Shay A

9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point. — 6 months ago

James Everhart

9.0

Like a rich Chardonnay. 2021 vintage for $25. Wish I could find more of it. — 2 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.3

Still very youthful, but in a great spot and open for business. Wish I had bought another. — 2 years ago

Lars Kirstein

9.1

A prototype red Bordeaux in my opinion, perfect time to drink it now, good fruity nose with leather and Graphit, medium body, red fruits, good acidity, medium finish and a mouthwatering wish for the next Glas — 4 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

Côte Challonnaise, the appendix of Burgundys esteemed golden slope, a necessary and much needed resort if you wish to drink decent and representative Burgundy’s without spending a fortune these days. The 2014 Bruno Lorenzo Cuvée is very true to its provenance, where the primary red fruit has just slowly started to retreat to give room for an earthy canvas of damp soil, dried leaves and truffle that we so much love with the true Burgundies. Six years after harvest it still has a long and happy life ahead, eventhough it drinks beutifully in its pre-mature stage as is today. more harmonazied than last encounter in December 2019 I would say.
Successfully paired with pan seared Salmon with red wine jus, and thinly sliced glazed beetroots.
— 6 years ago

Teresa S

9.5

Wish we had a photo. We let it decant for 30 min. Softest tannins left, reduced fruit, nicely balanced. Perfect. — 6 years ago

with Paul and Mads

Amanda Uhlianuk

9.5

This wine is moody but deep down has just the right amount of sweetness. The flavors shift and is a pleasant experience all the way to the end. Making you wish it wasn’t over for a mere $13. 👌🏻 — 8 years ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Raspberry, roses & tar on the nose, grippy tannins and a slight meatiness on the palate. Fruit is present but ever so slightly lacking for me, I wish it translated from the nose to the palate just a touch more. Overall very nice and enjoyable! — 6 months ago

Shay A

9.5

After missing a ‘70s and ‘80s Heitz vertical many years ago, I vowed to seek out a bottle as all the comments from the tasting were astoundingly positive. My last bottle of Heitz Martha’s was the ‘01 (which was great) a few years ago, but at 46yrs, this was quite the experience.

The ‘78 has a bit of a legendary status, so expectations were high. Upon opening, the cork was in good shape (sigh of relief) and the color was unbelievably dark ruby with some bricking (another sigh of relief). The singular signature menthol/eucalyptus began to fill the glass, alongside aromatics of red berry fruits, espresso, some sort of sweet brown sugar/caramel note, and a savory-graphite type note too. Beautifully elegant on the palate with more red fruit, herbs (bay leaf?), and even some pipe tobacco (subdued, not in your face), but it sports the classical old Napa cab profile that is pure. Spectacular wine, and I could simply smell the wine all day…the aromatics were so powerful the entire time.

Open in bottle for three hours and powered through the entire time. Wish I had another so I could have the same experience! — 2 years ago

Perry Atha

9.3

Absolutely delicious !!! Elegant- smooth sensual - everything you could ever wish for in a Pinot !! Order if you can find it!!! — 4 years ago

with Rob and Gene

Deb Dellaposta

9.1

Could have decanted as it was still showing young. Nice vibrant color and ripe red and black fruits. Well balanced and very nice for an entry level Mondavi. Wish I had more. — 5 years ago

with Ryan

Will Stanley

9.5

I get it, I get it. This is the first Chateauneuf that’s really wowed me. Having been left a little underwhelmed by the 2004 Beaucastel I had over Christmas (though I rated this highly at the time), I looked to Isabel Ferrando and her Domaine de Saint Préfert for some confirmation - in my untrained mind - as to the appeal of CNDP. And boy, did this bottle deliver.

This wine boasts a very powerful aroma, which drove me to profanity when I first smelled it; a mix of blueberry, liquorice, bergamot and coffee much of which continues on the palate. It’s incredibly ripe, full, seductive and has everything in check: fresh acidity, gentle tannin, and a long, velvety finish (think Turkish delight). My initial thought on composition was that this must be a Grenache-dominant blend given the ripe, fruit forward profile and high alcohol (15%), so as an amateur I was pleased to find out that, indeed, it’s 85% Grenache with 15% Cinsault.

A great wine that will age gracefully. I wish I had more. — 6 years ago

Steve Cunneen

9.7

An amazing wine. Delicious aromas of green and yellow stone fruit with some nice minerality. Smooth, clean finish that is refreshing and complex at same time. A perfect wine to pour for people who say they don't like Chardonnay. I wish I had a case. — 7 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.6

Highlight of the night! And a surprise to some degree. I kind off had given up on Lynch Bages. Given the high price, to me, the 2015 and 2016 were below expectation. But, boy, this 2018 rung all bells. Super concentrated, layers of evolving dark cherry, blueberry, current flavors and a superb balanced finish. All one could wish for. — a year ago

with Tammy

Bob McDonald

9.4

Typical nose of an Art Series Chardonnay with that dried pear character. On the medium weight palate a nice combination of ripe grapefruit and under ripe yellow peach. Medium minus acid. One can’t help but love this Chardonnay. A wonderful terroir, the Gin Gin clone, great winemaking, and an excellent vintage - ticks all the boxes. At its peak but enough acid for a few more years if you wish. That was my last bottle of the 2011. — 2 years ago

Daniel McCullough

9.6

Zing! Superlative bottle for superlative occasion, how I wish this was my birth year… beautiful balance of freshness either secondary, rounded characteristics. — 4 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

Mostly we were drinking Champagne, but we needed something to go with some meat so we opted for this half bottle of spicy blackberry and black pepper, cassis, flowers, and mushroom umami that made me very happy. Supple, restrained tannins, and of course phenomenal acidity. Wish I had a few bigger bottles of this to age for a few years. — 5 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

A superb vintage for Rostaing and the Northern Rhône. Intensely perfumed and seductive on the nose. Further reveals smoke, black raspberries and currants and hints of charred meats and spices. Finishes with excellent length and depth. A tremendous showing after a 2 hour decant. Only wish I had more bottles to hold! — 6 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.1

Damn, I wish I bought more of these at $9. I only bought two bottles and I am kicking myself for that now.
This easily comps to a $25 plus bottle. Black cherry, smoke, tar, and earth. Amazing value! — 7 years ago

Stephen F Laga MD

9.6

This 2005 vintage is really smooth. Perfect for dinner with family and or friends. No after taste. Great legs. I wish there was more. — 7 years ago