Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2019 “Isosceles” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark brambles, crème de cassis, tobacco, Fresno chilis, Mexican chocolate, dry earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. This is a big, powerful wine but it’s fairly balanced. I would drink now though it probably wouldn’t struggle to see past 2029. — 2 days ago

Jason Gelman

9.1

15 Les Picasses from Olga Raffault. Shows very nice, leans smokey and peppery. — 16 days ago

Victor Hsu

9.0

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 8 days ago

Tyler Felous

10

Finally had my a-ha moment with this wine (after opening a 16 too early). 07 was just beautiful - kept growing in stature over the 3 hour meal. Drank in Venice to celebrate our anniversary. — 8 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Face off of the 2010 Cabernets with FirstLight Steak tenderloin. Dancing Bear comes out the winner with a touch more fruit and depth to it over the Quilceda Creek. Both wines decanted 90 mins. Smooth yet complex. — 21 days ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

My WOTN! Blinded, I instinctively centred in on an Italian red and was thinking along the lines of a blend from Tuscany. I just felt it had some Cab inside and right I was, but wine was pretty far off from Tuscany. A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Cab Sauv, and Cab Franc from Veneto. Wildly aromatic with notes of blackcurrants, plums, dried herbs and flowers, and traces of wood. The palate was fresh and quite plush, with some sour cherry notes and mineral nuances giving it plenty of energy. Absolutely banging with smoked beef and pork ribs. Note the happy baby in the background. — 16 days ago

with Michelle

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2016 vintage, PNP but shoulda decanted and double-parked for 2+ hours. Pretty nose. Medium body but fleshier (St. Émilion style) than led to believe. Was nice but missing the taut balance of fruit and tannins that this producer has been so good with the last handful of vintages. 6.14.24. — 3 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Good fill. Excellent cork with minimal saturation. Decanted and throwing a tad extra sediment…a nice mix of chunky and powdery sed. Tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours open and decanted. Light-medium body. Dark cherry and earth in the nose. These transferred over and slapped on a fudge chocolate note on the finish. In a good place now and not improving. Would seem to hold steady in this standing for another 3-4 years. 6.6.24. — 11 days ago

John Van Trijp

9.9

This is still primair. But what a big and beautiful wine! — 6 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Just entering its drinking window. It has 40 years ahead of it. Excellent with Ribcap from Costco.

Interesting that there are some vegetable notes on the nose.

Very good evolution. Medium plus tannins. Juicy, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, darkest cherries, black plum/ with skin, ripe strawberries, some blue fruit hues, cedar, black licorice/cola, dark rich earth w/ leaves, sandstone, steeped sun tea, light limestone powder, ripe, light, dark spice, clove, light cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, vanillin, moist volcanic clay, fresh red, dark flowers, framed in violets, round acidity with polish/balance, softly tensioned, elegant that falls on mineral & clay that lasts two-minutes. — 22 days ago