Jay Kline

9.6

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core and some moderate rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and blue fruits: dark brambles, plum, fig, purple flowers, leather ball glove, something spicy and green that has me debating between rotundone or pyrazines (but which?), rocky earth and fine baking warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a beautifully made wine.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties), Cabernet Franc, Merlot (blended with associated Bordeaux varieties) or Syrah from France, the US or Australia. This is older; probably 20+ years of age based on the secondary characteristics or dried fruit and old leather. While the fruit plays a starring role here, the alcohol seems almost modest so I can’t place this in Australia or the US. The problem I’m having, are there pyrazines or rotundone? I don’t get a lot of black pepper or animale, or olive for that matter…so I’m leaning towards this being Bordeaux. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with a blend of Bordeaux varieties, from France, Bordeaux, Pulliac, from a classified growth, 2004. Whoa!!! 2005 Clape?! What a treat! I feel like I should have nailed this wine. Alas…I still have to get better at differentiating between pyrazines and rotundone with age. Drink now with a decant, through 2045+ — 14 days ago

Irina Georgieva

9.1

Well balanced, great taste and aftertaste — 4 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had lots of red & black fruits, still youthful that opens with air with notes of menthol, savory spices, mineral, floral & tobacco — 5 months ago

Chuck Todd

9.2

A full body, well balanced, paired with beef Bourguignon
Fantastic — 7 months ago

with David

Paul Masson

9.0

Nose is typical Clape, palate is a little thin and austere, in line with the 11.5% abv, but still a good companion for food and friends. — 8 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Bright and punchy fruit. Almost sizzling with acidity. Green apple and pear and salinity. Young but very good — 18 days ago

with Gregg

Dave

9.0

Definitely a nice bargain. Pear and lemon. A little green. A little saline.
Listening to Tove Lo — 2 months ago

Day Watson

9.0

Acidic, floral, notes of vanilla, oxidized, bright gold in color. Tasting in 2026. Worth the wait. — 3 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.1

Myrna @arroyoseco — 5 months ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Dry, crisp, tart, smooth, nice mineral finish, paired perfectly with crab claws. — 7 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Lime, apple, and honeysuckle. Light and zesty but a touch less dry. — 7 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

This is just lovely…
Lemonzest, red apples, wet rocks. Delicate hints of ginger, candyshop and matchstick. Really like the balance of acidic freshness, some richness in the mid palate and citrus bitters in the very long and chalky dry finish.
Better at cellar temperature than straight out of the fridge. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Very clean and bright. Limestone and light lemon. Fresh and elegant — 18 days ago

with Gregg

Joe Fischer

8.9

Deep ruby with aromas of black cherry, plum, and stewed fruits, On the bud there is black pepper spice notes with a slight tartness. Finish is medium with good body. — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Zuma cannes — 3 months ago

Alan Snitow

9.1

En magnum, ex-Domaine — 4 months ago

David Waddell

9.2

Clean, full bodied Montrachet with almondy body, hint of lemon and in excellent condition. — 3 years ago

Brandon T

9.3

Medium body CdR. Jammier than expected. Lots of years ahead. — 7 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

Always a winner. — 10 months ago

Amanda Speier

9.8

Delicate, yet crisp. Perfectly balanced. Light acidity, subtle creaminess. Ross says minerality on point. — 3 years ago