David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

The nose is somewhat muted. Yet, still beautiful. Dark, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark cherries with ripe strawberries hues. Dark chocolate, beautiful, soft baking spices, dry herbs, dry top soil, dry volcanic powder, tea leaves, some tarriness, tobacco w/ ash, lead pencil, leather, back licorice, dark, red, withering flowers framed in violets.

This drinks incredibly well now but needs more evolution. Many will find this hard to resist now.

The palate shows; dark, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark cherries with ripe strawberries hues. Refined but medium plus tannins, dark chocolate, coco powder, beautiful, soft baking spices, dry herbs, dry top soil, dry volcanic powder, tea leaves, some tarriness, rich, dark forest floor w/ dry leaves dark, dry brush, fine, powdery spices, tobacco w/ ash, lead pencil, leather, back licorice, dark, red, withering flowers framed in violets. Perfect acidity and a round, plush, well balanced/knitted, beautiful structure, nicely tensioned finish w/ length that lasts two-minutes falling on to nice earthiness. Las Piedras for minerality always.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

Gorgeous nose that shows ruby, plush, slightly candied-gummy, floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, moist volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, light dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets.

Gorgeous, seductive entry and mouthfeel. Buyers are going struggle not to open and drink these 21’s early. They are that good now and people that read this nonsense that I post almost never reads as such! But, I’d still hold to get full price of admission. Lithography craft & wine prices necessitate it. Floral, ripe, juicy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dark spice with heat that cools as it sets, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, some black pepper, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove & nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, most volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets. Grand round acidity with a plush, rich, balanced, elegant finish’s that seems not to end, but falls on dry earth spice.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

With all due respect to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this is the original Donjon. Claire Fabre represents the third generation in charge at Le Vieux Donjon. Founded in 1966 by her grandfather Marcel Michel, and run by her parents Lucien and Marie José Michel from 1979 to 2008. Prior to taking the reins, Claire interned with Harlan Estate in Napa. Consulting oenologist Philippe Cambie also lends his services. Despite the Harlan/Cambie associations, Le Vieux Donjon is old school, through and through, and ascribes to the traditionalist principle of "one estate, one wine." The 2010 does not disappoint. While there's clearly a smoked mesquite overtone that permeates throughout and continuously, the plum, black cherry, kirsch, black olive, lavender, dried Provençal herbs, tar, and cured meat entangle thoroughly. The result is an incense that doesn't quit. — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

I would say this is good to very good, but not necessarily dynamic. One thing I do appreciate is that while this shows oak, it’s not over done. 93 and 94 with a bit of bottle age.

The nose shows, lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, touch of kiwi, candle wax, cream, notes of caramel, limestone powder, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine.

The palate entry is ripe, juicy, softly round & elegant. Nice viscosity. Fruits are; lemon, lime white peach, just ripe pineapple, green apple, some very ripe peach although it’s understated, tropical melons and touch of kiwi. Candle wax, cream, stronger presence notes of caramel, honeycomb, hint of light butterscotch, butter cream, dry limestone powder that seems to show some chalking, very light grassy notes, white spice, sea spray, yellow lilies, spring flowers & jasmine. Excellent round acidity and an elegant, well balanced, well knitted, nicely tensioned and smartly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands squarely on earthiness & spice.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

The nose shows riper, slightly candied and perfumed floral fruits that are; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark, candied cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues & raspberries on the glass edge. Black licorice, mid berry cola, red licorice/cola, dark chocolate cake w/ frosting, steeped fruit tea, soft baking spices, fresh tobacco hues, new leather/pleather, limestone marl, river stone, dark, sweet, moist earth, candied florals; dark, blue, red set in liquid violets.

