Bob McDonald

9.2

Brief notes at home with Fettuccine in the Puttanesca style. Ended up being the perfect accompaniment. Menthol and savoury cherry with earthy aromas. Balsamic notes with a tarry nuance. Really enjoyable and tasting way younger than its 14 years. I would love to have the experience and knowledge to distinguish the different nuances between the Produttori Cuvées. Rabaja and Asili seem to be two of the preferred Cuvées among professionals. — 3 years ago

kjcjapan

9.0

Very drinkable. Very smooth with great depth. Notes of mocha, cocoa, and black pepper at the finish. I note that several of the professionals and others trash this wine but they miss the point of this wine: it is meant to be fun and poured among diverse friends and food. -- 2017 vintage — 3 years ago

Aaron Tan

8.9

First experience with Launay-Horiot. While I've heard lots of good things about this rising star in Burgundy, the 15' Chaponnières was just underwhelming. Sure, there's balance and depth in the wine, but I expected a little more freshness and fineness from the domaine. Tasting notes from the professionals seem to indicate the prevalence of the vintage's warmth in this wine. Rich and earthy would best sum it up. Bouquet of cherry brandy, earth, mushroom, and graphite. The palate is muscular and smokey, balanced by well-judged acidity. Nice chalky tannins and finishes with a savory tang. A miss here for me especially for the price, but at least there wasn't any marmalade notes which I detest in Pino. Will seek out Xavier's wines again, but probably 16' onwards first. — 5 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

9.6

Superb. Still young, but starting to show the first signs of opening in its aromatics.

More than anything, for me wine is about people. That’s why I spend so much of my time on the road, visiting with winemakers, vineyard managers, owners and other professionals. I first tasted this wine in the spring of 2013. I visit many Napa Valley properties at that time of year (2020 looking like an exception) to taste the new vintage. At Blankiet that usually means working blends, but in 2013 I tasted straight from the barrel with Claude & Katherine Blankiet and Denis & May Britt Malbec. It was a fascinating tasting, as I had a chance to not only taste many unblended lots but also see how the same wine responded to barrels from different coopers. So, when I saw this label, it took me right back to that day. It was a delicate time for me. I had left The Wine Advocate, but Vinous did not exist yet. And of course, Denis Malbec is no longer with us.⁣
— 5 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

Less dense and minerally compared to the 09' d'Eugenie Clos Vougeot, but it was my preferred red Burg on the table. It just had more energy! Pure and pretty bouquet of red and black fruits (leaning on the latter), florals, savory spice, and earth. The same can be said of the palate, with quite a bit of power in the back-end. Finishes weighty with a drawn out fruit sweetness that's perfectly in tension with the saline, tangy elements. Dissipated quickly over dinner. Another win for the sisters and 2010!

NB: An episode on Wineking got me thinking about the way I rate wines. Totally "unprofessional". Haha. The hosts were talking about how wine professionals have to forgo preferences and put on their thinking hats to judge wines, which makes perfect sense (and is taught in WSET too) but I just rate wines here based on how "drinkable" it is to me (and in context of the occassion). Scores wise, I'm sure this was the "lesser" of the two red Burgs we had. Just had less "substance". But "drinkability" wise, clearly everyone thought this was better. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dense Ruby in colour. All the classic Cabernet descriptors - Blackberry cassis, black olive and of course Mint - textbook Coonawarra Cabernet. On the palate such purity - ground cocoa, call it dark chocolate, berry fruits, touch of cedar. This wine at 10 years of age, whilst only young, and will live at least another decade, is drinking beautifully now. Made by the talented Sue Bell who was the Dux of the 2007 Len Evans Tutorial ( a handpicked group of only 12 - outstanding winemakers, somms and other full time wine professionals. Aubert de Villaine every year generously donates a mixed dozen of DRC, such was his friendship with Len Evans and James Halliday). Needless to say Sue Bell has one of the best palates in the country. A few years ago she was a guest Judge at the Toowoomba Wine Show where I often judge. I was in awe of her knowledge and her palate. On the strength of this wine I will order her 2015 Cabernet. — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.0

The start of petrol, tangerine, white peach, nectarine, lemonade. Good acidity. Want more mineral and layers, but I enjoyed this. Tasted with some other professionals who enjoyed as well. — 3 years ago

Leo Gentile

9.3

Tremendously flavorful wine. Balanced richness and enough acidity to be food friendly. Enjoyed with a dry rub sirloin and cucumber salad & Brussels sprouts from garden. Inky and clear with no brick. Nose is understated but no alcohol burn despite 14.6 AbV. Loads of ripe black fruits without jamminess. A hallmark of the vineyard and winery professionals, Ridge consistently manages to produce these monster wines that are always fun to explore and enjoy — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Pale to medium lemon in colour. Immediate impressions- Oaky, Leesy, white peach, hazelnut - profound aromatics. A medium to full bodied palate with these same peachy leesy nutty flavours - a little broad - medium minus acid. Savaterre from Beechworth is near Giaconda, who many wine professionals in Australia, think make the best Chardonnay in Australia. The label on this Savaterre recommends decanting which I didn’t do. Rarely decant whites. — 4 years ago

Erin Joyce

9.2

This is the last Wind Gap bottle I have from their original owners. Savoring the leathery, cherry, woodsy elegance and toasting to all Medical professionals who are risking their lives right now. — 5 years ago

with Sandra