Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had this vintage several times over the last few yrs. I had it two yrs ago w/ Andy Beckstoffer & Tor Kenward. This is the weakest link I’ve had. It simply lacked the proper storage of the previous bottles I’ve had.

The color is still dark and the fruit is still intact. But this bottle has just started its plum, date, dark raisin and fig stage. Let me say again…just.

This is 13% ABV…love it. As I do with many 80’s Napa & Bordeaux’s. It does get better with each coldish coravined sip.

The tannins are well resolved and there is complete integration & evolution. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, dark spiced strawberries & circling raspberries. Potpourri, baking spice delight-soft clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, understated caramel, dark chocolate baking bar to chocolate pudding, milk chocolate, moist herbs, hints of mushrooms, saline, dry soil/limestone powder, forest floor with leaves, used tobacco & leather, gentle graphite, moist clay, dark spice w/ mid palate heat, withering dark, red flowers, violets & lavender, round, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on earth & spices. — 4 days ago

romo

9.2

3L. Textbook Pauillac. Proper yet lifeless - at Chris & Mary’s — 9 days ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

2021. Dark and rich. Serious stuff. — 3 days ago

Bonnie Chu

9.1

California eureka tasting — 8 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

8/2026. Bold , good fruit and sits well on the palate.

Mr. Friendly’s — a month ago

Sharon B

9.5

It’s National Red Wine Day! Let me see your wine! — a month ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, plum and caramel. Red and black fruit on the palate, vanilla and oak finish.

🏅91 Points - Wine Enthusiast — a day ago

Andrea Watt

9.1

Dark and earthy with blueberry and cherry over oak and cocoa powder. Rich and bold but pretty smooth for the age and size. — 19 days ago

Mark S.

9.2

Garnet with transparency. Complexity including earthy fig leather forest floor. Fruits still can be found. Aged matured berry and cherry. Completed!!Fruitiness M Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Bitterness M Body M+ Finish M %
Elegant Balanced Château Montrose Saint Estephe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 05 @1430/G, T Enoteca, 260925 — 5 days ago

Rob N

9.5

Excellent structured cab. 99 pts RP. $425 @ Olympic Club Lakeside! A little young, still tannic, opened up well.
— 4 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Insignia Masterclass

1998 Insignia
2001 Insignia
2004 Insignia
2008 Insignia
2013 Insignia
2023 Insignia

With:
David Pearson, President
Ryan Knoth, winemaker

@Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa — 18 days ago

with Brenda

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Beautiful cab. Smooth and elegant. — 21 days ago

Kelley Raymond

9.5

Always a favorite — 22 days ago

Joe Flo

9.7

Number 1 on Spectator in 2018 — 11 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Heitz/Stony Hill/Haynes/Burgess
La Paulee Dinner
Guest Chef: Shota Nakajima

WINE:
1997 Heitz Martha Vineyard
2012 Heitz trailside
1987 Heitz Bella oaks
2009 Heitz Martha Vineyard
2021 Burgess blanc de blanc
2022 Haynes Corazon Chardonnay
2022 Ink Grade estate merlot
2022 Heitz Martha Vineyard cab
2023 Stony Hill Cote Rouge cab
2021 Burgess Clos Abeille cab

FOOD:
Mushroom tart, corn tempura, Dashi w/uni
Chawanmushi with crab, sweet corn
Cured Kanpachi
Cedar smoked black cod
A5 waygu
Matcha Turamisu

Home ranch, Napa — 24 days ago

with Brenda

Anthony Pro

9.1

Good vintage. Well aged. — 10 days ago

Andy Krell

9.6

Tastes of plums, dark cherry and rick dark fruits. Love it. Will buy again — 16 days ago

Dave Moench

9.7

West Bank golf league party — 15 days ago

Joe Flo

9.7

Very good for a difficult & irregular growing season. — a month ago

Matt Schwartz

8.9

This bottle is a special one because it is the last bottle I have from when I worked at this winery back in 2012. On the nose, there’s dark fruit up front, blackberry, blueberry, currants, layered with leather, tobacco, a little campfire smoke, and a hint of forest floor. On the palate, there’s still a thread of acidity, but the fruit has mostly stepped back. What lingers is a touch of dried cherry and more of those earthy, evolved notes: turned soil and well-integrated oak. — a month ago