Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s a night of first year consecutive decades, 90 & 80. Enjoyed in reverse order

From the same technical team as Leoville Las Cases.

Another great Clyde Beffa direct purchase from the Chateau or Negociant.

Still ripe older Bordeaux fruits with smoothed out lead pencil. Blackberries, black raspberries that lean into pudding, black plum, darkest, cooked cherries, raspberries edges, baked rhubarb and hues of poached strawberries. There is nothing that bites back. Dark chocolate, smooth mocha, caramel, soften baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, old tobacco w/ ash, used leather, dry top soil, limestone powder, black licorice to anise, dry river stone, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, amazing, rainfall acidity and a well; balance, structured, knitted and smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.

Steak slow cooked in the oven at graduating low heats and then seared at 1300 degrees, 30, 30, 30 & 30. .

“The Truth is Inside” is an expression about the very bottom of a bottle of wine. Tannin soaked & it never lies. Typically the best part of the bottle. 93 that lands 94 in truth. I always leave two-three inches of wine in bottle just because it is always slightly better than the rest of the bottle. It is more concentrated. — 2 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.4

Medium ruby with a nose of black cherries, anise, wet gravel, mocha, pipe tobacco, and toffee. Full-bodied with smooth velvety tannins. I think this wine is in its prime. I love the bold, full mouthfeel on this wine. Nice, smooth finish. Birthday wine! — 5 years ago

Michael Seely

9.1

Like minds this evening. Great Pinot made by a great winemaker, Grant Coulter — 7 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Rich Bluth

9.1

hitting a perfect stride after being open 30+ min. — 7 years ago

Naomi Seifert

9.0

tried at hunter valley. lightly sweet & summery, easy to drink. — 8 years ago

Beachin Wino

9.0

Have been waiting for the perfect day to try this wine. Ninety degrees and humid definitely qualifies. Light salmon in color. Aromas of strawberries, wet stone, and hints of orange. Balanced and refreshing. Just lovely! — 8 years ago

Antoinette Martin

9.0

Great light cab! — 9 years ago

with Bryan

Bob McDonald

9.1

This was 1 of 41 wines we tasted blind to pick the next Members Premium Red at the Downs Club. Brief notes. A youthful Ruby with a purple tinge. Black ripe fruits and dark chocolate from the brilliant 2018 vintage. Charred oak. A typical Peter Lehmann Shiraz and most enjoyable. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Simple, light, but full of charm. Clear purple dress, beautiful shine. Nose typical of the cabernets-francs de Loire. Raspberry, geranium, violet, blackwood, green pepper (but not too much). The mouth is fresh and tense, with a beautiful mineral weft reminiscent of rifle stone, slate or chalk. Served at 15 degrees, it’s a nice treat.

Saumur simple, léger, mais plein de charme. Robe pourpre limpide, bel éclat. Nez typique des cabernets-francs de Loire. Framboise, géranium, violette, bois de ronce, poivron vert (mais pas trop). La bouche est fraîche et tendue, avec une belle trame minérale évoquant la pierre à fusil, ardoise ou craie. Servi à 15 degrés c’est une belle gourmandise. — 5 years ago

with Peter

Keith Fisher

9.3

Certainly different than The Pontiff. This was lighter and more classically Rosé whereas in a blinder glass I’m not sure I would identify The Pontiff as a Rosé at all. For my taste, this was enjoyable, but not mind-blowing (which is usually the case for me with wines from SQN). — 7 years ago

Renato Hoyle

9.4

Wonderful balance — 7 years ago

Andy

9.5

good taste and smooth — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Tried this again, good value. St. Innocent Winery was founded in May 1988 by Mark Vlossak, with eight investors. Ten tons of grapes were crushed the first fall, producing about 575 cases of wine. Deep red with berry fruit aromas, spice and floral notes. On the palate cherry and raspberry flavors, juicy with herb pepper notes. Fine tannins, nicely balanced with acidity on a lingering finish ending with fruit and earthy mineral. Nice Value. — 8 years ago

Gary Grose

9.0

Not bad but somewhat overpriced. We’ve found better values both in this style and year. Early on came in sweet and then mellowed. Definitely serve closer to 49 degrees v anything cooler. — 4 years ago

Alex Skandalis

9.2

If you like this type of red this will be in your wheelhouse. — 5 years ago

liz m

9.2

Melon and vanilla. Very yummy! — 6 years ago

Sean Lyons

9.5

An amazing value. Spiced fruit, clove, honey, vanilla, amazing oak notes - just an outstanding bourbon. It’s light enough that it would make an outstanding summer whisky, but drinking it neat with no water is serving me just right on this cold November night. — 7 years ago

Hiroyuki Hikichi

9.0

Fruity and slightly hoppy sake with sashimi. — 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.3

Revisiting. It actually did well with a smidge of age. Less saline more really ripe kumquat. I want this wine to be my best friend. Like we are both gonna change and mature but will always provide quality us-time to each other. Dang I’m worried Eight Cellars isn’t making wine anymore? Because I was able to buy 2014 Sauvignon Blanc in 2018... — 8 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.3

Nice wine. It came to the party wearing a backpack, glasses and a hat with a mosquito net. — 8 years ago

with Jade and Paul