Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed from red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. This bottle of the 1966 came to party! The wine pours a garnet color with a near translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and loads sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of black and red currants, Montmorency cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, pencil shavings, old leather bound books, espresso, loads of organic and inorganic earth, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a fantastic performance by the ‘66. Drink now though similarly stored examples won’t be falling off a cliff anytime soon. — 8 months ago

Ashish Pant

9.4

Fantastic, had one in Fuengirola with fantastic Iberico feather. Soft is the word that comes to mind. Berries and tobacco. The 2018 can grow with age. — 3 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.2

First time with this wine, and I loved it. Underripe lime, white peach, and melon with striking minerality and a saline finish. Feather light body, slight effervescence, and tart acidity just pushes it over the edge. Ultimate hot summer day wine. If only they sold it in gallon size jugs. — 4 years ago

Scott Soren

9.5

Serious Super Tuscan expression. Massive nose. Black Cherry and boysenberry seem to meld together. Hints of vanilla and lavender too with Italian spice. . A complete mouthful. Medium acidity and tannins falling into place. An absolute joy to consume. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings. — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Well integrated Cabernet Franc. Dark plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Big hints of green pepper with notes of earth and slate. A bit of a medicinal flavor on the finish. Low acid and can be served chilled. One of their last Long Island vintages. — 7 years ago

with Mark, Tom and 2 others

Yosuke Sato

9.2

シアトルで飲んだカベルネ
タンニンしっかり — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

An exceptional wine that shows its age ability to endure and improve over time. The 2009 vintage has 76% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot, 4% Cab Fran and 2% Petit Verdot and was aged for 15 months in French Oak barrels. Extremely opulent and luscious, though tannins were already falling, but its elegance and finesse was compelling. All ripe red fruits with a persistent perfumed aromas. Elongated finish with some fig notes as a bit of baked raisins. It can continue aging for another 15 years without compromising its elegance and complexity. This is a show stopper!! — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

From magnum. No formal notes. The fill was top-shoulder. Underneath the capsule, the top of the cork looked nasty which I wiped down as best I could. About four hours before service, using a Durand (which is almost essential with old bottles) I was able to pull the cork completely intact and decant for sediment. The cork was completely saturated but appeared to have done its job! At this stage in its life, the 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild pours a garnet color but it doesn’t appear particularly tired and the nose supports that. While it’s certainly a vinous wine, there is a lot to like: a mix of red and black cassis, rip and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. The structure is still sound and while the tannins have integrated and the acid is keeping this very much alive. In fact, this seemed to brighten with air and almost get a second wind! As I find with all great Bordeaux wines once they enter this stage, they seem to live forever. This was a lovely pairing with a Prime, Niman Ranch porterhouse served with corn, squash and porcini. This is squarely in the “drink now” window, not that it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon. Decant for sediment and enjoy through 2030+ — 3 years ago

Gaurav Tiwari

9.5

Classic chambolle. Elegance is the word! Complex and clean nose with red currant, cherry, roses and primordial earthiness. On the palate, seductive elegance with a silky texture and feather like mouthfeel and outstanding linearity. It slowly peels away the complexity with layers of red fruits, roses and the classic limestone undertones. Borniques is biodynamically farmed with winemaking synched with lunar cycles on a small parcel of 1.4 ha situated right above the famous ‘Les Amoureuses’ with vines planted almost on the rock. It explains the very linear structure. The tannins, acidity and alcohol were in brilliant harmony with a finish where the dance continues for well over 2 mins. I loved this and it reminded me why Chambolle-Musigny is one of my absolute favorite villages in Burgundy. — 6 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.5

On the nose is plum, licorice, crushed raspberry, blackberry, American oak, with hints of vegetal notes and mushroom. The palate gives dark fruit, coffee, dark cherry, black pepper, cocoa, oak, and cedar. Moderate tannins and high acid with a long acid finish. I think I’m falling in love with Mencia grapes. — 6 years ago

with Susan

Paul Giudice

9.4

Fruit was falling off, still great depth of flavor. — 7 years ago

Mike R

10

I am blessed - this is a birth year wine for me - thank you so much @Bill Bender @David L - first time ever - the wine was stunning - partially because it truly was and partially because this was a gift of a birth year wine

The wine was so fresh and got even better after 45 minutes- this was brilliant- God only knows I was shocked to see some great friends for a early surprise birthday party but then to get to enjoy this was mind blowing

The wine for me was prefect - color was darker than you would expect - the smell was still intoxicating after being in the bottle that long - no signs of oxygenation - the presentation of the bottle was incredible- the taste aye the taste was absolutely so damn good - no signs of taste falling off at all

Thank you so much gents — 7 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Bright and light as a feather, yet so much pressure, complexity and finesse. Gorgeous. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Mother Mary of God! Near Pomerol like. Charles Hendricks masterpiece. Menthol & a touch of mint.

Stunning vintage & wine.

This 07 is in perfect shape…at its peak. Still has 7 plus years of life.

Black raspberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, purple fruits, dark chocolate/pudding, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, softened, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark, rich soils, moist, limestone mush, black tea, black licorice, bay leaf, salted caramel, dryish twig, menthol, mint, volcanic ash, sandalwood, dark withering to candied, red, blue florals, lavender framed in violets with perfect acidity and a amazingly, structured, well knitted/tensioned and elegantly polished finish that lasts minutes falling squarely on earthy minerality.

Second wine with an Allen Brother’s Ribcap recently bought on the secondary market for $55.

Photos of; James Cole on Silverado Trail, brass statue that is their bottle logo & their private tasting room. — 2 years ago

Jim Wagonfeld

9.5

All you could ask for in a mature CA Cab.
Dried tobacco, cedar, black/red fruit, fennel, herbs and graphite. Long smooth finish. Ain’t falling apart anytime soon. — 4 years ago

with Judy

Severn G

9.4

Nose has ripe blackberry, fresh black cherry, cherry jam, mashed cherries, toasted anise seed, sweet smokey cedar, cherry liqueur. Rich and beautiful.

Palate has bright black cherry, old milk chocolate, cherry jam reduction, ripe fig, dried fig, black currant jam, moist garden soil, licorice and grape Jolly Rancher candy. Rich palate with mild tannins and long finish. This wine is in an outstanding spot with years ahead of it still, enjoy 2024-26, in proper storage. Decanted 6H.

Paired with pulled pork sandwiches, a Superbowl Sunday tradition for us. A local pork shoulder (Mill River Farm, New Marlborough, MA), dry spice rubbed and rested for 24H, then 10H in the slow cooker; it's just falling apart...so beautiful, our kitchen smells amazing! Garnished with our garden bread & butter pickles, homemade barbeque sauce, pickled red onion and a dash of cilantro, all a worthy combination. — 5 years ago

Nancy Pan

9.7

Garnet deep, deep intense aroma, with all 3 aromas, feather, leather, dark cherry, savory, m+ tannins, m+ body, smoky, raisin. Long finish, need decanting — 6 years ago

Michael Seely

9.4

Bang! That’s what I am talk’in bout! — 7 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

brando cox

9.1

Falling in love with this wine again. It was brilliant a few years ago, and I was worried it could be at peak now, but 9 years of age and still going strong!  This is surely one of the best values I have ever found @ €6 during Paris foire du Vin. Easily could fetch €60+ in a different bottle. Undergrowth and oak influence is strong and balanced. I feel like you can almost taste the earthy terroir's influence.  Notes of 🍒, cassis, framboise. Thick, medium to full bodied and solid acidity. Potential for aging a bit more.  — 7 years ago