Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This was an experiment started in early 2008. To see if Costco/Kirkland could bottle a good 2005 Margaux yrs later. The answer, yes.

This is better than some not as grand Margaux vintages. Better than Lascombes and a few others. 🤷‍♂️ Think this was $18.99 or so.

I met the Costco buyer at the time in Bordeaux at En Primeur in 2014. She had worked her way up from idle to the buyer for one of the largest wine seller’s in America. Costco’s number one position was recently was overtaken by Total Wine. Her path an amazing success story.

If you were poured this blind now, you would called higher. Especially, with a good steak.

The nose is classic Bordeaux. Dark currants, brambly, blackberries/ black raspberries, ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, plum, cherries, anise to black licorice, mid berry cola, graphite, used leather, moist to dry tobacco, steeped tea, dry limestone powder, sandstone, moist clay, touch of bay leaf, hint of pepper-grilled meats, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, bright to candied; red, dark florals framed in liquid violets.

The palate is; rich, ripe, kinda candied fruits that are; dark currants, brambly, blackberries/ black raspberries, ripe; dark cherries, raspberries m, strawberries, plum to plum pudding, cherries, anise to black licorice, mid berry cola, dark chocolate baking bar, baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, graphite, charcoal, used leather, moist to dry tobacco/ cigar box w/ ash, steeped tea, dry limestone powder, sandstone, dry river stone, moist, grey volcanic dark spices w/ palate heat, clay, touch of bay leaf, hint of pepper-grilled meats, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, gorgeously bright to candied; red, dark florals, lavender framed in liquid violets, rainfall acidity, well knitted/balance, mid toned/structured with an elegant/polished finish that last minutes and lands on graphite, spice and earthiness.

Moved between 92-93 with the steak.

Has another 7-10 yrs of road ahead.

An example of don’t judge a book by its cover. — 2 days ago

Dylan Thomas

9.2

Great American sangio. ‘murica’. “Pleasure fills your soul and time becomes irrelevant” back of bottle. dry af, bark, tobacco, acid, cranberry, Drew’s mom, eleventh oyster, did I say tobacco — 6 years ago

Evan Kennedy/Caroline Kielar

9.7

I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad beer from Idle Hands. This one is deliciously malty with hints of lemon. It’s also low on sweetness (I enjoy lower sweetness) unlike some fest beers — 8 years ago

Phil Castellano

9.4

Simply amazing. Forgot about this one and it has been sitting idle for about 8 years or so. Great secondary flavors have developed and I am truly surprised by its depth and complexity. Pops with fruit, minerals, and spice. Ever long finish. — 9 years ago

Anna Marie Dos Remedios

9.0

Cooking beef barley soup and decided to open an older vintage of our 2010 Pom 4 Pinot Noir... Huge strawberry and spice with a creamy vanilla finish! Perfect rainy night wine! — 10 years ago

with Deb

Karla Campbell

9.2

Maegeband Lynn 50th — 3 years ago

Patrick Henry

9.3

Really delicious. — 6 years ago

Shannon Wood

9.1

2018 Smooth medium bodied Shiraz. Very easy drinking, dark fruits jam. — 6 years ago

Neal Ferry

8.9

Dryer than I thought — 6 years ago

Chris Durall

9.0

Idle Hands Craft Ales Klara Dortmund Style Lager. 5.5% ABV — 8 years ago

Rick Steele

9.4

Excellent wine! — 9 years ago

Michael D

9.4

Well here we are over a year since we uncorked this beauty from Spain..As usual the rush of aroma as soon as you uncork this fine wine was very evident. Poured into a decanter and sitting idle for more than 90 mins was excruciating hard to say the least but we'll worth it...Dark rich Garnet ... Slight acidity up front. ..well balanced Tannins and subtle acidity make this a perfect starter to an overall successful dinner party...the 1st of 6 that evening with Insalata Caprese (sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes,fresh basil salt olive oil with a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar), more assorted cheeses...A great way to start the evening!!!😊 — 10 years ago

Tom Larson

9.1

2014 Vintage. Wonderful pairing for our Thanksgiving celebration. Smooth and light - closer to a French Chard rather than the heavy, oaky California Chards. We will buy more...if we can find any ; ) — 11 years ago

Chris N

9.4

Wine Society - a pleasant Italian wine - mild fruity tones that linger well after the wine has left the mouth. Definitely will order again - would be idle for BBQs and summer evenings. — 5 years ago

Zac Casey

9.2

A fun one from Trey and Sleight of Hand as well as Mark Ryan, this 2007 is still hanging on and doing its thing. Big bouquet and then huge mouthfeel - it drinks more like a Molly dooker Australian style at 14.9, but Washington notes come through too. Really fun wine. — 6 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.0

With halibut cheeks and haddock and squid muqueca — 6 years ago

Stuart Rodriguez

9.0

So interesting! Looking forward to revisiting. — 7 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Very drinkable, good Merlot. Perhaps a little boring. — 9 years ago

Kevin Ortzman

9.0

Can you say fruit bomb? Intense dark fruit w/ notes of mocha. After an hour or so of idle oxidation, I'm getting anise blended in the ripe fruit. Always consistent and delicious — 9 years ago

with Betty

Laura Maguire

8.9

Medium bodied with nice fruit and some smoked meat. Slightly funk and I like it! — 11 years ago

with Kyle