Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This 2006 was a tale of 1/2 of the bottle decanted in a wide decanter and the other 1/2 left in bottle. The bottom 1/2 bottle better than the 2 hour decant. The decanted part lost complete Bordeaux character, mid palate and depth. A shorter decant was in order, but that doesn’t mean this 06 is waning. It has another 7–10 yrs from bottle.

2006 was the vintage that followed the grand 2005 vintage, not an entirely fair growing seasons. Based on the 2005 vintage, the Bordelaise overpriced the 2006 vintage. The Bordelaise disappointed in the price they sold 2005’s looked to make up their perceived losses in 2006. Except, the quality wasn’t the same. Not even close.

The nose shows brambly, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries and lean raspberry edges. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark chocolate bar, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather,. softy layered baking spices, black licorice-tarriness, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender.

The palate is ripe, juicy w/ medium, rounded tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, dark cherries, strawberries and lean raspberry. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dark & slightly melted chocolate, mid berry cola. steeped black tea, charcoal, graphite, soft, fresh tobacco, used leather, softy layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & vanillin, mid dark spices w/ some palate heat, black licorice-tarriness, dry herbs, dry river stones, dry limestone powder/bits, dry top soil, moist, grey, volcanic clay, dark, red florals with fresh, blooming violets & understated lavender, very nice acidity, nicely balanced, well structured/tensioned w/ an elegant finish that lasts a minute plus and lands on earth & spice with mid intensity palate heat.

92 decanted. 93 the bottom 1/2 of the bottle, not decanted. — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have waited nearly 20 yrs to have this with a steak. Tonight is the night. It’s still early, but a good first look. I would have the next of 3 bottles in 5 yrs and another in 10 yrs.

After a 3 plus hour decant, it still has brawn. With the Ribcap, more than the dark core showed up. Some blue fruits, ripe strawberries and raspberries came out to play.

This still has not hit its precipice.

This is classic Bordeaux & Latour in a grand vintage.

The palate has a dark core of black currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum with strawberries & raspberries & a touch of blueberries as it sets. Dry tobacco & leather, plenty of graphite, moist grey, volcanic clay, dark rich soils with limestone & pebbles, dark spices w/ some palate heat, hints of caramel, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & faint vanillin, dry twig, mid berry cola, dry herbs, dry & withering, dark & red florals framed in withering violets, round acidity with still big tension/struture, balance is almost there as is the finish that goes on and on settling on dry earthiness & spice. Better in 5 yrs and drink well for 15 yrs. — 9 months ago

Michael

9.0

electric greatest hits of Alsace cofermentation that just keeps opening — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Deep Ruby, evolves with spectrum of aromas, berry fruit, dried herb, complex spice, notes of cocoa dust. Blend: CabSauv/Franc/Merlot/Malbec/PetVerdot. Palate, ripe blackcherry/blackberry flavors, rich tones, subtle oak, espresso/black pepper. Graceful/elegant, displays super fine “dusty” tannins, perfectly balanced, pleasing length, complex ending with fruit/mineral edge. Ultra-premium fruit, world class hand-crafting, limited production exceptional wine. Wonderful now, get better with age. Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine is dark and savory. The black fruit comes along with cedar, vanilla and a chalky earth tone. Nothing like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, but more in line with Paso Robles. Lots of South American minerals having a bit of roughhouse here. — 6 years ago

Greg Gratson

9.3

$17 from Berkeley wine. Liked it. — 7 years ago

Ray

9.0

One of the better Malbecs I’ve had — 3 months ago

Ron R

9.3

At $23 per, there is no better domestic or international SB on the market…

On the bubble and could be 94. — 6 months ago

with Anne-marie

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

I think if you read this nonsense I post, you know how I feel about this producer, past & present. This 07 is outstanding & top of its bell curve. It is so good to revisit these great vintages of Caymus Classic.

