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

S.S. Mandani

9.5

Money.

Actually born gold. Name lives up!

Soft, silken, balanced, clarified, pear and lychee.

Beautiful. — a year ago

Martin ho

9.2

Lovely finish, sweet finish. Not too dry. Some floral notes. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 4 years ago

Steve Rura

9.1

Big like a Chardonnay with some oak, but less acidity. Very nice with crispy mushroom, lemon and asparagus risotto. 14% abv — 5 years ago

Angie Streck

8.9

A fresh, light, Cabernet — 6 years ago

Norman

9.1

Born “Dreams Come True” is a Junmai Daiginjo from Kato Kichibee Shoten in Fukui Prefecture. It’s aged for five years at –5 °C (some sources mention –8 °C). This is supposed to be one of the top Born sakes and it would be interesting to try with a couple others side by side. It’s a liter bottle and when it got opened it was on the cold side. As it warmed and opened up you can see why people call it flamboyant. It becomes a big, powerful sake with big flavors and a long finish. Heavy weight on the palate but very smooth and as they say velvety. It was nice but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it - not sure why other than maybe how it started out which was a bit sharp, angular and lean. Need to pull these earlier. — 10 months ago

Deborah M

9.0

Really delicious. Dry sake. Great mouthfeel. Refreshing. @Niwa (Japanese BBQ). — 3 years ago

Ben Steinbock

9.1

Delicious pet-nat. $25 restaurant price. — 4 years ago

Hector Escaton

9.4

Back at it. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.7

Opaque ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red7blue fruits, exotic spices and potpourri, all enlivened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Sweet, chewy and energetic in the mouth, offering concentrated black raspberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and fruitcake flavors that show excellent clarity and back-end lift. The mineral and floral notes build on an insanely long, penetrating finish shaped by emerging, polished tannins. This monumental wine was fermented in concrete tanks and raised in demi-muids. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, October 2021)
— 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

The 2017 De Toren Fusion V, the Left Bank Bordeaux-based blend, 90% raised in 50% new French oak, is deep garnet in color. It has a well-defined blackberry, bilberry and soy-tinged nose, touches of pencil shaving coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, almost Médoc-like tannins, quite structured and more austere compared to older vintages that I have tasted, especially in the context of a ripe growing season. Noticeably bitter toward the finish. Personally, I would afford this a couple of years in the cellar just to shave the edges, but it is a commendable Stellenbosch Bordeaux blend, one that cohered nicely after two or three hours. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2021)
— 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

In the summer of 1989, Conundrum was born, the 25 Anniversary Sparkler. Pale lemon, tropical and citrus aromas, tiny bubbles explode with floral notes. On the palate juicy peach and ripe melon flavors with lemon zest. Medium+ crisp finish, good mineral and biscuit ending. Tasting Sample. Grab a bottle for Valentines Day. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Grgić Pošip, Korčula Island 2022
A Croatian white with California roots and Adriatic soul.

Crafted by Grgić Vina, the Croatian project of Napa legend Miljenko “Mike” Grgich (of Judgment of Paris fame), this 100% Pošip is sourced from steep, sun-drenched vineyards on Korčula Island, overlooking the Adriatic.

Pošip, a native Croatian grape born from a spontaneous crossing of two local varieties, delivers a crisp, dry, and complex profile. This 2022 vintage is beautifully aromatic, with notes of citrus, ripe melon, apple, and savory herbs, rounded by hints of vanilla, hazelnut, smoke, and lemon rind. There’s even a faint whisper of resin and orange blossom in the background.

On the palate, it’s voluptuous yet vibrant, a brilliant balance of brisk minerality, layered fruit, and a clean, snappy finish.

Pairing tip: It sings with seafood, think oysters, shrimp pasta, grilled white fish, or even creamy pasta with wild fennel. Also works nicely with soft cheeses.
A standout wine that’s both regional and refined, offering a true taste of Dalmatian coastal charm.
Cheers!
— a year ago

Norman

9.2

Nice but I think there are better Born bottles to be had. Better as the chill comes off the bottle. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Prisoner Wine Company was born different, designed to disrupt. The Chard has added Roussanne and Gewürztraminer to this blend, Pale and lemon with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty oak aromas. On the palate flavors of crisp apple and peach with citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, well balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 4 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The 2019 Hansel North Slope is bright and loaded with red berries. It emerged from the bottle as a cloudy, pinkish-purple wine with a funky, spice laden (clove, cinnamon) nose. Eventually this youngster mellowed to a richer, mixed berry set of flavors with enough zip to feel almost effervescent. A very nice Hansel but not quite as generous as some North Slopes I’ve had previously. Update 12/25. This has evolved so much for the better. Much richer, darker, mellower. Raised rating — 5 years ago

Noren Kawakami

10

Born Chogin Junmai Daiginjo — 5 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.1

2021/4 with roast pheasant breast with pheasant fond, truffle butter and cabbage. As seems to happen with reds from my (overly cold?) cellar, this still seemed to be emerging from adolescence - not quite what most would expect from a 14+ year Chalonnaise wine. Then again, I’ve always found the 2006 reds from Burgundy to be a little blocky, and little blowsy. Still, this was tasty and had hints of emerging complexity. It also still had the price tag on it, and I marveled again that de Villaine has barely raised prices in well over a decade (the recent, pricier line of 1er crus being new additions to the lineup). Please, please, never change. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Made from the other White Burgundy grape, Aligote. Made by probably the most famous name in Burgundy, Aubert de Villaine and his American born wife, Pamela. Aubert is the wine director and proprietor of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti. This is his own personal project. The wine itself:- Mid lemon in colour. Herbs, citrus and a touch of aniseed on the nose. The palate is very citric and mineral with a noticeable saline note. More palate weight than it had a few years ago. Medium minus Acid. Drinking well now and no need to cellar any further. Great winemaking at an affordable price. — 6 years ago