Shay A

9.5

94-95

This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.

93 syrah/ 7 viognier

The third syrah in my lineup was a wine I've enjoyed a few times over the last five years. Bangin' vintage and in a style I enjoy (syrah and vio). Purple-black in the glass, it offers up killer aromatics of rich, dark fruit, some baking spice, and smoked meat. Even with nearly four hours, this was a monster in structure with tannin that paired beautifully with an herb crusted lamb rack. Powerful on the palate with smoked berries, bacon, espresso, vanilla and a savory finish. Still on the upswing with lots of wonderful Cote-Rotie fireworks in store. Wish I had another! — 4 months ago

Adam Kincaid

9.1

Round five of blind tasting and we all missed on this. I think a Zinfandel blend is cruel. I swore this was a Sonoma Cab… all those blended varieties proved tricky and the Zinfandel doesn’t stand out on its own. Dark ruby red with dark over ripened and jammy fruits. Smells hot. Also VANILLA. Say that five times. Has some nice bell pepper and green notes, some eucalyptus, balsamic, and a touch of mint. Low tannic levels, moderate acid and body. It’s delicious but tripped us up. — 4 years ago

with Jillian

Jeff Dunn

9.3

What a badass bottle! The wine is fantastic too — 5 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.0

My 2020 rating and my 2023 rating (below).

This wine is 9 years old but it’s still really too young to drink. I think it will take another decade before it mellows out. This is the most intense GSM I’ve ever tasted! — Or rather, it’s an SMG with a little V. Mint and oregano on the nose. Perhaps a little tobacco, too. unripe cherries on the front, and they transition into a complex but astringent tannic structure at the mid-palate. These are redeemed by some softer tannins at the end. Nice finish with some mineral high notes. Frankly, this wine is pretty harsh in its current state. I’m giving it a 9.0 based on its potential. I’m going to try to put another one of these bottles down for another five years, and I’ll report back. Potentially this could be a 9.5 in a decade.

———

It’s late in 2023 and I’m checking in on this wine again. I can’t believe how much is changed in three years. I’m not increasing my rating though. This wine seems mature now, and it may be starting on the downhill side. I thought it would last longer, but I stored it suboptimally by mistake

The herbal notes on the nose are gone replaced by intense cherries. The tobacco is more pronounced. The fruit on the front has mostly faded. The tannic structure remains — however its astringency has mellowed. But the finish is a bit stronger — with some mineral notes that remind of the wines from volcanic soils. Long finish. I’m not gonna change my rating —distinctly different but still very nice.

Yikes! It’s fading in the decanter as I write this! Yes, I got to this bottle just in time! — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Compared to the 05 Ponente that went down last night (the 'palate cleanser'), this wine is quite different. But very true to style for Rian. This wine always tends to go darker. Nose and palate of baking spice, blackberry, chocolate, fig. In the first few years, these tend to also have a blueberry and vanilla side hustle, but really tend to lose that after five or six years. This one didn't have any blue fruit or vanilla notes. Towards the finish, this one stiffens up. Still a touch astringent with stiff tannin. Would have been a great one to serve in the American v French Oak blinded tasting from last night. Not really a lot of discernible French Oak influence even though I'm pretty sure they use 100% French. This one has a long life ahead of it. Have one more bottle, which I will try to hold until approximately 2023. Fat chance..... — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.9

So, we arrived in Napa Friday morning and started at Promontory with a glass of 2006 Dom Perignon as they do not make a white, only one red wine. We also tasted the 2016 out of large Austrian oak vats. That wine shows great promise but won’t be available until 2021.

We then tasted their inaugural 2008 vintage and the 2009. Thirty-six hours later and five other excellent Napa wine producers visits later, I am still thinking about these wines.

This wines were so good, heady and absolutely stunning, it was painful not to spend an hour contemplating each of them. Instead, having to rush off to Vineyard 29 for our next appointment with my tasting glasses half full.

My notes below detailed as they may, will not do these wines justice and still underwhelm the experience. At times, I was at a loss for words to wholly convey the experience. It defied the allotted time and my verbal skills. These wines created an entire body experience. I am still thinking about my tasting experience and will likely still be thinking about it for weeks.

Beautiful dark currants & cassis framed in light oak with amazing florals. There’s a light smokiness, blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries, soft wood, beautifully layered light baking spices, very light spice, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, Provence herbs, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. Absolute stunning nose I didn’t want to stop experiencing the layers, the way it nuances crisscrossed in my head.

The body is light, weightless, yet full. Fine dusty tannins with some stickiness. It glides in layers & waves across the palate. What finely knitted structure, tension, amazing length with incredible balance. Both dark currants & cassis framed lightly in oak with amazing enticing florals. Light smokiness, ripe beautiful; blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries. soft saddle-wood to light presence of cedar. Beautifully layered light baking spices, asian spices, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, anise, Provence herbs, finely crushed rock dust, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. The acidity is brilliant like a gentle rain shower. The incredible finish is everything you look for in a wine and then some.

When I left, I wished I had another undistracted hour or more to enjoy and study each wine further.

