Clearly some Brett and some effervescent feel like may hint at VA, but I find both to be well integrated and enjoyable. A deep darker-side-of-red fruit profile: red and damson plum, dried red cherry, Black licorice, olive. Has a floral sense to it, and some exotic woody undertones as well earth - like a forest after the rain . A full bodied and almost lush wine that might recall the mouthfeel if a Napa cab, but with much more refreshing a acidity coming through - never the least bit cloying or overwrought. Simply a great wine with a broad food pairing potential. That said, I do wonder if it would taste dramatically different at the source. With zero sulphur amidst a long boat ride, life in distributor warehouses, a wine shop and ultimately my euro cave, whether the original intent is preserved in its entirety. Drinking fantastically but also wondering if peak drinking is 2-3 years ahead. Again, the sulphur thing... — 6 years ago

Alicia Cypress

9.1

It’s been a bit since I’ve had a Sonoma Coast Pinot, and glad my entry back included this Cobb Jack Hill. Super pretty dark ruby fruit with a hint of blueberry and some stems on the backside. Needs a few years to show its true wonder, but I’m quite satisfied to be drinking after a dreary day in one of my favorite cafes. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

R.I.P. Robin Leach who sadly passed away today. May Heaven be filled with peace, champagne (96 Krug Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil) and Beluga Caviar dreams. God bless. Cheers! 🥂 I wonder how many people he inspired to drink Champagne over his many years doing the show? — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

My notes on this from May of 2017 still apply. Popped and poured. Drank well over two days. Immediately this wine impresses visually. Sure, the color is an expected deep garnet but what's most striking is the fact that it's never completely opaque at the core. You can just barely get the faintest amount of light to see through it. It's quite beautiful, really. The nose is initially a bit reticent but a few minutes of air in the glass does the trick and then it really begins to show off the most lovely perfume of mixed red and dark fruit; so fresh and pure with just a flash of garrigue. No perceptible heat on the nose. On the palate it's a veritable wonder of berries, Rainier cherries, black berry liqueur, and just a touch of fine white pepper. The body is perfectly proportioned and the finish lasts for over 30 seconds. In summary, this is an incredibly balanced 2010 CdP that is already hitting its prime. Personally, I felt it was really at its very best about two hours in which leaves me to believe it should be a great pop and pour for the next couple of years and potentially has the balance to be great for longer. That being said, there is no need to decant, just pull the cork, pour and enjoy the evolution in the glass. The hard part is allowing it to last for two hours and longer. It should be noted that this is dangerously quaffable wine and it wouldn't be hard to take the whole thing to the head. Might as well drink these sooner than later as I'm always a bit wary of CdP much beyond the 10 year mark, where I tend so find many of them fall apart on the palate. Perhaps others with more experience in the long-term ageing of CdP can chime in though. Absurd value at $30.

As a side note, this paired very nicely with pan fried pork savory bacon wrapped filet mignon. — 8 years ago

Keith Crump

9.0

A great Hawkes Bay drop — 8 years ago

Jessica Voelker

9.5

Cured meat, bing cherry, plum, smoke and baking chocolate. Excellent and accessible! Very easy drinking full bodied and delicious wine. — 8 years ago

Fredybeans

9.0

Robe jaune claire
Nez sur le fruit avec des arômes fermentaires au début puis de fruit jaune
Bouche fraîche et grasse
Gourmande et finale fraîche et plutôt tendue
Beau vin à laisser encore dormir qq temps — 6 years ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.1

This vintage was fantastic. Nicely balanced. Right amount of pepper. Very much an underrated winery. — 7 years ago

James Forsyth

9.3

Elephant Seven's 2014 River Rock Vineyard Syrah could be a Rhone wine. Very attractive acid quality, forest floor, earthiness but plenty of fruit too. Pomegranate. Excellent. — 7 years ago

