Joaquin Martinez

9.0

Phenomenal. Given its 21 years of age (tasted in 2026) so alive and vibrant. Tannic and structured but I will say it gave me that blackcurrant and old book smell immediately but the palate was a live and "young" as it opened it up via decanting, the tar, cedar, and rich red fruit began to open up with touches of earth and mushrooms. Great wine. Honestly, towards the last tasting, I got hints of sweet and sour tamarind. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Similar notes from April 2020 when I last had it. A red fruited nose giving a lovely earthy perfume with Sous Bois influences. Loam, compost heap nose. Same red fruits on the medium weight palate with strawberry and a touch of raspberry. As Jasper Morris said in his book, Lavaux St Jacques is one of the cooler sites in Gevrey Chambertin. This is always the last Rousseau wine to be picked and enjoying a longer hang time. After a couple of hours, just a gorgeous nose. — 5 years ago

Stephanie

9.2

Purchased for hosting Book Club. Ruined me for other whites that evening. — 5 years ago

Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

9.1

Stunning , from an Urban winery . Beautifully made . Whole bunch straight to Burgundian barrels for 7 months . Long citrus finish acid !! — 6 years ago

Jamie Thibert

9.6

Rivals Flowers and Kistler in my book.. I cannot believe it’s a South African wine — 6 years ago

Laura & John Griffin

9.0

Bought in Rapid City, South Dakota at Firehouse Winery. Tried different red blends but this was my favorite- stronger than just their Cabernet- blends of red cherries and chocolate. Good wine and would buy again. — 7 years ago

Oliver Seaman

9.0

Pleased to report that the 2016 has lost none of the book-binding undertones of the 2014. Lots of cranberry, summer fruits. Acid. — 8 years ago

Jon Ebsworth

9.0

From 10 Greek Streets little black book…at 2016 maybe losing a little spice and edge but still silky Syrah by any measure — 7 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 4 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.5

Deep purple. Green bell pepper and eucalyptus nose. Muddled blackberry, anise, and white pepper. All of that carries over beautifully to the palate. Dry, medium minus acid, medium plus alcohol, tannins are medium and supple. After some time, I am also getting rare meat on the nose. This is a top 10 of 2020 for me. MELKA is one of the best in my book.

95 points — 6 years ago

Richard List

9.6

This is sublime Meursault. The 2009 is a beautiful golden colour with a text book nose, crisp attack on first taste resolving into a mellow mid-palate which goes on for ages before fading gently like the setting sun. This would be my house white in an ideal world. — 6 years ago

Kim Cusmano

9.4

Delicious. Smells of blueberry and minerals. Strong tannins. Fragrant. Yum yum yum. Plenty of alcohol to get the boys buzzin. — 7 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.0

A fun way to meet Jean Charles and his new book Alchemy of the Senses. Bright and bubbly. — 7 years ago

J Manncini

9.2

Hot beginning great sweet finish — 3 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Man. I love this winemaker.

Nose is smoke and dark fruit. It’s like a warm hug from your best friend Who’s wearing a sweater.

So comforting.

As it opens you get dried roses. Library book. Amazing.

Palate is dark cherry but in a light way. Still fresh. Elegant.

Man. Such a great winemaker.

Bought from fass selections — 4 years ago

Aravind A

9.1

Pop and 1.5 hrs slow ox. My initial read on this was that it was slightly faded, but I think that might just be a stylistic choice. Lovely bright nose, with good lemon and apple, but surprisingly light in style and surprisingly soft for a Corton Charlemagne. On the palate: fresh, with good acidity. Again, surprisingly soft. Maybe more Pernand-Vergelesses 1er than CC in my book. Ok. — 5 years ago

with Peter

SV

9.2

This is delish. September means syrahs outside in the evening chill with a good book are back. A thinking wine with violets and baking spices in the nose, and then assertive dark but bright fruit and tannins that are so so good in well made WA syrahs like this. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

30+ years ago, Jack Cakebread came to photograph Napa for a book & bought a vineyard, Cakebread Cellars was born. Cakebread wine offerings are among my Favs, Chard is no exception, consistent quality year/year. ‘17 has elegant nose, stone fruits, citrus, floral & honey scents. On palate complex flavors of apple, peach & lemon zest, balanced with good acidity & great mouthfeel. Lingering finish ending with wet stone and citrus character. Had this about 9 months ago, aging well. — 6 years ago

Carter Snead

9.4

Book night!! — 7 years ago

with Leigh

Tyler Martinelli

9.0

A text book German Riesling. Citrus and a some zing. Lovely :) — 8 years ago