Andy Wigginton

9.4

Opened with chocolaty notes, and finished with loads of red fruit. This wine would age for a decade and should be paired with big, bold flavors. Good acid and weight, it is a beast now, but should age like, well, a fine red wine. Thanks S and K Bennet! Happy 40th birthday to my lovely wife. Cheers! — 5 days ago

Gunja Gargeshwari

9.4

Amazing structure and tannins. This will be good for 20 more years and get better with time. — 9 months ago

with Uma

Spencer Fox

9.1

shy even after hours in the decanter. still, a very elegant franc. bramble fruit, mellow baking spice, pepper. have always loved raffault just wished this one was a touch more showy. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. Black plastic cork; the standard for Dard et Ribo. The 2015 “Les Rouges des Baties” pours a deep, dull ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of wild black brambles, oil cured olive, roasted meat, purple flowers, black pepper, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. An utterly beautiful expression of Crozes-Hermitage and this worked really well with goose from South Dakota. I’m smitten. Drink now through 2035. — 2 months ago

Tyler Felous

9.2

Even after 3 hours, this is shy. Darker fruits, loads of structure. A few hints at what it will become but needs more time. — a year ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Very nice classic Napa cab. — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

Lunch 🥪

K&L notes as follows, Grand Pontet is an interesting property, positioned in the neighborhood of other stars of the appellation such as Châteaux Canon, Beau-Séjour-Bécot and Clos Fourtet. It is, however, a small estate, a mere 14 hectares, and its prices are much better than some of its more prestigious neighbors. In 1980 it was purchased by Gerard and Dominique Bécot, owners of the neighboring Beau-Séjour-Bécot. They have applied the same high standards to both Châteaux in their possession, and their winemaking team crafts Grand Pontet alongside the Beau-Séjour-Bécot wines. Recently purchased in 2021 by Domaines Clarence Dillon (Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, et al.), the property was combined with and incorporated into Château Quintus. Full-bodied and luscious, this Grand Pontet is laden with ripe blackberry fruits, savory tobacco, licorice notes, and ripe, softened tannins. It’s seamless and bold, not shy. It’s going to require something decadent to pair with, such as filet mignon or some other black-tie dish with plenty of flavor and rich umami presence. — 3 years ago

John W

9.8

Deep ruby coloration with zero translucency. Strong, jammy black fruits with oak and vanilla on the nose and mirrored on the palate with notes of spice. Long finish. Extremely rich and lush mouthfeel. — 3 months ago

Norma Normington

9.5

Got this bottle on my last Virgin Voyage and I had extra $ on my bar tab - a fantastic opportunity to purchase a couple exclusive (expensive) bottles like this. Sassicaia is a known leader in Super Tuscans. My first time trying Sassicaia… opened the bottle only for a couple of hours but a big beautiful bouquet of big jammy goodness that definitely isn’t shy. Wow 🤩 a delicious wine that doesn’t disappoint! — 3 months ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice - not spectacular. Shy nose of candied cherries and earth. A little tight on opening - fully expressive in about 3 hours. Palate of raspberries, candied cherries, mossy undergrowth and minerals, rounded out by a kick of clove spiciness. Tannins were grippy but not overwhelming. — 2 years ago