This is fresher than the 97. It is rich/lush, cassis to currents, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & strawberries. Dark chocolate, mocha, classic, beautiful, Caymus Classic spice that I miss dearly in their new wines, black licorice, fudge, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & vanillin, most top soil, limestone, dry herbs, dry tobacco, barrel shavings, taut leather, volcanic grey clay, dark, fresh & slightly withering flowers, violets, beautiful round acidity, balance, structure, nice tension and elegant finish that last minutes and falls on spice and evoluted earth tones.

This bottle is in fine shape. Still strong and will last another 10 years of fine drinking. Phenomenal vintage and time to enjoy. — a year ago

Colin Cahoon

9.2

Dark cherry and spice nose. More dark cherry on the palate with cola, plum, cooked strawberry, cinnamon, clove, oak, with a hint of cocoa. Medium plus alcohol, medium minus tannins, and high alcohol. — 4 years ago

with Susan

Aravind A

8.9

Pop and pour. A bit strange initially, with a disjointed sweetness and bitternesss, but that resolved quickly. Notes from 30 min open. Yes, this needs air. On the nose: ginger, lemon, cranberry, apple pie with a touch of vanilla cream. On the palate: bitter at first, like chalk, grapefruit and cranberry, soft mousse, but grapefruit becomes dominant. Short on the finish, but good acid and density. — 6 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.2

Consumed 05/2020. It is 100% Pinot Noir. I did not know that was the grapes used to make this. Blanc de Noir translates to white wine from black grapes. Elegant, complex, round and toasty. It’s very refreshing. — 6 years ago

Fredybeans

9.7

Robe pourpre
Nez très légèrement réduction qui part très vite puis fruit noire olive encens et graphite
Bouche ultra fraîche et délicate je m attendais à un monstre milieu de bouche et finale délicate longue sur des tanins précis avec du zan et du graphite👍👍👍 — 7 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Ruby red, light to moderate pigment extraction. Raspberry aroma, raspberry and cherry flavor. Light body, fruity, slightly tart, slight skin astringency and seed bitterness on finish. Decant at least 90 minutes; the red fruit flavors change and a hint of bergamot (Earl Grey tea) emerges — 4 months ago

Brett Durci

9.0

Nose of tart fruit and spice which shows up in the palate as well. Silky tannins that take a little time to build up. Easy to drink for a medium bodied red. It's holding up well to hearty spicy chilli, and the spice of the food is letting the fruit show more through the spice notes of the wine. Curious to see how it develops when I have some tomorrow. — 8 months ago

Mark S.

8.9

Oak, vanilla, pepper. Black currant. Chocolate nuance. Leather. Concentration. Dry. Not much spicy. 8 years vantage. Wolf Blass Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 17 @, TPEC, 250614 — a year ago

PS Michaels

9.4

Great drinking spot now! — 4 years ago

Sean Lyons

9.5

I hate to say it, but this stuff really is a higher class of vodka. No off, medicinal notes. No cloying artificial sweetness. It just tastes like the cleanest, purest spring water was made magically alcoholic. — 4 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.1

This Chilean Pinot Noir offers a nose that is heavy with cola, black tea and coffee grounds. The savory aromas actually outweigh the fruit. It is a medium-weight wine, not very deeply tinted, and it rides light on the palate. The acidity is brisk and the tannins firm. This is not a Burgundian take on the grape, for certain. It is more playful than elegant, more rustic than beautiful.
— 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Four day weekend. Gotta get it off to a good start. Been awhile since we had our 375ml of Ruinart.

The nose shows, ripe, slightly candied; black cherries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals.

The palate is full & touch gummy/candied. Fruits are well extracted, deep, ruby; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Ghostly, not quite fruit brandy or fruit liqueur character, sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, not quite medium, white spice with hints of palate heat, grainy, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals. The acidity lively and crisp. The round, well balanced & polish finish is always consistently satisfying and lingers for minutes.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, nicely light caves and rolling, hillside, Grand Cru Vineyard.

Not quite sure where “D” gets $83 when you can buy this all day at just under $65. — 6 years ago