Ken Venezio

9.1

This 2018 is 100% Merlot. Opens to a subtle floral note with black cherry and cranberries. Medium body with a nice mouthfeel. The finish is a little smoky and bit of a back of the throat spice. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I think my posts on this producers Napa Cabernets with this kind of age have been clear. 2005 not the shinning star vintage of Napa Valley, yet non the less very consistent & punches above its price point. Pretty sure I bought this in the $35ish range. She is smooth with no bittiness on the palate.

The nose shows; used coffee grounds, dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices, black licorice, steeped black tea, sandstone,moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers.

The palate is elegant & still fresh; dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate to pudding, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dark spice with palate heat, sandstone, moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers framed in violets, very round acidity with balance, evolution, structure/ tension & elegance for minutes and lands on earth & spice.

Still has 7-10 yrs ahead. You could make a case for 94 here. — 4 months ago

Ted

9.0

Solid rose with fresh strawberries on the palate. — 8 months ago

John Willison

9.2

Dark crushed fruit, red and black licorice, black tea and sweet berry finish. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fabulous, bright notes of Bing cherry, strawberry, star anis, red flowers, black pepper, cool spices, and stoney earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a beautiful example from one of the more Burgundian producers in CdP, making wine in a very Burgundian vintage. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2036. Bottle No. 28340 — a month ago

Vanessa

9.5

Cornas AOC is a small and distinctive appellation in the Northern Rhône of France. 🇫🇷 Unlike its neighboring appellations, Cornas wines must be made with 100% Syrah. 🍇 This makes it a singular expression and benchmark in the world of Syrah. 🍷🍷

This particular wine is pronounced with harmonious aromas and flavors spanning the spectrum from primary to secondary to tertiary …

Offering generous notes of blackcurrant preserves, ripe black cherry, boysenberry, violet, cured meat, peat, forest floor, dark chocolate truffle, mocha, black peppercorn, star anise, fennel, cardamom, spice box, tobacco, cigar, clove, & saddle leather. — 5 months ago

with Deked1

Ted

8.9

Better than I remember. Eclipse day. Not a wine you would age but has a place. Will drink again with no hesitation. — 2 years ago

with Jeni

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai — 3 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.8

Wow. This is one hell of a Taillepieds. Nose is deep, dark black cherry fruit with twizzler, mid season cherry with pitch perfect clarity. Taillepieds always brings the drama and this goes to 11. Dark roses, Dried and fresh. So complex and so darn dramatic, Gorgeous roundness to the nose. Just insane. 9.8 nose. Some wood spice, but more like shavings from 7th grade woodshop. Wow. That palate is just insane. It’s got the cherry fruit, sour, dark, mid season, dark red all on a chord progression and all at the same time. Cherry fruit, everything, everywhere, all at once. Unreal internal aromatic and it has a decadence but outlined by this tart cherry fruit that circles opulent black cherry fruit. Just stunning. More open than the Clos des Chenes. A genius wine. Equal to CDC in 2023. Wow this nose goes hard as air gets into it. My god this is hedonistic but also fresh and energetic like 2008 or 1996 but with the fruit of 2019. This is absolutely a showstopper. Gorgeous tannins. So well crafted. The purity is the star here as is the transparency. The nose goes hard after an hour. It’s hard to describe as it’s got a lot of “non wine” aroma. 9.8 nose. Heavenly. Super sweet and silky now. Gorgeous fruit and opulence. What a finish. Unreal blackberry and black cherry inner mouth aromas an hour in. So structured and young but just incredible. After a day this is just stunning. Deep, dramatic and juicy. Wonderful structure and sexy black cherry fruit. Silky as silky can be. — 7 months ago

Russ W

9.1

Rich black fruit, menthol and leather. Wisp of smoke, fresh mouthfeel, slightly oily. Finished somewhat quick, but a fun wine. — 3 years ago