Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Sourced from over 70 tiny parcels of old-vine, head-pruned Tempranillo blended with a small percentage of Graciano, aged 15 months in French oak. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, sweet spice and herb notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe plum with notes of vanilla, spice, tobacco and floral herbs. Fine firm tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and earthy character. Very nice! — 3 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.5

When you have the opportunity to drink a wine like this I do not worry about infanticide because I might be a corpse when this is at its apex. Decanted 2.5 hours . Head spinning aromatics of flowers, spice , and plums. One should bottle a perfume with that nose. I always ask myself can the palate equal the nose and in this case the palate does exactly that. The palate seduces you with pure elegance despite the enormous concentration of fruit. Delicious flavors of perfectly ripe fruit that somehow takes great structure and turns it into silk. Tremendous density and energy that handles the vintage heat effortlessly. Most importantly the bottle was shared with my friend who made my wine journey in life possible, if that was factored into my rating this wine would score a 100. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Pop n pour - a treat from a friend before we head out. My first experience with this vintage. Nice mousse and color. Notes of toast and bread yeast, some citrus and stone. Not as vibrant as an 02 I last had, which is not surprising. And not as energetic as other 96 vintages I’ve had in the last year. Am told this was bought in release and stored in perfect conditions. Supports a premise that Cristal might need to be drunk within 20 years of the vintage. — 5 years ago

Amy Testa

9.1

Very smooth, a little on the sweet side in a good way. — 6 years ago

Alan Weinberg

9.4

mountain of thunder indeed—in the zone and it would stay there for another decade (but not this bottle). The depth of flavor and cool menthol tame the wild layers of flavor. With a citrus center, it stays focused while providing a kaleidoscope of flavors. The texture is oh so soft as it lays on the palate and then just drives through into my brain. “Iron fist in a velvet glove” was used to describe claret but it works here. Grand cru in all but name, the finish may get me through the next two weeks of being dry. It just echoed. The term head spinning is apt. — 6 years ago

Judi Kruse

9.0

Nice fruit in a dark red. I enjoyed it. — 7 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

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2014 vintage. Last tasted 04.20.22 (9.5). Still tight but behind all the subterfuge, clouds, white lies, deception and smoke, there is a fantastic show slowly being assembled. All the performers are there and you've watched plenty of the rehearsals. Another 8-10 years will likely find this in the 9.6 and maybe 9.7 zone when the curtain finally rises. Built for future speed. If you've got the time and ca$hi$h, put a case aside and start tapping in 2035. This goes places wine doesn't have a right to. It's not asking for permission. 01.30.25. — a year ago

Tobin Spratte

9.3

Aromatic and complex with immediate notes of pineapple, honey crisp apple, vanilla, and tinges of white grapefruit, mango, white peach, orchard blossoms, and dolostone. Definitely some gewurztraminer in here, likely some Riesling and Pinot Grigio, too. Acidic, but in a good way, as should be expected from any Alto Adige white. I love it, but I can see why others would have trouble aligning it with their palate if you aren't into cool climate whites (Alsace, Mosel, Alto Adige). Those expecting a White Burgundy alternative will be disappointed, though the oak is Burgundian, even Oregonian in character in this blend. — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2015 is the current release of the zesty and potent Montefalco Rosso San Valentino. It’s composed of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, all from 50-year-old vines within the San Valentino vineyard. Also worth mentioning is that this doesn’t spend any time in wood; instead, maturation takes place over three years in stainless steel tank. That said, the intense mix of wild berry, cherry, clove, sweet mineral, violet and dusty rose that forms the bouquet is all terroir, varietal and vintage. It makes its presence known with tart red fruits, sour citrus and spice, as nervous acids force the mouth to water, adding further sweetness and thrust. The expression suddenly turns feminine and perfumed, with a mix of gorgeous inner florals resonating above a tug of subtle tannin. The 2015 is a seductive, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head expression of San Valentino. (Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2021)
— 5 years ago

