Tom Casagrande

9.2

Truncated notes. Not as ripe as expected. “13 2/3%” alcohol (who puts fractions on a label?). Reminded me of a tannic Pomerol from a not too ripe vintage. Rustic mouthfeel.

UPDATE: on night two, after overnighting under a vacuum closure, this has really improved. A lot. Intense plummy fruit on the nose. Stony, smoky gravel scents, and on the palate, the rich Merlot fruit coming out, more velvety textured. Upping from a 8.8 to. 9.2. Obviously, the way this improved, it will likely benefit from air. I am quite chagrined my initial impression was so off. — 6 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.5

Blend of Chardonnay (55%) and Pinot Noir (45%). Pale gold color. Aromas of freshly baked bread, toasted nuts, white flowers, citrus zest and a chalky/smoky note. Flavors of grapefruit, green apple, tropical fruits, roasted nuts, and a lovely note of brioche. Long and lingering mineral driven finish. Vibrant acidity along with wonderful tension and complexity. Creamy mousse and texture with a steady stream of fine bubbles. So beautifully savory. Thank you Jason B. for sharing this beautiful wine (and storing it so well) to toast Matt A’s 50th Birthday! — 15 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.5

2018. Absolutely gorgeous on nose. Cigar box, dark fruit, beautiful development. Bit of a tannic behemoth. But backed with ripe and fine tannins. In palate complexity and a long finish. Brilliant. — a month ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Tasted blind. Deeper slightly brighter in colour, deeper ruby and a thinner garnet rim . Bit more closed and deeper in fruit , grafite , blackcurrants , wet stones , mineral . There is also a seaside , sea shore hint coming back to this . On the palate this has more volume than 1 , richer in style . More dusty and drier tannins , balanced acidity and good grafite tinged length . Mouton ? Lovely depth and expressiveness , exuberante, young still but with time really shows well. From now and over the next 10 -15 years. This was the Lafite , which surprised me , but still a beautiful wine. — a month ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2024 Vintage. Vibrant ruby red in color. Pleasant aromas of fruit and spice on the nose with subtle earthy tones. Cherry, vanilla, and spice on the palate, very soft tannins with a smooth finish. Phenomenal Willamette Pinot for the price. Would enjoy again. — 2 months ago

John Miller

9.5

Worth the hype — 3 months ago

Pete

9.5

Loved it! Green apple, pear, some leather, well balanced, clean finish. NZ did it again. Definitely would buy again — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder in Napa Valley is drinking beautifully already, although needs a few years to reach its peak.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Rich and extracted, yet elegant. Fruit forward and engaging.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 95 point wine.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$90. — 25 days ago

Jason Gelman

9.7

First time trying a first growth bordeaux. did not disappoint. beautiful aromas, richness of flavor, extremely long finish. wonderful. — 14 days ago

David Koenen

9.3

An enchantingly beautiful nose. Licorice, walnut, ink, cured meats. Fresh and energetic, yet also powerful and round. On the palate, the tannins and acidity create an impression that is still quite boisterous. It is beginning to enter its drinking window, but there is no rush. Once the acidity and tannins have integrated further—perhaps in a year or three—it will, quite possibly, become even more lovely. 93+ — a day ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

Excellent follow up to the classic 2016 Vintage. Blend of Mourvèdre (30%), Grenache (30%), Syrah (15%), Counoise (10%) and the balance (15%) made up of other approved CDP varietals led by Vaccarese’. Aromas of red and black fruit, garrigue, leather and earth. Flavors of black raspberries, currants and cherries, Asian spices, smoked meat and truffles. Long and lingering (slightly spicy) finish and beautiful balance. Full bodied and dense, but not overpowering. Fine grained tannins and amazing complexity. Great now, but there is another decade (or so) of aging potential. Just incredible. — a month ago

Jon Tate

9.1

Beautiful wine had at Isidore San Antonio with clients. Great big bold cab had with steak. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Light golden in color.

Beautiful nose of honeydew, apples, honeysuckle, tropical fruits, spices and melons.

Full-bodied with high acidity and long legs.

Sweet on the palate with apples, citrus, mangoes, spices, honeysuckle, herbs, honey and light earth.

Long finish with sweet honey notes.

This delicious 9 year old Sauternes is drinking beautifully now. Complex and interesting. Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Feels very fresh, but a bit subdued and earthier right now, compared to other vintages. Will continue to age nicely in the next 40 years.

Loved the nose more than the palate here. So expressive.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Robert Parker 99 points.

A blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months. Drank from a 750ml bottle.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$450. — 2 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.7

Painfully young. Chockfull of quality and promise. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Wow. What a beautiful bottle. Deep and funky with purity and a tarry edge. Amazing resolved, complex, soulful and fascinating fruit. Just stunning — 5 hours ago

with Bex and Naoko

GaryWEdwards

9.6

I would probably only have this beautiful wine only 10 years later but the 375ml brings things forward, showing why this winter if 2016 vintage is so highly regarded. I think the juice is ready now but will be a long runner for decades — 8 hours ago

"Odedi"

9.5

Dark ruby/ inky in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.

Strong nose of black currant, blackberries, black plums, black cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, light earth, herbs, mediterranean spices, black tea and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, light cedar, earth, cherries, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, black tea, herbs, light vanilla, mediterranean spices and dark chocolates.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced with great complexity.

Needs 2 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

This 17 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is starting to drink at its peak, although I'm drinking out of a Magnum.

Showing a beautiful nose with lots of complexity. Rich and extracted, elegant and powerful.

Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Enthusiasts 96 points. Wine Spectator 91 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Aged for 24 months in all new French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$450 (Magnum). — 8 days ago

Norman

9.0

It didn’t compare to the others. Still going strong and no browning but wanted more weight and punch. — 2 months ago

Benjamin Hickey

8.9

Light red fruit, very soft — 3 months 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