Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.

Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.

The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.

This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.

Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I haven’t had a Bordeaux in a while. Especially, with a Ribcap. So, why not an 82? The vintage Robert Parker made his career as the only critic who called it correctly.

Very good 80’s Bordeaux were my first true wine love. Their style & 12-13% ABV will always be my cherished infatuation. Wished it had never changed.

Bought this Calon Segur on the secondary market several yrs ago. Tricky cork. Used my Durand. All good. Fill line perfect, no bottle neck tannin burn but plenty of velvety sediment.

If any of you ever wondered why there is a heart on the label. Here is the interesting reason…

It symbolizes the estate's deep-rooted history and the affection of its former owner, the Marquis de Ségur. Despite owning prestigious estates like Château Lafite and Château Latour, he famously declared, "I make wine at Lafite and Latour, but my heart is at Calon." His sentiment is immortalized by the heart emblem on the label.

Opened it and let it breathe from the bottle for 45 minutes. Tasted it and decanting it in stages. Then, stopped 1/2 way through and poured the bottom half of the bottle from the bottle.

82 is such a grand, classic vintage. For the most part, I drink Calon Segur’s too early, even at 20 yrs of age. I don’t want to say it is a long in tooth as its neighbor, Montrose, but it is close. This 82 is drinking perfectly w/ 41 yrs in bottle and will hold another 5 yrs. Such soft, perfectly darkish spices with elegantly ripe fruits.

This 82 glides over the palate. There is only beautiful elegance, nothing bites back. The fruits are older (not old or past their prime), ripe fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums but lean plum vs black, dark cherries, crazy, outstanding, hoovering raspberries with notes of blueberries & shades of freshly picked rhubarb. Some black cherry cola, anise to understated black licorice, dark chocolate pudding, caramel, layered, gentle baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, touch of sun tea, old leather, dryish to fresh tobacco w/ash, charcoal, elegant graphite, dry limestone powder, dry river pebbles, black, rich earth w/ dry leaves, magical, dark spices, grey volcanics, dry stems, just a hint of dry herbs, dry top soil, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, red roses, grand acidity with perfect; balance, tension, structure and a grand, gentle finish that goes on & on and eventually lands on an amazing soft buffet of earthiness.

This is a wine that is technically a 94, but w/ evolution & style a 97. Amazing bottle that you don’t want to end.

$500 a bottle today through the app. Somewhere around $10 upon release. — 6 months ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

W&S Top 100. I just had the 2016, now the 2017 appears. Blau is wow. — 7 years ago

with Mark

B

10

1993 Leroy Clos de Vougeot. Dinner at Ac House w A&S. Opened for 45 min but didn’t decant. Amazing. Plum, strawberry, cherry. Not too sweet. Excellent. — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.6

I 💗 Figeac & as one of the top wines of 2015, that I paid £110 for but now £200+ as it’s a 98-100 pointer, I couldn’t wait to pop one 😊

This is drinking superb young & will indeed be a superstar 😍

🏵 96 points w/ 98+ potential

🍇 43% Cab S, 29% Merlot & 28% Cab F

🍷 Opaque deep purple ruby

👃 Heady deep rich blackcurrant & dark plum w/ soft oak, red liquorice, cocoa cream butter, rock minerals, minty herbs & soggy earth - Bordeaux nasal sex

👄 Med+ body of silky creamy plump oozy blackcurrant & dark bursting plums through cocoa, violets & minerals w/ a touch of raspberry liquorice

🎯 Long mineral infused, touch dry, black fruit bomb w/ a cocoa tickle — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.5

😍 @ £31 this Musar is top & I’ve reviewed a few times 👍 personally i find it the best of many vintages I’ve had & not as funky as others 😉

🏵 495 points

🍇 Cab S, Cinsault & Carignan

🍷 Garnet cherry w/ brick edge

👃 Smokey oaky spiced leather infused cherry choc gateaux, red potpourri, prune compote, red berry jam, barnyard, mushroom risotto & herbs - gorgeous in a Zalto Burg 😎

👄 Med balanced body of earthy smooth red cherry in mocha, date & prune sauce w/ strawberry & redcurrant tones

🎯 Med+ earthy red berry/cherry gateaux💥 — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

My continuing quest to taste as many 22’s as possible.

The nose shows, rich, candied and floral fruits that are: blackberries dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries on the edges with just a touch of freshly picked rhubarb. Soft minerals & baking spices and bright candied dark, red and purple flowers.

The palate shows ripe, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and poached strawberries. Dark chocolate, caramel notes, red cola & licorice, fresh & dry herbs, dark, smooth spices, dark, rich, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry twigs, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, dry stone & top soil, barrel shavings, dry tobacco w/ ash, limestone, grey volcanics dark, red candied with some withering flowers with violets, excellent acidity with a round, lush, well made, balance, mid tension, elegant finish that last ninety seconds and lands squarely on spice, clove and dry minerals.

This should be cellared 8-10 and enjoyed over the next 15-20 years plus properly stored.

At $1,140 a bottle, a hard pass for many, but excellent wine with potential for another 2 points w/ age. — 2 years ago

Dan Cobb

9.1

Heavy spice, some anise. W MIchelle Carr — 5 years ago

Paul Masson

9.0

Off-dry. Mineral city — 5 years ago

Brian Reedy

9.2

Delicious. Classic Bob Cabral and W/S. Deep luscious fruit, bright acidity and balance. — 7 years ago

Mike Mayer

9.1

Another wonderful Merlot. Mountain wines are known for beautiful dark color, intense aromatics and full bodied flavors. This Howell Mountain wine does not disappoint. Beautiful ruby red color and great aromas of blue fruit, cedar and a little earthiness. The tannins on this young wine are very apparent but seem to integrate nicely with the intense flavors of blueberries and baking spices while in your mouth. I am sure this wine will improve with age but it drinks very well today. — 8 years ago

with Lisa

B

10

2011 Clos St. Jacques Gevrey-Chambertin. Dinner w A&S. Didn’t decant and it was great, but next time, definitely note to decant. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I need to start w/ a little preamble.

