Willie Carter

9.0

You already know what it is. There’s not much to even say about it because you already know it’s delicious. Quite delicious. Romance in a bottle? Absolutely. Pale copper with salmon accents and energetic effervescence. The nose features sumptuous cranberries and raspberries, as well as baked apple tarts. Some wild strawberry notes to go with the brioche aromas.

This is no hidden gem of a wine, you’ve all tasted it before and you know how good and reliable it is. A benchmark and always impressive. Pleasing, not racy, acidity and that hard to describe essence of quality. 40/30/30 CH/PN/PM and those red grapes truly shine here. The palate references the nose with more sparkling red berries and autolytic notes. Impressively long finish of pure elegance. Flabbergastingly lovely. — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Celebrating with a couple of nice bottles tonight

2.5 hour decant(lots of chunky/fine/cloudy sediment). An astonishing dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: expressive notes of plum, cedar, worn leather, musky earth, floral, and smokey vanilla. Taste: smooth, creamy, rich wine with plum, cedar, tobacco wrapper, burnt earth, and a white pepper- strawberry-graphite long finish. YUM!! Comfortably in its drinking window(with decant) and more years to go. — 8 days ago

with Brenda

Jay Kline

9.3

Until Caroline Frey took over wine making responsibilities, “La Chapelle” was sort of known to me as a perennial underachiever with very few vintages in the last 40 years really meeting their potential. The late 90’s was perhaps the deepest point of the malaise. That being said, this bottle proves that the underpinnings were always there and I found it to be very enjoyable, if not quite on the level of the other examples of late-90’s Hermitage we enjoyed on the night. There is still quite a bit of life left. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

The three of us from Omaha were presented this wine upon arrival, double-blind fashion in large burgundy-style glasses. The appearance was a burnished gold color with slight visual signs of gas only when agitated. On the nose, there are signs of oxidization with a slightly cheesy and nutty thing on the nose along with some bruised apple and pear. The palate was like fireworks. Layers of fruits, nuts, spices and the creamiest of textures. At first, based on the smell and the appearance, I thought this might be a vintage Champagne, 1996 or even possibly 1990. However, after tasting it, I was compelled to shift direction as it reminded me of some of the more remarkable NV wines made in a solera-style like Bereche “Reflan d’Antan” or Selosse “Initial”. Welp…basically nailed it. How I wish this wine could be in my life more often. — 9 days ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.8

My favorite of the night. Super approachable despite being so young. More merlot than 2017 so a touch more fruit right away. Plum, cassis, a little blackberry. Needs more time but super good right now. — 3 days ago

with Marilea

Scott Kahn

9.2

Nicely aged but on the down slope of its life. Structured and balanced tannins persist against the bouquet of a classic Bordeaux. Not equal to other older first growths. — 8 days ago

David Koenen

9.4

The years have been kind. Solid and superb. A true treat to be able to taste this beauty again. Thanks so much J! — 7 days ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Just fantastic tonight. Truly singing and such a wonderful example of classic Bordeaux from a producer we love and have had the good fortune to visit. Paired with a grilled leg of lamb on a beautiful early fall evening. Classic nose, seamless on the palate, great acid. Finish is slightly thin but still really a great wine. So fun. Opened 5 hours before drinking, no decant. — a day ago

romo

9.3

Non-sulfured cuvee shows wild bramble bush and dried herbs. Some funk and fruit and still very sound for four years on. — 3 days ago

Conrad Green

9.4

Deep and intense and very pure. Dark, brooding fruit hard to unwind but loads of depth. Minerality and savory fruit in spades but densely packed right now. — 11 days ago

with BOT, Gregg and 2 others