Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Located in the Toro region of Spain. Its four vineyards are located along the south bank of the Duero River, aged 18 mos in 60% new French oak. Bright Ruby, complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. On the palate blackberry fruit, powerful, elegant, with spice & smoky notes on full, very fine tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip!! Will age! — 4 months ago

Shay A

9.2

92-93 for me.

Consumed half bottle at pop, then corked for another 4hrs before consuming the rest. No change.

What a beautifully elegant and refined ‘09. The highest compliment I can give this is that it was a simplistic joy. Some wines make it easy to get nerdy and command your attention…some wines are underwhelming and not worth your time. This was squarely in the middle. It was a joy to not feel the need to overthink…it’s exactly what it should be. No bricking at almost 15yrs. Decidedly black fruit heavy (black currant, cassis, underripe blackberries) with a sprinkling of raspberries and black cherries. Aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals. Integrated on the palate with good structure and acidity…not a massive wine, but it put on a bit of weight/length the longer it was open. Still sporting a fair bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s balanced. Drink or hold. — 2 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.5

No surprise this was wine of the Christmas Europe trip. Initially quite high-tones and acid dominated (even after 90 mins’ decant). Nose of graphite and blackcurrant— and soaringly so. Eventually settled to darker fruit. Not fleshy in any way, just plumes of flavor incredibly well-knit. Always a joy for how seemingly *not* powerful it is— that is until the structure registers like a bass blast. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Tried this about a year ago, tried again, aged nicely! HALL Wines is located in Napa Valley and employs organic small-vine viticulture and precision winemaking. ‘16 is a blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cab Sauv. Very deep Ruby with rich berry fruit aromas, complex but not overpowering adding a touch of floral and spice. On the palate rich fruit, raspberry and cherry flavors with sweet vanilla, cacao and some oak. Smooth tannins, great balance, long finish, a joy to drink. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Lemon kissed butterscotch. Rich butterscotch on the round palette. A drinker’s cali chard. — 6 years ago

Kellie Dolan

9.0

Notes of honeysuckle, apricot and clover on the nose. Viscous and velvet finish, like an amazing liquid honey. — 6 years ago

Ariel M

9.0

A little “funkier” than I’m used to, but still smooth and easy. Not too sweet. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière 2023 – Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Premier Grand Cru Classé

Overview
An immediately approachable yet confidently structured Saint-Émilion driven by Merlot 45% blend with Cabernet Franc 45% and Cabernet Sauvignon 10% as a support. Expressive dark fruit, polished tannins, and vibrant freshness combine to deliver a wine that feels energetic, juicy, and dangerously easy to drink while still carrying clear pedigree and depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, ripe raspberry, plum skin, violet, crushed limestone, sweet baking spice, cocoa nib, subtle graphite and fresh herbal lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with a silky, flowing entry, finely textured tannins, lively yet integrated acidity, supple mid-palate juiciness, and a clean, polished finish that glides effortlessly.

Food Pairings
Grilled duck breast, pork tenderloin, herb-crusted lamb, mushroom tagliatelle, aged Gouda, charcuterie boards.

Verdict
A beautifully tuned balance between accessibility and sophistication. The wine shows clarity of fruit, finesse of structure, and immediate pleasure without sacrificing complexity, a modern, confident Saint-Émilion expression.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is pure driving joy, confident lines through the corners but relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery. Slightly juicy, deliciously drinkable, and dangerously charming, it’s the kind of bottle that disappears faster than expected while still leaving a serious impression. — 5 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2006 | deep colour, ruby red/brown rim, classic smell with laurel, cassis, autumn forrest, milkchocoalte, taste still powerfull, probably enough reserves to go another 5 years, but it gives joy now. Good balance and fine acidity. | Paired with beef finch, potatoes from the oven and a salad / mixed vegetables. — 3 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.3

Rich, lush red fruit with hints of flint and tobacco. Complex and well structured. It lingers on the mid pallet for an age. High quality and a joy to drink 🍷 — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby, pronounced fruit aromas, pepper spice and oak. On the palate ripe blackberry and plum flavors, powerful yet elegant, with cinnamon spice & smoky notes on full, tight tannins. Long finish, lively acidity, nice mouthfeel, ending with vanilla and earthy mineral tones, a joy to Sip!! Tasting Sample. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

BV grapes were first planted back in 1900, by founder Georges de Latour. A blend of mostly Cab Sauv with a bit of Petit Verdot. Outstanding! Deep Ruby with complex berry fruit aromas adding in toasty floral spice. On the palate big full flavors of blackberry, cherry and sweet plum flavors with licorice and cacao, adding some cedar notes. Soft velvet tannins, young, long finish, well integrated and nicely balanced, a joy to drink. Will Benefit from long aging. — 6 years ago

Diane Kessler

9.1

Too young but still a joy to drink. — 7 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.2

Interesting wine. Jalapeño, sage, dark fruit, needs air. Needs food! Overall an interesting experience with a flawed wine. — 6 months ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

California tasting, more austere — 10 months ago

Joe Estrada

9.3

Perfect with an asian chicken salad — 4 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Sayonara, 2021!! You brought periods of joy and excitement, apprehension and challenge, intense sorrow and grief; a panoply of emotions spanning the spectrum of the human experience…

So, we’re putting one foot in front of the other, crossing the threshold into 2022 with hearts full of gratitude and hope, while sipping delicious wine and savoring this quiet moment together.

We want to pause to say THANK YOU all for being a part of our wine journey and a constant source of inspiration, positivity, and learning for us. Cheers and Happy New Year! — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A Deep Ruby Ribera del Duero from vines mostly up to 80-years old, (blended with amount of younger vine fruit), aged for 18 months in predominately French oak (20% new), aromas of complex fragrant fruit, spice and oak. On the palate ripe cherry and blackberry fruits, powerful yet elegant, with herb spice & smoky oak notes on full soft tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with spice and mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip this Fine Wine. Will age, but great now! Tasting Sample! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Tried this 2x recently. Wow! Ruby with complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. Blend of 90% Tempranillo & 10% Graciano, 48 mos on American oak. On the palate ripe Berry fruits, powerful yet elegant, with spice & smoky earthy notes on full tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with mineral earthy tones and cigar box spice, a joy to Sip!! Tasting great, has more aging potential, try in 10+ years! Great Value! — 6 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.0

Black cherry and raspberry joy — 7 years ago