Will Stanley

9.4

The 2015 Viña Ardanza is only the third vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted, yet it has quickly become perhaps my favourite Rioja - for quality, value, style, and sheer pleasure. This is a match for the brilliant 2010, with an outrageously pure and beautiful nose of balsamic paste, bitter orange, black cherry, fig and vanilla. The palate is supple but firm, quite dark in character, with a gorgeous medley of black and red fruits, perhaps slightly fuller bodied than the 2010, and carrying through to a long, bitter orange, tar and tobacco-laced finish.

This is just such superb stuff, and to say it sells for around £20-30 a bottle, it’s a cellar must. — 3 years ago

Rico Shea

9.5

This is one of the best Cabs we have ever had. The flavor is full, rich chocolate, hint of oak. Smooth but dry, fantastic!! Delicious!! A must try if you are in to Cabs. V 2020 $69 list paid $59. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

A note from last weekend at the Gold Coast. Initially too cool from the fridge so left it for 20 minutes. Mid to a deeper yellow in colour. Aromas of Apricot and Quince with a touch of honey. On the palate - quince, apricot, pear - a mouthful of deliciousness and a flavour explosion - low acid. Texturally it is unctuous with the blend being around 80% Roussane. These vines were planted nearly 100 years ago and comprise only 3 Hectares. Needless to say the quantities produced are small. Must locate more if I can find. In summary a stunning full bodied white wine. — 5 years ago

J Mcconeg

9.5

Really great. Smooth, full, rich. This wine will go a long time, but if you must have it now do not hesitate with an early opening or a full day to enjoy in stages. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Grabbed a bottle to close the Summer on Labor Day weekend. Blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir this wine was rich and complex. Pale yellow, vibrant bubbles, Crisp fruit aromas, apples and pears. Palate shows generous mineral and toasty oak notes integrated with the fruit. Absolute a must on your list, a true house staple for me. Great Champagne value. Overall nice summer, a tad wet back east! — 8 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.1

If you read my other post....I'm thinking it's (partially) me. Another wine that I usually rate high, but my rating falls short from my typical Opus rating. After my disappointment with the Continuum, I opened this. Was more pleased, but these are two wines I typically would rate 9.4+....so very odd I rated both on the lower 9 end of the scale. Must be me. — 9 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From Magnum. Served blind alongside what was later to be revealed as the 1970 Mayacamas. This was universally determined to be from Bordeaux. But what wine and which vintage? The other wine served alongside seemed almost androgynous, relatively speaking, and at least one at the table was absolutely convinced that wine was the 1970 Mayacamas. And if that was this case, then this must be the 1970 Montrose…a wine which nearly epitomizes masculinity in Bordeaux.

A little later in the evening, this was a fun side by side with the 2000 Montrose which was served in a separate blind pairing. Truthfully, they seemed to be at a point where age was only a number. Both were unashamedly masculine with dark fruit, tobacco, and earth with ferrous minerals. Finish was long with great acid. For me, only notable difference between the two was the integration of tannin for which the 2000 was still holding fast. To be honest, both of these wines seem everlasting. The structure is that of Helms Deep and yet, there is juuuuuuust enough balance of fruit to make it worth the wait. That being said, you gotta be patient and/or have generational plans for your cellar. For both, drink now until…2070+? — 3 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.3

This Freddy’s ready. Must love petrol — 5 years ago

Danny Martinez

9.1

2020 is the year of Brad Pitt. The year he returns to the hearts and minds of everyone (Kris). Dinner @Bayfare Social to close out the Rosewood stay. Tapas of kale and hamachi and pulpo and chorizo. Delicious. The paella was missing the signature socarrat that makes it so delicious — outside of that minor miss, a solid night that ended with proper churros. And the wine? A solid staple that delivered as you would want it to... we must return (and not forget the croquettes or short rib) — 6 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.2

Maybe it’s silly to post a second wine from ducru, but... this is pretty darn good. Beautiful nose, complex flavors of blackberry, anise and oak from start to finish. The real thing must be AMAZING. 2005 rocks — 6 years ago

Ekasit Poositranusorn

9.5

Drink again on Nov 28, 2018; and this wine continues to remain my most favorite from Medoc. Must let it breath at least 30 minutes. Dark but bright ruby red color with very fresh aromas of red fruits like cherry, plum, and tobacco on the nose. Full-bodied and followed by very nice flavors of cherry, blackcurrant, chocolate, and a touch of sweet basil & dry tomato on the palate. Dry, silky but solid tannins, and end nicely with long length at the end. — 8 years ago

Marisol Sacramento

10

Daddy’s birthday killer. Sang. With cab franc. Must get. — 9 years ago

Conal Doherty

9.5

A beautiful wine, fruity undertones of summer really attack the pallet and arrest the senses. Simply a must — 9 years ago

David Nicewicz

9.8

Truly a memorable wine experience for this perfectly stored Sassicaia. The perfume on this wine was mesmerizing - Licorice, old library, tobacco leaves, leather and spice with a touch of cassis. I nosed it for 10 min before even tasting it (praying to the wine gods that the wine was intact) - perfection on the nose in my book. The palate lived up to the nose and perfectly reflected the notes with an added touch of dried roses and a hint of graphite. Why not a 10? The finish was a tad short, but I’m splitting hairs - I bought two more bottles of this from the amazing restaurant we ate at - La Caravella - in Amalfi. An outstanding restaurant, rich history (including a 1000 year old wine cellar with 20k bottles of wine which the staff graciously offered for me to tour) and lovely chef. A must visit for any wine/food geek if you’re on the Amalfi Coast. — 4 years ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.6

Upon decant was frightened it was flawed. Heavy iodine and herbaceous must. Then…. 3 hrs later everything blew off and it reduced to a perfect Pauillac. Deep crimson claret light on its feet. Red fruits with a renovating acidity that was refreshing. Man what gorgeous wine time can make. — 4 years ago

Willem Booij

9.5

Always an emotional moment a great aged Palmer! This is pure love from me to the wine, it’s smooth en delicate and pure elegance. 12% alcohol is perfect for me and it’s so good with our aspergerisotto. This is pure joy and wine as wine must be😋 — 5 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.3

Fresh red cherry, red berries with an undertone of réglisse. Silky tannin, great depth which requires a good hour to open. Once opened amazing nose that takes you to another place, a place you feel high! Must be the alcohol. Great 2015 vintage for this super Tuscan. Cheers — 6 years ago

NYR

9.5

Awesome! A must have — 7 years ago

with Adam

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Must be Friday! A glass of this will taste even better after a bottle of red later on. My new thing is to save some for after a big red wine. Makes everything in the BSR taste more...sort of like MSG. Cheers! — 8 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

10

Papillon 2014 Orin Swift! Of coarse its amazing, its Orin Swift. I changed the rating four times!!!!!!!! Super opaque cab blend! Bouquet is raspberry tart! The initial palate is black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry bliss. There is a spice that kicks in along with a tart tang that tingles the tip of your tongue and numbs the roof of your palate. Oak and tobacco cone to play in the taste next along with a dark chocolate spice! Yummy!!!!! Along with the bouquet the sip doesn’t last long enough so I must have another sip. It is moderately dry. Where is my steak????? — 9 years ago