Her Mir Tage

9.5

Rayas 08 exceeded my expectations — it was in great condition. We decanted it at 3 PM and started drinking at 7 PM. In the first phase, it showed sweet red fruit notes. In the second phase, herbal/vegetal notes emerged. In the third phase, a cooling mintiness appeared.

This bottle wasn't as explosively aromatic as the 07 I opened last time — that 07, after two hours of decanting, unleashed an incredibly rich and enchanting floral bouquet. It was like the scent of a garden transitioning from summer into autumn — grand and opulent, with a hint of fading beauty. Notes of black cherry, rose, and blood orange intertwined, and the aromas kept evolving over time — garrigue, incense — complex and alluring, with a grand structure and a rich, round palate.

The 08, on the other hand, feels more like a refined lady from a scholarly family — graceful, gentle, intellectual, with no aggressive edge. — 7 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Always an excellent buy and always hard to resist opening young. Typical chenin nose of flint, ripe apple and wet wool, juicy and piquant on the palate, fruit forward with the stuffing to develop for eons — 4 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.5

Wine of the night and more. An incredible example of how good Morgon can be. Complexity, length, structure, and the rest. — 5 months ago

with Sarah

Tyler Felous

10

Have not found an aged CDP I haven’t liked. This was beautiful. Perfect spot. — 7 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Dayum… this is good.
Intense and fresh, quite Burgundian. No signs of oxidation, this is all about luscious tropical fruit, soft spices, warm pastry, vanilla, smoky minerality.
In a great spot now and an impressive showing! — 10 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

An “intermezzo” as we prepared for the reds flights. This was served blind. The 1978 shows really young for its age. Most at the table, including myself, were convinced that this was classified growth Bordeaux with maybe 20-30 years of age. However at least one of us thought it was Napa…and whoa. The color was dark and handsome though there was some sediment (to expected). The fruit was bright but I felt it was secondary to the dried leaf tobacco, earth and leather notes. There was good acid too. Tannins have integrated. Lots of wows when this was revealed while the Napa holdouts gave a smile. Bravo. This could easily live well for another 10 or so years. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

See previous notes - just an outstanding CdP white comprising 80% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc and a few other varieties. Lovely aromatics of musk, apricot and pear. The palate is rich without being heavy - a note of mandarin. Medium minus acid. Just delicious - finding yourself reaching for another glass. Easter Sunday aperitif. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Lovely sweet Grenache based fruit in an excellent vintage. Sweetness is the over riding palate descriptor reflective of the ripe vintage - red currant. A long persistent flavour profile. Telegramme is the second wine of Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe. — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was slightly muted when 1st opened & really opened up with an hour of air. Notes of red cherry, berry with lots of spice, earth, mineral & violets. — 2 months ago

Dave Auerbach

9.6

Bright red fruits on the nose, and it follows on the palate. There’s a seriously structured core under there, with hints of vanilla and spice. 2011 vintage is at it’s prime now, and could be ideal for another 2-3 years. Just an outstandingly made wine. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château du Tertre 2023 – Margaux, Grand Cru Classé en 1855. BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
An elegant yet youthful Margaux showing fine aromatic lift and classical structure, with slightly rustic edges that reflect its early stage of development. Built for evolution rather than immediate polish.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, wild strawberry, cranberry, dried rose petal, cedarwood, light tobacco, crushed gravel, subtle savory herbs.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with firm, slightly angular tannins, bright acidity, linear drive through the mid-palate, and a finish that shows youthful grip and tension rather than full polish.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, veal chop, mushroom tart, grilled pork loin, semi-firm alpine cheeses.

Verdict
A classic, traditionally styled Margaux that will reward patience. The structure and aromatics are in place, but time is needed to soften edges and bring greater harmony and depth.

🍷 Personal Pick
Not quite ready to attack the palate as a typical Margaux yet — but the line is correct. Give this a couple years and it will smooth out beautifully. — 5 months ago

Carmen

9.1

Concentrated fruit, soft, and a bit of spice -
Some of the best value CdR out there, sourcing fruit from around Southern Rhône!! Jean Louis Chave expertise at an entry-level price.

This was a young wine but 2022 was a good year: Extreme drought vintage resulted in lower yields and concentrated, freshly acidic wines. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured, consumed over several hours. Initially served chilled and then allowed to come up to room temperature. It should be noted that this was lovely from the first pour but improved with air and as it warmed. The 2009 Domaine du Collier Saumer Blanc pours a bright golden color, with no signs of sediment or gas. High viscosity. On the nose, this is extremely floral…like being in a grove of magnolia trees in full bloom. The flowers are accompanied by bright citrus fruit, lanolin, alfalfa and honey. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. The notes from the bouquet are confirmed and accompanied by the most lovely, almost oily texture. This is oh so woolly! The finish goes long. This is my first experience with Antoine’s wine and I’m now absolutely smitten (thanks Tim). A simply gorgeous example of Chenin from a warm vintage and an alternative to Joly if you crave a natural touch…but not too natural. This is a banger now and will continue to be so for some time. Wow.
— 3 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.6

Damn! It opened up with liquorice (sic.) and had just everything else in it. Mushrooms, turned earth, a touch of burnt honey and finally hiding just a hint of caramelized pineapple that lingers till the end. Sweetness only shows up for the grand finale in an jaw dropping show if how of how 95 g/l looks after 40 years — a month ago

Danny O'Brien

9.2

Very nice and layered CDP, nose is a nice combination of red fruit, flowers and graphite. On the palate, the fruit hits first and then somewhat quickly gives way to the graphite/mineraly flavors, which last and develop on your palate in an interesting and pleasant way that avoids making me think I just licked a rock. Tannins aren't too powerful but what's there is grippy, could easily lay down for a few years and really develop. Overall this strikes a nice balance between approachable and interesting, easy to like for anyone who's into Rhone reds! — 3 months ago

Vino Joe

9.8

Wow. Wow and wow. This was amazing! It’s definitely still early on. I let this decant for 2.5 hours before the first sip. It was revved and ready by then and was stellar by hour 4+. Rich and deep but silky smooth. Currants and an earthy/smokey quality. Loved this! — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened several hours prior to service, the 2007 pours a deep, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated bramble berries, strawberry, dried red flowers, garrigue, anise, leather, dried herbs and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is anything but tired and far from overblown. I’ve been surprised by a number of 2007 CdP’s lately. They have showed better balance than I expected and this one is wonderfully balanced. Drink now through 2037. — 6 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2010 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réservé Pignan is a powerhouse, unfurling with intense black current pastilles, melted licorice, blueberry jam and pencil shavings. Dried orange peel and leafy elements add more layers. Flashy and forward, the full-bodied 2010 is a concentrated long-distance runner with an expansive finish. That said, it requires at least five more years to unearth its full potential. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, June 2024)
— 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.1

Reddish tawny color, translucent. Exotic herbal nose. Notes of cherry kirsch, herbs de provence, strawberries, dark soil. High pitched fruit in the mouth. Very Grenache. Chewy with some pucker. Good acidity for an 03. A bit over the top and not my style. — 5 years ago

Martin Bergo

9.2

Clean minerally nose; red small berries, ceder wood, peppers, coffee notes in an elegant package. — 6 years ago