
My second time drinking this vintage. The first time I had a small sip and absolute love it. This time I decided to have the whole bottle. It was gorgeous. Herbal, dried fruits and elegant like grass jelly. — 4 months ago
Exceptional concentration via whole cluster extraction. A richness that rivals that of California cabs 😳 — 9 months ago
Plum fruitiness with peppery aftertaste. — 9 months ago
The 2012 Les Carmes Haut-Brion was the first vintage with whole bunches (40%) and 18 months in barrel. It was the introductory vintage under current winemaker Guillaume Pouthier. This is much more enticing on the nose after the 2011: well-defined black cherries, cola, peppermint, light rose petal scents and a hint of marmalade that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, more freshness and tension than the 2011, and frankly, you would never be able to tell there was whole bunch here. This appears to be maturing with style and panache, but it will give another decade or more of drinking pleasure. Tasted at the Les Carmes Haut-Brion vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2012)
— 4 years ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Deep purple in color with a short, cloudy purple rim.
Strong nose of black currants, black plums, stewed cherries, dried figs, raisins, ginger, oak, eucalyptus, spices, green beans and peppercorn.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruit forward on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, chocolates, herbs, spices and coffee.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This 16 year old Grenache from California feels like it peaked a few years ago, but still drinking beautifully. Elegant and rich.
The Syrah notes are very dominant, especially right out of the bottle.
Complex and interesting, with a beautiful nose. Extracted and fruit forward.
Robert Parker 96 points.
Needed 2 hours to open up, and delicious by itself as a sipping wine.
A blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.
15.6% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$330. — 7 months ago
Stunning pinot and testament to how Tasmania has benefitted from climate change and now taken its place at the top of Australian pinot, along with Yarra, Geelong, and Mornington. The nose is all dusty cherry and deep savoury spice. The palate is elegant, but the impact and concentration of dark cherry fruit is what makes this special. A hint of herbal/vegetal whole bunch. Then the savoury sandalwood kicks in and does not give up. One of the longest finishes i can remember. Cracking. — 2 years ago
Shay A

I’ve been on the lookout for Mayer wines here in the US and happened to find a bottle in a retail shop while out of state visiting some family. I’m shocked much makes it to the states with roughly 160 cases of this wine produced.
100% whole cluster; 13.5%ABV
My immediate thought after popping and pouring was that if Cayuse made a Pinot, it would smell like this. So much stemmy/herbal/savory aromatics with peppered rhubarb and red berries. Translucent ruby in the glass (closer to darker-style rosé’s in color). The funk continues on the palate (in a delicious way) with more stemmy and savory spice, cranberries, and black tea. The stems give this nice tannin structure while the acidity here is vibrant…keeps you going back for another sip. I followed over two days and it stayed pretty consistent.
This is 100% up my alley and a wine I’d love to acquire more of. Very curious how these age (because it seems like they would hold wonderfully). — a day ago