Timothy Lynch

9.1

A racy MdB that jostles between Meyer lemons and oyster shell salinity. I’m missing the sur lie component but that’s OK. After taste is a good five minutes allowing for some white flowers to make an appearance. All in on this one. — a year ago

Ericsson

9.5

This vintage is amazing. Just hearty on the palate. Velvety. Plush. Balanced. Great contrast between just ripe dark and red fruit, tannins and earthiness. Best of five verticals of Barre Azure I’ve tasted. Impressionism on the palate. Cheers. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note from October 2019. As mentioned this garnered 98 points from prestigious UK Wine magazine, Decanter and only cost $24. Excusing the child like label, the contents are very good from a region in Henty/Drumborg better known for their superb Rieslings. Aromas of Carbonic Maceration - confectionery which developed into a dried cherry component and with time rose petals. A lovely savoury driven light to medium weight palate married nicely with the oak. — 3 years ago

Martin Bergo

9.0

In a five-liter bottle, this 2010 is great; good balance between fruit, acids, alcohol, underbrush herbacious flavors, and importantly the oak. Thanks @AndersTillander for sharing! — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.2

A project between Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez. I think I’ve had this for at least five years and have never known the ideal time to open it. I don’t drink much petite sirah, but when TX barbecue is the food on the table, I figured this would work, and it did.

48 months in barrel! Inky in the glass with aromatics of potpurri, fresh squeezed dark berries, mixed berry cobbler, and espresso. Expecting a brash profile on the palate, I was greeted by a rather tame (albeit juicy) style which had great mid-palate depth. Freshly squeezed raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red and black currant, hint of peppered rhubarb and dark chocolate. Compared to other PS wines I’ve enjoyed (Switchback Ridge, Vincent Arroyo) this is less chocolate and spice driven, but the juicy and rich mid palate is there in spades. Oak tannin at the finish but not harsh. Paired really well with TX brisket and sauce. Seems to be in a good window now, but PS always seems to me like it can hold for a while, so no rush. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Pretty golden in color.

Strong nose of citrus, oak, vanilla, Indian spices, lemons, apples, pears, light earth and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, apples, pears, light vegetables, earth, spices and white pepper.

Nice finish with spices and limes.

This is a very nice Chardonnay from Edna Valley in California. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.

Showing nice balance between the oak and the fruits, with nice complexity.

This Single Vineyard will age nicely in the next five years.

I paired it with a charcuterie board. A delicious wine.

13.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$58. — 3 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

This wine was absolutely stunning after a 2 hour decant! Beautiful balance between earth, acidity and fruit! Would love to find another and give it five more years! — 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

It’s been a while between Curly pinots. Always a joy to open one, with fond memories attached along with the pleasure of the wine itself. Despite five years from vintage, this is still young and stern but elegant. Clear lines and structure, a spicy, cedary top note amongst red fruit and firm but soft tannins. Clean, I’d call it, plus whole bunch characters. Quality pinot undoubtedly, that should improve even more. — 2 years ago

with Sam

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago

Will Stanley

9.3

Lemon sherbert! Sounds silly, but this was a prominent note both on the first and second night. Garrigue, some savoury meaty quality on top of the abundance of bright red fruit (particularly blackcurrant here), cocoa and liquorice. Fine tannins, some spice and enough acidity to keep the alcohol in check and the wine fresh. Seductive. Rich. Totally absorbing. Really, really enjoyable and certainly as good as CDRV gets. Very difficult deciding between a 93 and 94 point rating, but in the end - though comparisons can quite easily be drawn between this and a CDP - it finishes a touch short and lacks the latter’s intensity in the best examples. But, remember, this is a ‘basic’ Rhône wine and as such it is superb, and will benefit from another five to ten years’ ageing. — 4 years ago