Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In Roman times, the estate belonged to a family called Figeacus, main villa stood on the site of the present château. Traces of the original pipework remain. A nice blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot & Cab Franc with berry fruit aromas, cigar box spice and floral notes. This 2nd wine shows flavors of blackberry and cherry with tobacco spice & oak on soft fine tannins. Full-bodied, long finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral. Need short term cellaring. — 22 days ago

Ericsson

9.4

Napa from times past, needs time to flourish to a harmonious wine with great nuance. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Very Nice! A Fav! — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Another great btl from a vintage I have had many times. This was fresh and drinking much younger than its age with red, black fruits, currant, cedar, leather, earth, sweet spices, tobacco & cigar ash — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Rustic old school styled Bordeaux with black fruits, cedar, leather, earth, graphite & cigar box. A wine I have had many times that is just hitting its prime with many years ahead — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

1998 vintage. Bottom neck fill and flawless cork. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Some sed but not too much. Medium body initially (and later) rich, fruity nose that translated well down the hatch. Wine thinned out (light-medium body) when tasted after the 30 minute mark with more earthy flavors and then fattened up again approx 45 mins later. Ultimately, left feeling it needed another 1-2 hours of decant time before starting the journey. First time with this producer. Had some solid, old-school, durty dirt and tobacco in the profile at times. Would like to taste again in the next 12 months.12.17.23. — a year ago

Brandon Boesch

9.6

Tasting great. Spiced red fruits, medley of vegetables just picked from garden with dirt still clinging. Reminds me of the muddy lettuce I’ve been picking this winter in Oakland. The nose is just unbelievable. At times cinnamon stick, then smoked brisket, then rain on bricks. Palate is lovely with some brighter red apple skin, plum, cranberry. Still an underlying grilled veggie with a hint of meat. It is a great northern Rhône style wine from Sonoma. Is it the closest a CA wine has ever approximated a French Syrah? Tasted blind I’d 💯 guess this is a Rhône from Kermit lynch. Update day 2: nose is much more savory, but the palate has an interesting sweet dried cranberry flavor. Still predominantly herbal/vegetable but that was interesting. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It's time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!


Dark Inky in color with a reddish/ purplish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, light dried fruits, cedar, light vanilla, herbs, licorice, spices, dark chocolates and light cola notes.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black cherries, black currants, bitter herbs, earth, chocolates, cedar, eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a wonderful Merlot from Columbia Valley. Soft and fruit forward. Rich and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of air time.

This 8 year old Merlot is complex and spicy. Really enjoyed the nose at this point, and the high alcohol is well integrated by now.

Easy drinking and a good sipping wine. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

I had this vintage a few times before, and it is always delicious. I just love Michel Rolland wines.

A blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels (85% new).

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$75. — 2 months ago

John Midea

9.4

Big, bold Beckstoffer Cab. Not as elegant as the 2014 but a serious wine for enjoyment. — 7 months ago

Erika Turner

9.2

Had this after a 2020 Rully. Exactly what was needed. Lifted citrusy good times. — 2 years ago

with Rubychick and See