Jay Kline

9.6

Okay…so I entered the night fully aware that we were going to be taking down some unicorns…but this?!  I wasn’t prepared for this. I walked into the room, greeted my fellow brothers-in-wine and began to set my contributions next to the other bottles in the line-up. I casually scanned from left to right in complete wonder at what was on display…and stopped halfway, as my eyes recognized a label from the recesses of my memory. A label that had been filed away under the category of “Academic” since there was very little likelihood that I would ever see a bottle, let alone have an opportunity to enjoy it. And yet, here I was, in a small town north of Lincoln, NE, staring in disbelief at a bottle of 1990 Gentaz-Dervieux. I turned to our host who, at this point, was smiling at me; like a childhood friend who had invited me over to play with his GI Joe Aircraft Carrier, the U.S.S. FLAGG. “F***ing Gentaz?!”

The nose? Magic. Brambles, granite, mushrooms, cumin, espresso, purple flowers, leather, smoke; so sanguine, so savory. Vinous. Rustic. Tremendous with Iberico pork cheek, mushroom ragu with lavender and thyme. I took my time. Drink now through 2035+. — 8 months ago

Jonathan Lipsmeyer

9.4

Soy, white pepper, aircraft carrier of big plum jam and cranberry, a touch of heat on the finish, gentle allusions to leather, long way to go but good juice — 10 years ago

Elizabeth Harris

9.2

This wine is juicy. It has a wonderful juicy, vanilla, smooth aroma and taste. It has some vanilla notes and it's smooth but not buttery like in some Chardonnay. It's very fruit forward with peach flavors lingering after the finish. I'm surprised by this Chardonnay, wonderfully surprised. It is so good! I feel likenthe wine ages as you drink it, so you'll experience wondeful different flavors as you drink.

Color: Yellow, golden, wheat color like Chardonnay. Beautiful gold like a ome would expect in a gold carrier bracelet.

Aroma: lovely kinda sweet, creamy, vanilla aroma with some peach aromas. Smells quit fruit forward and like juice ripe fruit mixed in a creamy vanilla. But it doesn't smell sweet like dessert. There's some toasty aromas like Graham crackers. It smells absolutely delicious, you just can't wait to dive in.

Taste:
There's some nice acid that gives a little shock to the jaw as your tongue is loving layer with a smooth, vanillay flavor. The flavor gently fades away in the finish. It feels like you've bitten into a wonderful ripe piece of summer fruit like a juicy peach and tangerine. It's a clean refresh finish when chewed. As the wine airs, it gets gently bitter like an orange peel. — 3 years ago

Robin Gerber

Partner Spotlight Brands

9.2

Nicely done Eben! — 10 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The first bottle of Christopher Tynan Judge Family Vineyard Syrah that I ever had an opportunity to drink met an untimely demise when it fell through the bottom of my brother’s cardboard wine carrier and shattered on the driveway. What I recall from that rather unfortunate mishap was how wonderful it smelled as it slowly streamed down the cracks of the concrete. So, I was elated to open this bottle of the most recent vintage. Decanted for two hours. From the first pour, the bouquet did not disappoint. Strong aromas of meat, lavender, dark berries, dates, figs, anise...it was a feast for the olfactory system. On the palate it was tightly wound and unwilling to fully express itself. This is a powerfully tannic wine with the stuffing and structure to last in the cellar for a long time. Make no mistake, this is delicious in its youth but an extended decant (full day) would be prudent at this stage to get the most out of it. Otherwise, let these sleep. — 6 years ago

with Justin

Patrick Rousseau

10

One of the best Pinot noirs I've ever had. — 8 years ago

Eric Hwang

9.7

Okay, I'm a bit biased. I worked with the winemaker for a year and got these as a thank you for use of my rooftop car carrier. But that doesn't mean the wine wasn't good. He didn't become the head winemaker for nothin'. Rich and muscular. Smooth tannins and a finish that goes forever. — 11 years ago