Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous notes. From a warm vintage. Typical Penfolds DNA of choc/malt/mocha with Blackberry, mulberry. Palate strength remains at 17 years of age. Supple, pliant smooth tannins with great persistence. 15 months in older American hogsheads. — 5 days ago

Ely Cohn

9.2

I loooove to look to Chartreuse for color references because it's a hell of a pretty shade. But its a prettier, maybe legendary taste and smell and this little humble library Muscat from Oregan has two copies of green ferry DNA.

Vegetal peppery herbs - arugula, sage, thyme, lemongrass, mint, marijuana, pine. Wild flowers and candied orange liquor. Perfumed green vibes with sweet undertones.

Familiar, complex, mystical magic. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

You would never pick this as a 26 year old red wine from the colour. A rich Ruby red with no tawny rim. This has the Penfolds DNA of ripe plum, mocha, coffee bean and chocolate - a trace of liquorice. The palate is medium plus weight, balanced and harmonious maintaining that core strength. Those initially firm tannins have become supple. Drinking at its peak but could stay on this plateau for a couple more years. My last bottle of the 96 but I still have a few more bottles of the Bin 707 from 1996 which was a huge wine. — 3 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.2

Young but already so drinkable. Raspberries and strawberries with massive tannins that will no dount evolve beautifully. Vietti just dont make bad wines...goes against their DNA! — 5 months ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.4

The 2014 Trotanoy has a more complex bouquet than the 2014 Gazin, with more Pomerol DNA in the mix, iron-tinged red berry fruit, black truffle and cedar. Fine delineation and quintessentially Pomerol. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and harmonious, soy-tinged black fruit with white pepper sprinkled over the finish. This has personality and class but needs time (comme d'habitude). One of the standouts in what is an inconsistent Pomerol vintage. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Neal Martin, Vinous, March 2024)
— a year ago

Aaron Tan

9.1

There was a sense of disappointment with each waft of petrol aroma from the glass. It just shouldn’t be there in a Riesling this young, and especially in one from KP. Clearly the journey taken by this bottle hasn’t been the kindest on its condition. Nevertheless, the DNA of KP’s Kirchspiel still shone through - the regal elegance, palpable minerality, and youthful tannic tartness. Discounting the infuriating petrol note, it was all ripe citrus fruits, herbs, chalk, salt, chalk, salt, chalk and more salt. It was just so mineral, and even more so on day two! I do like it, but I can’t help but feel robbed of the full enjoyment of this wine due to the petrol notes (doubly so when you consider how long I’ve craved for KP’s wines - nearly a year since my last fix). Onwards to a better bottle! — 3 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.3

Blackberry, plum fruit and aromas of spring flowers are supported by a subtle touch of road tar and graphite in the airy nose.
Palate is a great combo of red and black fruits with precise mineral tone, lithe tannins supported by vibrant acidity. Plum minerals and freshness lead the way on the finish. One of the freshest St Joe expressions I have had from the domaine. Shares a lot of vintage dna with their 2011 L’Ermitage Rouge. Drink now for its bright fruit but based on the wines balance I see upside over the next 3 to 5 years. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A dense Ruby in colour. Black currant, dark plum, mocha, dark chocolate, and cigar box. The Penfolds Cabernet DNA if you like. Dense and powerful. This wine at 20 years of age is just a pup. The “Rewards of Patience “ has a window to 2045+. I’ll probably have the next one in 10 years or so. The release price of the latest vintage is now over $600 - too expensive IMO. Apparently substantial material from the old Block 42 in the blend - planted in the 1880’s. — 7 months ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.5

This is the 20th release of this wine and has the Pisoni DNA written all over. Always a bit shy on the nose at first, a few minutes of aeration do the trick and reveal well defined, fresh aromas of violets, red and black cherries, forrest strawberry, dried herbs, cola and wood smoke. The lively acidity balances the fruit concentration and the ripe, fine grained tannins neatly frame this medium to full bodied anniversary vintage. Drink now until 2032. — 3 years ago

Andrea Silverstein

9.2

Surprisingly one of the best Cabs I’ve had under $20. So good, will stock up if I see any, next time I’m at TJ’s! — 3 years ago