Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2020 vintage. Still nice. Checking off plenty of boxes but missing length of pleasure/enjoyment in a few areas. Not sure it improves but def holds steady as a big step above a daily drinker but not as engaging as a decent, classified growth. Not as gratuitous as some previous efforts but plenty pretty. 6.13.24. — 21 days ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

Perfectly ripe black and red fruit. Grippy tannins, but still gives a nice mouthfeel. Not a lot of complexity. Great wine that has a lot of life left. Really enjoyable but hard to see how RP gave it a 100. — 18 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs. — 2 months ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.6

I personally saved this wine from my cellar. It’s the year I was married. It’s as fresh as when I purchased it. Deep purple color. Smooth as silk. No aftertaste. Wonderful earthy tastes. Some plums. Just wonderful. — 9 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

Bottled in June 2023, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ended up slightly below my initial assessment from barrel last year. Nonetheless, it presents a distinctively elegant and refreshing character that’s neatly defined by ripe black cherry, licorice, violet, strawberry and meaty traces. Round tannins neatly frame this savory and polished red that offers highly enjoyable drinking right out of the gate. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 20 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.

Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040. — 3 months ago

Timothy Lynch

8.9

Yes…I know..a tad too early. But any chateau that has a lighthouse (built 1611 AD) in the middle of its vineyards deserves a look. And I’m so glad I did. Classic Bordeaux profile made up of 60% Cab, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit V. With a QPR of $18 this Mèdoc is simply crushing it. Cellar worthy? Absolutely! 😎 — a month ago

Patrick O Driscoll

9.8

This is a fantastic red absolutely smooth with light notes of forest fruits, enjoying this with a piece of red meat, great pairing with friends. — 22 days ago

J-Philippe Chartier

9.3

Beau margaux acheté à la propriété. — 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.

Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes. — 3 months ago