Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Happy #InternationalChardonnayDay everyone. First up is this single vineyard bottling from the Cold Creek Ranch made by Château St. Jean. Medium golden yellow in appearance. The weight starts showing from the get go with aromas of baked apples, lemon curd and a little butterscotch. Medium acidity (6/10) and medium bodied. Quite tropical on the palate surrounded by baked stone fruits and some oak influences. Medium plus finish and very enjoyable. Drink till 2023. — a month ago

with India

"Odedi"

9.1

It's time for some #MerlotThursday. Here is a fruit forward Merlot from Bordeaux.

Showing black and red fruits with wood, vanilla, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, wet leaves, black tea, black pepper, spices, dark coffee, earth and leather.

Medium finish with firm tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is still young and a little harsh, even after opening up, with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Needed 3 hours to open up.

Showing great potential. This is from a great vintage, and will age nicely in the next 20 years. I would suggest not to touch it for another 3 years.

I've had the 2012 last year, and although this is much younger, it is much tastier already.

Robert Parker 94 points.

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 84% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100. — 12 days ago

Andrew Steffensmeier

9.2

A lot of power, plenty of fruit and acidity for days. This is in a nice spot, but still on the way up. There’s a nice dusty/tar note, fennel, a touch of leather, maybe even a hint of violets. Best with a big rich meal. — 5 days ago

Kyle Harvey

9.0

Part of the old guard, classically made from heart of St Joe in Mauves, slight pepper, dark red fruit, hard to deny the allure. — a month ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

It is Thursday night and I stopped by my store of choice and picked-up two Right Bank Bordeaux, both in the $30 range. The first one I have opened tonight is the 2015 Château Barde-Haut from Saint-Emilion.

On the nose I find good dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant, vanilla, graphite, herbs, violets, faint oak and cedar.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, green bell pepper, light oak, spice and dusty earth.

I find the wine to be medium to full bodied with racy medium + to high acidity and medium + grippy mouth coating tannins that lead right into a long dark fruit finish. I want to wish everyone a wonderful weekend and please stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 days ago

Andrew Steffensmeier

10

Wow. This was THE perfect bottle. Very complex in all phases. Fruits still lush. Tannins resolved. Hints of leathers, spices, dust. It felt so young and packed with flavor while remaining elegant and light on its feet. Actually left some for a second night and it was still beautiful and alive. And so fun to be caught off guard by allure and intrigue. — 8 days ago

Alanna Lucas (Nantucket Wine & Spirits)

9.1

Give me a Chave (Sélection) any time. The nose has some thyme, blackberry and licorice. Smooth out of the gate with loads of dark fruit, a little eucalyptus and a pinch of pepper on the long finish. Tannins are perfectly integrated. 👌 — 15 days ago

Robert Lim

8.9

Rich but not too concentrated, beautiful dark fruit with vanilla... a very quaffable wine — 17 days ago

Shay A

9.3

Wednesday Wine Committee hosted by Dan. 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. Tasted blind as usual.

Drinking wonderfully. Full fruit at this stage without it being in your face. Plum, blackberry, and currant. Soft and dense in the mid palate. Tart black cherry work herbal notes on the finish. Just beginning to channel secondary notes. I guessed right bank Bordeaux from early 2000s. — 6 days ago

with Jeff and Dan

E & K G

9.1

Was told this was a special bottling from Chateau Figeac - yet to confirm this.

Strength of vintage showing through with a good balance of fruit and tannins which have started to round out. Still some freshness as well which make for enjoyable drinking. — 7 days ago