David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This is another 91-92. 92-93 w/ a few more years of cellaring.

Pinot Noir grown in Rutherford. 😮 Bold. 689 cases produced. Thomas Keller at dinner told Burt George Owner of Joseph George retail shop in the South Bay that this was one of the most unique wines he’s had in quite awhile.

When I first put my nose to the glass, I got a good presence of barrel char, smoke, cinnamon stick, glove, nutmeg, vanilla, black licorice, darkish cola, strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, hints of blueberries, dry hay/straw, dark spice, hints of black pepper, fresh, bright, dark, red flowers/florals.

The palate is fresh and settles after about 10 minutes in the glass. Black licorice, darkish cola, strawberries, blackberries, dark cherries, pomegranate, dry cranberries, hints of blueberries, dry hay/straw, dry brush, smoke, cinnamon stick, glove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark spice w/ some heat, hints of black pepper, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks with limestone, fresh, bright, dark, red flowers/florals. Good acidity, balanced, well tensioned, neatly structured and a nicely polished finish that lasts nearly 90 seconds.

There is some alcohol heat on the finish but it should fade in another 3-5 years. Be good to revisit it then and 5 years more down the road. — 23 days ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This Sonoma Chardonnay is like velvet. The muted nose offers lemon and stone fruit notes with a soft touch of vanilla. The palate is ripe and juicy, with an easy dose of oak and a nice bit of acidity. Try the usual suspects: shrimp, oily fish or scallops with some pasta.
— 4 years ago

Javier Torres

9.8

El mejor vino blanco que halla probado , mucho cuerpo un poco fuerte pero sabroso 👌🏻🍷 — 7 years ago

Danny Owens

9.1

Not how I remember Special Select...now made in the over ripe dare I say it 689 style. Rounded, jammy with a lingering finish. Drink now, not built for aging. — 2 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

Second bottle on Super Bowl LIV Sunday with Wagyu Cross and artisanal bacon burgers. Light ruby color. Red berry and vanilla on the nose (vanilla almost overpowering), little bit of tabaco towards the end. Red fruit and vanilla continue on the fore pallet. New oak is very apparent and then, it is smoothly counterbalanced by well structured tannings and a long finish. Modern take on Cali Cab, pleasantly surprised and glad to indulge. — 4 years ago

Hirofumi Y

9.0

コストコで購入。二千円代前半。
— 6 years ago

Danny Owens

9.0

Dry to perfection at 15% alcohol. Any less and it would taste like 689. Would buy this again. — 3 years ago

Kilian

9.5

So visually sexy the deep rich purple sticks to the glass like sweat on a hot day. The nose is intoxicating Rich pulling around nice and gives you a hint you might be about to experience something wonderful. The mouth is immediately filled with a warmth and richness that only continues with flavors of chocolate plums cloves and turmeric. — 4 years ago

Ayda Gordon

9.0

Red delicious — 5 years ago

Adam Soto

9.2

Very smooth - a wonderful surprise - I guess you never judge a wine by the label! — 7 years ago