Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This is a producer that should be more revered than it is. His 90’s were amongst my favorite Napa Cabernets. Especially, the 94, which is exceptional and I’ve had on 3-4 occasions.

2007 is a grand vintage but this one needs more cellaring. It is still in its adolescence. I would like to try this in another 8-10 yrs. Don’t get me wrong, this drinks nicely now but it’s best is still ahead.

I coravined & decanted this in a big Bordeaux glass for an hour and it is still a 1/2 monster.

The nose shows; dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries with understated raspberries in the glass edges, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets.

The M+ tannins are round, velvety, dusty and still meaty. Dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, liqueur cherries with understated, hovering raspberries. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, soft, moist cigar box, leather, anise, rounded very dark spices, moist clays, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets, very round, pleasant acidity with balance for days, still pronounced structure/tension, great length and a smartly, polished, ruby two-minute finish that long sets on on deep, dark spice, earthiness & ruby, dark currents.

Right now a Filet steak, not a fatty steak, Ribeye or Ribcap.

Still so youthful! Add a point or two in 7-10 yrs. .

Philip is in his 90’s and still involved in the winemaking. He walks the property daily. — 5 months ago

Marjorie Duyongco

9.5

1996 vintage and drinks amazing. Smooth — 5 years ago

Matthew Bull

9.2

Don’t stop now....my word. Parker was right. It drinks beautifully early. Wow. — 6 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

It’s a very good wine and it drinks very well right now. For me though this is not quite as good as some of the 95s in professional reviews might have suggested. — 6 years ago

Rodney Rosser

10

The “DRC” of Switzerland - drinks like grand cru burgundy - very allocated 36 bottles avail in the us- on my list @shagbarkrva- the only 10 I’ve ever rated — 7 years ago

Sony

9.0

HIGH QUALITY wine that drinks very expensive and has an amazing fruity nose but finishes dry and velvety like a Bordeaux with blackberries and currants. A little “alcoholy” but overall an amazing bottle. Worth a 9.0 from total wine for $14 but more like an 8.8 for $19 from Publix aka ripoff central! — 7 years ago

Dave

9.3

I've bought this for the past 4 years, and this bottling is the most fruit forward. Candied fruit- apricots, cherries, and dates. The price has gotten out of hand, but it's yummy!
Listening to CSNY — 8 months ago

Tom Garland

9.1

Tried 3 years ago, and it was a tannic bottle of disappointment, it's changed for the better.

2 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: dark fruit, cocoa, pencil shavings, floral, cigar box, menthol. Taste: soft, elegant wine with some black/red fruit, currants, crushed stone, and an earthy black tea lean medium finish. Not the depth and power of a great year, drinks well now...not sure how much more this will improve. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Blend of 79% Cab Sauv, 15% Merlot, 3% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, deep Ruby, concentrated aromas, ripe black fruit, cedar, subtle nutty spice & creamy chocolate. On the palate flavors of plum, blackcherry & dried blackberry, with oak, cacao and herb vanilla. Tannins are firm and persistent on a long elegant finish ending with fruit, cacao, vanilla & mineral tang. Drinks well now, a powerhouse, & will continue to develop over the next 15-20 years! Outstanding! Tasting Sample! — 5 years ago

Mario Vaillancourt

8.9

Very nice 2017, fresh, mineral, medium bodied, drinks really well

Bon 2017 encore une fois, pur, frais, minéral, se boit tout seul et belle qualité pour le prix. 89-90 — 6 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.8

Absolutely outstanding performance by the 2011 Opus One. Dense and concentrated with a mesmerising complexity, a fresh and vibrant core that keeps the wine very much alive with a penetrating sensation through an everlasting finish. The nose shows an multidimensional complexity, ranging from cassis, blackberries, lavender, through cedar, pencil shavings, coffee, cocoa powder before finishing with a gravelly sensation. The palate is marked by its high, yet powdery tannins with a good acidity with an athletic stamina that holds the complex profile a length that lasts for minutes. Drinks well right now but with plenty of life ahead. — 7 years ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.1

An early evening HH at home with a fabulous Bordeaux wine. Color is a dark brown especially on the edges Red fruit and dark plum with a subtle barnyard lingering on the nose. Tastes of black fruit, currant and leather with earthy and smoky flavors and a sweet finish; tannins are mild and drinks smoothly. — 7 years ago

Rana Sahni

9.5

Magnum Format and 51 years later it drinks like the complex wine it is — 9 months ago

Inseon Hwang

9.6

2010. Drinks great. Amazing balance, structured tannins, licorice and bark, solid minerals, organic oak — a year ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Decant for sediment and pour(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable murky magenta color with bricking. On the nose: beautiful nose of stewed black fruit/currants, floral, herbaceous, burnt embers, spearment. Taste: classic old school Napa, juicy, balanced, savory wine with dark cherry, baking spice, smoke, sweet tobacco and a nice long earthy cocoa finish. YUM! Drinks well at year 20 and glad to have another bottle. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Greg Koslosky

9.5

A powerful and decadent Clos Des Goisses drinks more like a still wine and it really stains the pallet . Serious juice ! — 6 years ago

Matt Konopka

9.0

Bright plummy fruits
15.2 abv.but drinks lighter — 6 years ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

8.9

It’s the new Cigare V. No Mourvèdre. A bit of a loss. Drinks not like a CDP anymore — and that’s not a bad thing. More like a VdP Cinsault. Lots of cherries. Quite a bit lighter and drinkable. — 7 years ago

Sherwin Taghdiri

9.1

Great fragrance of dark berry, stone fruit and dark cherry. Drinks quite smoothly with a silkiness on the palate. Has flavors of dark cherry, currants, stone fruit with a hint of pepper. A little rich but very nice to drink! — 7 years ago

with Boris and Anne

Muralee Murugesu

9.5

2015 Purple Angel is inky yet velvety with blackberry, blueberry and plum mixed with granite earthy tones. The small percentage of petit Verdot provides a classic Bordeaux hints on the nose. Still young but man it drinks well. Perhaps the best Chilean wine I have tried. Blockbuster aging potential — 8 years ago