Nicholas Amico

9.5

Anniversary 19 — 2 years ago

Brian S

9.1

A big and rich lager, toasted barley beer.

BREWER'S NOTE:

This richly styled lager is perhaps far from a traditional Doppel Bock due to the use ofwine barrels during aging, Calistoga Well Water as well as our use of Glacier hops. A 5 week 55 F fermentation yielded a crisp and malty driven beer with mild hop notes. Lot 15040727 was aged in freshly emptied first use Petite Verdot French oak barrel from 2012 where it aged for another two months. The aromas are very bold and bright showcasing the impacts of the barrel while the power of this 9.1% Alc. v/v lager pushes back both with flavor and palate texture. These beers are Membership only releases. Lot 16040693 was aged in a French Oak puncheon for 3 months and has an alcohol by volume of 7.8% v/v. Our upcoming release Lot 170613150 spent 5 months in a relatively new French Oak barrel and with an alcohol of 8.6% v/v is more of an Eisbock in style, although probably our best effort to date with wonderful malt tones integrated with oak spice as well. — 5 years ago

Dee Kruegz

9.0

From Costco - yummy! — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

98+ rated £107+ LP entering the start of its 3-4 decade drinking window but needs 5-10yrs to start shining - too young now but potential is there for greatness 😉

🍇 56% Cab S, 34% Mer, 7% Pet V & 3% Cab F

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Smokey oak through mocha infused blackcurrant & dark plum w/ gravel, pencil lead & minerals

👄 Med body of smooth blackcurrant & dark plum w/ mocha, raspberry & minerals in fine dry tannins

🎯 Short+ finish of mocha & dark fruits w/ dry minerals - needs time — 7 years ago

Anthony Kluska

9.0

Surprisingly good. A viscous mouth feel as if it should be sugary even though it is not. Notes of lemon peel thoug out. Think if a wine was trying to be limoncello — 3 years ago

Chris England

9.3

New Stags Leap find for me @ £81 / $71 that’s a rich full on Napa but w/ a lovely balanced complexity that should age nicely 👍

🏵 93-4 points

🐮 Paired perfect w/ roast beef

🍇 80% Cab S, 9% Pet V, 5% Cab F, 4% Malbec & 2% Mer

🍷 Black opaque ruby w/ purple tint

👃 Rich plummy dark berry spiced fruit through blueberry w/ soft smoked oak, minerals, lavender & cocoa goo bomb

👄 Med+ body of creamy rich dark berry/plum fruits w/ cocoa cream & blueberry

🎯 Med+ dark fruit explosion through chocy goodness & a touch of dry minerals — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

When first tried this 2011 $95 🇺🇸 Cab was not showing well but since a few years ago it has evolved into a yummy 😈 drop - reminds me of the non overpowered 🇺🇸 Cabs of old 😉

4.25 ⭐️ / 92-93

🍇 95% Cab S, 3% Pet V, 1% Malbec, & 1% Cab F

🍷 Opaque dark ruby

👃 Chocolate covered blackcurrant w/ minerals, blueberry, plum, red berry, lavender, light oak & gravel

👄 Med+ body of rich warming dark berry & plummy damson fruits in creamy chocolate w/ blueberry & purple blackcurrant ooizing through

🎯 Long smooth velvety full flavoured dark fruit in gooey choc — 7 years ago

Nicky Sampogna

9.1

E f f e r v e s c e n t — 4 years ago

Chris England

9.2

A surprising lighter style Pauillac for an 05 but @ £90+ it’s in a nice place, but a touch disappointing compared to others such as the amazing 2000 😁

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 64% Cab S, 29% Mer, 6% Cab F, and 1% Pet V

🍷 Blackened ruby

👃 Warm oak, soggy earthy leaves, gravel, minerals, pencil lead through dark berries & plum w/ mocha

👄 Med body of smooth rich blackcurrant, damson & red/black currants w/ a mineral mocha & mineral undertone

🎯 Med red & dark berry kick w/ touch dry minerals, light mocha & liquorice

— 7 years ago

Chris England

9.6

I very rarely say this for an expensive wine but this Graves is worth every penny @ £117+ as it will just kept getting better & better but is already divine 😍

🏵 96 points

🍇 64% Cab S, 30% Mer, 5% Cab F & 1% Pet V

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Minerals & pencil lead through spiced black berry/currant & blueberry w/ soft char-smoked oak, mocha & gravel

👄 Med+ dark plummy silky smooth body of gloopy blackcurrant in chewy liquorice & creamy mocha goo

🎯 Long dark gooey fruity plummy sticky liquorice linger w/ mocha & mineral hit — 7 years ago