Crisp, apples — 6 years ago
Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.
The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.
Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.
The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.
Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago
Nice, cool-climate California Pinot Noir. Good red and dark fruits on the palate. I served it a bit too cold, but as it warmed up, the earthiness that this wine is known for came through. I don’t love California Pinot, but Rhys almost always impresses me. — 5 months ago
Just love this wine, new label! Nice blend of grapes from the Bierzo Valley, biodynamic. Deep Ruby with loads of Berry fruits aromas adding some sweet floral spice and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry with a juicy mineral edge. Well balanced and integrated with fine chalky tannins, lively acidity and a long finish ending with fruit and spicy notes. Tremendous value for such a complex wine. — 2 years ago
Really lively but fantastic. — 6 years ago
OMG delicious! It was suggested this would be great for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll definitely buy a few bottles. — 7 years ago
Not one to drink a lot of white wine but this is a very well balanced wine . Good fruit, acids, minerality , and a bit of cream on the finish. Definitely a great white wine — a month ago
Second wine of this estate located on the southern edge of Saint-Julien, blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, deep Ruby with purple edges, aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, adding notes of cedar and earth. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe blueberry fruit with tobacco, oak and spice. Fine grippy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and wet earthy notes. Should continue to improve over next 5-6 years. — 2 years ago
Medium tannins, ripe blackberries and nice acidity — 5 years ago
The Cos was decanted two hours earlier and that helped lift the aromatics. Slight brown on the edge but plenty of classic Bordeaux fruit. Good cork . Shows very well and was a nice addition to dinner. Still has life and vitality.👍👍 — 6 years ago
This is a seriously good wine. Great nose, great structure and terrific balance from the front palette to the backend. Drinks like a 1990’s Cali cab. Just a baby, it has many years to age! — 7 years ago
Happy 21st Anniversary bottle at the lovely Ranch House in Ojai, CA. Could use another year or 2 in the bottle . A little tannic still, notes if cherries, pomegranate and dill. Great mouth feel and even finish — 7 years ago
Doug Powers
Spice, blue and black fruits, such a lovely cool climate Aussie Shiraz that is a wonderful QPR ($18-22 or so out here), a perfect weekday Shiraz with some ooomph and complexity. — 2 days ago