Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 2006 Bordeaux vintage. The vintage while wasn’t Bordeaux’s best, it certainly wasn’t one of its worst. It had the unenviable position of following a grand 2005 vintage. I think better than 2000, maybe 09 & 10? Jury is still out. The Bordelaise also got greedy and raised their prices from 05. That was a mistake when it came to selling the 2006 vintage and it laid another layer of bad taste in consumers minds.

I really enjoy Pichon Lalande’s style/craft. The 06 is good, not great. In fact, I enjoyed this better w/o the lamb.

The fruits are just ripe. Velvety, rounded M+ tannins. Brambly blackberries, dryish black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, some raspberry hues, oak barrel shavings, graphite, dry soils, dry tobacco & leather, dry clay, soft but dark spice, some dry herbs, soft baking spices- clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, light milk chocolate, caramel hues, black tea, anise, some mid berry cola, dry & withering, dark & red flowers, violets, decent, round acidity, balanced, neatly structured/tensioned with an elegant finish that lasts just over 90 seconds and falls on dry earth and soft, dark spice.

Still acceding and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead. Could make a case for rounding up to 93.

Paired w/ Grilled Rack of Lamb, Served with Rosemary Jus, Fondant Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli.

@EK148 — 8 months ago

Jake Hajer

9.6

Magnum. Call it like you see it, drink it like you taste it; from a bad vintage or that is a vintage of a lot of rain at harvest. Jesus this was good. Perfect balance of acidity, toast, Carmel-curd. Roasted pineapple. This was a beautiful wine that showed zero age after 12yr, but also perfectly evolved. Loved. — 3 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.0

Deep ruby in color with pleasant aromas of cassis, mint, cedar, and vanilla. The cedar notes are quite strong. Medium to full-bodied with grippy tannins. Very nice, long finish. Bone dry. Not a bad wine, but I’m not blown away either. — 5 years ago

Evan Bienstock

9.4

Bad picture, great wine. Great way to start an evening. Love 2008 🥂🥂🥂... — 7 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.0

Consumed 2/2019. The bottle has a quote on it that I like. It says a pessimist is never disappointed. Made me giggle. So I bought it and tried it. Not bad. Alc. 15.5% by vol. — 7 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.0

2nd bottle update. Significant improvement!! Still on the fruit forward side but richer, not grapey, with tobacco and some menthol on the finish. I think it’s a bit below prior vintages but an enjoyable quaff. Think I had a bad bottle. Disappointing but it happens. — 8 years ago

Edward Nelson

9.2

Rocco’s takeout and a nice bottle. Not a bad Saturday night. Bonus that the wife is letting me call the ball after dinner. — 8 months ago

Joe Fischer

9.2

Our last meal at the Lone Eagle Grill in Tahoe as it is closing at the end of the month! A great wine with my Blueberry Thyme Elk! Nice berry aromas with a rich long smooth finish. Will miss the restaurant! I’ve not had a bad Produttori wine. — a year ago

David Shaw

9.3

Purple to garnet red, moderate pigment extraction, very good clarity. Leather, wood and blackberry notes in nose. Blackberry, cherry flavors with length, raspberry on finish. Good balance, acid a tad above the ethanol but nicely so, some unresolved fine-grained seed tannins on initial pour with moderate skin astringency. I’m liking this one after 30 minutes, and wishing I’d bought more. 425 cases made. A solid version for WA state cab fans — 4 years ago

Egan Lim

9.0

An easy everyday Bordeaux as it’s affordable. Very fruit forward with spice but finish is lacking. — 6 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

8.9

Yes it is biodynamic which I tend to dislike, moreover this wine travels very badly and most of the bottles I drunk in the USA were bad. Surprise this one is really good. Color straw golden (my wife immediately caught on and looked surprised until I told her “bio”. Slightly oxidative, smokey, good mineral content. Warm vintage but pulls it off. Best coulee I ever tasted in NY. — 7 years ago

E & K G

9.3

An absolute pleasure of a champagne! Fine layers of flavors and long lasting finish. Not a bad way to kick off a big lunch with the family. — 7 years ago

Justin Leverton

9.5

Super scared to pop this as no insurance if bad. Fantastic as of July 2018 — 8 years ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium light garnet , quite wide terracotta rim . Top shoulder ullage . Slightly herbal , old mahogany, hickory , chestnut, minty , dried fruits with sous bois underneath, hoisin . On the palate this has some sweet red fruits , touch of coffee , old wood , earthy , meaty hints . Good acidity and slightly grippy tannins . Not bad length. This bottle shows surprisingly well considering its state , and is very drinkable . Drink now , as this deteriorated quite quickly once in the glass — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served alongside beef short rib, xo sauce, pickled mustard seed, cumin stir-fried asparagus. Yes, the 2003 Dominus is big. However, it is also balanced and showing classic Napa typicity with beautifully ripe and some slightly wizened black and red fruit, tobacco, cocoa, some purple flowers and baking spices. I found this to be quite balanced after all the air it saw. Wonderful structure for continued aging as well. Drink now through 2043. — 2 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.6

Heidi Barrett put this winery on the map. Lush red fruit with subtle tannins that are multi tiered. Has years to continue to mature. Their wines have not stayed at this level since Heidi left. Too bad!! — 4 years ago

S.R.Alexander

9.4

Crushed seashell/ocean and pencil on the nose. Very secondary decomposing earthy palate with little fruit beyond blackberry seed. My daughter highlighted Soy Sauce on the nose as well...the padawan learns quick. — 6 years ago

Ryan Allard

9.4

Started off tight and tannic with a lot of green vegetable notes. After about an hour in the decanter all the big fruit came through on the nose and palate. Viscous, but not in bad way. Smooth and velvety finish. — 7 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.0

Bright, nice tannns and finish, earthy, luscious mouthfeel. Curious how it might develop. — 8 years ago

K Frech

8.9

Picked up in auction. Label is trashed but decent fill. So deceiving. Nose from bottle yuck. Nose from glass oh my. This is beautiful. Soft. Some tobacco. Some fruit like an old blackberry but not in a bad way. Giving no it a 8.9 bit could move it up a notch. — 8 years ago