William Feinstein

9.2

Still going strong at 15 years old. Slightly reserved nose of kirsch, white pepper and smoked meats. Blueberry, cherry cordial and dark chocolate on the palate. Framboise and white pepper on the moderately long finish. Don’t see it improving from here but no sign of imminent decline. Owned since release and sad to be on last 3 bottles. Provenance’s marquee vineyard wines are a great value. — 4 years ago

with Maryalice

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Don’t walk, run to buy at least a case of the 16 Napa Lot 2 Kalinda Cabernet. At $22 a bottle, it’s delicious at pop & pour (not to try & sound like @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum) and I can’t wait to experience it’s rounded complexity in 5-7 to years.

I don’t know which Napa producers juice K&L Wine Merchants bottled or had make their 2016 but, it’s delicious. They’ve bottled a Kalinda Cabernet every year since 1984 and have not missed on any bottling that wasn’t worth two or three times + what I paid for it. The 16 is absolutely one of their best.

On the nose, ripe & slightly candied; kirsch cherries, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, some plum and hues of blueberries. Incense, bright vanillin, cinnamon, clove, smoke, dark, moist soil, limestone minerals and bright dark, red & blue florals.

The body is rich and leaning towards full. Tannins are dusty big. The length, tension, structure and balance are beautiful now and will evolve over the next ten years. Kirsch cherries, dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, plum, strawberries, big vanillin cream, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, incense, dark spice with heat, licorice/cola, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, dark, rich moist soils, soft leather, wood shavings, cigar, bright, dark & red bright florals, waterfall acidity and a very, rich, long, elegant, well polished & balanced finish that lasts minutes. A steal @ $22. Don’t miss it.

Photos of, the K&L tasting bar in San Francisco, racks of wine in their SF store, Owner of K&L-Clyde Beffa and the marquee Napa sign all tourist stop to take a photo. — 6 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

One of the marquee wine from bolgheri a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon merlot and Cabernet franc they put Syrah in the blend up until the 2007 vintage — 10 years ago

Paul T HB

9.7

First time having this one, its a very nice bottle.
Stats, $225.00 release, $75.00 on K&L sale makes it even better!

And finally, there’s The Vow, which in this observer’s opinion is the marquee offering of the ’14 Gravel Series. Sourced from a narrow strip of rocky soil that runs through the South East corner of Round Pond’s Rutherford vineyard, T — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is the second wine of Cos d’ Estournel, Les Pagodes De Cos. I find it’s a good idea not only to buy first wines of Bordeaux in good vintages but, also buy the hell out of 2nd wines of good producers as it’s a close relative of their first wine for a lot less money 💰. 2005 was a marquee vintage in Bordeaux.

On the nose, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, limestone minerals, graphite, crushed, dry rocks, stones, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers.

The body is not quite full. The tannins are round, soft and well resolved, 65%. The structure, tension, length and balance are peaking. Ripe & slight ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, baked strawberries and notes of blackberries. Black cherry cola, saddle-wood, dark spice, dry stems, mint, limestone minerals, slightly moist clay, graphite, charcoal ash, crushed, dry rocks, stones, tobacco with ash, hints of; vanilla, clove & very light cinnamon. Dark rich soil, dry stones, anise, fresh & dry red and dark flowers. The acidity is quite nice. The long finish is; ripe & ruby, elegant, well polished & balanced and lasts minutes.

It’s just short of its peak and will drink well for another 8–10 years.

Photos of; the majesty of Chateau Cos d’ Estournel, library cellar, see through floor barrel room and the back terrace and grounds of the Chateau.
— 6 years ago

Bob Bryden

Founder The Lake Sommelier, LLC, Author Wine Talk

9.0

The 2010 from Heathcoate, Victoria in Rhone Valley style at 13.3 pct AbV. Very nice. — 9 years ago

with Christi

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

The nose reveals slightly sour & bruised fruits. Bruised golden apple & pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, green apple, lime zest/candy, melted, salted caramel, honeysuckle, white & yellow peach, brown butter, caramelized brown sugar, hints of mint, sea fossils, grey volcanics, whiff of white spice, vanillin, bread dough, yellow lilies, spring flowers with mixed floral greens.

The palate is rich, lush, round, a touch gluey & full. Nice mousse, micro-oxygenation, slightly sour & bruised fruits Bruised golden apple & pear, overripe pineapple, lemon meringue, green apple, lime zest/candy, melted, salted caramel, honeysuckle/honey comb, white & yellow peach, inside banana peel, brown butter, caramelized brown sugar, nougat, hints of mint, sea fossils, gritty, penetrating chalkiness, grey volcanics, some white spice with nice lighter heat, vanillin, bread dough, yellow lilies, spring flowers with mixed floral greens. Excellent acidy. The long, even, fresh, well balanced finish persists nicely and is delicious.

Nice bottle and well priced at $38 w/ deluxe gift box.

Photos of; House of Roederer, caves with A-Frames for the hand Riddlers, walk through tunnel and marquee Grand Cru vineyard. — 5 years ago

KA

9.6

As good as it gets for Jospeh Phelps marquee wine. Smooth, balanced and quite fruit forward. — 7 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

#Keller #Riesling #Kabinett "#Limestone"--if this was the only wine I tasted at Keller, I'd pronounce the vintage #2015 a great success! Gentle fruitiness and subtle sweetness... super mineral, floral, awesome acidity and overall balance... citrus notes... dances on the palette... incredibly attractive and it isn't even a marquee wine--OMG!!! #Rheinhessen — 9 years ago

Dade Thieriot

10

As simple and direct as Chardonnay gets...restrained, uncomplicated, elegant yet with great finesse as its hallmark and clean as a whistle. Not a marquee appellation but a very classy, affordable bottle--SANTÉ! — 9 years ago

with Petra