Arnold Ha

9.0

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

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

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

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

Brian Duffy

9.3

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

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

John Asbury

9.5

Sandy soils and salty winds, all located within a few miles of the vast Atlantic Ocean lend themselves to the creation of this little-known gem from Portugal. Made in the same way, by many of the families since the mid-1800s, this classically dry red with sharp tannins and a refreshing brightness are a perfect match to grilled meats, and tangy, herb -laden salads. It’s nose is deep and mystical. Is that tar and over-ripe purple plums? The finish stays with you, on and on. It’s a Colares, pronounced “Cool-arsh”. These are a rarity even in better wine stores. But, are worth grabbing if you see one. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.8

This 19 year old Napa Red is just awesome. So delicious, with great complexity and ample black fruits on the mid palate. Showing a great mouthfeel at this point.

Needs 2 hours to open up properly and bring out all that complexity, but it is drinking very nicely right out of the bottle as well.

Powerful, balanced and juicy. Just perfect and delicious!

A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 6% Petit verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec.

Thanks Mike for sharing this gem with me.
14% alcohol by volume.

98 points. — 8 years ago

Manny Canales

9.5

Love this. I grab a bottle of this gem every chance I get. — 9 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

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

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

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 — 8 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

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

Friday night and I had a taste for a Bordeaux, so I stopped on my way home and picked up the 2014 Château Léoville Barton from Saint-Julien. A beautiful expression of a classical Left Bank Bordeaux Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

The nose reveals beautiful dark fruit of black raspberry, black cherry, black plum, black currant, a touch of strawberry, graphite, mocha, vanilla, clove and an earthy component.

On the palate you have sweet dark fruit that is beautifully rounded that continues through with black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, plum, licorice, a herbal note and some rich earth.

The wine is medium to full bodied with a racey medium + acidity and medium + chewy tannins that leads right into a long fruit filled finish. A nice wine that has a lot of years ahead of it if you would like to cellar this gem. Now this is definitely how I like to start my weekend off right. Have a safe an enjoyable weekend. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 9 years ago

Chris Koupal

9.2

Late post. Finished the evening with this gem. — 10 years ago