Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre, medium Ruby red color with aromas of red fruits, floral and spice notes, aged for 12 months. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of black pepper, floral and spice. Firm tannins, long juicy savory finish, ending with fruit, cacao, spice and slight earthy notes. Need to wait a few years, will cellar! — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and open for 3.5 hours before tasting. Intense and spicy richness in the frontal palate/gums. Harmonious the rest of the journey. Very very close to opening the door to the hall of mirrors and entering the "zone" of optimal drinking. Still pretty youthful and no rush to crush. At least two decades of gorgeous enjoyment ahead. Even the greatest wines change themselves in the looking glass. 5.17.23. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of 81% Cab Sauv, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry & black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 4 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Enjoyed this, though it does comes off a little harsh, which can perhaps be attributed to its youth. A NAS, but as I understand, the blend is at least as old as the standard 10 year old. It definitely has a pretty similar profile - pepper, brine, peat smoke, and citrus. Would be good to taste them side-by-side given the general consensus that the Storm's essentially the 10 taken up a notch. There's a really "sweet" inner core that pushes through to peaty, somewhat-medicinal finish. Medium length. Really liking this profile (particularly the saline character) so I'm definitely going to be checking out the rest of the range. — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has lightly oxidized yellow apple peel, wet seashells, freshly cut pear, light creamy oak, fresh lemon pith and light honey.

Palate has light salinity, lemon skin, honey on oak slab and under-ripe peach.

Beautiful wine, great (medium) acidity, yet still young. Likely this will benefit with another 4-6 years of rest. Oliver Lamy is one of the best Saint-Aubin producers, and this bottle is proof, chaotic vintage and still shining.

Decanted ~3hr. Easter 2019. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Deep, dark extracted fruit. The nose on this one is initially black licorice, a hint of truffle, dark fruit and chocolate. As this wine opened up, it started to develop a LOT of dark, deep blackberry and mulberry. The middle of this wine is dark, deep, black cherry notes start to develop but also an herb note. This is a thick and dense wine. Finishes still with quite a bit of stiff tannin and some acidity. I think that this wine is still developing in bottle, and if you've got one of these, please rest assured that it is just now starting to get to peak, but probably won't be there with a 2-hour decant until closer to 2020. This basically means that my 2012 and 2013 needs to hang out for about 5-6 years before they are anywhere close to ready. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Keith

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.

Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.

The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.

This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.

Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and black cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and earthy character. Nice! — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.8

Over the Easter weekend I opened for friends the 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley St. Helena, California a blend of 89%Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Other.

I let decant for at least an hour on the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, cedar, spice, roses, crushed gravel and earth.

On the palate there was black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, mint, sandalwood, crushed gravel and earth.

This wine was rated 100 by both Jeb Dunnick and Wine Advocate whom I respect highly and can totally understand their exuberance for this wine but I couldn't make it quite there. I found that this is full bodied with a freshness and smooth mouthfeel medium + to high acidity and medium + high grainy crunchy tannins that gives a beautiful long dark fruit gravelly earthy finish. An eceptional wine by any means and I am glad to have a few more at rest in my cellar for this wine has many years to continue to develop. Our Easter weekend was one of excitement and exuberance where we had a baby shower on Saturday for our daughter who is expecting the last week of May first week of June which will be our second grandchild. Easter day we spent with family and friends which the day was spectacular. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy with peace to all. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby with aromas of fresh berry fruits, floral and slight spicy notes. Blend of 90% Sangiovese with the rest Canaiolo and Colorino. On the palate Cherry and Cranberry flavors, well balanced with acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long ending with earthy smoky minerality. Tasting Sample. Nice!! — 6 years ago

Paty Garza

9.4

La MESA rest Cesar Palace LV — 7 years ago

Meghan Woughter

10

Very light and easy to drink. Love it! — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Interesting blend of mostly Chardonnay adding Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc, medium vibrant lemon yellow color, with aromas of complex fruits, nutty and floral notes. On the palate flavors of pineapple, apricot and citrus with cinnamon, honey and floral spice. Long finish ending creamy with juicy fruit, almonds, citrus and mineral notes. Will age a bit, but nice now! — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta (85% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — 8 months ago

UWS

9.2

2022.11.15 Rest. Enoclub Alba w/Wakano
EUR 65.00
Excellent wine, full body, good structure, a bit rhubarb at the end. Fantastic!
2018 an excellent wine year! — 4 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Library from the domaine. Still a baby, let it rest for 5 more. Blackberry, sumac, dried thyme. Delicious but tight. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Had a bottle 6 mos ago. Blend of 95% Cab Sauv, 4% Merlot, rest Petit Verdot, Malbec & Cab Franc, blended then aged for 24 mos in 50% new & 50% once-used American oak. Deep Ruby, youthful aromas of black fruit, sweet cacao & complex spice. Palate shows flavors of rich ripe juicy berries & cherries, core of sweet fruit with oak & vanilla notes. Nicely integrated firm, graceful tannins, long finish, displays primary fruits on ending, just beginning to develop some secondary aging, approachable now. Excellent. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and sweet peaches. One of the few barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc's which adds a wonderful toasty oak flavor setting this wine apart from the rest. Complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, lemons, grapefruit, peaches, Asian pears and baked apple with tea and spicy acidity. Slight herb notes with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle sweet character. A Fav! — 6 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Good blend just like previous vintages. Lower rating because I think the wine hasn’t integrated enough yet and needs at least two more years of rest. — 7 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

Another Wednesday and another Bordeaux. I have opened the 2014 Château Beychevelle 51% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

On the nose there is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, graphite, chocolate, black pepper and rich soil.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, black currant, licorice, green bell pepper, menthol, graphite and rich dark soil.

The wine is full bodied velvety smooth with medium + acidity and medium + fine tannin that leads into a long pleasing finish. Nothing better than a beautiful Bordeaux. Enjoy your rest of the week and please stay safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 8 years ago