Ken Venezio

9.2

Close to the edge of life on this 2018 but still delivers black tea and a bit of spice. Some bright cherry mid palate with wet stone and dusty earth. Still has a nice finish. Very drinkable and just what you'd expect from an aged Santa Lucia Pinot. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

From 375ml.

A very good Rhone producer visited in 2015.

At pop & pour, the fruits almost had a mid berry bubble gum character. That toned down almost immediately. Fruits are ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked plums, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy strawberries, chocolate bar to fudge, grilled, smoked meats, black pepper, dark spice, nutmeg, clove, iron pan, black tea, a touch of rubber toy, slight tarriness, dry herbs, roasted chestnuts, tobacco leaf, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, hints of mint, dark, red flowers, violet’s, nice acidity with a well balanced-structured, stiffly tensioned with a lush finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on earthiness & spice.

Plenty of life left in this 2012, even in 375ml. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I purchased this yesterday from an A+ wine storage facility that also sells its clients wine when requested. This has been stored there since its release. I bought this perfect bottle for $35 because it has sentimental value and for $35 bucks…come on!

In a former life, I only drank well made CA Chardonnay. I know it’s hard even for me to imagine, let alone remember & admit it. Now, I hardly drink CA Chardonnay.

My sisters were visiting and they like reds. So I stopped at the former “Wine Club” retail shop in Santa Clara. It was the 1999 Pine Ridge “Stag’s Leap Cabernet” (2x) I bought that started me down the red rabbit hole. The Andrus is as close to that as I’ll get to their Stag’s Leap bottling at this point. Close enough and one of their best. We enjoyed it with Chinese takeout! 😂

This 99 is just and I mean just the other side of its peak bell curve. Still has another 5 years of life left. It is its unbelievable storage that has kept this 99 fresh as it’s not from not an awful vintage, but certainly not a great one, not like 98. Yet, it still shines 25 years later.

The nose reveals dark currants & cassis. Hints of barrel toast. Brambly blackberries, black raspberries, stewy black plum, poached, dark cherries & strawberries, burnt cranberries, black tea, burnt brush, old tobacco w/ ash, old baking spices, baking soda and dark, red, withering florals.

The palate shows; ripe, juicy, brambly blackberries, black raspberries, stewy black plum, poached, dark cherries & strawberries, burnt cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, black tea, mid berry cola, burnt brush, touch of black pepper, softened, dark spice, old tobacco w/ ash, well used leather, baking spices-clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, cooked caramel. Some dry sage, baking soda, limestone powder, dry top soil, grey volcanics and dark, red, slightly withering florals set in violets, rainfall acidity with an elegant, juicy, well balanced/structured & still showing nice tension on the finish that lasts two-minutes plus.

I had this corvined over two nights and at the halfway point threw some very chunky sediment.

What a great remembrance! — 2 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.8

My only bottle of 82 Mouton, sadly. This was about as classic a Pauillac as it gets. Hard to believe it is 40 years old as it is sitting somewhere in mid-life. Lovely deep currant fruit, pencil lead, fairly seamless and perfectly balanced tannins and everything else. Will think fondly of this one. — 4 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.3

Delicious...we gave it five hours in the decanter. Attractive darkness mid-palate. Herbaceous, dried thyme, cherries, attenuated finish. Clear, singing Nebbiolo with a long life ahead of it. — 5 years ago

with Alsu

Jim McCusker

9.3

Been stored in my cellar since purchasing it at the winery (in 2006 if memory serves). Despite being from Paso Robles, this is a dead-ringer for a 2nd-growth, mid-life Bordeaux (which I’m guessing is exactly what Stephan Asseo had in mind). Rich nose of sweet black currants, toasted oak, hints of anise, and a trace of leather on the edge, the palate is rich and expansive (although a touch of astringency - which you can also pick up on the nose - taking a bit away from an otherwise silky mouthfeel). The tannins are still persistent but lack a bit in terms of providing a spine to the wine, suggesting that this may be on the downslope. Finish is lingering but slightly out of balance (something that may correct with some air time). For a nearly 17-year-old meritage from Paso, however - and actually from anywhere come to think of it - this is terrific. — 6 years ago

