Jennifer Bohmann

9.2

Love this one — 17 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Forgot I opened one of these earlier in the year. Whoops. Wish I had more.

Hour decant, then consumed from decanter over the next 3hrs.

My note here is fairly similar to the 2014 note, but there is more concentration and power going on. Dark purple in the glass, with aromatics of both sweet oak as well as a kiss of whole cluster stem inclusion. Loads of dark floral notes, ripe blackberries, and smoked jerky. Large-scaled mid palate depth and richness of blue and black fruits with plenty of herbal flair and spice but it’s more iron fist in a velvet glove style. There’s black peppercorn and iron, as well as big central coast Rhône style with its rich and textural palate.

I love Syrah in all expressions. It’s natural to compare these wines to SQN (and Andremily), and rightly so. These are dialed up to 9, but pull back, whereas the others aren’t afraid of going to 11. No right/wrong answer, just style preference. I happen to love both. — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2018 vintage. One of the oldest Bordeaux estates, owned today by a French insurance group. A big estate with over 90 hectares under vine. Lovely floral nose. Medium-bodied, with bright fruit and remarkable freshness, but the tannins are a bit rough in the finish, and it lacks a bit of length. Good value for 26 euros, but no match for the 2018 Château Olivier (another one of the oldest Bordeaux estates) tasted alongside. — 3 years ago

Kristen Grimes

8.9

Dark black fruits but also earthiness on the nose, light on the palate with red cherry, smooth acidity, big but fine-grained tannins. This one needs food (vs the one I had earlier with the movie). — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

1996 vintage. Multiple (6) bottles tasted 1hr, 2hrs and 4 hrs after decanting. Sleek and linear. Not gratuitous and giving just yet but close. Needs another 5-7 years to absolutely ingratiate itself into your psyche/cellar/glass if you're a robot/AI or actually have patience. Sexy af. Decided and dedicated temptress throwing out just enough historic, Lalande-styled love currently to seduce completely if your patience is lacking. Total siren song. Fill those ears with wax and watch your bank account. Beware. This just may be the longest lived Lalande vintage I've ever hit. Discounted the 1996 vintage big-time initially but deffy mistaken with this specific/particular wine. Hard to locate but if you do, it's a go to. Been trying to source since tasting this vintage, without luck, since this visit. Number one on the Most Wanted BDX list currently. Pray for me. 4.4.23. — a year ago

Jonathan Wall

9.0

Always good and I’m a big fan of Duckhorn Merlot. But this one tasted a little more mass produced. Could need some time to blossom. — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Sweet. Stone fruits (apricot and peach). I would score it higher if it had a bit more acidity. Enjoyed with a pear tart. — 2 months ago

Ericsson

9.5

This particular vintage is spectacular. Fully balanced with big fruit, hints of vanilla, good acidity, high alcohol, and a long long dark fruit finish. Cheers. — 8 months ago

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.7

This is a killer
The peak this wine has reached is unbelievable
It has such a earthy, and ethereal complexity without losing one bit of its crunchiness
So satisfying and refreshing
Long and...unfortunately my last bottle
I have always been big fan of 2008 Chianti Riservas and i reckon they are just at their best
Bloody enjoy them everyone!!
Cheers🍷 — 2 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of bright and light ruby, with a bit of bloody grapefruit note on the rim. Nose of nice aldehyde, definitely some bourbon barrel note, wood chips, minty, a bit tobacco leaves and feeling sweet. Taste is quite dry and flavors are dominated by the barrel note, almost too much. Very woody and charcoal wood chip oriented, some more subtle minerals and sweetness. Under first sip is some bit of zest. Aftertaste of some more warmth, ripe sweet grapes, medium long finish. Interesting one. — 4 years ago