Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

More rare than common for me to try a Margaux for the first time these days.

Had this with a French prepared sirloin at Kronenhalle in Zurich.

It’s in a good drinking window. Nice fruit & style. Balanced ripe fruits and nicely resolved earth.

Kronenhalle is a good restaurant, old school environment with a huge stellar art collection, including three Picasso’s. — 23 days ago

Adam Kincaid

8.9

Blind tasting no4. Should have let this decant for awhile first because it was super reduced - sulfur and eggs. Honestly would NEVER have guessed burgundy or Pinot noir. Just so saturated and dense. Probably missed some of the common flavors because it was still fresh.

Slightly cloudy opaque purple with little rim variation. Heavily extracted. Bone dry, medium tannins, medium acids. Red berries and chalk with a medium to full body. As it opened we got compost and olives. Nothing to indicate Pinot though… — 3 years ago

with Jillian

Lyza Jo

8.9

We liked it — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Growers by Isabel Estate “Common Vine” Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Overview
100% Sauvignon Blanc from Isabel Estate, one of Marlborough’s pioneering producers. This single-vineyard bottling comes from the Waihopai Valley — a subregion known for being more mineral-driven and restrained than the punchy, tropical-forward styles of the neighboring Wairau and Awatere Valleys. A showcase of precision and purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Zesty citrus, lime peel, and gooseberry meet tropical notes of passionfruit and pineapple, layered with fresh herbs and a subtle stony edge. A vivid expression that balances fruit intensity with chalky minerality.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, energetic acidity cuts through with sharp precision. Light to medium-bodied, refreshingly clean, with a saline, mineral-tinged finish that lingers brightly.

Winemaking Notes
Cold fermentation in stainless steel to lock in aromatics, followed by lees contact for added textural complexity without compromising freshness.

Food Pairing
Excellent with oysters, green-lipped mussels, ceviche, and goat cheese. Also shines with grilled asparagus, sushi, or a simple tomato-and-basil salad.

Verdict
A brilliant single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc that highlights Waihopai Valley’s distinctive terroir — mineral, sharp, and refreshingly pure. More refined than fruit-bomb styles, yet every bit as compelling. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Nice older tawny color. Has a nose that gives you a smile. Notes of bing cherries, rhubarb, cola, moist dark soil, some herbal spice and some funk. Smooth and palate-coating in the mouth. By the process of elimination as I mentally walk through the climats of Burgundy, I settle on Morey St. Denis and throw out a guess of 97 Dujac Clos St. Denis as the bottle. I actually thought about the 96 Clos de Tart as an guess option but didn’t pick up the high acidity trait common in 96s – and went with 97 because of the herbal thing. The mouthfeel and finish shows this bottle is in its drinking window. Give it air. Liked this wine a lot, but like other 96s, the battle between the fruit and the acidity has been ongoing for a long time and while the acidity is finally fading a bit, so too is the fruit. — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.2

Just concluded the annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine, mobile service up there is mostly non-existent, after several days I am posting again. Notes are somewhat brief, as my focus is relaxing and watching the Common Loons swimming and diving in the cove in front of our camp.

Nose has tart green apple, sugared water, white grapefruit slices, cold under-ripe peach and classroom chalk.
Palate has tart green apple flesh, red apple peel, lime zest, lime juice, light limestone paste, lively with medium finish and fun acidity. — 5 years ago

Daniel Ciolek

8.9

Nice everyday wine from an older and less common grape. Better day 2. Aromatic with strawberries and candied cherries. Slightly tart on opening but smooth day 2. Raspberry, strawberry, clove and some mineral. Moderate finish. — 2 years ago

Daniel Ludwig

9.0

Has a beautiful bouquet on the nose that prevails throughout its surprisingly long finish. Light bodied and a great alternative to some of the more common Italian varietals. — 2 years ago

garry post

9.0

Smooth and silky, a classy Zinfandel without some of the more common rough edges.

Rhubarb, pepper, bell pepper, soft tannins, dash of oak, spices, cherry... — 5 years ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.2

Pure and straight fruit. Very good use of wood. In common with his red’s brother has an incredibly refreshing uplifting aftertaste. But I’d wait at least 2 years to drink the 2018 vintage again. — 5 years ago