Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I’ve had a number of PC 96’s over time, none quite this good. The fill line & cork perfect. Very little sediment. Some bottle neck tannin burn. For me, Pontet Canet didn’t really hit its consistent, quality stride until 2005. Doesn’t mean they didn’t make a few beauties before then. Pontet Canet is proof that the 1855 Bordeaux Classification needs to be redone. Unlikely it will in my lifetime.

This 96 maybe just short of its precipice. Stylistically a little better than 94.

The nose reminds me of everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola. Sweet forest floor w/ leaves, sweet mushrooms, sweet led pencil shavings, steeped tea w/ hints of fruit, charcoal, dry tobacco/leather, some dry herbs, withering dark, red flowers, red roses with violets.

The palate is also everything I love about older Bordeaux. Dark core of currants/cassis. Ripe, floral; blackberries, dark, baked cherries, sweet, black plum, poached/strawberries, raspberries, hints of baked rhubarb & blueberries, mixed berry cola/red vines. Everything I understood the first time standing in the estate vineyard of Pichon Baron. Tasting limestone, dry river stone, dark, rich soils with dry leaves, dry stems. In fact, I’ve tasted vineyards soils everywhere I have been in every world wine region. Basically, everywhere in the wine world that has reliance. Many multiple times. Sweet graphite, steeped tea w/ hints of dark fruit, understated, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanillin, dark cocoa, dark exotic spices, some anise to black licorice, charcoal, dry tobacco with ash/leather, some dry herbs-safe/bay leaf, limestone, dry river stone, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, earth with dry leaves, dry topsoils, dry stems, withering/dry dark, red flowers, red roses with violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with an extremely well balanced/structured/tensioned, great length and an elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls nicely on dry earth and dark spices.

A very, very slow roll with my Ribcap. Definitely better with the steak than on its own.

This bottle tells me this 96 has plenty of good drinking ahead, another 8-10 yrs+.

ABV is 13%. Disappointing it ever changed. — 5 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.5

Give me a TBA over this any day, but I can't deny that the 95' d'Yquem was excellent. G says it's a wine of love ❤️ True. The groups fondness for it aside, the wine is sort of what love is - strong, sweet, a little bitter sometimes, always unfolding to reveal something new, and most importantly neverending. 95' gets 95! — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.1

We opened this yesterday, and it has improved with exposure to air. It’s become more plush, open knit and inviting, while not being over/bearing. Lovely spice-box and cedar nose leads into rich cherries on the mid-palate. Medium weight, with medium sweetness, which finishes with roundness and moderate acidity. Very enjoyable, and love the label! — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Megan

9.5

I’ve been savoring this bottle over several months using my Coravin. Sadly, finally finished it off. Just love tasting this golden beauty open up in the glass. Can’t wait to start on another bottle! — 7 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

I prefer this 17 over the more expensive Yamhill 16. Raspberry, tea-notes, licorice and prune plum. Fine and elegant. Fruit driven classic. But still I love their wines. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Love this Rostaing Syrah created from 12 or 13 different vineyards. The style encompasses everything thing I love about Northern Rhône. At $50-$55, their 2010 vintage of Ampodium pushes quality close to their much more expensive single vineyard bottling for a 1/3 of the price.

It’s round and elegant. Lightly roasted, creamy dark fruits, used expresso grounds, savory meats, just a touch of bacon fat, soft, understated minerals, dry top soil with dark withering & fresh dark florals. The round and beautiful. The finish glides over the palate with persistence and puts a smile on your face. It was a magnificat pair with my Short Ribs and Yukon Gold Horseradish Potato Purée.

— 8 years ago

with Christina and James

Paul J

9.4

Honeymoon wine, with our 7yr anniversary two weeks away. 45min decant. Deep, dark purple color. Black cherry, subtle blueberry, and oak dominate the nose. Great fruit, big tannins. Powerful wine, but refined and high quality. Finish seems to never end. Love Gargiulo!!!!! — 8 years ago

with Brooke

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

First of all Kudos to Ant Hill love the wax seal over cork! Deep Ruby with aromas of dark Berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, floral and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry, tea, vanilla and herb tones, well balanced with acidity. Firm fine tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and floral herb character. Very nice! Will age well! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Just love this wine. Pale lemon with tropical fruit aromas and citrus scents. On the palate ripe apricot and peach flavors with honey lemon zest. Well balanced with pleasant acidity, finishing with mineral, honey and wet stone nuances on the medium ending. Very nice! Should improve over the next few years. Nice value! — 3 years ago

Mike Holzer

9.2

Supposed to be a Brasil copa champion wine but not their night. Wine way better than the game. Unlike Brazil tonite this wine is well integrated and smooth. Big nose black fruit dominate. Black berries. Leather. Big mouthfeel. Vanilla but oak not over the top. Love it. Smooth tannins. Dark fruit . Figs. Prefer over their touriga. At least I think I do. Should do head to head tasting. Great wine, shitty game. — 5 years ago

with Ania

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The days when non Special Select Caymus was truly Caymus Classic.