GabWine

9.5

Color : White
Wine estate : Billecart-Salmon
Designation : Champagne
Name : Brut Sous Bois
Country : France
Vivino : 5/5
Note : I think Billecart is my favorite brand of champagne. At each tasting, a treat and wonder! With this "Blanc de noir", we have a character related to its passage in oak barrel which gives a beautiful complexity. A bright yellow robe with its fine bubbles, a nose of citrus, butter and toast. On the palate, the expression of his character with notes of toast, brioche. Just perfect.
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Je crois que Billecart est ma marque de champagne préférée. À chaque dégustation, un régal et de l'émerveillement ! Avec ce "blanc de noir", nous avons un caractère lié à son passage en fût de chêne qui donne une belle complexité. Une robe jaune éclatante avec ses fines bulles, un nez d'agrumes, de beurre et de toast. En bouche, l'expression de son caractère avec des notes de pain grillé, brioché. Tout simplement parfait. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Steak, Frites & Claret. I am in heaven this New Year’s Eve. While 03 was a very warm & ripe vintage; which will drink well younger, this still needs 5-8 years. The nose still shows a fair amount of earth & some funk even after an hour & half in the the decanter. Sour dark cherries, ripe blackberries, black plum, roasted strawberries, raspberries haunt the background, light vanilla & cinnamon, light, soft, spice, black cherry cola/licorice, light volcanic minerals, dry stones, rich turned earth, black tea, anise, dark fresh florals with a hint of violets. The body is medium, lush and beautiful. Tannins have baby teeth. Sour & sweet dark cherries, ripe blackberries, black plum, roasted strawberries, blueberries, raspberries haunt the background, light vanilla & cinnamon, light, soft, spice, black cherry cola/licorice, light volcanic minerals, dry stones, rich turned dark earth, dry crushed rock, hints of graphite, cigar tobacco, used leather, black tea, anise, dark fresh florals with a hint of violets. The acidity is round and near perfect. The length, structure, tension and balance are all in good company. The finish is long & beautiful with nice balance, but just a shade more earthiness on the long set. Here a little trivia for your next game of “Wine Trivial Pursuit.” What was the first wine brought into space? In 1985, the 75 Lynch Bages was brought into space by a Frenchmen. Of course, right? I wonder if that drove up the bottle price? I think Lynch Bages is still currently closed for visits as it’s under renovation. They are making serious improvements to their facilities. Should you ever visit, make your appointment either side of lunch and eat at their Bistro...Cafe Lavinal. It’s very good, close and owned by Lynch Bages. Library vintages of Lynch Bages are available by the glass. It’s a very short walk from the Chateau. They also have great accommodations in walking distance, the Cordeillan Bages. The hotel is very nice and has a two star Michelin Restaurant. One of our favorite meals ever! Wish you all peace, success and many nice bottles in 2018!!! Happy New Year! 🎊🎈🎆 🍾🥂 🎉 — 8 years ago

Jay Root

9.4

Wonder, bold Napa cab. Paired incredible with medium rare steak. This was actually a gift and I believe the giver said it had been aging in his cellar for 7 years. — 8 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

100% pure bred Mouvedre — 6 years ago

Dmitry Teytelman

9.9

A knockout, for sure. Nose is a bit misleading, seems over the hill, with strong raisin. But the palate is a wonder, smooth and well integrated, mild tannins, long aftertaste. — 6 years ago

Rob Moose

9.0

Flinty, smoky, peppery, this 2011 is quite distinct from its older brother. The color is not dissimilar but one would never confuse the two glasses. The pepper note is something I get a lot from 2011, and I wonder if it will blow off with air or just time. The palate is more penetrating though the finish fails to show a different side of the equation in the way the 2010 does. A very competent wine but a bit one note. — 7 years ago

Shawn Tervenski

8.9

My first big savignon blanc! — 7 years ago

Laura Arnold

9.5

Wonder with Lamb. Low tannins, ready to drink immediately when opened. Full body, earthy finish, beautiful cab — 8 years ago

with Steve

Graham Ball

9.0

Superbly balanced, zingy but overpowering. — 8 years ago

Nikki Cooke

9.4

Delicious!! Not too exy — 8 years ago

with Brittany

Barb Anderson

8.9

I needed a monster to pair with the ultimate smoky BBQ. This Cab fit the bill. — 8 years ago