Photos of, the view from Promontory over looking Harlan and Promontory vines, the fire we enjoyed on a cool morning to enjoy our 06 Dom Perignon, immaculate barrel room and new oak barrels and their oak & concrete vats. — 8 years ago

with James

Ellen Clifford

9.2

This pleases me and five of my friends, and they have varying tastes! There is no sweetness but a ripeness that makes for happy times and an acid to enliven the unsuspecting without them realizing it. I dig. I love. I want more bocksbeutels. — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Poured as a night cap. Philipponnat’s Eau-de-Vie de Marc de Champagne “Clos des Goisses” (say that five times fast!) pours almost colorless with high viscosity. There are powerful notes of fresh Bosque pear and exotic spices with a great body and long finish. Bangin’! — 9 months ago

Katherine Wrenn-Maresh

9.9

V-Day 2023 w/Wrenns. Rec by Fujioka’s Wine Times — 4 years ago

Sam Friedland

9.4

Great wine, raspberries, strawberries, leather and earth. Still some tannins. Probably v can be drunk next five years! — 4 years ago

Michelle M

8.9

This one starts with a fun bouquet that includes some notes of char and brûlée, some leather shop, earthy woods, and drying tobacco aromas, some herbal spice like mint and rosemary, and some tart cranberry and raspberry red fruits. The palate keeps things simple and easy, with juicy cranberry and chewy red cherries and hints of smokiness and vanilla, with a medium-short finish. This grape doesn’t seem to have the tannins and phenolics to balance out the charred wood, but overall it’s a solid value that reminds me of a Brunello di Montalcino I had a while back that was about five times the price. It’s a great food wine that goes well with fresh and simple Italian dishes like plain cheese pizza and pasta with marinara. Organic and vegan for anyone interested in that. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

2002 is such a beautiful vintage IMHO. In many ways, I think even better than 07. We’ll see in five years from now as I lack a time machine.

I’ve said this a couple of times over my nearly 4,200 Delectable notes. There is no amount of decanting a young wine that can reproduce the beauty, elegance, florals, integration, balance and finish as long bottle age. If you are buying expensive Cabernets and drinking them young, you are simply short changing yourself out of your deep investment.

This largely under known Napa producer is a shining example of that tonight. Proof in the pudding so to speak.

The nose reveals, sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, understated blueberries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, incense, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets.

The body is; round, rich & luxurious. The tannins still have baby teeth and show chewy tarriness. The tension, structure, length and balance have hit their peak. It’s not going to improve, it will simply show you descending changes which, can be quite enjoyable but, not necessarily for the ones that appreciate wines young. Interesting, none the less, for the ones that enjoy all sides/aspects of wine evolution. Sweet, ripe, lush, ruby, slightly baked/liqueured fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum, mulberries, boysenberries, more blue fruits than the nose, cherries and baked strawberries haunt the backend. Dark Asian & Indian spices with just the right amount of heat, black licorice to anise, sweet tarriness, black tea, dark expresso, crushed dry rocks, limestone minerals, herbal notes, mint, graphite, dark chocolate, caramel & mocha, dry top soil, moist clay, dark rich, turn earth, fresh tobacco, suede style leather, saddle-wood with fresh & withering; dark, red, purple, blue flowers & just a touch of violets. The ABV on this wine is really nice given today’s hotter wines. Climate change, it’s a bitch. The round acidy is as good as it gets. The long, excellent, elegant, rich, ripe, ruby, gorgeous, sexy, floral, perfectly balanced finish falls into persistent heaven.

This is a gorgeous example of what Napa Valley is capable of in grand vintages, if you have good storage & can show patience.

Photos of; an arial view of Jones Family Winery, patio tasting area, beautiful Jones Family Cabernet fruit and their amazing vineyards. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Just ridiculous good at just about any N/V price but, under $45, laughable. Written notes on the Cuvée a number of times previously. — 8 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.6

Oh my, that was worth waiting for. Dark fruit forward, but perfectly balanced, tannins in check, so very flavorful. A finish that just goes on and on and on. My notes indicate I purchased this for about $40 in late 2011 - this easily drinks like a wine three, four or five times that amount. Napa Valley at its finest. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.8

It’s those times when everything just comes together...wine, conversation, food and most important friends! Those times are what seem to create special memories. This evening was one of the special times. @Martin G Rivard and our brides had a fantastic evening at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, thank you. 04 from a Magnum that was in full stride. Martin and I both said the wine has another 20 years easy. Chinese Five Spice, dust and wet moss on the nose. Dissecting this wine we couldn’t find a hard edge. No signs of age. Acid gives this wine tension and power. Soy, crushed pepper, wild cherry and underbrush fill your mouth. A finish that goes on for a good 45sec. 05 was a stellar vintage, yet this 04 holds its own. — 8 years ago

with Martin

John Malcolm

9.4

Rated this over five years ago. All I can say is “ditto” — a year ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

This is literally a 2nd Label from a 2nd Growth Grand Cru Classé with a vintage that seats among the great years of Château Montrose. The grapes were very good quality, and further strengthened Montrose’s ultra-precise plot selection, which at times involves multiple passes through a plot to attain optimum ripeness. Unequivocally, the 2nd selection of Château Montrose is marked by the terroir as well (Situated on a well-exposed gravelly land overlooking the Gironde)

The blend composition; Cab Sauv 55 %, Merlot 41 % Petit Verdot 4 % takes you to experience an intense deep red color, a powerful and expressive nose with complex aromas of black fruit, fine oak, a bit caramelized and a hint of pleasant smoky notes as well.

The entrance on the palate is full force and rich, the roundness and harmony are sensed by the mid-rage of the palate as well, the mouthfeel reveals very silky tannins, it provides a great length with some degree of red fruit ripeness on the finish.

This wine V.2015 is still cruising beautifully in its prime time and will continue like this for another 3-5 years with the same tasting profile, and the price point makes it even tastier! Cheers! — a year ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.

We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.

While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.

Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.

I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.

He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.

So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.

Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.

As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.

The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.

Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

After finally getting caught up with last weeks posting, its back to our regularly scheduled Friday N/V Rosé Champagnes. My favorite after Krug. Sofia’s is different about every 2-3 weeks. 🤣🥂

My notes are listed many times previously. I’m taking a break from notes for now and going to fully enough my baby bottles 🍼 of 375ml. Ahhhh! — 8 years ago