Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I attended a luncheon-tasting recently with the Chef of Roy Estate & several other wineries participating in the tasting. Roy tasted their 2016 & 2007. I bought both. The 16 better than the 2007. Both very different & quite good. This 07 on its own is not as good as it is with steak. Moves between 93 & 94 with the Ribcap.

The nose is lush & brooding. It shows; blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherries, both plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, dark chocolate cake, dark spices, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks.-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers.

The palate is ripe, round, lush/plush with M-M+ velvety tannins. Nothing that speaks astringent.Blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherry kirsch liqueur, both plums into pudding, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, some pomegranate, dark spices with mid penetrating heat, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin in that order, herbaceous, savory notes, understated mint-spearmint, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, melted dark chocolate, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers, excellent round acidity with good tension/structure, well balanced, long length and elegant finish for minutes that long sets on spice & earth.

From their terrace, they have the best hillside rolling vineyards in Napa I have seen. — 25 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Better than you can imagine if you have had. Creamy, just a touch of butter, understated caramel, hint of toffee, round acidity with length & balance for days. — 4 months ago

Garen Staglin

9.4

Excellent. Bright cherry flavors. Long finish. Many years to go — 6 months ago

Jonathan Warren

9.7

Loved this in a magnum. Tart cherry, earth, and red fruit galore. This is everything Pinot should be. Damn near perfection — 7 months ago

Conrad Green

8.9

Slightly oxidized. Oily soft lemon. Nice but lacks some of the drive it has in youth — 8 months ago

with Peter, Gregg and 1 other

Mike Evans

9.1

Still showing a lot of tannic and acidic structure, but enough fruit to keep it in check once it had a few hours of air, youthful still, and brawny. — 2 years ago

Brian Messineo

9.4

This is the 60th Anniversary Cuvée — 3 days ago

Dru Margolin

9.1

Cab franch hitter. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This showed nicely from Magnum.

Beautiful, bright, dark, ripe dark and mid red fruits. Softly layered baking spices, excellent earthiness, bright florals with excellent acidity and finish.

Roy estate has one of the best rolling vineyard views in Napa Valley. — 2 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.5

Generosity in a glass — 5 months ago

Rusty Beall

9.5

1966 that we had with foie gras. It was excellent! — 6 months ago

Ming L

9.4

Certainly not as rare as the Ponsot’s Clos des Monts Luisants, but as soon as I saw this on the wine list at reasonable price, I knew this was what I wanted to order.

The nose opens with lemon oil, white peach, crushed stones, and subtle hazelnut. The palate is supple yet lively, with vibrant acidity framing ripe orchard fruit and a cool, chalk-driven core. A faint floral note and gentle oak spice add complexity. Elegant with refined balance. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep garnet, ruby core with medium light garnet rim . This is quite meaty and deep on the nose , with earthy dark cherry , porcini , sweet blackberry and spiced sous bois . On the palate this is quite severe and serious , darker fruits , ripe blackberry , cherry and hint of blackcurrant, herbal hints. Quite gritty , slightly drying tannins , fresh acidity . Earthy , dusty dark cherry edged finish , ok medium length. Quite ambitious for a village and arguably not ready yet , tannins need a little more time to integrate. From now and over the next 5 years, if not longer . — 10 months ago

Dave

8.9

Last had this 10 months ago. I think it's on the decline since then. Grapefruit, melon, citrus. Lacking acidity, it's a bit flabby. That's not what I remember in the last bottle. Anyway, it's nice with some fresh caught walleye.
Watching Spinal Tap 2 — a month ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Cumple mazf — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2024 “Les Monts Damés” pours a straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with white flowers, grapefruit, star fruit, alfalfa, and cream cheese stuffed poblano pepper. There’s also this Double Bubble thing going on. Wild stuff. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. In a world of increasing ambiguity, I love that this is immediately identifiable as Sancerre. Drink now through 2034+. — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Initially quite reduced and aromatically closed but eventually opens up to reveal its Vosne perfume. The palate is impeccable though, with excellent density and richness, succulent fruit and acids and a long saline-mineral finish. — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Anthiny zang sean coerteze — 8 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.1

Cute label. Color is pretty. Smells of the river rocks and berry compote. Hint of smoke. Flavors are juicy and complex. Plenty of minerals. Balance is great. Floral and fresh. — 8 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Mesnil sur Oger grand cru chardonnay. This is top notch cuvée. — 3 years ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other