Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — a month ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Vibrant red purple. Inviting, abundant nose of musty black cherry. Medium-bodied palate of that same black cherry with some light black tea, earthy pomegranate, and a hint of anise. Throw in medium plus acidity and medium tannins and we have a classic New Zealand PN that can hold its own with meals of any type (it’s the universal red, after all). New World meets Burgundy: that’s New Zealand. Drink now through 2029. — 2 months ago

Diana J

9.5

Wine from unconventional diner — 4 months ago

S.S. Mandani

9.2

Sitting down to finally enjoy a glass of wine of my choosing at home.

The folks at some good wine recommended this blend, which I’ve decanted for just a mere 10-15 minutes and will drink over the course of two hours of decanting.

Musky soil and redwoods. Raspberry tart in the aroma. Cinnamon in the bouquet and tertiary aromas.

Wow. What a beaut. Cool sip of wind zipping straight straight to acidity and tannins in a dance on the tongue. Fruit of blackberry and plums rushes the mid palate and a slight astringent note of blackberries in the undercurrent notes, but welcome in the harmony that is a sip of this.

Good cinnamon spice kick as well.

Exceptional welcome back. — 5 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

Damn! Star bright gold with yellow-green highlights. Abundant nose and mouthwatering (medium plus plus [sic] acidity) palate of honeyed yellow apples, honeysuckle, cling peach, and fennel(!) with a hint of smoky flint on the moderate finish. Very rich for a Kabinett, but then this is modern day Mosel and (Erben-)Thanisch has shown rich for decades. The Doctor is truly in and this expression of the universal white should satisfy in all situations. Pork dishes are, of course, a natural but your spicier Asian or Cajun fare will thank you just as earnestly. Drink half of your stash now and the rest will reward through 2034 or so. — a day ago

Pamela Fields

9.0

Very delicate and dangerously easy-drinking! Classic gooseberry, ruby red grapefruit on the nose with a bit of a tropical finish. Not as grassy as I expected, lovely! — 2 months ago

Manny Abascal

9.2

Not my favorite vintage of this wine but still great. — 3 months ago

Vanessa

9.0

Celebratory bubbles 🍾🥂

Crisp apple, pear, apricot, pie crust, brioche, yeast, cream, and dried white flower notes.

I love that wine is a universal form of expression, capable of crossing oceans and connecting us to a different time. I love how wine is a confluence of art and science that can add a magical dimension to just about every experience.

This past summer, my husband and I, along with our friend Winston, registered for a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines class and exam. We proceeded to devote countless hours to learning about different viticultural and vinification processes and their impact on the resulting style and quality of wine; learning about old and new world regions and subregions, their histories, geographies, topographies, soil, latitudinal positioning, wine laws, terroir, noteworthy winemaking techniques and innovations, legendary winemakers and merchants, and varietals. We tasted wine after wine, learned and practiced the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine (SAT), and explored regional varietals we’d never heard of previously.

We were welcomed into communities, groups, and gatherings, where we were mentored and supported by true and inspiring wine experts.

And, with gratitude, I’m thrilled to report we (all three of us) passed the WSET Level 3 exam with honors; I passed it with distinction.

Cheers to the amazing world of wine!! The more I learn about you, the more I love you and realize I still barely know you. I’ve just scratched the surface of your depths. — 4 months ago

with Deked1

Willem Booij

9.3

This is a delicious wine, so simple it is! Really fresh and also layered. Nuts and some roast, and it is a real joy bringer! — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — a month ago

with Deked1