Mark Osmers

8.9

An impressive Cabernet Savignon from Paso. All the boldness I want with flavors of dark cherry and oak.

Surprised and delighted with this one!! — 15 days ago

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9.3

The 2019 Durfort-Vivens was matured in two-thirds new oak barrels and one-third in amphorae. Plush on the nose with blueberry and violet scents, this is Margaux in style though much tighter than I anticipated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine delineation and poise. It's pretty delineated towards the finish that shows more mineralité than previous vintages. There is an appealing linearity here, a trait that Gonzague Lurton seeks in his wines. Excellent. Tasted at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

Scott Petrus

9.4

Amazing Pinot Noir. Nuance and aromatics lead to a constantly revolving wine. German Pinot >>>>>> Cali Pinot. — 3 years ago

Robert Torretti

9.1

Had two bottles on Thursday, August 5th. The party had a different dishes including lamb chops, ribeye steak and one had soft shell crabs. Solid wine with some remaining fruit (but in 3-5 years the fruit may have passed), and good amounts of tobacco, cedar and leather. The first bottle was a little green bell pepper, as you would expect with some under ripe cab franc. The second bottle was better integrated, but had fewer fans at the table. — 3 years ago

with James

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9.6

Hailing from one of the premier sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands, planted in 1996, the 2022 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard is flat-out gorgeous. Beautifully rendered, it boasts generous fruit density, crystal-clear delineation of flavors and bracing structure. Fully destemmed, the 2022 finishes with a ton of persistence in its dark berry flavors, even darker cherry, black licorice and black sage. The 2022 leaves behind a fine web of powdery tannins, neatly wrapped up with a little bow on top, concentrated, effusive, and ready to rock. What a complete package. This may be the red wine of the vintage in the SLH. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— 3 months ago

CA Haynam

9.4

Huge fruity nose, totally opaque dark purple, tastes of red fruit - particularly raspberry with a hint of strawberry. Bold but not overwhelming tannins on the finish. Delicious. — 3 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Six Pinots, all made by Ed Kurtzman, of August West and Roar fame who also consults to Freeman and Mansfield Dunn. Ed joined our tasting. Elegant — 3 years ago

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9.2

The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

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9.4

The 2011 Climens has a fresh, lifted, mineral-driven bouquet which has closed down a little. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh. A lively, tensile finish, with hints of stem ginger thatlinger on the aftertaste. This is drinking beautifully. Tasted at the Climens vertical at the château in April 2022. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2022)
— 2 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.0

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting. I found this to be elegant and delicious. — 3 years ago