Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.

The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.

The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.

This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.

It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.

Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.

Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.

@Ek225 — 13 days ago

Pooneet K

8.9

Quite faded. Definitely better than expected given the last bottle of this we had. Nice pairing with Turkey on thanksgiving number two. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s 1/2 bottle n/v Billecart evening.

This is a more appropriate color of rose for the Rosé color of this champagne.

My go to n/v Rosé Champange for a number of reasons…quality & 1/2 bottle availability are right up there.

Blood orange, black cherries, Rainer cherries, lean strawberries, pomegranate juice, hints of raw rhubarb, grainy, grippy, sharp chalkiness, crunchy volcanics, limestone, sea fossils, baguette crust, deep white spice, orange lilies, peach roses, excellent, lively acidity with a rich, well balanced smart finish that starts clean, ripe fruits falling onto perfect minerality. — 4 years ago

Marco Rodriguez

9.2

Big bold wine. Blackberries, earthy tones, with mild spice and long tannins. A mouthful! — 3 months ago

Angelo Casagrande

8.9

Zin, with some Petit Syrah, carignan, Barbera, and some else I can’t remember. Lots of Black cherry and some spice. No tannins or oak. Great burger wine for $15. — 6 months ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of deep purple, quite inky. Nose of ripe dark fruits like blackberries and cherry, some vanilla, some medicinal strawberry syrup, a bit mineral, a bit minty and grassy. Nose is average. Taste follows the nose with milky vanilla, a bit bittersweet and marginal tannins. 2nd sip shows some fruity notes, and strawberry stands out with some sweetness. Aftertaste shows some more bitterness and milky chocolate. Good milky feeling on the mouth, some more minty flavor, and easy to drink — 3 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

Super! Absolutely super wine — 4 years ago

Dave

9.5

I've had Albe a number of times, and it's always been very good. This bottle is delicious, even though it is young. It's vibrant and zesty with bright cherries, cranberry, a light dusting of... dust, little mint, little tea leaf. It would be great with some cellaring, but when it tastes like this at this price, why wait? Paired beautifully with some flank steak and chimichurri.
Delectable puts it at $48 but I don't think I've ever spent that much.
Listening to Christopher Parkening. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — 10 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

I know these are built to age but after a number of nights of drinking wonderful older wines we wanted something a bit…fresher tonight. With a 3+ hour decant this definitely fit the bill. Very deep in the glass - almost purple. Quite burgundian but the crunchiness keeps this in Beaujolais. Excellent red fruit. Tannins are quite tight and teeth staining but the finish is lovely with great refreshing acid. Nice pairing with simple roast chicken thighs, and an excellent value <$30. Going to send some to storage. — 4 years ago