For me, Pessac-Leognan was a late comer Bordeaux region. The last one I gravitated to in my 26 yr Bordeaux experience.

Nearly all the previous 2000 Bordeaux’s I’ve had up to this point needed a lot more cellaring. Mostly 1st & 2nd Growths, some 3rd. This 2000 started lean…lacking depth & a bigger tannin profile. But that is not entirely uncharacteristic for older Pessac’s. It seemed slightly more late in its drinking window. It picked up weight in the decanter at 2 1/2 hours and then showed more weight & depth w/ my Ribcap.

This started elegant w/ soft Bordeaux characteristics. Beauty & elegance as I understand it in Bordeaux’s from this region and this kind of age. But lacked 2000 earthiness & depth. For me, this is a 3rd tier Pessac producer, my terminology. Not up there with Haut Bailly or Pape Clement and of course Haut Brion.

2000’s up to this point have shown great depth & deep characteristics. Most needing longer than anticipated aging.

This was beautiful, elegant but lean based on previous definitions. Early on it seemly felt like it was a drink up in the next 3 yrs w/o the steak. With a longish decant & steak, more 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows muddled to slightly stewy; dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, some mushroom notes, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles-top soils with dark, red, withering flowers.

The palate shows beautiful elegance with nothing that bites back. Perfectly resolved velvety tannins. Ripe, juicy, somewhat ruby fruits. Yet, have slightly stewy characteristics. Dark currants, blackberries, black cherries, both plums to pudding, poached strawberries, black raspberries and haunting blueberries, red cola, dark chocolate, softly layered & even baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid, dark, Asian spices, dry herbs, dry leather-tobacco, softened, nearly sweet graphite, moist clay, hints of pepper, rich, darkish soils with dry leaves, charcoal, volcanic ash, steeped tea, limestone/sandstone, dry twig, dry pebbles, dry top soils with dark, red, withering flowers, near perfect acidity, well balanced w/ softened structure/tension, great length and an elegant finish that goes on and on and long sets on spice & clay.

Almost new cork and little to no sediment.

92-93 with a long decant & a rich, fatty steak-Ribcap. First taste after pouring into the decanter, 90.

Photos of; Haut-Bergey, Paul Garcin-Managing Director and Francois Prouteau-Cellar Master. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1985 vintage. Decanted. Underrated vintage and port. 70's and 90's declared years got all the pub and ridiculous ratings. Still über-grapey but with decent structure. Another decade and a half should find this maximized for pleasure. 8.19.23. — 3 years ago

ESF

9.2

Idiosyncratic orange wine that is now more rust/brown… dizzying nose - almost impossible to encapsulate: dried orange rind, yellow orchard fruit, potpourri, spice but more like herbal bitters, incense like oud, savory, burnt caramel, etc. Just amazing. Fleshy on palate, drinks bigger than one would expect. Structured if a bit lumbering, more austere on palate w/yellow pitted fruit & umami. Great length & persistence, grippy, bitter mixed w/sweet spice like cinnamon. Cerebral stuff — 5 years ago

Gina Puente

9.8

Celebration anyone? Or just u deserve it? Incredible drink now w full mouth and enough acidity + bubbles, such the satisfying experience. I feel blessed. — 6 years ago

Chris England

9.4

II’ve loved all the Sandhi 2012 range of whites & this £65 S&B is superb 👍 Paired with enough curry to get a small village going regular for a week 🤣 💨 sorry I didn’t take pics of that feast 😁

📍 Sandhi Sandford & Benedict Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 @sandhiwines

🏵 94 points

🍷 Golden yellow

👃 Chopped pineapple, crushed rock mineral, lemon oil, key lime pie, honey gloop & white jasmine flowers w/ light oak, vanilla & apple

👄 Med+ body of creamy refreshing clean tropical & citrus yummyness without being overly syrupy & a hit of green apple, pineapple, honey & minerality in med acidity

🎯 Med+ fresh apple, citrus & tropical trickle w/ a dry mineral honeyed pineapple slapette — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

A surprising lighter style Pauillac for an 05 but @ £90+ it’s in a nice place, but a touch disappointing compared to others such as the amazing 2000 😁

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 64% Cab S, 29% Mer, 6% Cab F, and 1% Pet V

🍷 Blackened ruby

👃 Warm oak, soggy earthy leaves, gravel, minerals, pencil lead through dark berries & plum w/ mocha

👄 Med body of smooth rich blackcurrant, damson & red/black currants w/ a mineral mocha & mineral undertone

🎯 Med red & dark berry kick w/ touch dry minerals, light mocha & liquorice

— 8 years ago

Chris England

9.6

I very rarely say this for an expensive wine but this Graves is worth every penny @ £117+ as it will just kept getting better & better but is already divine 😍

🏵 96 points

🍇 64% Cab S, 30% Mer, 5% Cab F & 1% Pet V

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Minerals & pencil lead through spiced black berry/currant & blueberry w/ soft char-smoked oak, mocha & gravel

👄 Med+ dark plummy silky smooth body of gloopy blackcurrant in chewy liquorice & creamy mocha goo

🎯 Long dark gooey fruity plummy sticky liquorice linger w/ mocha & mineral hit — 8 years ago