Brad Jensen

9.2

Light gold with hints of pale green to the edges, the nose on this is very fresh and somewhat vegetal, with notes fresh cold celery alongside the hints of green papaya , baked Citroen tart, and wet river stone. Lots of good tight bubbles, a light to medium body and a real energetic, mineral freshness over a palate of tart yellow stone fruits, a slight yeasty, baked note, but very subtle, mostly mineral and the crisp fruit. Very nice! — a month ago

with Tiva

Jen

9.2

Lovely wine at Alston. Somm recommended it as being between littorai and sea smoke. Elegant with nice fruit and hint of violets, light — 6 months ago

Steve Rura

9.1

Finally opened this one at the right time of year. Mom’s Christmas gift a few years ago from my homeland. Ripe peach, dried apricot, golden raisin, honeysuckle, mandarin zest and orange. Volcanic edge. Very nice acidity on a sweet wine. Great for holiday desserts. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Royal Tokaji – 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2016
Tokaj – Hungary 🇭🇺

Overview
A classic Tokaji Aszú, made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), then macerated with must to create Hungary’s legendary sweet wine. The 5 puttonyos designation signals a rich yet balanced level of sweetness, around 120 g/L residual sugar. (Educational note: “Puttonyos” refers to the traditional baskets of aszú berries added — the higher the number, the sweeter and more concentrated the wine.)

Aromas & Flavors
Lush apricot, honey, and candied orange peel at the forefront, layered with quince, dried fig, and lemon curd. Hints of saffron, ginger, and toasted almond bring exotic spice and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and lusciously sweet, balanced by vibrant acidity that keeps it lifted. Full-bodied yet precise, with a long, honeyed finish that leaves both richness and freshness.

Food Pairings
Perfect with blue cheese, foie gras, or fruit tarts. Also excellent with roasted nuts, crème brûlée, or simply savored on its own as a meditative dessert wine.

Verdict
A benchmark Tokaji — rich, layered, and perfectly balanced. The 2016 vintage of Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú offers indulgence and structure, proving why Tokaji has been called “the wine of kings.” 👑🍷

Did You Know?
Tokaji Aszú is one of the world’s oldest regulated wines — protected since 1737, nearly a century before Bordeaux’s 1855 classification.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Royal Tokaji’s Aszú wines are globally sought after, and a 5 puttonyos 2016 bottling represents both a collectible dessert wine and a piece of vinous history — 9 months ago

Alan Johnston

9.3

3.4. A very good bargain for a smooth Bordeaux, nice mix of fruits, minerals and tannin, somewhat mid-bodied, with smooth finish. Deep red with good nose. On sale for $11.99, regularly $14.99. — 3 years ago

John Malcolm

9.7

Honey and apricots. Outstanding! — 4 years 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. — 6 hours ago

Michael Wehner

9.1

It went well on Christmas Eve with oysters and caviar — 6 months ago

with Margaret

Rufus King

9.0

Very refined Champagne, before dinner with friends in Amherst, MA — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2023 vintage. 9.10.25. — 10 months ago

Karen Tripson

9.6

Dangerously smooth. — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.7

A nice way way to finish — 3 years ago

Andrew Formi

9.0

Thank you Jonathon L . Perfect selection — 4 years ago

Josh Armenta

9.0

Complex wine. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower. — 5 months ago

David Koenen

9.5

Birth year tastings, evening 4.
Polished leather, nuts, ecoline, grilled red pepper, tomato leaf, gingerbread, pepper, salty savoriness, tannins still present, still youthful, lots of future. Muscular! Beautiful. — 9 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — a year ago

Eliot Hamerman

9.3

Drinking great — 2 years ago

Daniel Sullivan

9.5

Brilliant golden hue.
Gunpowder and flint on the nose.
Upright acidity lime and pear palate. — 3 years ago

Jon Bergqvist

9.1

Probably the best bottle of this I’ve had. Perfectly matured classical Rioja. Black cherries, some caramel, no tannins left and piercing acidity. — 4 years ago