Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Scout’s Honor blend of 71% Zinfandel, 19% Charbono, 8% Petite Sirah and 2% Syrah, aged in French oak, 35% new, deep Ruby with aromas of fruits, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of cherry and jammy raspberry with pepper, spice and smoky oak. Well balanced, fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, smoke and spice. Approachable now! — 6 months ago

Lyndsey Wegner

9.0

Charcuterie brings out all the notes of fruit and flavors...opened again in honor of my Mom ❤ — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

In 1989, Jess Jackson acquired the Zellerbach winery and renamed it in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson. Aged for 19 months on 37% new French oak. Aromas of red/black fruits with citrus, spice and mint. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors, currant, cacao and vanilla. Fine tannins, still tight, great balance on long finish ending with oak and earthy character. Great value, will cellar well. — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Tangerine honey, grapefruit sugar, with peonies, the most perfect, spun cotton candy, chamomile, pear and apple and almond and hazelnut, chutney, and toast with a nano marmalade containing frozen peaches. The exquisite peach blossom honey, chamomile, sultanas, elderberry, gooseberry, quince, dried starfruit and lime. Incredibly layered in folds of dried and concentrated richness. #riesling #deutschewein #wein #beerenauslese #dessertwine #botrytis — 5 years ago

Robert Torretti

9.4

A lovely bottle of classic Lafite Rothschild. Ordered with old friends and new at Waldhaus Sils on the fourth anniversary of my father’s death. He was biased to Cabernet Sauvignon / Left Bank Blends, and appreciated his Lafite, even if he stopped buying them as prices got out of hand. 1995 was chosen in honor of the year that I met my friend Julian, with whom I have worked at two companies across 20+ years and now count as a dear friend and peer in our industry. The bottle was in great shape, likely bought en primeur and stored in the Alpine retreat’s cellars (tour tomorrow!). Oscar, the manager and sommelier has been at the Waldhaus for 32 years, so it was purchased in his early days. The tannins were very well integrated, with some dark fruits, delicious tobacco and cedar, and a long finish. — a year ago

Dan R

8.9

Enjoyable and drinking well, if a little on the oaky side. Plum, black cherry, graphite in the palate with an herbal finish that folds in a dash of barrel char. A firm, taut style typical of the vintage. Good stuff. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Recently had ‘16. Royal St. Robert Cuvee named in honor of Dante and Carlo Mondavi's grandfather who taught them to be committed to excellence. Medium Ruby with layered aromas of fresh berry fruits with floral and smoky spice notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and raspberry with cigar box, oak and herb floral notes. Well balanced, savory fine tannins, long finish ending with oaky earthy notes. Very nice! Has ample room to age. Nice! — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

My experience with South African red wines is limited, but I’ve enjoyed some Meerlust reds and a few other random bottles. I have to say, while this wasn’t a revelation, it is the best South African wine I’ve had to date.

This was a bottle opened blind for a few people. Oddly enough, there were similarities to this and a 2013 Almaviva…a burnt rubber/tire note on the nose alongside a vegetal/herbal pronounced note on the nose. Tangy/sour black cherries, red currant and red licorice too. Mostly red and black underripe fruit dominant. Even a bit of tar. This drinks like a chinon mixed with a lean vintage Bordeaux…the spice and vegetal flair is there next to the lightweight mid palate from a cooler Bordeaux vintage. A blend of five “noble varietals” in honor of Bordeaux, this was a unique wine that had people guessing from all over the world. After 1-2hrs of air from
bottle, it was balanced/integrated and ready to roll. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later. — 3 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.1

Bottlehouse, $18

Very light in body and color, translucent. Smooth red fruit on the nose no alcohol burn. Nice strawberry/cherry and very light, good summer time wine. Good tartness but maybe a touch too much but has a lingering sweetness that helps balance it. Reminds me more of something like a gamay than a pinot noir. Fair value for the price and was a fitting way to honor the anniversary of Nel's passing :( — 4 years ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.3

Back in May of 2014 Serge and Gaston Hochar came to New York City and led a tasting at my local wine store. I wasn’t familiar with their winery or family at the time, but I understood it was a big deal. At this tasting we got to try both red and white wines dating back to the 1970s. Serge was enigmatic and passionate, and it was one of the most unique wine experiences I’ve ever had. My girlfriend and I splurged and paid (at the time) the most we had ever spent on a bottle of wine for the 1999 flagship red. We had really liked the 1994, but it was beyond our price point, and we figured if we held onto the ‘99 for a few more years it might start to take on characteristics of the ‘94.

Tonight, almost 6 years later, while in week 3 of quarantine here in Brooklyn we decided it was time to get dressed up, make a fancy dinner and open that bottle. So we pan seared some duck breasts, oven roasted some asparagus, and made a celery root and potato purée.

In my brief experience with Serge, I learned he wasn’t much for tasting notes. He didn’t care to hear what the wine smelled or tasted like but more about the esoteric way it made you *feel.* So in honor of the late, great Serge Hochar I won’t tell you that the wine poured a translucent brick red or that its nose was an intoxicating perfume of red fruit, spices, leather, and barnyard. That it was still vibrant and bright on the palate with cherry and baking spice, and without even a whisper of tannins. Instead I’ll just tell you it made me feel not cooped up for a few hours. That I was actually sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal and conversation with my partner, and not locked down for the foreseeable future. It made us feel normal again, at least for one meal. — 5 years ago

with Raina