Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

If this was poured blind, 95% of all Somm’s would call it Burgundy. For me this is better than white Burgundy as it is far less expensive than Premier Cru or Grand Cu Burgundy and just as good.

A bit tricky to find and this was in the higher $40 range. When I can find it, I generally get six.

Still a bit young, but gorgeous.

Central Otago still had the long even cool climate that is slowly escaping Burgundy, which is key for excellent acidity.

The body round and a touch waxy. Mildly Meyer sour lemons, lime pulp, green apple, some white stone fruit, pineapple, caramel, honey comb, limestone, sea spray, almond sliver’s, butterscotch, caramel, white spice, soft volcanic mineral powder, hints of gun flint, dry river stone, yellow & white flowers, excellent acidity, beautiful structure/tension, endless balance with an elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on white spice.

The acidity is off the charts great.

Photos of; the Felton Road property and my walk of it with owner Nigel Greening. — 8 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

1961 vintage. Ahoy there! Lower neck fill. Durand employed. Opened (not decanted) with plenty of cork splintering/crumbles despite the Durand and meticulous/slow movements. Cork stayed intact but just barely and about 80% saturated. Extensive (3-4 minutes) cleaning of the bottle lip and inch-deep, upper neck to remove fused cork residue. Tasted 45 mins, 2 hours, 4 hours and 6 hours after opening. Heavier body than expected given the producer. A bit of a slap in the face as it rolled in as medium/medium-heavy body which is hilarious. Nose initially a mysterious, century+ sitting room with plenty of decay, dust and past. Things shifted to soy/teriyaki sauce fairly shortly after with a little 5-10 minute fried chicken nose that vanished. Various (dark/semi-sweet) chocolates and cherry reduction sauce eventually emerged. A paced, harmonious narrative stayed constant throughout. Gorgeous experience. Didn't exactly diminish my impressions of H-B being the best first growth in BDX. It's generally the lightest and least-flashy. 1.23.26. — 10 months ago

Dave Geb

9.0

Wife likes it. — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1/2 hour decant(decent fine sediment). A splendid still dark brooding garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating perfumed notes of dark red fruit, eucalyptus, forest floor, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, smokey cedar. Taste: silky, savory, resolved wine with dried cherry/plum, dark chocolate, pepper, cedar, fig, and a graphite espresso long finish. YUM! — 7 days ago

Rick Phillips

9.7

Just peaking in my estimation. May sill have a couple or three years before its decline starts. Opened and sat in the bottle for 2 hours. Poured a glass which sat another hour. Bold forward fruits. Blackberry, Plums, Black Cherry, hints of spice herbs that quickly fade into a smooth, luxurious taste of velvety tannins. Backend is just as the Front, Luxurious Bold Fruit but just a touch of old earth, lite tobacco and chocolate/cherry. — 20 days ago

with Letha

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a two days. Better on Day 2. On the pop and pour, this bottle was backward and really seemed resistant to show much. I didn’t detect any real flaws or faults…just sort of, “meh”. On Day 2, it had opened considerably. The 2017 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe blackberries, currants, mixed flowers, black tea, ferrous earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 5 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.2

Black cherry, raspberry, cassis, blackberry, eucalyptus and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 7 months ago

Jonathan Warren

9.5

Beautiful wine. Wish I was having it with the person who introduced me to Riesling. Honey, lemon, citrus, petrol but very light Emilie would love this if you read this try it — 10 months ago

George Yasutake

9.5

Could decant for another 1-2 hours. Drinking well! — 4 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

2 hrs in the decanter.
Coolish and classic nose. Kinda smooth.
On the palate sturdy tannines! Lots of minerality, yet very soft acidity. Black fruit, cloves, coffee, smoke, leather and graphite.
Give these bottles a few more years in the cellar to smoothen out the tannines. Potential plus. — 5 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

A great Anderson PN. Light, woodsy aromas, mountain fruit and spice. Tasty! — 5 years ago

Tom Garland

8.9

1/2 hour decant(decent sediment). A gorgeous still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: seductive perfumed notes of dark fruit, smoked meat, funky earth, cigar box, pencil lead, vanilla oak. Taste: savory wine with dried dark fruit, graphite and gravel, iron, and a kinda astringent smokey tobacco finish. Not my cup of tea...maybe bottle flaw. — 14 days ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.5

1/2 hour decant(decent fine sediment). A striking dark ruby red with bricking. On the nose: Captivating notes of dark fruit, forest floor, worn leather, mushroom, cigar, smoked meat, some bandaid(brett). Taste: silky, classic, elegant wine with dried red berries, currants, tobacco, saline, minerals and a cedar graphite long dry finish. YUM! What a thrill to drink tonight! — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Peter Laidlaw

9.5

2 hr decant - fantastic — 5 months ago

EJ

9.2

Great sauv from New Zealand. Grapefruit, peach and minerals. Win. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Both days outstanding but slightly different experiences. Day 1 was about power. Day 2 was about balance. The 2020 “Cuvée Réservée” pours a brilliant garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady, slightly funky notes of ripe brambles, garrigue, red & purple flowers, bacon fat, licorice, and dry rocky earth. On Day 2, everything was more open nit and the fruit showed more bruised with a slightly stewed profile. Lavender was the predominate floral profile too. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is textbook Pégau and I love it. Drink now through 2045+ — 9 months ago

Vino Joe

9.3

Tight as a drum at open. Loosened to trampoline tension after 2 hours. Finally was loose after 4. Spicy and hefty. More inward. A sophisticated mix and quite good but as with most Leoville Las Cases it needs to sit longer for the next iteration. — 2 years ago

Kirsteen

9.5

Oddly enough had to go to Ohio to drink Ca grapes. Solid Barbera. Let it sit for a bit and when it opens , dam. That’s a good wine — 5 years ago