Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

2007 Chateau de Beaucastel- The 2007 Chateau Beaucastel is deftly walking the tightrope between primary and tertiary tones at the moment. Aromatically profound, the wine immediately unveils layers of black fruits woven together with shades of white truffle crudo, black peppercorns and Earl Grey tea that take shape in the glass. Showing brilliant verve and freshness, the palate has great depth of concentration, power and range. Blackberry compote and black licorice flavors combine with lighter red raspberry, damp earth and Provencale herb accents on this expressive palate. The long finish marvelously accentuates this beautiful wine. Marvelous now at the thirteen year mark, the 2007 Chateau Beaucastel has many years of drinking enjoyment ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 95 — 13 hours ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.8

The 2016 Chateau Climens is a head-turning blend made by the talented Bérénice Lurton, who has managed this property since 1992. 100% Semillon, this golden hued wine shows an exotic aromatic display, offering apricot jelly, pineapple upside down cake, butterscotch and shades of toasted hazelnut the all mingle together on the nose. Showing a glorious combination of tension and viscosity, the 2016 Climens shows incredible length and elegance despite its obvious power. Rich lemon creme brulee, vanilla cream, and orange marmalade flavors combine with a bright sense of minerality and a light salinity. The seamless quality of the wine is remarkable. Simply glorious now in its youth, this scintillating new release will have an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 2026-2050- 98 — 11 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2015 Quintessa Red Wine is a gorgeous effort by the talented Rebekah Wineburg. Immediately drawing appeal once in the glass, the wine shows a really nice range of primary aromatics, from blue and black fruits to shades of tar and pipe tobacco that all sing in harmony. The palate is dense but has a weightless elegance as this effortlessly glides across the mid-plate. Rich dark chocolate covered espresso bean and boysenberry torte flavors combine with the tar and graphite tones once on the mouth. Beautifully textured and balanced, the 2015 Quintessa Red Wine is glorious in its youth but could benefit from a few years of bottle age to even more fully evolve. Drink 2021-2040- 95 — 15 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2009 Chateau Pichon Lalande is a thrilling wine to savor at now eleven years of age. Needing a one hour decant to be fully expressive, this glorious Bordeaux opens with a deep core of tar, chocolate covered espresso bean and blackberry compote aromas that take shape in the glass. The dense, chewy mouthfeel is lined with moderate tannins that provide the backbone alongside the bright acidity. Layers of dark fruits are woven together with creosote and shades of Turkish coffee and cassis on this expressive palate — all leading to the exceptional long and inviting finish. Truly sensational now, this beautiful, warm vintage Bordeaux will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Be sure to give this a long decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2040- 95 — 3 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (46%) and Merlot (36%) the 2014 Columbia Crest ‘Walter Clore Private Reserve’ Red Wine is a gorgeous wine that is showing marvelously at five years of age. Coming from an exceedingly warm vintage in Washington, the spicy tones and deep core of dark fruit aromas mingle nicely in the glass. Generous and showing a plush texture, this has wonderful length with blackberry pie, cigar box, anise, Turkish coffee and shades of blueberry compote. The long finish lingers. Spectacular now, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93 — 10 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.9

The 1989 Chateau D’Yquem is a stunning showing at more than 30 years of age. While this is obviously showing some signs of age, the bright acidity of the wine shows that this still has many years to go. Nutmeg, butterscotch, Meyer lemon creme brûlée and toffee aromas fill the glass and entice the senses. The palate shows serious weight and tension leading to toffee infused bananas foster, kumquat zest and roasted pineapple creme brûlée flavors that meld together in harmony. Complex and insanely delicious this wine is near perfection in the bottle. The finish to this wine is truly astounding and lasts for more than one minute. While it is gorgeous now, this will continue to evolve for the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2035- 99
— 13 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.1

The 2013 Barboursville ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Franc is shining brightly at now seven years of age. A blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, right away the wine opens with plenty of aromatic appeal with layers of red fruits woven together with shades of wild mushroom, lavender and red bell pepper that all march in place in the glass. The palate shows a silky mouthfeel and soft texture that entices. Suggestions of red licorice and spice cake collide with red cherry candy and loganberry cordial on the palate. Bright, with good acidity and a nice tension that runs through the core of the wine, this is starting to show beautifully now and will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2019-2029- 91 — 4 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2016 'CVR' is an absolutely stunning release from Quilceda Creek. It takes on instant appeal, as the nose is very pretty and perfumed with red rose petals that combine with the marvelous dark and blue fruits. The texture is outstanding with a wonderfully rich and polished mouthfeel. Delicious flavors of ripe red, dark and blue fruit combine with a touch of chocolate to envelope the palate heading into the long finish. While this is already remarkable in its youth, it should also cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2032- 93 — 5 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2010 Chaterau Musar ‘Gaston Hochar’ White Wine is an intruding blend of indigenous varietals, 75% Obaideh and 25% Merwah, that are sourced from vines that range from 60-90 years of age. Needing a one hour decant to be fully expressive, the ‘Gaston Hochar’ slowly unveils star jasmine, lemon curd, with suggestions of wet stone and honeydew melon that all meld together in the glass. The palate shows a silky texture and beautiful mouthfeel, unveiling ripe melon, citrus zest and shades of nutmeg infused Challah bread that come together. The sense of place and texture to the wine is really good, as is the mouth-watering acidity. Fantastic in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 92 — 13 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

This is now the second time in the past year that I have tried the absolutely massive 2016 Force Majeure Syrah, a dazzling, dense and hedonistic Red Mountain Syrah carefully crafted by the talented Todd Alexander. Roughly 20% of this wine underwent while cluster fermentation. The Syrah was aged in 25% new oak for 18 months prior to bottling. The nose shows wonderful dark fruits with smoky character, sage, dark chocolate, and damp earth. The palate is exceedingly refined. Black tea, black forest cake, cigar ash and smoked brisket flavors with citrus rind undertones that all marvelously combine. There is a seamless quality to this wine that glides across the mid-palate. Seductive and rich, yet maintaining a wonderful elegance and an intriguing salinity, this is a simply tremendous bottling by Force Majeure. A year ago when I had this wine I mentioned that this might be the best Red Mountain Syrah I have ever tasted. On second glance, my first impression was correct. Drink 2020-2035- 95 — 18 days ago