Lee Pitofsky

9.8

Disg. 2/14 (07 base)…Always my favorite of the Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, it’s particularly special to have with some bottle age. It’s absolutely as stunning as hoped—rich and powerful with crazy depth to its layers with a deep, complex core of caramelized orchard fruit, roasted nuts, old rum barrels and candied white flowers, all with seamless integration. The palate is generous and detailed, with racy acids, waves of saline laced, chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that just stays with you. A BdB benchmark, legendary bubbles. — 13 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.5

Deep dark truthful leather ( sorry E.C.)
N: Burnt plums, leather, Black cherries, herbs, oak, barnyard funk, nicotine.
P: Tobacco, leather, seamless integration, Cherries, herbs, worthy of 19
Years library time. Long, savory finish.
Brilliant
Bring on the paella.
Thanks@The RareWineCo. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

I understand why the Heitz Napa Cabernet doesn’t score higher upon release. It simply needs 10 years plus in bottle to excel.

I usually don’t open these until they have been in bottle ten years. However, this was handy when Sofia wanted a glass with dinner twice this week. So, it needed to be finished after I coravined it.

It’s ripe, jammy and lush now. Showing some Welches characteristics this early. Better things ahead. Juicy, somewhat syrupy fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black plums, black raspberries & juicy strawberries. It’s still primary without much integration. Touch of cherry Luden’s, mid dark spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, lighter clove, vanilla, stones, dark, rich earth, tobacco notes, some graphite, shoe leather, sandstone with bright, red, dark, blue florals with violets over the top. Very good round acidity. The finish is still jammy & not fully balanced, elegant and persisting minutes.

Shows promise in fruit, tannins and acidity. Hold another 5-8 years. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Ruby with aromas of red fruits and spicy notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of herb spice and light oak. Fine tannins, long finish ending with great integration of fruit and spice, drinks well now. — 22 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Love Margaux wines with rack of lamb. It is a classic pair as long as you are not doing a Mediterranean mint prep. This is salt, pepper, Napa Valley rub and red wine.

As it airs and intermixes w/ the meal, it rises from 93 to 94.

The wine is approaching its peak. Still has another 10 yrs of appropriate drinking.

The fruits are ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries with hues of purple & blue fruits. There is excellent integration & evolution. Led pencil shavings, fresh & dry herbs, moist grey volcanic minerals/clay, fresh & dry tobacco, sandalwood, used leather, soft, dark spice with heat on the long set, limestone, dry crushed rocks into powder, touch of black pepper, saline, fresh dark, red flowers with violets, excellent, cool rainfall acidity, well woven, balanced, softly tensioned & structured with a pure elegant finish that lasts a full two-minutes. — 2 years ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.4

Powerful and complete. Black fruit, licorice, smoke and lots of structure. Excellent balance and integration. A pleasure with a tomahawk rib eye, or wait another 10-15 years. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Second wine from Montrose in an outstanding vintage.

I’ve thought about opening one for a few years. 15 years is a good check on a Montrose but, at the end of the day, I knew it wasn’t going to be its best self. That takes 20 plus years with Montrose wines in good vintages.

It paired well with the Allen Brothers trio we had; dry aged ribeye, strip steak and Ribcap. Still needs food at this point. It’s going to be at least 5 more years before it expresses more rounded fruit, integration and elegant beauty.

Thanks to James for his perfected, seasoning & grilling techniques using the Green Egg...it is definitely superior.

Photos of, Chateau Montrose, amazingly clean & beautiful barrel room, tasting salon and staff at harvest. — 5 years ago

with James and Christina

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Special Selection is Caymus’ flagship bottling, the only wine to twice earn Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.” The 2013 vintage comes from a benchmark Napa year—warm, consistent, and producing deeply concentrated fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor sites, this wine showcases the Caymus hallmark: bold, plush, and fruit-driven Napa opulence.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent blackberries, cassis, and baked blueberries, wrapped in layers of cocoa, espresso, and toasted vanilla. Secondary notes of licorice, sweet tobacco, and graphite add depth. With time in the glass, hints of cedar and leather start to show, signaling the early stages of graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, almost velvet-like, with powerful yet polished tannins. The 2013 vintage delivers intensity and weight, but with balance—long, lingering finish loaded with ripe dark fruit and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous cluster selection, long maceration for depth, and extended aging in new French oak barrels (18+ months). Chuck Wagner’s hallmark style: unapologetically ripe fruit, creamy oak integration, and a seamless, approachable structure even in youth.

Food Pairing
A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-crusted lamb. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with aged Gouda or truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
A monumental vintage of Caymus Special Selection—ripe, hedonistic, and still showing youthful vigor more than a decade later. Built for aging, yet already a crowd-pleaser. A benchmark expression of Napa Cabernet’s luxurious side.

Personal Pick Highlight
2013 stands out as one of Napa’s greatest modern vintages, and tasting it now is like catching Caymus in its prime sweet spot: power meeting polish. Cheers! — 23 days ago

Ely Cohn

9.3

In some ways White Burgundy chose the tough life where success is measured against expert oak integration and that 'aint an easy thing to do well.

Les Equinces uses oak in the right amounts creating an upfront spiced vanilla lemon profile for first impressions.

But it's a wine that's good beyond oak influence. Personality hides for a bit, but let this decant and warm and sharp points resolve to soft textures. Vanilla lemon turns to Kentucky bourbon and cinnamon spiked graham cracker, fragrant white flowers. — 3 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.4

Drank the whole bottle. Still in mid-life but has the seamless integration I look for after 25 years. Sadly my last bottle. — 5 years ago