Andrew Cullimore

9.3

5th wine . medium deep ruby , touch more garnet . Slightly wider rim . Quite cool and mineral again , more grafite with some cool cassis , blackberry. On the palate this is slightly lighter in body , leaner perhaps but very elegant , fresh and quite saline, tobacco , grafite and herbal tinges on the finish . Reasonable saline length. Fine lightly grippy tannins , good acidity . This is showing quite well though would perhaps benefit from a few more years . Better in 3-5 years and drink well a further 7- 10 . The next day this actually shows a little better , elegant and refined, nothing showy , very Lafite , so I’m glad I guessed this correctly ! Overall this was a very interesting tasting , there is nothing showy or remarkable about the 2006 1st growths , they are quite classic and also showing quite a lot of structure still , with good freshness though they perhaps lack a little stuffing and intensity . They were quite even quality wise, with the high points being the Mouton (though the Lafite improved the following day to upgrade its score and draw level ) and the low point being a relatively disappointing Margaux . The vintage will continue to improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years in general , though they may always just lack a little density and excitement . — 17 days ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

Pineapple, nut, high acid. can age 5-7 years, 7 months in French barrels. Robert Parker 92 pts, — a year ago

Tyler Felous

9.4

Opened on TG. Even with 6-7 hours, it never really opened up. Tight, high acid. Recorked and gave it until Saturday and what a transformation. Mushroom, earth, leather, with fruit still present. Happy to have had the second experience — a year ago

Matthew G Pickett

9.3

Plummy, red and black fruit, cigar box, cedar, graphite, coffee, chocolate, med + to high acid, beautifully integrated tannin, long lingering finish. 7 years on it’s drinking great, can go another 10. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2012 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 minutes. Medium/medium-heavy body. Plenty of rhubarb, raspberry, cranberry and pomegranate impressions/power with some tannic, tea-flavored structure currently. Starting to harmonize and truly integrate. Drinking well now but expecting this to really hit all the high notes in the next 7-10 years. Two bottles left. 2.25.25. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Chapellet Mountain Cuvée Proprietor’s Blend 2023
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A vibrant Bordeaux-style blend from Chapellet, a pioneering family-owned estate high on Pritchard Hill since 1967. Known for its rocky, elevated vineyards and bold mountain-grown fruit, Chapellet crafts this approachable yet terroir-rich blend for both immediate enjoyment and graceful aging.

Blend Composition
• 51% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 24% Merlot
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 8% Malbec
• 7% Cabernet Franc 

Aromas & Flavors
Effusively aromatic with dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, framed by spicy oak notes of clove, cardamom, cedar, plus touches of black pepper and savory herbs. The palate mirrors this with plush ripe berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins, and finishes with lingering dark chocolate and anise.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a luxuriously textured core. The fine-grained tannins wrap the fruit beautifully, balanced by inherent freshness—creating a long, silky, and satisfying finish.  

Winemaking Notes
Crafted under the guidance of Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, the 2023 vintage benefitted from a cool growing season and carefully managed canopy work to preserve freshness and reduce yields. Fermented and aged to deliver immediate appeal without compromising structure. 

Food Pairing
A versatile pairing wine—ideal with grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, or herbed lamb chops. It also complements rich pasta sauces and grilled mushrooms—luxurious yet approachable.

Verdict
Mountain Cuvée 2023 is a powerful yet elegant Napa blend, showcasing depth, freshness, and mountain intensity. It’s a beautifully balanced wine that offers a compelling mix of immediate pleasure and layered complexity. A benchmark for mountain-grown Bordeaux blends. — 8 months ago

Mark Chandler

9.1

Deep bramble fruits. Really high quality Bordeaux for under £20 especially with 7 years in bottle. Bought another as a gift , it was so good! — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish/ brick rim.

Pretty nose of red and black fruits with cedar, licorice and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, plums, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black pepper and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious 14 year old GSM blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Rich, but not extracted. Elegant with lots of chocolate notes. Well balanced with nice complexity.

Impressively fresh and youthful for its age, with good structure and balance. The high alcohol is well integrated by now.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

A gorgeous wine to drink by itself or with food.

A blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. Grapes from very old vines are aged in new French oak barrels for 14 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$100. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Gambino Vini – Tifeo Etna Bianco 2023
Etna DOC, Sicily – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A striking white blend from the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, crafted with 72% Carricante and 28% Catarratto, two of Sicily’s most important indigenous grapes. Etna Bianco wines are fast becoming symbols of Italy’s volcanic terroirs, delivering mineral-driven, authentic expressions far from mainstream white styles.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive and layered, offering citrus zest, green apple, and pear, complemented by wild herbs and subtle floral tones. A hint of saline minerality underscores the volcanic origin, while a smoky whisper adds complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a lingering citrus-stone finish. Textured yet refreshing, it balances richness and precision beautifully.

Winemaking Notes
High-altitude vineyards on Etna’s northern slopes provide cool nights and intense sun exposure, yielding grapes with freshness and concentration.

Food Pairing
Perfect with seafood pasta, grilled swordfish, Sicilian caponata, or fresh cheeses. A versatile choice that can elevate both traditional Sicilian fare and modern pairings.

Verdict
A compelling introduction to Etna’s whites: mineral, distinctive, and deeply expressive. For wine lovers seeking to explore volcanic terroirs, this is a must-try.

📚 Educational Sidebar – Why This Can Age
Carricante, Etna’s flagship white grape, has been cultivated for over 1,000 years. With naturally high acidity and strong minerality, it develops honeyed, nutty, and petrol-like complexity over time, much like Riesling. While delicious now, top Etna Bianco blends like this can age gracefully for 7–10 years, layering depth without losing freshness. Cheers! — 7 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!


Dark Inky in color with a reddish/ purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, light dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, licorice, spices, dark chocolates and light cola notes.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black cherries, black currants, bitter herbs, earth, chocolates, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Merlot from Columbia Valley. Soft and fruit forward. Rich and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of air time.

This 8 year old Merlot is complex and spicy. Really enjoyed the nose at this point, and the high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

I had this vintage a few times before, and it is always delicious. I just love Michel Rolland wines.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (85% new).

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75. — 2 years ago