with Vanessa

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Made by superstar winemaker, Randy Dunn, of Dunn Vineyards, the 2017 ‘Feather’ by Long Shadows is a masterful effort from this exciting warmer vintage in Washington. Once on the nose there is a lovely round core of toasty oak that wraps around the rich dark fruits, sagebrush and chocolate fudge aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, revealing a round and generous mouthfeel. The seamless effect created mid-palate is utterly fantastic. Black currants and blackberry cordial dance with shades of Black Forest Cake and espresso bean on this highly complex palate. This finishes long with dark fruits and a beam of minerality. While enticing to savor now, the 2017 ‘Feather’ will have a long life ahead of it. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to afford a two hour decant prior to enjoying. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 6 years ago

Her Mir Tage

9.7

1955 Giacomo Conterno Barolo (Ditta) – The "Great Emperor"

Appearance: The wine unfurls in the glass with a majestic, deep garnet core that gracefully fades into a wide brick-orange rim—the unmistakable heraldry of seven decades of life. It is perfectly clear and luminous, promising a profound experience.

Nose (Aroma): The aromatic profile is a walk through an ancient, sacred forest after the rain. It opens with a deep sense of humid earth, fungal truffle, and a subtle, refined smoked leather. As it opens, a beautiful core of blueberry compote and dried dark fruits emerges, intertwined with a complex tapestry of Chinese medicinal herbs and dried florals. It is both powerful and hauntingly ethereal.

Palate (Taste): The palate is a breathtaking journey into umami and complexity. True to the legend, the fruit has transformed into an intense medley of sweet preserved fruit (dried apricot, date). This is immediately met with a profound savory depth: a distinct salted Chinese preserved plum character provides a mouthwatering salinity, while a fine dusting of astragalus root powder and angelica root brings an authentic, warming medicinal bitterness that defines the wine’s regal structure. A hint of spicy dried ginger soda lingers on the mid-palate, adding a lift of unexpected freshness.

Acidity & Structure: The acidity is the heartbeat of this wine—sustained, mellow, and incredibly refined. It does not jab but rather flows continuously, carrying the dense, dried flavors across the palate with remarkable energy. The tannins have fully resolved into a silken, powdery texture, leaving nothing but harmony.

Finish: The finish is eternal, echoing with notes of dried citrus peel, forest floor, and a final whisper of sweet tobacco and herbs. A truly humbling experience; this is not merely a wine, but a living artifact of time, worthy of the title "Great Emperor." — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

A mid straw yellow in colour. Aromas are lemon and lime, lemongrass, mineral, wet hay with toastiness and lanolin starting to emerge at 13 years of age. Light bodied but great intensity - a richer texture for a Semillon, bearing in mind that this wine sees no oak at all - stainless steel all the way. Only 11% alcohol. Luckily I have 4 bottles left - a cellar life extending to 2030+. — 2 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.4

Whoa! Really tasty a fair amount of body and lovely fruit, anise, and herbs. Lovely mid-life structure and balance, plenty of grip without being obnoxious. Glad I have 1 more of these. — 4 years ago

ESF

9.3

Purchased at winery: still a baby, tightly wound & inky, ultimately yielded liqueur like dark fruit & minerals. Big & luscious on mid-palate, gobs of flavor, impeccable balance & polish. This has a long life ahead. — 4 years ago

Ivor

9.2

Aromatic Margaux nose with clear ceder and herbal impressions. In de midst of its life span but stil packed with lush fresh red fruits such as red currant and cherries. Even some more serious raspberries comes by. Ageing gives this wine a Smokey leather mid palate and finishes of with a mineral though. A very pleasant wine that cheers up these awkward times.. — 4 years ago

