Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2021 vintage. Last tasted 10.8.25 (9.2). Light-medium bod this visit vs medium bod previous go round. Fantastic nose still redolent of dark fruit-infused graphite, blood, night time riverbank mud and dark chocolate-covered cherry. Finish currently that artificial, grapey cough syrup mixed with espresso...a veritable ayahuasca potion flavor (don't ask me how I know) and fairly bitter. Wine all about the approach and handshake vs the actual transaction but still very interesting and worth the super affordable price. Not the biggest BDX so you could easily bounce into Rhône or Burgundy or Bandol to keep the party going. 1.6.26. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2005 d’Issan is showing off both the attributes of the vintage and Margaux. Its color is deep and aside from some slight rim variation, it hardly shows its age. Handsomely perfumed, the nose is redolent of black currants, black plums, dark brambles, tobacco, leather, gravelly earth and subtle warm spices. Maybe a kiss of Brett? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium(+?) acid. Both come across so smooth but they are certainly there. The notes from the nose are confirmed. The finish is long and satisfying. Bold and yet refined. Suave. Textbook. Drinking very well right now and certainly doesn’t need more time however, it’s hard to imagine a day in the next 20+ years that this wine won’t perform. — 3 years ago

Michael Walker

9.9

Have a long history with the BV GdL but not sure if I’ve reviewed the ‘11. Decanted this one 2.5hrs and served with short ribs. The nose is the star of the show: pungent, redolent, pick your wine superlative. The palate just slight underwhelms after the overwhelming nose but still superb. Probably peak aging or maybe slightly past. — 4 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Nice bbq chicken 🐓 bottle Wine Advocate review & rating 92 points, be released in 2015, the 2008 San Leonardo is a wine in its infancy. The nose is immediately redolent of dark cherry, blackberry, leather, tobacco, mint and eucalyptus leaf. You will also appreciate the floral tones of pressed rose and almond blossom that lift from the glass. The harvest schedule played out on time with Carmenère coming in at the end of September and Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon towards the beginning of October. The 2008 vintage is especially marked by a duality of floral and menthol notes that rise from the glass with brilliant intensity. The 2008 vintage needs ten year or more to find its proper footing. — 5 years ago

Tyler Porterfield

9.5

Yes, more of this... — 6 years ago

Devin Bray

9.6

Aged 19 years, redolent of cedar, spice, dark fruits, cinnamon, and leather. Very different from the 17 year. — 6 years ago

Vinous Favorites

Delicious wines for less than $25 chosen by Vinous critics

9.0

This sneakily 100% Garganega is redolent in fresh citrus and stone fruit aromas and flavors, with a noteworthy flinty undertones and terrific balance. It will match well with vegetable appetizers and most fish dishes. (ID) — 10 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2020 Barolo Le Coste di Monforte is redolent of iron, game, incense, scorched earth, blood orange, dark fruit and tobacco. A potent, strapping Barolo, the 2020 is certainly not for the timid. It offers tons of Monforte power, brawn and muscle. A few years in the cellar is an absolute must. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2024)
— 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

The 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is redolent of dark fruits, leather, incense, tobacco, lavender and dried herbs. This strapping, muscular Barolo has a ton to offer. All it needs is to soften a bit, and whether or not that happens is something of an open question at this stage. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2023)
— 3 years ago

Michael Walker

9.8

Quite austere, maybe a few years past its prime, nose redolent of Grenache, but palate very restrained, reminiscent of faded fruit. Quite tannic actually. J says you can really sense the “vielles vignes”. Very good but would love to try something newer, maybe a 2015 — 3 years ago

RustyR

9.1

Not like any pinot — 4 years ago

Ryan Mullins

9.3

This must be the place Pinot noir. It says with a clear voice that is from Eola. A beautiful expression of the very pretty 2019. On 72 cases made. Worth seeking out. — 5 years ago

Matt

9.4

Gorgeous, redolent with wild red berry and cherry fruit, blood orange, licorice, anise, mint, crushed rock, smoke. Acidity is so alive and vibrant and drive the wine. Tannins are charmingly granular yet fine, persistent and have a soulful feel to them. Day 2 more dark almost hinting at blue/black fruit emerged, riper and heady. Juniper and forest notes really coming to the forefront. The freshness and depth that is emerging is insane. — 5 years ago

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

8.9

Redolent of tangerines. Vanilla and flint after a couple days but surprisingly vivacious — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2022 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is redolent of sweet dried cherry, spice, new leather, mint and sweet pipe tobacco. This aromatic, gracious Pinot is a charmer. All the elements are nicely balanced throughout. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2024)
— 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

“Rain drops, drop top…” this bottle of the 2004 Paul Bara “Special Club” was popped and poured and enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The color is a light gold with a significant and persistent mousse. Developing, the nose is redolent of fresh, ripe raspberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, lemons, brioche, and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and delicious and there’s an almost oily texture. I thought this was outstanding on its own and worked very well with both the chicken and duck dish at the table. While this is singing right now, I have little doubt this will continue to age with grace for another 10+ years. A decadent champagne that’s definitely, ahem, “bad and Bouzy”. — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Hanger steak 🥩 bottle
Peeps on delectable be drinking this way too early

K&L notes

An exceptionally successful vintage for this property. Pretty, deep crimson. Rich nose redolent of treacle. Smooth, quite sumptuous texture. Very flattering and relatively subtle. I just drank a bottle of this beauty (3/15/20) and it was heavenly. So sweet and elegant. A bit toasty cassis on the nose. Lingering finish-delicious wine and top value for next few years.
Drink from 2020 to 2023 — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; consumed over two days with little way in evolution. Cork pulled perfectly. The 2013 Caravina pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core and some very fine sediment. Medium+ viscosity and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is intense…redolent with black fruit, black currants, blackberries, some black cherry, black plum, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, espresso, some green bell pepper, iron rich tilled earth, purple flowers, vanilla and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is very dry with medium++ tannins and medium+ acid. The tannins are integrating well but remain very firm. The black fruits dominate on the palate coming across tart and fresh in the most becoming way. Dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices are there too. The finish is super long and incredibly satisfying. This wine has such a dark and sexy streak to it. It’s like, the Portishead of wines. It’s drinking very well right now and should continue to do so for at least another ten years. One of my favorite vintages of Caravina to date. — 4 years ago

Elle Cantrell

9.5

Great full flavored rosé! — 6 years ago

Mompops

10

Redolent of ripe melon, honey, apricot, on the nose and the palate. Buy this wine! — 8 years ago