Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

The “King of Chardonnay” Mike Grgich farms w/o pesticides and certified organic. Aged 10 months, no MLF. Medium lemon color with aromas of stone & citrus fruits. On the palate flavors of apple, pear & lemon citrus flavors, with honeysuckle, vanilla & toasty oak notes. Nice balance with acidity on long finish with a toasty mineral ending. Not your typical CA Chard, very nice! — 15 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Pale lemon with aromas of stone and tropical fruits. Made from 40-year old vines, aged in 100% stainless steel. On the palate flavors of bright lemon citrus with crisp apple and peach notes. This medium-body wine has crisp acidity, good balance and nice mouthfeel, smooth long finish ending with creamy mineral texture. Very Nice! — 3 months ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

Nice balance of fruit and earth in this really good Rioja. Reminds me of what Riojas used to taste like way back in the day. — 5 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Not sure there are better 13 whites than Raveneau. Lafon also comes to mind. It’s an early drinking vintage (by Raveneau standards) while you wait for 12 and 14. Also, no Chapelot this year so it’s blended in here. A multi hour advance decant has it rocking, stunningly aromatic, soaring with layers of créme fraîche, baking spice, crushed stones and a whisper of botrytis influenced saffron. The palate shows immense power, concentration and depth of waxy yellow fruit chiseled with Chablisen minerality. Brilliant tension and racy lemony acids provide a seamless balance to its power and richness. MDT always hits 🫰🏻 — 7 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 2 days ago

Ming L

9.1

I was very surprised by the richness and power of this ‘19 bottling. Very different than the previous vintages I’ve tasted. Broad with good depth and balance acidity. 2019 might be as good as the great 2010 vintage in Rioja?
— 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Yellow gold with copper hue, quite thin pale rim . Caramelised pineapple, saffron , vanilla , creme brûlée , quite rich and decadent. On the palate again quite rich , barley sugar , creme brûlée and saffron, just enough acidity to balance and a little alcoholic warmth . On the medium length finish , lemon rind and a touch of caramel . This is probably at peak now , just misses a little vibrancy , freshness, however successful for the vintage . Drink now and over the next 10- 15 years — 5 months ago

LM Segal

9.8

A Giacometti sculpture of a wine, seemingly of shape, structure, balance and beauty impossible to describe if not experienced. A superfine beam of black tea tannins infused with strawberry fruit and gentle spice. Layers of compote, orange zest and lively acidity in perfect, stunning balance. — a month ago

K. Syrah

9.5

2007: Wow. Phenomenal Chateauneuf with tons of character. Viscous, very rich, nicely concentrated with plenty of minerals and funk to balance the still-persistent purple fruit. Can’t imagine this getting any better with more age but plenty left. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1982 vintage. Above average fill. Cork 98% saturated. Decanted and throwing a mix of chunky and sandy sed. Tasted after 15 minutes. Dark-fruited nose. Still medium body. Any overt fruit is gonzo and this specimen ended up as more muscular than remembered with notable balance. Tannic skeleton definitely in place. Least favorite 1st growth overall but this was a great showing. In a sweet spot currently and likely to hold here without drop off for another 4-5 years. 6.1.24. — 6 months ago