Mark Turner

9.3

Part of Super Tuscan Horizontal tasting. All 2016 vintage Masseto, Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Solaia, Tignanello, Redigafi, and a mystery bottle (Phelps Insignia). The color of this wine was red, not purple like I was expecting. It was more Burgundian than Bordeaux-like. A bit on the subtle side. Refined. Still had good cherry and other red fruits, not overly tannic or oaky like I was expecting. This was a good wine, but my least favorite of the night. We had 2 bottles at the tasting and both drank the same. Not the typical Sassicaia profile and definitely not a 100 pt wine in my opinion. It was enough different than other Sassicaia I have had over the years that it left me scratching my head. I plan to source another bottle form a different purveyor to see if this was just an off lot. It was sourced from a reputable provider and has been in my cellar settling for a few months. — 5 years ago

with Jared, Craig and 2 others

David Kline

9.4

Snow White frosting over vodka-cran colored beer with cirrus drifts. Cartoon stubble lacing. Raspberry, blackberry, grape-y with blood orange, dried orange, red grapefruit, hibiscus and citrus crowd. Lovely entry, reminiscent of bandol rose, with a suggestion of pink lemonade, bay, orange pith, lemongrass, and cardamom. Dry and satisfying in all respects. Carrots and cran-mint come to mind. Festive and bright!! #dogfishhead #dogfishheadbrewing #dogfishheadsixtyone #beer #bier #biere #birra #ale #ipa #syrahipa #continuallyhopped #hops — 7 years ago

Philip Dobrin

9.1

Showing a little more reticent this time. Preferred the ballot millot perrieres in the head to head — 7 years ago

Diana Sabo

9.5

Enjoyed 2022 vintage on June 19, 2023 — 3 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.6

I must have sniffed the glass 4-5x before I put the wine in my mouth. Funk , in the best sense of the word , leather , cured meat and old furniture . When I finally tasted , the complexity of flavors were head spinning. A melange of flowers , spices , game, red fruit and some dark fruit . Reminds me of some aged Burgundy and Barolo that I have consumed. What I imagine being on LSD would be like, hopefully there are flashbacks. An amazing trip ! — 4 years ago

with Richard

Joe DAscoli

9.2

2nd wine of the night and it acted like it. Needed a lot of time to open up in decanter but never really hit its stride even after 4 hours. Was solid and good but not great. Seems like a lot of the great fruit, oak and vibrancy left the bottle. Maybe better to drink young. Lost the head to head to beringer pr — 5 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.6

Well, I never thought I would go from drinking a ranch water and a glass of White Zinfandel to a monumental vintage 1st growth Bordeaux. 🤷🏻‍♂️

When my 93 year old grandfather with dementia brings Chateau Margaux over for taco salad night, you just gotta do it....

Chills went down my spine as the scent of this wine hit me while I was pouring it in the decanter. Forest floor, wet leather, muddy earth, dried plums, and black cherries create a harmonious perfumed nose.

On the palate there was this truly amazing finesse and lightness that just stunned me. Black fruit, kirsch, light cocoa and leather hit you head on. After the fine grained tannins hit, there was this ever evolving finish that lasted for minutes. There was a slight minerality on the finish that was also extremely pleasing. Velvety, simply luxurious.

What an experience. Must say the pairing of the night was a little piece of candied ginger and a glass of this.... spectacular.

Great wine, even better company. What wine is all about. — 6 years ago

Sam Nidel

9.5

My favorite $20 wine in prep for Thanksgiving. Could drink every day, every season, always chilled. Yes that is Eddie Murphy’s head distorted through the bottle. — 7 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 'Que Bonito Cacareaba’ by Bodega Contador is a stunning effort in this vintage. The wine is a compelling blend of 50% Garnacha Blanca, 35% Malvasía, 15% Viura all sourced from head-trained vines gown in a mix of alluvial and calcareous soil from the districts of San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Briones with Rioja Alta. Showing off a golden hue, this exudes a wide range of aromatics, from unripe nectarine to lychee to tangerine zest. The texture is polished and downright unctuous, yeilding flavors of bright pear, pink grapefruit zest, starfruit and lychee that all beautifully connect. This is bright yet highly rich and satisfying. A sensational effort by Benjamin Romeo. Drink 2019-2035- 94 — 7 years ago