Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2011 vintage. Popped and poured. Light-medium body (unusual for Knights Valley cab). Phenomenal nose of roasted sesame seeds and soy/teriyaki sauce reduction/glaze. Wanted just a little more oomph on the finish but was still very very nice. The super-distinct nose was unforgettable. 2011 wasn’t the easiest vintage but this is holding up well and looks to be drinking at/near this level for the next 10-spot. 11.22.23. — 18 days ago

Shay A

9.5

I brought this to a big 2012 retrospective tasting of Napa Cabernet but wasn’t able to stop by my offsite in time to get a ‘12.

Cork came out terribly. Double decanted 30-45 mins. 100% Cabernet. Sporting a deep purple color even at 15yrs. Just shy of explosive aromatics…ripe red and black fruits, mocha, cocoa powder. Sheer To-Kalon power on the palate with the velvet glove approach…layered dark fruits, black currant, cassis, charcoal and graphite. Mid-palate here has great depth and the finish is beautiful. This has evolved wonderfully. Pop now but no rush. — 3 months ago

Carter Pelham

9.4

*chef's kiss*

For me just shy of an immaculate wine.
Immediately upon opening got a super prominent whiff of stewed vegetal / green peppers aroma. Blew off a bit over time. Flinty and graphite mineral and relatively muted fruit aromas.

Beautiful cherry/cassis/blackberry fruit. Medium body. Relaxed tannins. Lower acidity than I expected. But the finish. Elevated and never ending. One of those wines you never feel compelled to take the next sip, in a good way...you never lose the taste of your last drink.

Second almaviva we've had. Loved them both, very different from the '98. — 3 years ago

with Linh and Larry

Blair Campomizzi

9.4

Exceptional. Plum, blackberry and a touch of licorice. Great drinking right now but would be outrageous in 8-10 yrs. — a month ago

with Marilea

Ruud Verhagen

9.2

98+ RP, 96 VINOUS. High scores for this wine. It’s elegant with dark cherry and some soft tannins. Spicy herbs, licorice, leather, black tea, ash/tar and lavender. I found the wine a little shy and not giving enough for such high scores. Maybe it needs more cellartime….
For now 92+ — 2 months ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.2

Quintessential to the history of South Dakota was homemade rhubarb wine! This is a great representation of what tartness can do to balance the sweetness inherent in some of the non-grape wines. Like the tart cherry wines of Michigan, this is iconic of South Dakota. Love it! — 2 years ago

Laith A

9.4

Delicious as always.. perfect for a hot day outside! — 3 years ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.4

Dark fruit flavors with some nice floral notes on the nose. Still young but totally drinkable now. — a month ago

with Marilea

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice - not spectacular. Shy nose of candied cherries and earth. A little tight on opening - fully expressive in about 3 hours. Palate of raspberries, candied cherries, mossy undergrowth and minerals, rounded out by a kick of clove spiciness. Tannins were grippy but not overwhelming. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2020 vintage. The last vintage for this wine as it was bought from the Bécot family ( owners of Beauséjour-Bécot) by the owners of Haut-Brion in 2021. It will be incorporated into Château Quintus (which is a merger of 3 estates: Tertre-Daugay, L'Arrosée and Grand-Pontet). Many Saint-Emilion estates disappeared, incorporated into other estates, some very good wines sadly disappeared like Curé Bon La Madeleine (now into Canon), Cadet-Piola (now into Soutard) and so on. The fact that Grand Cru Classés can legally be incorporated into Premier Grands Crus Classés tells you that you have to take the classification with more than a grain of salt. A bit shy on the nose, even after a few hours. Medium-bodied, nice value for a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. — 8 months ago