Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2020 vintage. Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (45%), Petit Verdot (3%) and Cabernet Franc. A very good second wine, in a lighter style,but try to type for the appellation, and a great introduction to the grand vin. A skilful, harmonious blend with admirable purity and a soft mouthfeel. Good spicy length. Nice value. Abv. 13,5%. — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured. The 2019 pours a deep ruby with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, developing with black plums, black bramble fruit, purple flowers, tobacco, damp earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This a balanced wine with many admirable traits. While this is my first time trying the wines of Chateau Laroque, I have to believe we will be seeing/hearing more from this estate as investment and quality continues to go up. Drink now and through 2034+. — 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2015 Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva is heady and sweet on the nose, as confectioners' spice and dusty cherries give way to hints of pipe tobacco. It’s rich and velvety yet maintains admirable freshness, as minerals and sweet tannins add tension toward the close. I like the contrasts of salty and sweet here, as notes of dark chocolate and balsam herbs cascade across the palate. This tapers off lightly structured and staining, with primary concentration leaving pretty florals and hints of licorice. Color me impressed; the 2015 is a wildly successful Amarone Riserva. I tasted this in February 2021, yet today's performance is definitely a step up. (Eric Guido, Vinous, April 2022)
— 4 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Admirable QPR #napa #cabernetsauvignon - reasonably lighter 14.3% ABV reveals this is no hot oaky bomb. Cassis, blackberry, sous bois nose, medium-plus body and bright acidity. They get props for the reliable, functional screw top on this drink-now Cab. — 4 years ago

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9.1

The 2019 Rosaenovae is a beautiful example of Aglianico Rosato. It’s silky and pliant, with notes of ripe apricot and tropical fruits giving way to a buzz of zesty acids and minerals, all lifted by peppery florals and spice, then tapering off with admirable length and an almondy richness. $17.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, June 2021) — 5 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Super-vitaminized syrah in the Moroccan sun (drunk on the spot!). Cuvée admirably conducted by Alain Graillot renowned for his Croze-Hermitage: charming nose of ripe red and black fruits, and an explosive bouquet of dried flowers. Wonderful vinification with well-integrated fruit / wood tannins; a supple and velvety palate. Otherwise, it is still very alcoholic. This prominence can be attenuated per hour of ventilation and refreshed to 13-15 degrees. 14-18 € ok, but not more!

Syrah sur-vitaminée sous le soleil Marocain, bue sur place! Cuvée admirablement conduite par Alain Graillot réputé pour ses Croze-Hermitage: nez charmeur sur des fruits rouge et noirs bien mûrs, et bouquet explosif de fleurs séchées. Vinification admirable avec des tanins fruits/bois bien fondus; une bouche souple et veloutée. Pour le reste ça n’en reste pas moins très alcooleux, dont la proéminence sera atténuée par heure d’aération et rafraîchi à 13-15 degrés. 15€ euros c’est bien mais pas plus ! — 6 years ago

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9.1

The 2023 Rosato is incredibly energetic like a horse waiting to bolt out of the starting gate. Ripe pineapple, pear and spiced citrus provide a foundation upon which the sparkling, lively acidity flutters. The balance here is admirable and nicely rounded and displays a lovely inner sweetness. This bottle could empty quickly. (Billy Norris, Vinous, May 2024)
— 2 years ago

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9.1

Distinctly savory, the NV Brut Trentodoc opens with a blend of dusty dried flowers, cardamom and freshly sliced pears. It fills the palate with a silken bead of fine bubbles, taking on a salty-to-sweet sensation as tactile mineral tones mix with ripe orchard fruits. This finishes with admirable length and candied citrus twang, tapering off remarkably fresh. I love the balance and complexity here, especially for a Non-vintage Brut. Disgorged: 2023. (Lot# 23093/24E) (Eric Guido, Vinous, December 2023)
— 3 years ago

EPD III

9.3

Silky and inky with admirable restraint. Our pizza wine on steroids — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Brief notes - at a friend’s place checking out his new cellar and generously opened this wonderful Margaret River Chardonnay. Cloudburst is the venture of American, Will Berliner, who turned the district on its head by asking prices 2 and 3 times the price of the Icons of Margaret River. It doesn’t worry Will who is able to sell much of his product into up-market restaurants in the US. This wine was initially leaner than I was expecting with citrus and ripe grapefruit. With more air nectarine and peach notes started coming through but still shows admirable restraint. All in all a class act. — 4 years ago

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9.1

The 2019 Chablis Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru has a crisp nose of Granny Smith apples, freshly sliced Nashi pear, wild fennel, green olives and touches of crushed limestone. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry, demonstrating admirable weight. A little viscosity toward the finish betrays the warmth of the summer, yet the acidity keeps it fresh and tensile. Delicious. (Neal Martin, Vinous, October 2021)
— 5 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Crisp and beat. Balanced and dry with hints of oxidation. Admirable clarity and balance for a US chard. Not wildly complex but a good wine, old world in style — 5 years ago

with Gregg

Chip Hughes

9.2

Swabian delight: made for pork, pork fat and pork products. Admirable acidity and backbone; mouthcoating texture. A heavyweight that’s still light on its feet. — 6 years ago

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9.5

The 2013 Amarone della Valpolicella Case Vecie blossoms in the glass with a spicy blend of crushed cherries and blackberries, complemented by violet pastille and hints of sweet smoke. This is cool-toned and sleek with silky textures and admirable weight, yet all is kept perfectly in balance by a core of brisk acidity. Depths of tart wild berry fruit saturate while bitter dark chocolate and inner rose tones swirl throughout. The 2013 leaves the palate reeling with tension as crunchy tannins take hold and notes of licorice and orange slowly fade. This is built for the cellar and is slowly maturing in bottle. (Eric Guido, Vinous, February 2024)
— 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Fresh as a daily with backup. Spring has sprung and this does an admirable job of conveying just that. Light-light/medium body. Crisp but without the pucker factor. 4.12.23. — 3 years ago

David Koenen

9.3

Complex, concentrated, ready to go. Admirable length. Bursting with red and black fruit. Wood polish and sous bois. Very enjoyable. From a half bottle. — 3 years ago

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9.0

A cooling whiff of minty herbs gives way to dusty cherry and sweet rosy florals as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino unfolds in the glass. It’s pure and vibrant on the palate, with a cascade of bright wild berry fruits, herbs and minerals. There’s admirable length and a subtle tug of tannin that frames the experience nicely, as this tapers off with a lasting note of hard red candies. (Eric Guido, Vinous, January 2022)
— 4 years ago

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9.5

The 2017 Meursault Les Genevrières 1er Cru is taut and crisp on the nose, nicely focused and poised, with well integrated oak; the aromatics feel harmonious and complex. The palate is well balanced with a saline entry, and very citric in style. Plenty of ginger and lemongrass furnish the finish with admirable length. Excellent and very elegant. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2021)
— 5 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Surprising Gamay with a classic and classy style, evoking Burgundy by its light side as much as the northern Cote-du-Rhône by its density. The aging in oak barrels is admirable for the way it supports the fruit without masking it. A beautiful bottle with an aging potential of at least 10 years.

Gamay surprenant au style classique et classieux, évoquant la Bourgogne par son coté léger autant que la cote-du-Rhône nord par sa densité. L’élevage en fût de chêne est admirable par la manière qu’il a de soutenir le fruit sans le masquer. Une belle bouteille avec une potentiel de garde de 10 ans au moins. — 5 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

Chocolate covered cedar chips and cherry compote. Juicy mountain fruit with admirable balance — 7 years ago