The nose reveals, baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender.

The body is; thick, round, rich, ruby & lush. The tannins are round, sweet tarry, chewy and just starting the growth of adolescent teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a near perfect place. This 08 has another 7-10 years left depending on how you like them and store wine. Baked and slightly stewed, ruby, fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, raspberries on the long open & blueberries over the top. Dark, melted chocolate bar, dark, Indian/Asian spices with deep palate heat, dark fruit cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, phat vanilla, caramel, steeped, dark fruit tea, dry & fresh herbs. leather, tobacco, graphite, anise to black licorice, black, light peppery notes, grilled meats, rich earth, dry, crushed rocks, dry stones, limestone/sandstone minerals, hints of rubber toy with dark, purple, red, blue candies flowers framed in violets & lavender. The acidity is round, nicely executed & holds the ABV of the last decade nicely. The very long finish is; round, elegant, ruby, ripe fruits that are well balanced fruit & earth, polish for days and sunsets in dusty tannins with a deep spice end which, is why I love Caymus Classic so much.

This is my 2nd to my last bottle of Caymus Classic (😔) unless I go search for more. Just misses 94.

Note: My definition of Caymus Classic is defined by vintages up to 2011. After the 2011 vintage, they changed the style of the wine with longer fruit hang time which, translated to more sugar in the grapes & a much sweeter wine.

Photos of; Caymus tasting bar/room, Owner- Chuck Wagner, the winery & photo signage and their garden tunnel at their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Rebecca Ratzlaff

8.9

Wine club March 2019. Green apple, pear and lime. Light and zesty. 3.14.19 — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

As I evaluate my wine purchases over time, I consider; quality, pleasure and the price of the bottle of wine. Specifically, how good is the wine vs. the price and others that I’ve had that are certainly better wines but cost over $70-$500 more? In this case, are they worth 3 to 14 times more money? I find the answer more often than not, no. I feel this way about the Heitz & Joseph Phelps regular Napa wines over their higher priced wines for sure. And, many other high end producers. This wine was under $35 and it’s delicious without having reached its peak.

On the nose, stewed; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals.

The body is medium full, rich and elegant. The tannins are round, fine and nicely resolved. It’s seamless wire to wire. The structure, tension, length and balance are starting to really jell. stewed, ripe; blueberries & black plum, strawberries, ripe black raspberries, creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Black cherry cola, black licorice, limestone minerals, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, dark spice, dry stems, used leather, tobacco leaf, graphite, touch of mocha & caramel, dark rich soil, understated mint with red, dark & blue florals. The acidity is near perfect. The finish is beautiful and last minutes. Still a lot of life in the 08...another 10 years plus.

Photos of; the side of their tasting room, transiting Winemaker David Heitz. Still disappointed a Napa pioneering family sold to a corporation. Tasting room terrace, old school basket press and a wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Love these “Blue Boys.” Mollydooker (Aussie for left-hander) Wines was established in 2005 by Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding sweet spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel (16% Alcohol), full-bodied, long ending with a nice spicy finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — 3 years ago

Ben Lehman

9.2

This is a really good vintage for the SP68. Reminds me of why I fell in love with this wine over a decade ago. The aromatics alone just made me smile — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. — 5 years ago

Keith Eddleman

9.7

Black fruit mild oak soft tannins this is a delicious Napa Cab! Love GV — 6 years ago

with Jill

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Now BSR is one of our main Friday 375ml weekend kickoff celebration starters but, tonight is a little different and even more special.

I’ll be a little mysterious and private about it. However, let’s just say it has taken ten years over a long road to achieve a goal of mine but, today I did. So, a mighty BSR cheers with our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne (except Krug Rosé) with the love of my life, Sofia.

All my many notes still apply.

Hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy some nice wine and or spirits. Cheers! 🍾 🥂

Photos of; the House of Billecart Salmon, cellars, barrel room and Grand Cru vineyard. — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has oxidized honey, green herbs, hazelnut, apricot, faint-light petrol, eucalyptus, gardenia blossom, all powerful, concentrating and invigorating.

Palate has honey tea with oak sawdust, cedar plank, beautiful saline minerality, candlewax, great acidity bite that comes in late, such extravagance.

We've been enjoying these Heredia crianzas for many years, but they do need time to settle in and we're still drinking these too young, but damn they are guilty pleasures. We really fell in love with the Blanc many years ago, drinking young then patiently waiting several years, wow what an evolution!

Decanted 2+hrs, drink now or enjoy over the next 3-5 years without concern.

$22, yes I know that reads like a crazy price, because it is, only patience is required! — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.5

This wine is a uniter not a divider. I could open it for any audience—inmates, in-laws, ingrates....anybody—and they would all love it. Cork dorks and the casually ignorant can join together and hug it out over the modern day Spottswoode. It has a perfectly delicious simplicity for the masses while still possessing incredible complexity for the more discerning. Pure sweet plum, fine dusty smooth swirling tannins, dark chocolate and pure luxury on the finish. It was dancing with my dry aged bone-in ribeye tonight. — 8 years ago