Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried, mixed fruits: brambles, plum, blueberry, purple flowers, leather, earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and rich. Alcohol is medium+. Pretty tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Merlot (or blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or blend), Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend), Shiraz (or blend) Tempranillo or Syrah from the United States, France, Australia or Spain. The fruit is the star here so I’m taking this to the “new world”. Plus, there is a generosity and elevated alcohol that gives me Aussie vibes (though I find the wine balanced). I also think this has 15-20 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Shiraz blend from Australia, Barossa, 2005. Daaaaaang. Andrew Will! I don’t hate my call but I should have probably done better with this one since I’m very familiar with these wines. Still much to learn. Drink now through 2037. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Notes on a half-hour decant. $59.99 at Costco; which shows again there is a wine glut out there in the marketplace. All the Napa wineries have stepped up their frequency of emails, added texts and backed up w/ personal calls. They have all raised their pricing over the years and now an abundance of fruit being sold for less, but less buyers these days due to a troubled economy & new generation(s) not buying wine like previous ones. They might have to rely on very good AI to figure out those issues.

The nose is; dark, lush, ruby; dark currants, blackberries, elderberries, black plum, boysenberries, some blueberries, dark cherries, plum & raspberries. The core is black currants, sweet tarriness with anise that runs into black licorice. Dark chocolate, dark cocoa, soft baking spices; vanillin, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove, cedar with shaved oak, shaved coconut notes, fresh tobacco, new leather, dark, sweet, turned earth w/ dry leaves & twigs, under toned dark spices, dash of fresh & dry herbs, dry stone, crushed limestone, liquid, ruby, candied, dark fresh & withering flowers framed in lavender & violets.

The M+ tannins are big, bold, round & coated with dust. Bigger & bolder than most other 21’s I’ve had. It is still beastly and definitely needs another 5+ years in bottle before opening and will last two decades w/ change. The sense of the 14.9% palate ABV seems more 15.7 at this point, but believe it will tame with more bottle age. Lush, ruby, dark currants, blackberries, elderberries, black plum, boysenberries, some blueberries, dark cherries, plum, raspberries w/ strawberries notes. The core is also black currants, sweet, deep tarriness with anise that runs into black licorice. Dark chocolate, dark cocoa powder, a little more pronounced baking spices; vanillin, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove, big, dry cedar with shaved oak, shaved coconut notes, dry tobacco, new leather, dark, sweet, turned earth w/ dry leaves & twig, grey volcanic ash & clay, charcoal w/ ash, bolder, dark spices; which penetrate the tongue with heat, a dash of fresh & dry herbs, dry river stone, crushed limestone with volcanic rock, liquid, ruby, candied, dark fresh & withering flowers, red roses, framed in lavender & violets. Good, round acidity with a huge finish that shows big structure & tension, not quite in balance yet as it needs to resolve further, the promise of more elegance and a lasting long finish landing squarely on earth & spices.

This shows all the elements that promise another two, maybe three points with better aging.

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot & 3% Malbec. Aged 20 months is 80% New French Oak Barrels.

Photos of; their estate vines, tasting room & patio, swing on the small lake that sits on/near the estate. . — a year ago

Gregory Fulchiero

9.2

Lesser known Chablis bottling from the affordable (and over-performing) Dauvissat - entirely in steel so it’s just juice, lees, and terroir in the bottle. Read that - thugs is from 15- to 20-year-old vines planted in five different parcels: two next to premier cru Montmains, two near premier cru Montée de Tonnerre, and one in the commune of Préhy. — 3 years ago

Norman

9.8

You have to be patient. Out of the gate everyone loved the Maybach which is just so delicious right out of the chute. Give it an hour (probably more) and this really starts to shine. Two hours into dinner this was amazing and just outshined the Maybach. To be clear I love both. Start with Maybach finish with this and just be incredibly happy. Happy anniversary. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

70% Merlot & 30% Cabernet Franc. Decanted 2 hours and enjoyed over the next 2 plus hours. Cork near new.

I have waited patiently nearly 20 yrs to enjoy this 2005. While it is delicious tonight, it still has not hit its precipice. Might be another 8-10 yrs for that.

