Mark LaClair

9.2

2010 now tawny in color. Very dry with secondary aromas of oak, nuts, some earth, but maintaining a good degree of dark fruits. Paired with homemade brick oven pizza. True Tuscan gem here. Strong but smooth tannins match the pepperoni and peppers. — 7 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.5

Inky dark purple. Solid fruit. Short decant all that is needed but this wine sings after an hour plus. Ripe blackberry and plum, some black cherry. Solid acidic backbone with medium tannins. Smooth chocolate finish. This wine is a gem of a deal from Realm. — 5 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.4

Gave this a good hour decant. Full bodied and textured is the way I'd describe it. The abundant fruit is multi-layered and concludes with a long, long finish. Another elegant gem from Hall. — 6 years ago

LM Segal

9.4

Modest showing for a profound wine. A slightly tannic and drying tail was the sole detractor from a perfectly balanced, wonderfully integrated and cassis-laden gem. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2015 'Y' from Chateau D’YQuem is a head turning, simply brilliant blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The Sauvignon Blanc is harvested rather early in the growing season to retain its freshness, while the Semillon is given more time to mature and allow botrytis to take effect. The wine itself displays a lovely golden hue, and begins with an exotic bouquet consisting of star jasmine, honeydew melon, starfruit and lemongrass aromatics which all take shape. On the palate this possesses remarkable tension and viscosity, which is truly one of a kind as the mouthfeel takes on a sultry, unctuous character as lemon cream, kumquat, cantaloupe and roasted pineapple flavors all come together beautifully. It continues to impress with its gorgeous seamless quality and balance while showcasing the ripeness and intensity of the vintage. While this is already showing trememdous appeal it should go on to age exceedingly well over the course of the next two plus decades. This is a absolute gem from the legendary Château. Drink 2019-2038- 97 — 7 years ago

David Gillespie

9.4

A gem I don’t want anyone else to know about. Buying a case and putting it away, a light red for people who don’t like light reds, and far more interesting than most of what those who do will drink instead. — 9 years ago

David Wanek

9.6

My favorite DB vintage. Looking forward to seeing how this gem evolves — 9 years ago

Arnold Ha

9.0

Floral nose, easy down the hatch. Reminded me of Charles Lachaux. Not so hidden gem… — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.8

To celebrate my 20,000 Vivino followers, here is a gorgeous wine.

A very pretty color of deep gold.

Wonderful nose of honey, citrus, yellow apples, melons, pears, tropical fruits, spices, light earth and white flowers.

Full bodied and very smooth with high acidity.

Sweet on the palate with honey, citrus, red apples, tropical fruits, spices, maple syrup and minerals.

Long finish with lemons and spices.

This is a delicious sweet wine from Bordeaux. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Showing great complexity at this point. Loved the nose, and kept smelling on it for a while. Really pretty.

Very well balanced with enough sugar for the acidity. So delicious now.

This 18 year old will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years.

A great wine from a great vintage. Buttery and creamy. Spicy and entertaining. A wonderful wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine, and it is always amazing.

Thank you Scott for sharing this gem with me.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

98 points.

$250 (375ml). — 3 years ago

with Scott

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits and complex notes of spice, herb and earth. It was a cooler season in 2010, resulting in higher acidity that made this wine big and needed a lot more time in the bottle, than the last time I tried in order to soften the massive tannin structure. On the palate plum and blackberry flavors with some nutty notes, wet stone and earthy herbs show harmoniously on the palate. Full body, fine tannins with a deep rich long finish. A Gem! Tasting well now! — 6 years ago

Seth Pelletier

9.0

Absolutely love this wash of fennel, blackberries and tobacco on the finish bucking a fruit-forward raspberry hint on the nose and juicy first look. This CA Rhône blend is superb west coast funk right up there with Idlewild in crafting old world varietals in a new light. A truly unique gem, a must-have head-scratcher for the cellar. Absolutely love that Bonny Doon is able to do this at low ABV—the funk is all from the grapes and not from the kick. — 8 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.5

Love this gem every time; carries strength from first touch to the aftermath; multilayered with strong fruit balanced by smooth tannins. Overall, beautifully done!! Drinking it at Maui sunset adds a special finesse!! — 8 years ago

with David

Eric Stec

9.0

2007 on 9/25/17. Jammy, almost too smoky, chalky at first sip. Better longer it's open. Smooth, leather smell, mix of tannins, wet stone, rain. Been a while since I've had an enjoyed a bottle or glass that gets better the longer it's open, this was a nice surprise! A gem. — 9 years ago

Vanessa

9.4

Here’s a gem from Howell Mountain AVA, Napa Valley!

Dunn Vineyards, Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon (2013).

It’s a deep ruby wine with subtle garnet influences. The nose and palate offer medium(+) intensity of ripe black cherry, blackcurrant, plum, blackberries, blueberry, creme de cassis, violet, black licorice, anise, cedar, pencil shavings, tobacco, leather, clove, balsamic, olive, peat, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg…

On the palate, this wine is dry with medium alcohol (13.9%), medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, and high tannins that are silky smooth and fine grained. The finish lingers.

It’s absolutely delicious - cheers!! — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Jonas Johansson

9.5

I guess I gave fallen for this gem. — 5 years ago

Chris MacLean

9.3

Another great bottle of this gem — 6 years ago

with Sarah

David Walser

9.4

At home eating leftovers tonight enjoying this surprise. I bought 6 bottles based on Russell Bevan being the winemaker. My experience with the first few bottles was disappointing, but tonight was special. I wish I could understand these differences; bottle variation???...dumb phase???...I just don’t know.

I’m generally not a Merlot drinker as a varietal but I also have fond memories of the 2008 Bevan Cellars Showket Vineyard Merlot...a wonderful wine. — 7 years ago

E & K G

9.2

Jumped on the opportunity to pick up this rare gem. Has some heat for a rose but it comes all layers of red fruit flavors that have taste a bit more like a cherry or strawberry life-saver. #wheninparis — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.4

After my fabulous experience with Ch Margaux, Ch Palmer & Ch Dauzac 1990s a few months ago (remember the boxing 🥊 match review 😁) I just couldn’t resist buying one of my favourite Margaux’s, Ch Lascombes, when I saw this €108 1990 gem in St Emilion with high level & good cap 👍 In 🇬🇧 retails £85 - right at its peak 😉 Oh & Mr Parker it’s not 86 points 🤣

🏵 94 points

🍇 50% Cab Sauv, 45% de Merlot & 5% Pet Verdot

🍷 Deep ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Heady dark fruit soaked charred soft oak oozing toasted beaten blackcurrant & dark plum w/ a sooty mocha red liquorice herby date infusion in a damp mushroom cellar filled w/ leather whips

👄 Med body of velvety soft blackcurrant, red cherry, date & chocy double mocha w/ earthy red liquorice & dried blackberry twang

🎯 Long earthy mocha liquorice red & black fruit linger — 8 years ago

Brian Duffy

9.3

Actual wine, the Riserva Vignolo, simply outstanding. Two rounds of this gem. — 9 years ago