Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Chappellet – Signature Cabernet Sauvignon – 2021 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
A beautifully balanced, Bordeaux-inspired mountain Cabernet from one of Napa Valley’s most respected hillside estates.
The 2021 blend shows slightly more varietal diversity than the 2022, with a composition of: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot.
This creates a wine that leans toward roundness, polish, and aromatic complexity, while still showcasing the powerful structure Pritchard Hill is known for.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and concentrated, offering layers of blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, and wild mountain herbs.
Subtle undertones of clove, graphite, cocoa nib, espresso, and warm baking spice rise with air.
Beautifully expressive with that signature Chappellet purity.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet impressively balanced.
The slightly higher percentage of Malbec and Merlot gives the 2021 a plusher mid-palate and more rounded tannins compared to the 2022 vintage.
The finish is silky, persistent, and coated with lingering notes of cacao, espresso, and black fruit.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted lamb, braised short ribs, ribeye with thyme butter, porcini dishes, or aged Manchego.

Verdict
A true gem from Pritchard Hill. Elegant, concentrated, and wonderfully proportioned, the 2021 stands as one of the most harmonious expressions of Signature Cabernet in recent years. A wine that balances power, finesse, and aromatic depth with remarkable ease. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Chappellet was one of the early pioneers of high-elevation Napa Cabernet, developing Pritchard Hill long before the area became a coveted source for collectible hillside wines.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
The 2021 holds a special place, refined, complete, and aromatically irresistible. A vintage that shows Chappellet’s mastery at its most elegant. — 2 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.3

Molitor has intensions for crazy tension. Vibrations 1000 beats a second, floats in place like a hummingbird. Auteur in that you really can't imagine this could happen by accident.

There's an elegant element from first nasal prick onward. Finger limes, clementine, lemon confections, gasoline, and flint reaching way up back. Level 8 acid hides a dose of sweet. Flavors that remind me of sugar coated grapefruit halves drizzled in honey - they go on and on and on. — 4 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

What a nose and at 6 years old this is in a great place. Wild mint, spice, menthol, cedar, pine resin and mid season and sour cherries plus crazy florals. Very very high toned and aromatic. Doesn’t quite have the aromatic depth of the Grand Crus but it’s got the DNA. Elegant and juicy with luscious cherry, red currant and cranberry fruit. Lovely spice and so fresh. Great acids. Seems like it needs air as nose led me to believe it would be a bit more mature. Terrific litheness and such startling purity. The fruit sweetens with air. I’ll be back as this might get a lot better. Even in 8 minutes it went from a 9.2 to 9.4. — 5 years ago

JKT

9.2

8/15/20 at parents with mix of home cooking and spicy take out from Bear Chinese place. The most unusual Prosecco with second fermentation in bottles without disgorging and so it’s cloudy. Interesting complex nose with minerals and some funk. Very lively texture and a bit sour that’s perfect for the mix of food. From Moore Brothers. Next day about 120ml in less than full Cali bottle so bubbles are gone but the essence remains. The nose is now more mature white fruits with hints of mild ginger and the texture is almost creamy. Yum. Excellent. Upping a pointer 9.2. Best Prosecco I’ve ever tasted. — 6 years ago

Sherwin Taghdiri

9.1

This wine has been sitting around my place for 16 years! Turning it a couple times a year...
Upon opening the cork was soft and barely pulled out, with it being a dark red at the tip a soaked in for about 1/8 inch.

Fragrance had strong spice, dark berry and alcohol essence!
Surprisingly, it drank really smoothly with silky flavors of dark maraschino cherry, dark berry, vanilla, spice and chocolate! Not what I expected from a merlot...perhaps it aged very well.
— 6 years ago

with Anne

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux – Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2022
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Crafted from old vines (Vieilles Vignes) in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges, this 100% Pinot Noir captures the appellation’s signature structure and depth. Domaine Chevillon-Chezeaux is a respected family estate that farms traditionally, bottling wines with both authenticity and age-worthy finesse. Unlike the silkier Chambolle-Musigny or the perfumed grace of Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges is known for its firmer tannic backbone and savory, earthy character, making it one of Burgundy’s most robust expressions of Pinot Noir.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with dark cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry layered with subtle spice, forest floor, and a gentle mineral streak. Hints of violet and dried herbs lend additional elegance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, silky yet firm, with polished tannins and bright acidity carrying through to a persistent, savory finish. Youthful now, but its layered fruit and backbone suggest strong aging potential.

Winemaking Notes
Old vines (many 40–60 years of age) deliver concentration and depth. Traditional Burgundian vinification with careful élevage in French oak barrels (a proportion new, though never overpowering).

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted duck, mushroom-based dishes, lamb chops, or simply a classic coq au vin. Its balance of fruit and earthy complexity makes it versatile with Burgundian-style cuisine.

