Angie Volino

9.2

2022. Enjoyed with friends. Will def purchase again. — a year ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

Tonights wine is the 2019 La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou. Saint-Julian Bordeaux Blend 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, chocolate, spice, black pepper, minerality and earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, green bell pepper, black pepper, spice, vanilla, minerals and dark rich earth.

This is a full bodied wine well balanced medium + acidity and medium + mouthcoating firm grippy tannins that taks you into a long black fruit woody finish. Lets all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy family and friends the best we know how. Please be healthy and stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Last night we opened the 2019 Château Sérilhan Saint-Estèphe Cru Bourgeois Supérior Médoc. Left Bank Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot by Doctor Alain Reynaud.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, mint, licorice, pencil shavings, cedar and earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, green bell pepper, licorice, menthol, graphite and earth.

This is a beautiful medium to full bodied wine with a smooth succulent mouthfeel medium to medium+ acidity and medium + fine grained tannins that leaves you with a medium + to long dark fruit rich earth finish. Enjoy yourselves this weekend, have some fine wines with family and friends and please stay healthy and safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Joe Santiago

9.2

Lots of fruit. Full and refreshing. Delish! — 5 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.6

It is Friday night and during this time of being shut in our home a group of us had a Zoom chat to try and help in keep some assemblance of normalcy with socialization through Zoom chat. During our gathering I opened the 2016 Pirouette Long Shadows Vintners Bordeaux Blend. A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. A wine from Walla Walla, Washington produced by renowned winemaker Philippe Melka. A beautifully blended wine that will stand the test of time and only get better.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, red currant, vanilla, baking spice, cigar box and rich soil.

On the palate ther is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, red currant, green bell pepper, creamy chocolate, graphite and crushed rock.

This wine is full bodied with a smooth creamy mouthfeel, medium + acidity and medium + smooth rounded tannins that lead into a long black fruit finish. What a wonderful wine that all would enjoy. I just wish on our video chat I would have been able to share this with my friends. Maybe some day when we come through this. Please everyone stay healthy and safe. We will come through this. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

Dennis Gastineau

9.6

2001 in Nov 2019 with old friends. Lovely full, deep texture, had it before a salmon dinner and really served as an appetizer, so complete and satisfying. Slight cinnamon with absolutely no edge. — 7 years ago

Andres Delgadillo

9.0

Great young wine full of estructure, great with a piece of beef and a great view .. definitely a wine to drink with true friends ! — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.0

What was meant to be a casual dinner with friends over homemade BLTs ended up turning into a full-blown wine dinner.
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This is a solid blend that is sure to please most red wine drinkers who appreciate depth, power, and value. — 7 years ago

with Becca, Taryne and 1 other

Susan Sangiacomo

9.6

Wanted to see if my friends who say they prefer new or old world could tell the difference. They actually could.... they loved both. Even though they were the same vintage, Brand was more full bodied and youthful, but did have a hint of age on it. If I didn’t know the two wines we were blind tasting, I would have thought both were old world. — 7 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.1

Stopped off at a lifelong friends apartment. He likes wine but it does not go beyond that. Says to me after pulling several bottles ( including 2 Rockford BP) from the corner of a very warm room, “What should I do with these wines?” Trying to remain calm, I said , “I think you need to open one.”
Surprisingly, the cork was intact, but totally soaked to the top. What we encountered was a red/purple wine that looked like it was bottled a few years ago. The nose was big and full of dark fruit along with some oak but zero alcohol Taking a small taste I was absolutely taken back by the juiciness & deep plummy flavors swirling around my mouth. I noted very little secondary flavors but the level of acidity shocked me. Tannins were soft and the fish was modest. — 2 years ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.2

Scored a couple of these bad boys from Full Pull for $20. Money spent wisely. Tasting like an old Frenchie, time to drink since it’s starting to lose some flavor. Still a really nice representation of how well WA wine can age. — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

This wine is the 2018 Montepeloso Eneo Costa Toscana. A blend of 70% Sangiovese, 20% Montepulciano and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the nose there is cherry,raspberry, plum, herbs, anise, rose petals, sage and earth.

