Brands For Fans

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

2000 vintage. Never a fave L-B vintage as it has always seemed a little too much sizzle and not enuff steak. FF two decades and said wine is drinking more like a Napa cab vs a BDX. Chunky and in a state of transition (discombobulated) but still medium-heavy body after two+ decades. The 2005 is more affordable and drinking better, imho, currently. Will this effort will ever round into form for dedicated L-B fans going back to the 1985 vintage? Not tasting it. Storybook fill and cork. Decanted and tasted immediately, after 30 mins and after two hours. Aggressive sed. 7.3.24. — 5 months ago

Ted, Andrew and 18 others liked this

Koutsoyiannopoulos

Santorini White Blend 2017

Jeremy Shanker
9.1

One of Greece’s best kept secrets. Love the Koutsoyannopoulos wines. For fans of Hatzidakis and Sigalas. — 3 years ago

David, Vin and 5 others liked this

Janzen Vineyards

Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Good but pretty one dimensional. Sure it has a lot of fans many things for less $ I’d rather drink — 5 years ago

Tardieu-Laurent

Vieilles Vignes Saint-Joseph Syrah 2015

Blueberry compote, Raspberry, Plum. Nice combo of rich fruit with and edge of tartness. All classic secondaries are present: cured meat, black pepper, smoke. Showing the vintage, for sure. I like this expression of Saint-Joseph and think Syrah fans of all regions would find something pleasing in this bottle. — 6 years ago

Daniel P., Anthony and 2 others liked this
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

👍 good to read, I just bought the 2015 Cote-Rotie and the CdP Cuvee Speciale

Marc Sorrel

Hermitage Blanc White Rhone Blend 2014

Shay A
9.3

This bordered on “really good” and “exceptional”. With being so young for a white Rhône, I’m sure this will push in to exceptional territory rather easily within 5-10yrs.

A producer I don’t know much about, but being a fan of all things northern Rhône, I wanted to roll the dice. 100% marsanne. I opted to open this early as I have the opportunity to buy a few more bottles, so I wanted to check in.

The aromatics and palate are quite different. Channeling a kiss of that nutty and rich profile on the nose up front, but the palate sports quite a bit of bright lemon zest and almost more reductive like notes (smoky) before the finish fans out with honey roasted cashews, almond skin, and some wax. Orange blossom type notes are here, but faint.

This changed immensely with 2+hrs of air in the bottle, so the rollercoaster is just beginning. Delicious.
— 3 years ago

Joshua, Paul and 37 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Magnum, A bit disjointed, better really young for Fruitbomb Fans. Cheers 🍇🍷 — 4 years ago

Tom, Neil and 24 others liked this
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Boo 🍇 💣 !👎🏼 the 2010 was the last one I remember being very good.

Philippe Alliet

Chinon Cabernet Franc 2017

I always enjoy this wine, and the 2017 is another great vintage. Smells like fresh veggies, herbs, and tart red and black fruit. Great acidity with a spicy, grippy finish. Obviously, this isn’t everyone’s bag, but for fans of this style it’s very good. — 6 years ago

Mark, Bill and 3 others liked this

Morlet Family Vineyards

Ma Douce Sonoma County Chardonnay 2016

Shay A
9.4

Every time I have a Morlet Chardonnay, I wonder why I don’t enjoy them more often.

Pop and pour and 100% open for business. It has this unique toasted marshmallow aromatic that I always associate with Marcassin (funny enough, this vineyard isn’t too far from Marcassin in Fort Ross Seaview), along with such sweet, juicy tropical fruit like peach and guava, as well as honey roasted cashews. Up front is seems like it’s going to coat the entire mouth, but it fans out in a really elegant profile (sea salt dusted lemon scone, yellow fruits, honeysuckle) with a nice zip of acidity on the finish. Absolutely delicious right now, and I don’t see this getting much (if any) better.
— 3 years ago

Jan, Severn and 44 others liked this

Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils

Vaillon Chablis 1er Cru Chardonnay 2019

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2019 Chablis Vaillon 1er Cru has a gorgeous, intense bouquet of orange blossom, lemon verbena and light flinty scents, all beautifully defined. The palate is well balanced: quite extravagant for a Vaillon, yet tensile and edgy. It fans out wonderfully on the finish. Excellent. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2021)
— 3 years ago

Dominio do Bibei

Lalama Ribeira Sacra Mencía 2014

This is particularly beautiful and well-crafted as well as quite Burgundian. All of the typical floral and high toned red fruits of the region, but with a bit of manure and damp mushrooms. The fruit is sweet and sappy framed by firm muscular tannins and accented with intense minerality and white pepper. Energetic, focused and multi-layered. Highly recommended for Mencía and Burgundy fans. — 5 years ago

P and Daniel P. liked this