Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This was an experiment started in early 2008. To see if Costco/Kirkland could bottle a good 2005 Margaux yrs later. The answer, yes.

This is better than some not as grand Margaux vintages. Better than Lascombes and a few others. 🤷‍♂️ Think this was $18.99 or so.

I met the Costco buyer at the time in Bordeaux at En Primeur in 2014. She had worked her way up from idle to the buyer for one of the largest wine seller’s in America. Costco’s number one position was recently was overtaken by Total Wine. Her path an amazing success story.

If you were poured this blind now, you would called higher. Especially, with a good steak.

The nose is classic Bordeaux. Dark currants, brambly, blackberries/ black raspberries, ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, plum, cherries, anise to black licorice, mid berry cola, graphite, used leather, moist to dry tobacco, steeped tea, dry limestone powder, sandstone, moist clay, touch of bay leaf, hint of pepper-grilled meats, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, bright to candied; red, dark florals framed in liquid violets.

The palate is; rich, ripe, kinda candied fruits that are; dark currants, brambly, blackberries/ black raspberries, ripe; dark cherries, raspberries m, strawberries, plum to plum pudding, cherries, anise to black licorice, mid berry cola, dark chocolate baking bar, baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, graphite, charcoal, used leather, moist to dry tobacco/ cigar box w/ ash, steeped tea, dry limestone powder, sandstone, dry river stone, moist, grey volcanic dark spices w/ palate heat, clay, touch of bay leaf, hint of pepper-grilled meats, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, gorgeously bright to candied; red, dark florals, lavender framed in liquid violets, rainfall acidity, well knitted/balance, mid toned/structured with an elegant/polished finish that last minutes and lands on graphite, spice and earthiness.

Moved between 92-93 with the steak.

Has another 7-10 yrs of road ahead.

An example of don’t judge a book by its cover. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Rainin steps into their premium line up.

This was big, big M-+ tannins that softened when I came back to it. It is big, brooding, lush/plush, dark chocolate, spice and elegantly round with time in the glass.

95+ with the right amount of time in the cellar, 8-10 more yrs plus. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Hall makes and imports a champagne. This 2011 Blanc de Blanc was surprisingly enjoyable. Should be more $70 rather than $170. Most Champagne people know this is more a good N/V vs it is a vintage. Should be priced closer to a good N/V. 2011 is also not a strong Champagne vintage. Not that some grower producer didn’t make a good vintage champagne. Good ones are rarer in 2011. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This bottling showed up at my Costco for $26.99. On experience, I thought it must be a pretty good burgundy value. Louis Latour a pretty good grower, producer & Negociant. So, I bought one. I was going to do a Premier Cru Chablis, but thought I’d try this tonight. 2023 also an amazing white burgundy vintage. And of course, to see if I wanted a few more.

This nose shows; sour green apple, golden apple, kiwi, lime, lemon, pineapple, white stone fruit, light orange citrus blend, honeysuckle, some dry herbs, vanilla, cream, caramel, dry twig/tree bark, beautiful chalkiness, limestone & volcanic powder, white & yellow lilies w/ greens.

The palate is round, viscous and waxy. Green apple, golden apple, kiwi, lime, lemon, pineapple, apricots, white stone fruit, light orange citrus blend, honeysuckle-comb, some dry herbs, vanilla, cream, caramel, butterscotch, touch of mint, graham crackers, dry twig/tree bark, beautiful chalkiness, dry limestone & volcanic powder, gentle white spice, white & yellow lilies w/ greens, grand, round, rainfall acidity, well knitted, balance for days with an elegantly, smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

91-92.

I believe the key to enjoying white burgundy is to let it warm to 55-61, not 46-48. Leave warmer climate, well wooded Chardonnay to the well chilled. Or, not well made Chardonnay…it cover up its flaws. Warmer temps bring out the flavor & beauty of good Chardonnay. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

One of my favorites of the tasting. Fine example of their craft. For a producer that makes as much wine and different bottling’s they maintain pretty high quality.

This again is a dark, thick Napa that is lush & plush. M+ tannins. Dark, nicely ripe fruits, soft earthiness, nice spice box, round an acidity and a well balanced, big structure/tensioned, elegantly polished two-minute finish. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

I like Diamond Mountain. 2022 was a challenging vintage for some and some others worked their craft to make some nice 2022’s. This is one that came up short and showed the short comings side of the vintage. In some cases but not all, it came down to a picking decision. Did you pick before or after the intense 10 days of heat during the harvest window. 10 days in a row of basically 100 degrees or hotter. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

These Egly-Ouriet Extra Brut’s have slowly & quietly moved into the center of my champagne wheelhouse. Dosage at 1g and 48 month on lees. 70% Pinot Noir & 30% Chardonnay. Based on the 2020 vintage. Cork July 2025. This cuvée is as dry as it gets.

Beautiful nose of; orange citrus-tangelo lead, Meyer lemon, mango, kiwi, bruised-green & golden apple, macerated pineapple flesh, honeydew, lime with zest, grapefruit with pith, butterscotch, caramel, frothy cream, enticing white spice, volcanic minerals, limestone marl, light bread dough to baguette crust, spiced herbs, sea fossils to spray, very light honey notes, graham crackers, yellow lilies, white flowers set in greens.

The palate has beautiful malty mousse, orange citrus-tangelo lead, apricots, strawberry tones, Meyer lemon, mango, kiwi, bruised-green & golden apple, Bosc pear, macerated pineapple flesh, honeydew, lime with zest, grapefruit with pith, butterscotch, caramel, vanillin, frothy cream, enticing white spice with some heat, volcanic minerals, limestone marl, nice chalky bits, light bread dough to baguette crust, spiced herbs, sesame seed oil, sea fossils to spray, very light honey notes, graham cracker crust, yellow lilies, white flowers set in greens, lively, crisp acidity, well-knitted, balanced, toned, great length, elegance & smartly polished finish that goes on & on…landing on spice & grippy minerality.

Made for long aging. 93-94. — 2 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Montagna is on Pritchard Hill.

This bottling showed & drank the best in the tasting. Gorgeous body & fruit. Very nicely soft & rounded M+ tannins. Ripe, lush dark & mid fruits, layered baking spices, beautiful mid dark spices, tobacco, leather, soft earthiness, dark & red flowers framed in violets, very pleasant acidity, well balanced, nicely knitted, polished and elegant with a full two minute finish. Showing nice intergration for a 21.

96 now. Add another point in 8-10 yrs. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The Mount Veeder I didn’t feel was up to what I have typically tasted here. It was fine. Just a bit uneventful. — 5 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I likely mentioned in one or more of my posts that I really like the style of the 18 Napa vintage.
This Stag’s Leap was no different.

The first pour was from an off bottle.

It had a beautiful body, excellent fruit, nice mid dark spice and soft earthiness. Good integration for a youngish Napa Cabernet. Well balanced, elegant and smartly polished finish that lasted 90 seconds.

Not worth $225 at the winery but you can find it for far less on the secondary markets.

93-94. — 5 days ago