Paul Weil

8.9

Wow! Everyone is always denigrating Chardonnay, yet it is the most popular white wine in the USA. This offering lends credence to the idea that it is the style and skill of the winemaker which makes the difference, not the varietal. This wine could be mistaken for a Chenin Blanc. It is crisp and clean, with fruity pear and kumquat fruits in the body. Please put aside your butter bomb Chardonnay PTSD and give Jac’s take on this grape a try! — 6 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.3

Giving absolute credence to the reputation that the wines from the Margaux commune show, both displayed an elegance allied with a subtle power and perfect balance, especially 2005.

2000 had a trace pyrazine note that I found unexpected, and quite frankly not that enjoyable. Outside of that the wine was perfect. The second bottle did not throw it as strong, so not exactly in the clear on this night.

The 2005 was in perfect shape, drink now or age it another 20 years easy, this was so enjoyable and balanced with perfect tannin integration and a seamless, dense and pure finish that sailed on forever.

#margaux #bordeaux #wine — 8 years ago

with Eric

Dan Fredman

Chef Sommelier World of Pinot Noir

9.1

This 2008 turned out to be a perfect partner with Brussels sprouts (it was the Benton's bacon that brought them together). A seductive wine to say the least, lending additional credence to the idea that Austria is one if the world's great sources for Pinot Noir. — 11 years ago

Sean McPhillips

9.1

This is a really good red blend. With every sip I find a new flavor. Rich and silky. A fine finish. One of Long Island’s best. — 6 years ago

Chris Langstaff

9.5

Big bold nose, spicy and fruity. The nose gives credence to the full bodied nature of the nom nom grape juice. Blackberry big and chewy, finishes with pepper on the tongue. Update next day: nose has developed further to reveal flowery fields and deep earthiness with plum. Taste is steady as last night. — 8 years ago

Ted Rutledge

9.0

A sleeping Beauty that never woke up after 3+ hours in decanter. When will this legend wake up and live up to all its hype? An honestly disappointing experience given its credence. — 9 years ago

Mark Michienzi

9.0

Naked Wine — 12 years ago

Jon Rhys Evans

9.1

Taste and aroma of meadow honey, perfect dry balance, light and creamy, a hint of smokiness gives credence to oak barrelled wine. — 7 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.5

Excellent balance, starting to relent with age with deeper complexity, beautiful to smell and taste in the glass. Gives credence to my preference for age on a VP. — 8 years ago

Paul Weil

9.9

I had to consume six or eight bottles of this fantastic Merlot before I could feel sufficiently inspired to express how I feel about this wine. I have followed Scotts career for almost two decades and here he expresses his love of The Craft of Bacchus with his NW Swan Song.. This wine is everything that led me to become an oenophile (I.e. Wine Nerd) in the first place. It is full bodied without being cloying or smoky, with rich dark cherries and chocolate up front and a lingering, lingering, lingering coffee flavor on the tongue. Scott is keen on experimenting with grapes from lesser known AVAs and this El Dorado wine gives credence to his theory - the delightful dusty tannic structure could compete in a blind taste test with a Rutherford Cabernet. The new Pilot Hill Gang is great, and I hold Mr. Parish in high regard as well (my reviews of his wines bear this out), and I gave that wine five hearts, deservedly . However, as in Spinal Tap, this wine goes up to eleven. I just ordered another case and I urge you all to order two cases: one to drink now, and one to cellar. Note to Miles Raymond: we *are* drinking freaking Merlot 😹 — 9 years ago