Paul J

9.5

Same as previous notes. One of my favs! So underrated, under-appreciated, and under priced. Let’s keep it that way! — 21 days ago

with Brooke

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.2

The 1970 Palmer is a vintage that I have tasted on several occasions, although recently, I have encountered some variation, including a rather rum example in 2015. The most recent example has an attractive tobacco-infused nose, perhaps more akin to a Saint-Julien than a Margaux. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone, a slight dryness around the edges and fine salinity with lightly-spiced cedar and tobacco notes on the finish. This is a solid 1970 Margaux, though I would not keep it long-term. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— a year ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.5

It’s everything you want from good champagne. Rich, unctuous texture with notes of brioche toast, vanilla, pineapple, pear, flint. While it’s big and rich, it still has enough minerality and acidity to keep it extremely drinkable. Fantastic. — 2 years ago

with Raina

Eric Kememes

9.0

Top jus leaner Chenin more fresher acid — 2 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.2

I really liked this with the prominent red fruits, spices and subtle tannins. Still very young for a Rioja Reserva and wonderful potential to keep aging. — 5 months ago

Jason Sliwa

9.0

Big bodied, sumptuous red that pairs with red meat. — 2 years ago

with Vicki

Jason Gelman

9.1

consistent profile with prior bottles of this vintage — pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, black pepper, bell pepper. dry, chalky component on the finish too. very muted fruit profile. still have several bottles left to keep in storage so will see how this evolves over a longer period of time. — 3 years ago

Kurt Schuster

9.6

One of our absolute favorites. Light and living and just effervescent with lemon curd and clean starfruit and just enough acid to keep the structure together. Incredibly delicate and a well done balancing act to get these flavors to exist with just enough yeast to reflect the lees. Absolutely delightful.  — 2 months ago

with Denise

Aaron Tan

9.1

Absolutely loved this wine when it was first cracked opened. So much so that it could have easily been my wine of the night, but it took a strange turn about an hour in. What started off as a melange of exotic aromas like rose petals, black pepper, brown sugar, cherries, spices, forest floor, and even a touch of petrichor, ended up as a one dimensional nose of mostly sweet black cherries. The palate went from fresh and energetic to somewhat dull and harsh - the juicy strawberry and cherry fruit became almost sweet and syrupy; the spicy finish turned a touch astringent; and finally the acidity starting jutting out like a sore thumb. The only saving grace was the fine powdery tannins which was so satisfying. Honestly, it baffled me given my usually excellent experience with this wine. Having said that, a couple of friends have mentioned that this is typical of the Clonakilla SV after a few years - it just shuts down with air. So strange, but probably a good signal to keep our hands off remaining bottles of the 17’ for now. — a year ago

Jay

8.9

Superb if served at the right temperature, but as the wine warms up, the alcohol content (14.5% ABV) shows up. Keep at the right temperature in order to enjoy it. — 3 years ago