Philip Patston

9.2

Superb with Lamb at Easter. — 21 days ago

Erik Longabardi

9.3

Always so good! Electric! — 4 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

A blend of 82% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and equal proportions of Vaccarèse and Counoise, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape spent 21 months in concrete vats. The result is a vibrant red wine, bursting with precise aromas of ripe red fruits, blackberry, licorice as well as hints of dried thyme and lavender. Full-bodied, rich and layered, it is flawlessly balanced by fresh acidity and ends with good persistence on the savory finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2023) — 10 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Garen Staglin

9.3

Elegant and lighter style. All concrete fermentation. — 2 months ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.1

I love this wine. Whole cluster fermentation and 8 months in concrete. Clean, balanced, pairs beautifully with anything grilled or red sauces. — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Extremely bright acidity and lean body style. Aromas and flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, plum and volcanic ash. Hints of black olive and black licorice. Light tannins as this one is aged in concrete tanks. Relatively low alcohol (11.5%). Takes a bit of a chill beautifully so great for sipping on a hot day. Biodynamically farmed fruit. Tastes unique because there is zero manipulation! — 3 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.3

50:50 Grenache/Mourvedre. Whole cluster, neutral oak and concrete. Juicy and elegant. Sneaky fine tannins. 13.5%. Winner. — 3 months ago

Michelle Berryman

9.1

Robust and fruity. This is a bold Malbec. — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve sort of avoided the wines from Priorat. Not for any ideological reasons, more so I simply found the wines too often over the top for my palate. However, after years of skipping offers, I bit the bullet a couple years ago and swooped up a couple bottles of Laurel which is a wine made by Clos i Terrasses (most famously known for Clos Erasmus). I’m so glad I did. What I discovered was a wine of tremendous character and beauty.

The 2019 version of this wine is no different. It pours an almost magenta red ruby with a translucent core and moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, raspberries, plums, purple flowers, dried herbs, organic soil, limestone. There’s abundant fruit but it comes across super fresh, not jammy. There is also the faintest whiff of pyrazines. On the palate, the wine is dry, medium bodied and confirming the complex fruit set and non-fruit characteristics. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Such a fresh, youthful and gorgeous wine. For those that are wondering, Laurel is aged in a combination of neutral oak, concrete egg and amphora. — 2 years ago