On the palate we get nice cherry, raspberry, cranberry, mint, spice, star anise and dry soil.

This wine is medium to full bodied with a smooth velvety mouthfeel, medium + to high acidity and medium to medium + fine smooth tannins moving well into a long dark fruit earthy finish. Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy family and friends and please stay healthy and safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.

We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.

While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.

Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.

I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.

He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.

So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.

Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.

As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.

The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.

Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

Oh, what a treat to enjoy a 1999 #Margaux with some close friends. This was full of earthy forest floor, mushrooms, violets, soft spice and tannins that just melt away with such nicely balanced acidity. Here you see the amazing age potential of a #bordeaux. This is an outstanding wine. — 8 years ago

Lauren Spiegel

9.2

Delicious pinot. Full bodied. Lovely to drink with good friends. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

Light straw in color with a golden hue.

Beautiful nose of white flowers, light oak, spices, green and red apples, minerals, vegetables, honey, grapefruits and green tea.

Full bodied, creamy and smooth, with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, green apples, grapefruits, bitter herbs, spices, light vegetables, minerals and black pepper.

Long spicy finish with almonds and spices.

This 7 year old is just gorgeous. Drinking beautifully out of the bottle, and better after 20 minutes of airtime.

Showing great balance with a smooth mouthfeel. Powerful, rich and elegant.

This 2015 vintage is showing lots of fruits, with a nice touch of earthiness.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Tasty by itself as a sipping wine. A great wine to share with friends and talk about.

Robert Parker 96 points.

I've had the 2014 a few years ago, and this is so much better.

A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris. Aged in French oak barrels.

14% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$150. — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

On Christmas Eve with family one of the wines we opened was the 2010 Château Cantemerle. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot from the Haut-Médoc on the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

On the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, leather, licorice, black pepper, cigar box and dark earth.

On the palate was notes of black cherry, blackberry, licorice, espresso, toasted oak and dark gravelly soil. This wine is full bodied with a velvety opulent mouthfeel medium to medium+ acidity and medium+ smooth fine tannins that leaves you with a ling dark fruit earthy finish. What a wonderful wine this was. The Christmas season has been one of sharing with family and friends the love and caring for one another. I hope everyone's Christmas has been the same and as always please stay safe and healthy as we move into a whole new year. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.7

Cheers to my 6,000th review on Vivino. A Big milestone deserves a big wine. This was on my wishlist for a while now. Go big or go home!

Deep inky in color with a short brick rim. Unbelievable. Not showing age at all.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, leather, earth, Mediterranean spices, beef jerky, peppercorn, cedar, leather, vanilla and licorice.

Full bodied, bold, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, sweet plums, vanilla, cedar, light vegetables, spices, smoke, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, cola, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with firm tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon based, Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Showing great complexity and a great mouthfeel. Big with bold tannins. Delicious and yummy.

This 19 year old is drinking very nicely now, and really shows like a young wine. Has at least 15 years in it.

After 3 hours of airtime, forest floor notes come in on the nose. Tasting like an aged left bank Bordeaux.

Wine Advocate 100 points.

This is a Fabulous wine to share with good friends. Very enjoyable by itself or with food. I paired it with BBQ ribs.

Thank you John, for sharing this phenomenal wine with me.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$1,200. — 6 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

The wine I have opened tonight is the 2016 Château La Vieille Cure. 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, bell pepper, black pepper, licorice, violets, oak and earth.

On the palate I am getting nice dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, plum, green bell pepper, leafy herbs, cassis, black pepper and earth.

The wine is medium to full bodied with mouth watering medium + to high acidity and medium + fine tannins that leads right into a long dark fruit finish. This is a very nice Right Bank Bordeaux. I hope everyone is having a great weekend with family and friends? Please be safe and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 6 years ago

Luciano Silva

9.3

I bought this wine in Brazil in November 2018. What an excellent surprise. Full body merlot. We loved the wine and the company of our lovely friends who shared the bottle with us. Cheers. — 7 years ago

with Stephen