Thomas Epps

9.4

Very good, nice balance, good finish, nice oak and vanilla, had a little trouble with spicy pepperoni on pizza. But, not really a fault of the wine. — 10 days ago

with Jeannie

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Light-medium body with excellent, back-end, enduring concentration without it being contrived or heavy-handed. Darting accents and flourishes throughout. Not the cheapest Merlot and it could still use a year or two but nice effort. Had been told at some point in the last few years that all the Merlot vines had been ripped out. Maybe they have and this is all purchased fruit? Difficulty remembering what lunch constituted tho so…4.1.26. — a month ago

Ericsson

9.4

2nd of Grand Cru Bordeaux. Great wine with incredible aging potential. Cheers. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!

Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.

I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.

The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.

The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.

A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.

Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation. — 18 days ago

Ming L

9.3

The nose shows plush and rich profile with waves of blackberry compote, plum, cassis, mocha and cedar. Yet the palate is surprisingly restrained and composed. The modest 13.5% abv lends balance, allowing floral nuances and graphite minerality to emerge beneath the polished richness.

Often considered the least prestige of the 2nd growths, in a great vintage like 2016 Lascombes still delivers. A long life ahead. — 2 hours ago

Damian

9.2

Medium dark ruby color, medium high acidity, tannins are there but pleasant after 3 hours in open bottle. Nose of dark fruit, dark chocolate, espresso. Taste of dark fruit, oaky flavors. — 9 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Actually deeper colour than the 1962 and 1959 . Slightly more medicinal nose , touch of swimming pool , lightly herbal with some dried fruit . On the palate this has a drier profile , darker dried fruit , slightly astringent acidity and quite gritty , rustic tannins . Slightly dry on the mid palate , but good earthy tobacco notes . Quite dense and robust , showing good backbone and body . Reasonable length , with earthy , gritty finish . Quite dense and structured. Not elegant but quite impressive for a 76 year old wine . Now and over the next 5 or more years , though obviously won’t improve. — 25 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Decant and pour.  On the nose:  dark fruit, pencil shavings, green bell pepper, leather, mushrooms.   Taste:  a brooding, still austere, structured wine with dark fruit, cassis, smoked earth, cigar, minerals, crushed stone.  Some pronounced tannins want you to give it more time for a better score in the future.

At Cote, Last Vegas — 7 days ago

with Brenda and

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

Ok more or less. — 25 days ago

Tom Garland

9.5

Inspire Napa welcome dinner
at Gamble Estates

VINTNER co-hosts
Dalla Valle ...2012 Maya
Harlan...2019 Harlan estate
Futo...2022 estate cab
Opus...2018 Opus
Screaming Eagle...2023 The Flight
Tench Vineyards...2023 estate cab franc
Vine Hill Ranch...2023 cab
Gamble estates...2022 reserve cab

FOOD
Hog Island oysters
Spring salad
Flannery beef striploin
Mustards Grill Alaskin Halibut
Sugar snap peas
Yukon potato hash browns
Mt Shasta porcini mushrooms
Burnt Basque cheesecake — 17 days ago

with Brenda