Verdict
A benchmark Nuits-Saint-Georges VV—structured yet refined, with depth of fruit, mineral poise, and a sense of place. One to enjoy now with decanting, or cellar for 8–12 years for even greater reward. — 10 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

First pull of a 2019 Bordeaux. Not in a bad place with an 8 hour open period (no decant). Very “dark Michigan cherry” according to my wife who has spent a lot of time in Michigan. Great pairing with a variety of grilled meats - lamb, pork, and steak. — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

I was blown away at how delicious this was. Enjoyed with Piri-Piri chicken at Frangasquiera Nacional in Lisbon. Incredible QPR. 10 euros in the restaurant! This place only seats 6 -8 people. Food was outstanding too. — 3 years ago

Thomas McKee

9.5

Back at the La Bandita Townhouse after 8 years. Still a fantastic place to stay or have dinner. The food and service is top notch and they specialize in Brunello. Tonight we had the the Chianina beef tartare, Osso Buco ravioli, ribeye steak and lamb chops. This wine was a spectacular match, so smooth and rich it was perfect on every level — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.3

2021/10/8 with roasted Challandes duck breast, foie gras in truffle sauce, bass with Mont Saint Michel mussels in beurre blanc, etc. Kaleidoscopic aromas of brambly red fruit, forest floor, stone and toasted spice. Delicate but rounded and fleshy on the mid-palate, with acidity to balance. In a very good place. — 5 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2015 vintage. This is the top wine of this small 8 hectares estate, named after the 18th century Irish priest owner. A blend of Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%). Not for label drinkers since it is a humble Bordeaux Supérieur, but punching well above its weight. Refined and classy, this is all about subtlety. This medium-bodied elegant wine is in a very good place now, but should age well. Nice long fresh minty finish. Very good value at 15 euros. — 6 years ago

Casey Curbow

Sales Associate Windsor Wine Merchants

9.4

In a great place 8 years on with plenty of years left. Refined & vibrant blueberry, violets & Iron. Richly represented yet fully integrated oak. Unrivaled Benchmark. — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2019 vintage. Tasted after 2 hours open. Medium body. Big lanolin and prominent acidity with some pineapple and guava notes open for business. Lemon curd rolling through like it owns the place (perhaps it do). Easy 7-8 years Smokey Robinson cruising together based on remaining acidity. Approx .5-1 year away from the top of the bell curve. 04.26.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2012 vintage. Smoky, spicy, plummy, earthy. Medium-heavy body. Quiet power and presence without flexing. Can't imagine this one getting better but can hold tight in this place for 7-8 years. 04.23.25. **edit** Picked up the last 4 cases available in San Diego County for an unbelievable price so we'll have it for a spell. 05.05.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1995 vintage. Light-medium body. Opened but not decanted. High neck fill. Solid cork. Relatively light sed. Tasted after one hour. Dusty with velveteen notes up front and a gradual thinning of intensity on the finish. As per the LR style, no explosive characteristics, only a seamless quality evident. This will hold in place for 7-8 years. 8.16.24. — 2 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2022/8. This was less advanced (in a good way) compared to the first bottle of my recent lot of 3 - in a good place, rich but balanced and lively — 4 years ago

Sharon B

9.4

Listen….when you hit the jackpot, you hit the jackpot! I bought 8 wines, that I had never had, from a new place in town and loved every one of them!! I love a fruit forward wine and this is very fruit forward with a little bit of smokiness and a silky smooth finish! Cheers! — 4 years ago

Stas Medvedev

9.4

🏅 Rating 94/100 (4,4⭐)

Golden color. The style is gently oxidative. The bouquet of bird cherry white flowers and the warmth of a freshly baked loaf. With time in the glass reveals the iodine character of Côte des Blancs and light creamy notes of Cramant. The palate is broad with Granny Smith apples, white peach and citrus. Lightly oaked.

Previously this cuvee was called Vieille Vigne de Cramant, but had to change the name to avoid the confusion with Cremant. Name comes from the name of the place: Bourron du Levant. East facing parcel in Cramant with vines between 56 and 80 years old.

Larmandier-Bernier is among the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Champagne. Always healthy ripe grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in oak barrels. Spontaneous malo, no filtration and fining. Cuvee spends impressive 7-8 years sur lattes to gain its beloved complexity and depth. This bottle was disgorged by hand in June 2018 and dosed with 2g/l to Extra brut.

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Instagram: @wine_talks_club — 5 years ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 6/1/20. Very nice with grilled lamb chops.

Nose of cherry cola, blue fruit, and some sweet baking spice. This is in a nice place, with similar flavors of cherry cola, blueberry, black currant, leather, backed by medium, fully integrated tannins. Lovely balance. Medium finish. Drink now and over the next couple of years.

3/22/8/4/3 +50 = 90 pts. — 6 years ago