Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and rust colored rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and drying fruits: lightly stewed blackberries, black cherry, plums, tobacco, dried green herbs, old fine wood, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot (or based blend), or Zinfandel-based blend from Spain, Argentina, France or the United States. However, the staining was a bit much unless there was a lot of PS in the blend so I eliminated Zinfandel. I also didn’t think this was purple enough for Malbec. This left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and I felt that this leaned more towards its structure than fruit so I was leaning Spain or France with 15-20 years of age and from a solar vintage. Ultimately, I chose Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Gran Reserva from 2006…from a quality producer like C.V.N.E. Yeah, I can see Pomerol. Shoot. This is stuff and ready to drink now and will drink well through 2032+. — a month ago

Nick Lobaccaro

9.6

This wine, made from a blend of very old vine Grenache and younger vine Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grown on terraced vineyards, is among the most exciting wines I have tasted. Unfortunately, only 300 cases are produced, all of which is exported to the United States. It is aged in 100% new French oak casks and bottled without fining or filtration. 1994 is considered to be one of Spain's all-time great vintages, so it is not surprising that this wine possesses more potential than the exceptional 1993 and 1992. Try to imagine a hypothetical blend of Petrus, l'Evangile, Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape, and Napa's 1993 Colgin Cabernet Sauvignon. The color is an opaque black/purple. The nose offers up spectacularly rich, pure aromas of blackberries, black-raspberries, minerals, and subtle vanillin from new oak barrels. Extremely rich and dense, with unbelievable levels of concentration and extract, this amazing wine is a strong candidate for a three-digit rating when it develops more maturity in 5-8 years. Since it is a newly created wine, there is no track record established for ageability, but a wine such as this should keep for 20-25 years. This is one of the most exciting young wines anyone could possibly taste. Awesome! — 11 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2022 vintage. 94% Merlot, 6 % Cabernet Franc.
La Cabanne has great terroir, on the plateau with the famous blue clay. Stylstically, it's more about finesse than power ( more La Conseillante than L'Evangile if you want to compare with the bigger boys). Wonderful perfume with red fruits and flowers, and a delicate kiss of oak. Impeccable balance, refined, complex and long. Had a beautiful vertical at the estate and I believe the 2022 might be the best ever. Great value too. — 3 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

Very young and accessible, suspect will stay this way for another 9 to 12 months perhaps. Good stuff.
— 2 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

My brother in-law,Bob, standing next to me in blue brought this beauty to the party last night: 2010 Shafer Hillside Select.
What an incredibly well made wine with nuances and layers which seemed endless! We kept talking about this wine all night! What a great side by side comparison it was against the 2009 Chateau L'Evangile! 100 point Bourdeaux & 100 point Cali !!!
I picked up a super faint nose of petrol which intrigue the hell out of me all night! It was awesomeness in a glass!! The palate was gorgeous with highlights of dark fruit, vanilla and a little bit of minerality which was perfectly intertwined into the body of this beauty. The finish was long and strong.
Thank you Bob for sharing this beauty from your cellar in celebration of Christine's Birthday!! — 8 years ago

with Ryan, Robert and 2 others

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1986 vintage. Tasted through 5 bottles at a 1986 BDX dinner at Mister A's-San Diego. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Tremendous bottle variation in the nose. That expected, light Beychevelle body (similar to L'Evangile in Pomerol) aping Burgundy. Bouquet was all over the place but the five bottles consistently sung. Yes, there was brett here and there. Did it DQ any particular bottle(s)? Not from my perch. Better than anticipated. Can see this going steady in this phase for another 4-5 years before dropping down a notch. 3.14.24. — a year ago

James Gourley

9.4

The winner! Earthy, succulent blue fruit, mouth coating tannins balanced by just enough acidity. A great wine. — 5 years ago

with Colin

John Van Trijp

9.7

En Primeur Tasting 2016 Vintage in Bordeaux — 8 years ago