Hessel Idema

9.0

Strong tanines, alcohol and round full bodied wine. Fruity at the start and gets spicy at the end. — a day ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Lovely floral and mineral aromas and flavors from these super old Clairette vines in Lirac (I’ve walked this vineyard, and they are old head-pruned, super-gnarled, vines), this vintage has aged beautifully and is still not at peak, outstanding!! — a month ago

with Jim

Ben Hamilton

9.5

Beautiful Sancerre with clean crisp acidity and expected mineral notes. Absolutely worth the purchase. Recommend for anyone looking to explore the range of the Loire Valley. — 5 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.1

Very dark rubi robe. Nose of blackcurrant, asian spices, flowers and dark fruits. Rich mouth of a full bodied but accessible and quite elegant Pauillac on a very hot vintage we dont like. Good stuff. — 9 hours ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Ron Siegel

9.2

Nice drinking Sancerre. Notes of citrus, lime, pear fruit, saline with floral tones — 2 months ago

Kirk Coburn

9.1

Very smooth. Tobacco and/or leather. I enjoyed it. — 5 months ago

Bob & Elaine J.

9.1

A very light and smooth Sancerre. — 7 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.5

An overall good wine even thow it takes a long time to opens properly.
Do not rush in driving it and give it enough decanting time. — 18 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 2 months ago

Paul T HB

9.4

This was even better on day 2 Notes from K&L, 88-acre estate, Château de Montfaucon sits just across the Rhône River from the esteemed vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It is owned and operated by Rodolphe de Pins, a UC Davis graduate and former member of the winemaking staff at Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. Over the years, Château de Montfaucon has developed a HUGE following among both our staff and customers.The vines for the Mme la Comtesse vineyard were planted in the 1870s (that's not a typo). These old gnarly vines with their highly restricted yields produce some of the richest most concentrated Clairette in the entire Rhône Valley. Planted on a mix of sand, clay and pudding stones, this wine is the essence of sleek minerality. A touch of barrel fermentation adds volume and structure. The flavors resonate with ripe stone fruit flavors and white flowers, a touch of fennel pollen rounds out the finish. This reminds us of Château de Beaucastel's Châteauneuf Vieilles Vignes Blanc which sells for well over $100 a bottle. This is just as limited and just as cool for under $50. — 7 months ago