Elizabeth

9.3

We both like! A very drinkable Costco wine  — 3 months ago

KA

9.5

Curaçao cask — 5 years ago

Billy L.

9.5

PNP
Excellent right now!
RP Note 📝 here:
2012 Schrader "Beckstoffer To-Kalon - T6" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is from Clone 6 in a different block of Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, is aged in 86% new Darnajou and 14% new Taransaud. This wine is not terribly different, but Clone 6 is believed to be old Bordeaux clones brought over to Napa Valley and propagated. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, blackcurrants, blackberry, licorice, creosote and espresso roast. Deep, full-bodied, powerful and rich, this, again, shows the vintage’s voluptuous texture, full-bodied power and richness. “ (RP) (10/2014) — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

I have nothing to add to Robert Parker's spot-on take on the 2013: "The wine shows rich, saddle-leather-infused coffee and chocolaty blackberry fruit and plenty of robust, bordering on rustic flavors. This is a pedal-to-the-metal, fun wine and very well-made; a big, substantial mouthful of wine..." — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I've been curious about this wine for some time. The original 05 Ausone review from Parker was revised and one would think it was at the request of the Chateau. Parker's 💯 point review started something like this...if you are over the age of 55, you'll want to decide if you want to buy this this wine. Largely, due to his call on it's years of drinkability; which was from 2055-80. Parker's review was mysteriously revised within two months of it's original review. Tonight, I Coravin-ed this tasting of the Chapelle D'Ausone. The 05 Chapelle D'Ausone is still very big & tight but starting it's journey into a decent drinking phase. The tannins are still chewy and dark. The fruits are; ruby blackberries, dark cherries, a mix of blue fruits, strawberries paint the back palate, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, Christmas cake, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, spice-box, black tea, a whiff of green bell peppers, irony minerals, loamy soils, tree bark, a touch of leather, lead pencil shavings, dry stems, dry stones & dark moist soil. The acidity is perfect. The structure, length, balance and tension flirt with glory. The finish runs ripe to dry fruit and the minerals are rich with a dark elegance that lasts and lasts. As good as this wine is tonight, I'll put this bottle back; which is 1 of a 6 pack and wait another 7-10 years to reopen it. Both of Ausone's 05 wines are meant for most collectors end of life or meant to be left for their children. — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

This was already on my short list to pick up considering Parker's notes (94 points), but now that it's Spectator's #10 of 2016 I finally pulled the trigger.

Boom goes the Zin. The depth of field consists of explosive black raspberry followed by massive black cherry. A plethora of tertiary components, including white pepper, black licorice, leather, tobacco, and spice provide evidence of the century old vines. Goes strength to strength with the ridiculously silky mouthfeel. Not to mention, the alcohol is felt in the legs, not the mouth. It's 15.7% abv and it's only after I felt it did I check it. — 10 years ago

Robert Swart

9.4

Rich layers of toffee, dark chocolate, baking spice, and a smoky depth from the heavy char. Drinks much more smoothly than it should for its proof. — 8 months ago

Jason Brater

9.3

Wow. Tight at PnP but has opened and shown itself over last 24 hrs. Layered, mature, deep, luscious. Blackberry compote, leather, plum preserves, baking spice, white pepper. Still nice balance and solid tannins. — 5 years ago

with Michelle and Randall

Bertrand Glory

9.0

Pure 100% Syrah. Elegant and bright in spite of 15 degrees.
Retail price around 20 USD
90 points at Parker's — 8 years ago

Erik Rini

9.1

Nice Syrah but was expecting a little more power with Parker's higher rating — 9 years ago

Kyle Groombridge

9.3

I'll be the first to admit - Pessac-Leognan, with its pompous little history, gets overlooked and passed by in my drinking rotation way too easily. Perhaps not on purpose, but ultimately being deemed "not as exciting" as other left bank names like Margaux, Pauillac, and St. Julien.. but it's bottles like this that remind me why good Pessac is worth the time and effort to track down too.

After a couple hours of decanting, the nose is dark and haunting, with notes of sweet, smoky oak, blackberries, blueberries, violet, and black licorice. The tannins are present but not too astringent at all. Smooth and inviting, dark and perfectly balanced, this drinks beautifully right now but will have the stuffing to age at least 10-20 more years.. This is easily a standout of the oft-disparaged 2012 vintage and well deserving of Parker's 96-point rating. — 9 years ago

Casander Parker

9.0

Christmas Eve 2017 at The Parker's — 10 years ago

Tiago Correia Machado

9.5

Excellent fruit and flowers, especially for a 100% Loureiro wine. Parker's 94 points are most definitely a fair score. — 10 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.9

RP95Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A barrel sample, the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja Vineyard comes bounding out of the glass with notions of ripe red plums, Morello cherries and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of pencil shavings, violets and camphor. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with “Juicy red and black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and background”. I can’t say it better than Parker! I always love Wine from Tor - Great vineyard source. — 4 years ago

with Kristine

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2017 The Big Easy, Fess Parker's Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah blend, is powerful, inky and dense, and yet it is also impeccably balanced. Chocolate, plum, cedar, licorice and leather are some of the many notes that race out of the glass in this decidedly sumptuous, flamboyant wine. Readers who like overt, generous reds will find much to like here. I find myself increasingly drawn to The Big Easy now that it is a bit less heavy than it was years ago. This rich, hedonistic Santa Barbara red is sure to find many fans. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2019) — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Bottled at 61% and really needs a small ice cube to enjoy. Full of wonderful, sweet bourbon character. — 9 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Straw gold in the glass. Big bosomy nose of dried quince and honeysuckle. Echoed on the palate with musty banana. Bright tingling acidity wrapped up in the full body. A more versatile wine than Fess Parker's varietal Viognier, without losing the character. — 9 years ago

Chris Loretta

10

Agree with Parker's 100 points.. this is a gem! — 9 years ago

Craig Stanfield

9.1

It opens with a bit of funk but is otherwise a little muted. After an hour it still has some truffle on the nose and palate. I'm not picking up all of the mocha and black fruits that the professional tasting notes indicate. I do pick up loamy earth, crushed flowers, some plum and currants. It's really good and interesting but didn't line up with Parker's notes. I have another bottle of this and it will be interesting to revisit later. — 9 years ago

Nicklas Eli Sorensen

9.2

Of course it's too young to drink, but it already shows an amazing insight into its potential! Parker's notes and score are on point here!

Ever so classic a Pauillac; smoke escapes the glass followed by scents of oak, plums, asian spices, cedar and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied and explodes with flavours of plums, blackcurrants and cassis leading into smoked cherries, cocoa and cedar. Amazing complexity and strcture. This is one for the ages! — 10 years ago