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. — a month ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Austere and concentrated but with such an elegant touch and finesse. A very classic Pauillac from this estate. 97+ — 9 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

CF with the finesse of Chambolle Musigny — 3 years ago

Pierre-Nathan Argaud

9.3

Depth and concentration, this bottle is an ode to south saint joseph wines, with great balance and complexity. To achieve a better grade I need more finesse, but the vintages is also like that — 2 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Elegance, finesse and restraint. Always a pleasure to drink! — 9 months ago

Mario Vaillancourt

9.6

Grand vin, couches d’arômes au nez, bouche texturée, fine, puissante, veloutée et équilibrée, d’une longueur impressionnante, très grande bouteille. 96-97

Amazing bottle, great wine, it has it all, balance and finesse, power and elegance, awesome texture and mouth feel. The length is impressive sive. Wow, amazing. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Oh my, what an absolute joy. This right here sings the song I want to hear. A pale old gold color in the glass. Perfectly precise perlage with a plethora of tiny, fine bubbles and showcasing innate creaminess. The nose is slightly intense opening with aromas of hazelnut, chalk, and lemon zest. Warm buttered brioche takes over for a moment full of bliss then a bit of smoke. Juicy peaches and pears commingle with fresh herbs and spices.

100% Chardonnay from the five Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. The tête de cuvée of Champagne Taittinger and it shows. It’s a very noble, prestigious champagne that matches complexity with downright deliciousness. The juxtaposition between luxury and comfort is evident here. Like coming out of a bath and slipping on your finest robe. The racy acidity and exquisitely dry nature of the wine belies the dosage of 9 g/l.

Very creamy in the mouth and though it starts off a bit demanding, it soon becomes so inviting after some time. Every sip demands the proper time and contemplation. Chalky and rich, positively bursting with citrus fruits. Apples and toast everywhere along with gun flint and more smoke. Medium long finish with traces of spice. A powerful, graceful champagne that’s full of finesse. This can go for decades longer but if you open it now sit with it for a while. Give it the proper time. You might fall in love just a little. — 3 years ago

Matthew W.

9.4

Red, blue fruits, tar, cigar box, hints of vanilla. Well structured with finesse on the finish. — 5 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 9 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.4

Medium deep garnet with a quite wide garnet rim . Aromatic with rose , pressed flowers , dried earth , forest floor . On the palate delicate with finesse , more red fruits than dark , those earthy notes and forest floor also, red currant , touch of smoke . Pretty melted tannins , good fresh acidity . Just starting to dry out perhaps on the finish so I would drink sooner than later . I get the impression that the aroma is so interesting and complex but the palate just lacks a little depth . But all in all this is quintessential Margaux. Drink now and over the next 5-8 years. — a year ago