Gabriel Diaz

9.6

Crisp tart summer wine — 4 months ago

with Virginia

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Clear dark ruby. Inviting nose of black cherry and cranberry. Medium full palate echoes the nose adding red apple peel and on the finish, a hint of vanilla and a touch of balsam. Medium tannins that assert on the finish as well. Mouthwatering medium plus acidity wraps it all up. A classic Willamette PN blending New World fruit with Old World style and structure. A universal red that’s ready for nearly any cuisine. Drink now through 2028 with some minor development. — 3 years ago

Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Tom Kobylarz

9.1

Tertiary, salty, savory, apple, quince, grilles pineapple. — 4 months ago

Mary Ellen Bonisteel

9.4

Love the Prosecco very happy with the rose. Will definitely will buy. — 3 years ago

Amie Murphy

9.2

Consistent, universal appeal, blackberry, red raspberry, slight peppery finish — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — 3 years ago

Paul T HB

9.3

Nice bottle for $50.00, decant an hour so & you’re set
Info I found on the dark web as follows,

This property possesses 16 hectares of vines (60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc) and was purchased in 1978 by Comte Léo de Malet Roquefort, the owner of Château La Gaffelière. In June 2011 it was acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, which also owns Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion. Its new owner decided to rename the property, starting with the 2011 vintage. Château Tertre Daugay, the fifth cru classé to be acquired by the Clarence Dillon group, became Château Quintus.The property is located on a high promontory that forms the edge of the Saint Emilion plateau. It commands a panoramic view far into the distance of the surrounding villages and the Dordogne Valley. It is here that, since time immemorial, a watchtower has stood to guard the village of Saint Emilion. The exceptional microclimate is due to the area's diversity in terms of soil, slopes and orientation. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that in 1844 and 1848 the wine was among the 14 most sought-after and expensive in Saint Emilion. For nearly a century, Bordeaux et ses Vins, the standard reference work produced by Cocks and Féret, listed the property as a Saint Emilion Premier Cru. The property was also one of the prestigious vineyards in Saint Emilion to win a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867. — 2 years ago

Brian S

9.6

Venus is a stellar no dosage champagne. Definitely worth seeking out.

A unique terroir
A Brut Nature champagne
Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
Vintage champagne

Always a vintage champagne, this cuvee comes from a single vineyard of 60 ares in AVIZE (Fosse aux pourceaux).
No heavy mechanical machines were used in the maintenance of this vineyard, which has solemnly been worked by man and by horse.
Vénus is the domain’s single vineyard emblem.
Bottled under cork.
Disgorged 2 months before the release date without dosage.
This cuvee is only available in bottle. — 3 years ago

with Ellie

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Vibrant red purple. Inviting, abundant nose of musty black cherry. Medium-bodied palate of that same black cherry with some light black tea, earthy pomegranate, and a hint of anise. Throw in medium plus acidity and medium tannins and we have a classic New Zealand PN that can hold its own with meals of any type (it’s the universal red, after all). New World meets Burgundy: that’s New Zealand. Drink now through 2029. — 4 years ago