ESF

9.2

@Lyle Fass thank you for this wine! Big, authentic intoxicating Medoc nose immediately upon opening w/Bing cherry, cassis, boysenberry and raspberry beautifully integrated with savory, bay leaf, mossy tree bark, mushroom, sweet damp Earth and vein of minerality. Seductive inky & opaque, mid to heavyweight, fluid luxurious mid palate with solid tannic structure clenching tightly on finish. Strutted w/roasted leg of lamb. Long life ahead - bump for QPR — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

A simply glorious aged Bordeaux Blanc, shared for my big four zero, the 2004 Pavillion Blanc by Chateau Margaux is silky, opulently textured and has insanely good poise and length. Right out of the gate you are impressed with the range of aromatics from lychee and starfruit to damp earth, wild mushroom and brandy soaked pear. Once on the attack, you are surprised by the freshness imparted in this wine that now stands at sixteen years of age. The soft mouthfeel gives this an err of elegance as the wine effortlessly glides across the mid palate with a bright beam of salinity. The captivating, exceedingly long finish produces the final crescendo. One thing is clear — this beautiful Bordeaux Blanc still has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 97 — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Mid-shoulder fill with top-notch cork. Decanted and tasted after 3 hours. Medium/medium-heavy body. Jello chocolate pudding nose. Chunky mix of dark and milk chocolate flavors in the frontal palate that picked up a hitchhiking, dark plum passenger in the mid-palate and cruised to the finish without any speed bumps. Tannins almost completely integrated. Smooth, rich, weighty, crowd-pleasing finish. Wanted a small, dirty dissenting opinion to further confirm the current harmony/vibe but none was forthcoming. So much life ahead. Zero rush to crush. 08.01.25. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

For me, there are a lot stories associated with this little brother to Leoville Las Cases. Made by the same technical team, but certainly a different terroir.

Older vintages that were brought in by Clyde Beffa at K&L Wine Merchants kept me from opening my more expensive-younger Bordeaux in my collection. Starting w/ the 97 vintage well after its original release, I believe they sold through two lots of 5,000 cases over different years. A vintage crushed by critics. But with some long time cellar, value & quality. Magic!

This has always shown me QPR and to be a great fatty steak wine- Ribeye or Ribcap.

The 2007 Bordeaux vintage, critically not well reviewed. With basically 16 yrs plus in bottle, more special.

This has really come around and still ascending. Ripe, elegant, lush; dark currents, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherry skin, black plum skin, poached strawberries, black, rich, turned earth with dry leaves, moist & dry clays, graphite, tobacco w/ ash, slightly used leather, dry river stone, limestone minerals, dry top soil, pepper, some sweet tarriness, mix of fresh & dry herbs, mid, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & understated vanillin, dry, withering, dark & red florals, nice acidity with good tension, structure, finally balanced & elegant finish that lands squarely on soften earthiness, some spice and lasts two-minutes.

This still has 15 years plus of life ahead.

Paired with Costco Prime Ribcaps. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1994 vintage. Trick or treat. Decanted and tasted multiple times over two hours. Light-medium body. Fantastic, old-school BDX nose. Somewhat linear as someone else proffered but still plenty of life. At least another half-decade in this place. Was just missing a little fruit in the front/mid-palates. Cork was solid but juice tasted like a second bottle might have some variation on the positive side. May find out sooner rather than later. 10.31.23. — 3 years ago

Mark Howard

9.8

WOW! One of the best pleasures in life is enjoying a spectacular wine at its pinnacle. Tonight was one of those nights. Dining with life long friends we enjoyed this wine. A dear friend selected this bottle as a backup for dinner. A definite case of Wally Pip taking the day off. This wine is not just peaking, it sings from the glass. Everything you expect from a classic Napa Cab with the style, elegance, and finesse of a First Growth in spades! You want aromatics, here is red and black fruits, cigar tobacco, lavender, anise, scorched earth, Asian spice…okay so we drifted into mid palate yummy flavors. A finish that lingers while dancing over the palate for more than 30 seconds, titillating the taste buds into pleasurable submission. Did I mention the WOW factor? This wine has it! Where can we find more?!?? What a spectacular selection! — 4 years ago

with Elizabeth

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 6 years ago