This is the second wine of Chateau Ausone. If you are not familiar with this producer, if they redid the 1855 Classification, their first wine would most certainly be a first growth and at the very least a second growth.

I remember reading the first/original review of the 2005 Ausone from Robert Parker. It read, “if you are over the age of 55, you have to decide whether or not to buy this wine.” It went on to a glorious 💯 point review. However, that original review was taken down some months into it. Was it taken down at the behest of Chateau Ausone? The review was reworded to take out the over 55 age & anticipated drinking window of 2040-2080. Most of Chateau Ausone buyers are older, higher income. Would that drinking window prevent them from purchasing it as Chateau Ausone is not an inexpensive bottle price? Not for the younger incomes. Question for the ages but it inspired me to buy three bottles of their 05 Chapelle d’ Ausone.

About a yr ago, I had their 02 Chapelle d’ Ausone. Strangely, that night it showed better than this 05 tonight. The 02 vintage was not a lauded vintage. Yet on that night, the perfect time to open it. This 05 needs more cellaring time and will ultimately be a better wine in another 7-10 yrs.

The nose shows; beautiful, ripe, somewhat floral fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. Mid berry cola. steeped fruit tea, gently baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, tobacco, leather, graphite, volcanic ash, moist clays, limestone, amazing dark & red florals set is violets.

Medium plus resolved, powdery tannins. The palate glides with freshness and ripe, floral, juicy fruits that are; dark cherries, strawberries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, sweet blueberries and raspberry notes. There is no bite or a stringency, Mid berry cola, steeped fruit tea, gentle baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & beautiful vanillin, soft pepper, mix of dry & fresh herbs, excellent mid, dark spices w/ some palate heat, anise, dark chocolate baking bar, coco powder, tobacco, leather, graphite,, limestone/sandstone, dry crushed rocks, grey volcanic ash, rich, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, moist clays, limestone, soft cedar to sandalwood, amazing dark & red florals set is liquid violets, amazing rainfall acidity, still has firm structure/tension, well balanced, great length and a finish that is w/o end and long sets on dark, dry tannins, heated, dark spice florals, earth and tarriness.

Add two points in 7-10 yrs. I look forward to my next bottle then.

Photos of; Chateau Ausone and owner-Alain Vauthier. That short rootstock featured center is around 25+ yrs old. — 4 months ago

RJ Stefanski

9.4

Stunning. Delicious. One of my fav wines of the last 1.5 years. Godello aged under flor that competes with white Burgundy/ Sonoma Coast chards that cost double. Sourced from two tiny plots of 80-100 yr old vines. 80% old foudre, 20% amphora under flor, no malo, no stirring. Sunny bouquet, honeycomb, Asian pear, gun flint, crushed stone, brisk, seamless, cool and classy. $55. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

The Ariston Aspasie Cépages d'Antan is a blend of one grape that is nearly extinct in Champagne, Petit Meslier and two rare grapes that get blended into Champagne. It parses into 40% Petit Meslier, 40% Arbanne, and 20% Pinot Blanc. None of the three main grapes; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier

Crazy good body and super soft mouthfeel. There is soft precision in the palate. Excellent micro oxygenation. Shades of the 2007 Taittinger Comte’s. Leads with the white citruses.- lime, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, some pineapple juice, tropical green melon, what softer than soft powdery chalkiness, limestone, volcanics just as soft, spring flowers for days, perfect acidy and a purely beautifully balanced, knitted, length that has length and a singing finish that goes on and on. @ K&L Champagne tasting. — 3 years ago

Robert Torretti

9.4

A lovely bottle of classic Lafite Rothschild. Ordered with old friends and new at Waldhaus Sils on the fourth anniversary of my father’s death. He was biased to Cabernet Sauvignon / Left Bank Blends, and appreciated his Lafite, even if he stopped buying them as prices got out of hand. 1995 was chosen in honor of the year that I met my friend Julian, with whom I have worked at two companies across 20+ years and now count as a dear friend and peer in our industry. The bottle was in great shape, likely bought en primeur and stored in the Alpine retreat’s cellars (tour tomorrow!). Oscar, the manager and sommelier has been at the Waldhaus for 32 years, so it was purchased in his early days. The tannins were very well integrated, with some dark fruits, delicious tobacco and cedar, and a long finish. — 3 years ago

