Brian Montgomery

9.5

Best Merlot ever had — 8 days ago

with Jessica

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Mid-shoulder fill with top-notch cork. Decanted and tasted after 3 hours. Medium/medium-heavy body. Jello chocolate pudding nose. Chunky mix of dark and milk chocolate flavors in the frontal palate that picked up a hitchhiking, dark plum passenger in the mid-palate and cruised to the finish without any speed bumps. Tannins almost completely integrated. Smooth, rich, weighty, crowd-pleasing finish. Wanted a small, dirty dissenting opinion to further confirm the current harmony/vibe but none was forthcoming. So much life ahead. Zero rush to crush. 08.01.25. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

As you can see from my previous Delectable notes I normally drink Mollydooker reds, particularly Carnival of Love, on cold nights in Winter. This certainly worked. Aromatics of black plum and other black fruits. The palate is ripe, sweet and full bodied - quite thick and textured. Has come together somewhat after 15 years but still a very powerful McLaren Vale Shiraz. Jeb Dunnuck’s comment of “full bore and hedonistic “ sums it up. This was the #2 wine in Wine Spectators Top 100 of 2012. — 4 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

From 750-ml, this great Sauternes is hopelessly youthful at age 25, dried apricot, great acidity, long, lingering finish, top notch!! — a month ago

with Jim

Karen Tripson

9.1

Love love love — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This 2010 is in tip-top form.

Beautiful, ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum/black plum for days, cherries, strawberries, raspberries & some pomegranate highlights. Cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg & soft vanillin, black teas, mid berry cola, both licorices, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped black tea, limestone minerals, some charcoal, pepper, grilled meats, dark spice w/ heat, sandalwood to cedar, dark, withering flowers with violets, grand acidity and a balanced, well tensioned/structured, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on spice.

Even adding the plum reduction sauce, the 2011 Burnello is still the better pairing.

Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, founders-Dan Kosta & Mike Browne and their barrel & tasting room. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.

Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute. — 6 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Opened the bottle 10 hours prior. Starting to get into zone now. This is top drawer stuff! New World smooth mingles with Old World punch. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

1990 vintage. Previously tasted 3x in the last 4+ years 01.20.23 (9.6), 05.16.21 (9.4) and 09.21.23 (9.5) Top shoulder fill. Excellent cork. Decanted and tasted immediately. Oodles of sediment as expected. Beguiling St. Estèphe nose. This. Was. Phenomenal. Best of the four horsemen/tastings. Enough structure to build the infrastructure for a new city along with a surprising amount of dark fruit. A well-stored, large format bottle of this might just show you the best time you’ve ever had. WoW. 08.14.25. — 2 months ago

Alan Hyde

9.3

Smelled absolutely wonderful… like a top Cabernet from Oakville. — 4 months ago