Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 6 months ago

Rob DeShane

9.3

2008: a very bright young feeling champagne at 17yrs of age. A resolute acidity carries the brioche and white fruits along! I am unapologetic about my fervor for Dom. — a year ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.8

This comes across as ridiculous must drink now Pinot. Raspberry driven as the 2009. Definitely cut from the same cloth. The powerful tannins will carry this for 10’years but boy is this good right now. Cherry, Za’atar, lemon zest, orange juice, unlike any other Pinot on the Market. I am a fan but it is a wine for folks who know and appreciate E&M. — 5 years ago

Marcus Weber

9.0

Sparkling Cidre like Chenin Blanc from the Natural wine project Testalonga... Pear, floral and mineral. Exciting, surprising and very pure and direct Chenin Blanc!
Dazu: Mangold/Spinat - grüne Oliven - Zitrone / Bissara / Kichererbsen - Salzzitrone - Fenchel — 5 years ago

Brett Graham

9.5

Smooth, rich and light at the same time, subtle oak and blackberry coming through. After taste of “am I really here” and “tell me I’m a good singer”. — 6 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

The 2018 vintage is their best yet. Excellent crisp NZ SB. Of course I am biased since this is the official white wine of B50. 😎 nice acidity balanced with notes of fruit and flowers. — 7 years ago

Andy Hall

9.7

Just terrific. There is so much more lifeline to this ‘07. Easily can age another 20 years. Even though it has great balance and structure now, I am sure this vintage has peaked yet! Jerry, thanks for sharing!
— 7 years ago

with Jerry

Doug Powers

9.2

Medium-dark red-purple color, beautiful redfruit aromas and flavors, with medium-toast oak showing as a seasoning the background, pretty sound structure and backbone, solid acidity, long, lingering finish, excellent California mountain Merlot (w/25% Cabernet Sauvignon). The sheer quality and complexity of this bottle is a wonderful tribute to the vision of Barbara and Jim Richards, who I am certain would be very proud, with Paloma now being ably run by their son Sheldon and his family. — 6 months ago

with Jim

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Every time I have an older BV Tapestry, 15-25 yrs, I am always impressed with their better vintages. 2007 the rule rather than the exception. This when released in 2009-10 was between $35-$40 depending on when & where you purchased it. Having stated the above, these have proven to better than some to many Napa Cabernets costing $125 to $175 with the right long age. Bought in the last six months on the secondary market for $55 if my memory hasn’t failed me.

Tonight from a corvined bottle over the weekend still shows youthfulness but has excellent integration & evolution. Still has 12-15 years of good drinking ahead.

Ripe & lush, touch candied, dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, soft, wet herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets.

The palate shows lush, ripe with M+ velvety rounded tannins. Lush dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry leather, used tobacco with ash, lead pencil shavings, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, moist & dry herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon stick, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets, pretty acidity and a finish that is; well balanced/structured/knitted, elegantly polished that last two-minutes and lands evenly on fruits, soft earth notes & deep spices as it sets. — 10 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.8

Some wines make you purr…… am I the only one on delectable drinking clos de la roche from Ponsot ??? — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our favorite Spring day is when we get plant the yard. Especially, during Covid-19 lockdown. Never more enjoyable.

Flowers by Sofia. Garden is me.

A great weather day and worthwhile doing a cheers with of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne’s.

With the lockdown, I am running dangerously low on Rosé Champange. I might have to Soda Stream some Rosé wine soon.

All my many, many notes still apply.

Cheers all and Happy Easter if you celebrate it. 🍾🥂🍷 🐣 🐰 — 6 years ago

Marshall Todd Herron DPM

10

Okay my friends. I have finally released my own wine! This rating is for Dr Todd Vineyards cabernet sauvignon from Herron Family Wines. I had to put Papillon in the pic to get this spot. Ive been working on this since 2014!!!!! It is finally ready. Of coarse it is opaque in color. The legs are thick and slow to fall. The bouquet is my favorite blackberry pie fresh out of the oven with a hint of black licorice. The initial palate is exploding with dark fruit: blackberry, black current, dark cherries. The mid palate is exactly what I hoped for, chocolate and spice with a splash of oak! The finish is very long with minimal tannins and moderate dryness. I am very proud if this wine. I want to thank my growers in NAPA. I blended two vines of 100% cabernet , one from Oakville and one from the Silverado trail area near lake Hennessey. We aged it three years in American Oak. I am so proud of my team!!!!! Thank you my Herron Family Wine Crew! This is an awesome cabernet sauvignon. Next is a pinot noir... stay tuned... — 7 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.8

So what to post here. This has a 3x100 rating and I am always suspicious when I see it. 97 to 98 for me. The way this wine is integrated is stunning. Multiple layers of flavors and mellowed tannins with alcohol that is muted in the background. A spectacular rendition and no doubt one of the nicest vintages I have had. Glad we had it together with the other wines and champagnes tonight. — 6 months ago

with Fischer,

JH

9.0

Pretty pale pink; peach and lemon on the nose; grenadine, lemonade flavor — 10 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

Quite earthy. Light. Ten years later for this basic wine and it still does very well. Strawberries, rhubarb, stem influence, oregano… as it opens up give it many hours! Hint raspberry. Still a lot of tannis. Given that this is the basic wine for E&M and was 20$. This is unbelievably awesome 😎. What a wine - i fear this is my last bottle - a cellar find - i am totally disorganized hahaha 😆. — a year ago

Matt Sterr

9.0

I am again awarding the 2017 Whitehall Lane Merlot 90 Points at Charleston’s restaurant! — 5 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

Had an op to re-buy at $115 and wanted to check in on the 2006. What a nice rendition. Perhaps not the best vintage overall, but in really great shape right now with the typical tobacco aromas. Needless to say, I am buying more — 5 years ago

Michael Miller

9.1

Smooth and elegant. Acidic w mineral and white pepper notes w just a touch of Brett. I imagine this is what Syrah tasted like 100 years ago. 😊🙏🍷 — 7 years ago

Spencer Dodd

9.5

Super beautiful and elegant, feminine and delicate yet great concentration. I am not sad about opening this yet it could age. Let it air a bit like 20 min at least and you start getting that concentration of red fruit with the beauty of Italian acidity. Highly recommended and I am happy I opened this for a good event. — 7 years ago

with Jen, John and 1 other

J Ferrugia

9.2

Not as big as the ‘90 but a beautiful wine. The nose was very earthy when uncorked. Open after 40 minutes of decanting, cedar & spice emerged with cherry. This is a balanced, full wine that still has plenty of life. I am happy to have several more bottles! — 7 years ago