Zack Hall

9.4

Deg 9/20 tasting better than last two bottles — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double-blind. This note is from memory but what an impression it made! I called Barolo along with a few others at the table; likely from a vintage like 2012 or 2015 since everything seemed well and open for business. Dark cherry fruit, dried herbs, and roses with monumental structure. This was a touch glossy on the fruit side and I thought that had more to do with the generosity of the vintage rather than the producer. We were all surprised (and also a bit, “yeah, that makes total sense) when it was revealed to be the 2016 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis. Surprised because the 2016 vintage from such a traditionalist was drinking so well out of the gate! Not surprised with the glossy nature of the fruit which I find to be a hallmark of Cavalotto; simply gorgeous texture. An utter delight now and, I suspect, will be stunning with time. Now that I think of it, the 2013’s were very good upon release as well and there are a lot of similarities between the two vintages. — 5 years ago

romo

9.2

20-yr muscadet shifted into 5th gear on day two but was also moving fast still on day one. — a year ago

Ted Holland

9.2

A beautiful wine! Nose is full of dark red fruits especially cherry. There is an earthy deep forest that comes through just barely. And then the taste or two, again big juicy fruit driven by the merlot but with sophisticated tannins that make this wine drink well for probably another 10, 15 maybe 20 years! Enjoy!! — a year ago

Mark S.

9.0

MLT80 CF12 CS5 balanced mid body 20 @, Dmar, 250413 — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Great fill, foil and label. Perfect cork. From a top-notch cellar. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Volcanic ash-styled sed vs chunky-style. Big funk on the nose that resolved after 7-8 minutes. Wine was showing decently (in the 69-72 degree range) but lacking any tannic structure. Placed the decanter atop an ice bucket bath to drop the temp down to 60 degrees or so. Took about 20 minutes but the tannins kicked in the door to say hello. Fruit components stayed constant. Pauillac tendencies were all there. As is the case often with older BDX, the decaying matter/leaves at the onset transitioned to graphite/lead pencil and espresso flavors. This was a superior bottle in great shape. Top of this wine’s specific bell curve. Comparable bottles would look to be drinking this well for the next 5-7 years without dropoff. Out of larger format…could possibly push this into 9.4 status. 2.5.24. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 2020 Ripa delle More is the estate's blend of (50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot). Powerful and sleek at the same time, the 2020 packs plenty of intensity into its mid-weight frame. Dark red/purplish fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco are some of the many notes that build in the glass. Give this a year or two to soften. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2023)
— 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Younger and more lively than the 1990. Nose has the hoisin, soy thing but it seems more youthful. Insane spice. So so good. Glorious spice, tar, leather and chestnut. There is major major umami on this nose. Layered, soupy and sappy also Groucho. And Harpo. A nose one can say is the epitome of Brameterra 9.6 nose for me. Insane freshness and purity. Like the most fresh thing you can imagine for a 21 year old wine. This is teeming with energy and freshness and just wow. This is the old person who can still run a 40 yard sprint and still compete with people 20 years their younger. Insanely insanely comlplex and the balance is just perfect. Has 10 years ahead of it. Wowsers. What a gorgeous wine. 1990 finish is longer but this is more complex.

Update. 2000 is much better than 1990. After two hours it is stunning and super expansive aromatically. 9.4 to 9.5. — 5 years ago

Donielle Morris

10

I drink a lot of Oregon Pinot Noir in the $20-30 price range. Right out the gate, this might be my new favorite. Light but with enough body to keep me interested. — 6 years ago

Eric Grasser

9.4

Exquisite and impressive. Firm color loaded with kirsch, red and dark currant flavors and the presence of horse sweat, horse blanket and leather. Even a red rose aroma. Tannin is light and impressively balanced. Holds its presence two hours plus decanted. With soft tannins that eventually fell into the glass. I predict this wine would hold well 15-20 years — 6 years ago