The mouth entry is juicy, lush, round elegance. What mouthfeel. It is already drinking gorgeously. Candied and slightly perfumed floral fruits that are; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, mulberries, dark, candied cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues & raspberries. Mid berry cola, red licorice/cola, dark chocolate cake w/ frosting, steeped fruit tea, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon powder, vanillin, caramel & mocha, dark spice w/ some palate heat, anise to black licorice, mix of fresh & dryish tobacco hues, new leather/pleather, cedar to softens to sandalwood, limestone marl, river stone, dry top soil, just a dash of dry herbs, dark, sweet, moist earth, candied florals; dark, blue, red set in liquid violets. Perfect acidity and another beautifully; balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish w/ great length that lands on dry rock powder and lasts minutes.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

Steve Anderson

9.1

I don’t recall which vintage but cool that it was being poured by Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie. Tasting pour at Hospice du Rhône Saturday Grand Tasting. — 7 years ago

Nadia Obrestad

8.9

Dry, easy drinking summer bubbles — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

All their reds show beautiful noses that are ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, sandalwood, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets.

I sound like a broken record on this sixth wine, elegant, fresh, plush, velvety, round, soft supple tannins on this well balanced elegant entry. They are simple gorgeous and easy to drink young. Yet, I still can’t stress showing restraint on these 21’s and waiting 7 or more years. Wow…haven’t been this impressed in a Napa tasting in some time. Ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, soy dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, dark spice, dry herbs, dry top soil/brush, sandalwood, wet clay, sandstone, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather, right amount of lead pencil with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets. Wire to wire great length & straight up consistency from entry to long finish. Perfect, round, rain shower acidity and amazingly balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant, plush, finish that is without end.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

This is quite good & somewhat approachable for a Napa Cabernet so young. Yet, not entirely surprising given the vintage, terroir & winemaking team. But, it should lay down another 7-8 plus for you to get your full price of admission.

The nose reveals ripe, rich, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, lots of blueberries, mulberries, black plum skin & deep, very dark cherries. Big cocoa/mocha, fresh with some slightly dry tobacco, soft leather, black licorice and mid & dark berry cola, dark chocolate to chocolate cake to chocolate pudding, soft baking spices, dry herbs with an undertone of spearmint, soft barrel shavings (I like the wood & barrel toast they have selected), soft, elegant forest floor with dark, slight candied with some withering red, flowers that are set in lavender & liquid violets. Beautiful!

The fruits are perfectly ripe, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, lots of blueberries, mulberries, black plum skin & deep, very dark cherries. Big cocoa/mocha, fresh with some slightly dry tobacco, soft leather, black licorice and mid & dark berry cola, dark chocolate to chocolate cake to chocolate pudding, soft baking spices-nutmeg, cinnamon clove & vanillin, dry herbs with an undertone of spearmint, soft barrel shavings, dark Indian/Asian spices-some Allspice mixed in, pronounced lead pencil, soft, elegant forest floor with dark, slightly candied with some withering red, flowers that are set in lavender & liquid violets. Flowers/florals are exquisite. Excellent round acidity with an extremely well balanced/knitted with an amazing glorious finish that goes on and on. Really well made. I would like to try this again in another 7-10 years. One dent, it does show some alcohol burn. 14.8% ABV. Feels above 15. Maybe, 15.5.%.

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky who’s resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 3 months ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

This pops with vibrant strawberry and kirsch, but continues reverberating with incense, citrus peel, damp chalk, and licorice. I would happily spend $15 again, but this gives me the confidence to trade up to Halos Gigondas or Chateauneuf du Pape the next time around.

Finally trying this label... Considering the esteem to which I hold Philippe Cambie and my love for Grenache, it's been a long time coming. Cambie, along with a Michel Gassier, produce Grenache-focused bottlings from nearly all the Southern Rhone AOCs under the Halos de Jupiter label. To Cambie, Grenache is the king of all grapes, thus the comparison to Jupiter (Zeus in Greek), forming the basis of the label. The halo symbolizes the appellations that best express the personality of Grenache. http://www.philippecambie.com/en/les-halos-de-jupiter/ — 8 years ago