Jay Kline

9.4

A buddy brought out this bottle of 2010 Clos de la Coulée de Serrant to help toast a great achievement this past weekend. One can probably imagine my excitement as I’m a massive fan of these wines by Nicolas Joly. However, I feel compelled to admit that these wines are not for everyone. They vary wildly from one vintage to the next and there can often be quite a bit of bottle variation to boot. None of this has swayed me from my position; that these are amongst the most exciting, singular expressions of a place that I have ever experienced.

Popped and poured. The 2010 pours a deep golden color with medium+ viscosity and no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is redolent of white tree flowers, desiccated apples and apricots with orange marmalade, honey, lanolin, marzipan and light clove. On the palate, the wine is dry with borderline high acid that is somewhat masked by the equally high alcohol (15%). Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and remarkably rich with wooly, unctuous texture. The high alcohol only becomes apparent as the finish lingers but there is so many other more fascinating things for me than to get distracted by it. Is it oxidative or not? That’s an argument that other people can have. I’m content to simply appreciate these wines for what they are. You can drink these now but knowing how these react favorably to air, it’s probably best to open it well in advance and probably even better to decant. Otherwise, I would expect sound, well-stored examples to live through 2040. — 24 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1999 vintage. Decanted and tasted after four hours. Medium/heavy body. Intense, dark color. Earthy, tannic nose. Plenty of grip and fruit and showing beautiful balance now. Not an Insignia fan but this was excellent and has plenty of quality time left. No rush to crush. 71% Cab, 21% Merlot, 6% PV, 1% Cab Franc, 1% Malbec. 3.5.24. — 2 months ago

Paul J

9.2

Warm weather is here, so time to break out the Ribolla Gialla!

Orangish gold color. Honeysuckle, lavender, and perfume/floral tones. Wasn’t what I was expecting from having many past vintages. Wine is more refined and less acidic than I’m used to. That’s not bad, wine just seems mellower than normal but more complex. — 4 days ago

with Brooke

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim

Earthy nose with light oak, black fruits and tobacco.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red and black fruits, wood, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, licorice, dark chocolates, black tea and black pepper.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 35 year old is still drinking beautifully. This Second Growth Bordeaux is nicely balanced and complex.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 10+ years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 4 hours. I did not decant it, but let it open up in the bottle.

Wine Spectator 96 points.

A good food wine that I paired with beef brisket. Gorgeous.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$275. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.6

#AgedWineTuesday

This is a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a brick rim.

Full bodied and smooth.

Dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, leather, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vegetables, coffee and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 23 year old is elegant and powerful. Rich and extracted, with a nice mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine. Well balanced with great complexity. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.

Robert Parker 98 points. Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.

A great quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

A blend of of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

96 points.

$400. — 2 months ago

Scott Kahn

9.0

Deep gold in color. Lower acidity than expected. Lots of white stone fruit and sweetness with some biscuit on the palette. Great complement to Brie. For the vintage and the producer a little underwhelming. — 12 days ago

Robin Bundy

9.4

Color - crimson red. Full bodied, ripe black berry with fine grained tannins. Paired with Picanha, Fraldinha Pork Chop and Ribeye Steak! At Fogo De Chao in Philly. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+3 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable dark garnet color. On the nose: dark plum/currants, forest floor, touch of mint and leather, smokey brisket. Taste: layered, structured, dry wine with plum, cassis, tobacco, cedar, currants and a tangy spiced raspberry medium plus finish. YUM! No hurry, time to go. — a month ago

with Brenda

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2005 Latour is a huge wine predestined for long-term aging. Noticeably deep in color, it has a showstopping bouquet with intense black fruit, graphite and touches of dried blood and tobacco as it considers moving into its secondary phase. But that's going to be slow coming...it's in no hurry. The palate is medium-bodied and unapologetically classic in style. I notice this bottle is a little grainy in texture, the salinity perhaps heightened as it enters adulthood. The finish has a tangible sense of tension, but it remains backward and swarthy. Immense. Tasted at Woo Cheong Tea House dinner organized by Paulo Pong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— 2 months ago