Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful, full bodied, old school style of Bordeaux with sweet black fruits, cassis, cedar, leather, graphite, spice box, cigar ash & tobacco notes. No rush with many years ahead — 7 days ago

John Van Trijp

9.5

Very classic BDX style. The Owner and the winemaker of La Conseillante were convinced drinking Bordeaux left bank — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2016 vintage. Always understated style. Lean throughout. Light-medium body with dedicated, yet delicate, push. Distinctive producer. Enduring delivery currently. Obviously not for everyone but for those that get it, borders on obsession. Mushrooms. Drying earth. Light cedar. Cassis. Subdued sandalwood. Very close to being the Burgundy of St. Julien. Last tasted 9.20.21 and scored same. 3.16.24. — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Drinking well at 48 yrs. Old school style of Bordeaux from an owc showing red & black fruit, cedar, leather, savory spice & tobacco. — 7 months ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.6

SPEC TA CU LAR! Here you feel the absolute majesty of a wine who can be promoted to at least 2nd growth. Cedar, camphor, eucalyptus, butterscotch/4 spices, yellow curry. I’ve always loved ‘00 in Pauillac has I think it’s the last great of the classic style. Definitely this bottling is a keeper. — 7 hours ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Had to try it. Used to love their work prior to 2012. After that, their style changed to picking at higher brix levels thus creating a much sweeter profile. SS was one I’d hoped they’d left alone and they did not. Not quite as sweet as their regular Cabernet but sweeter than before. I made the pitch to the property to make Caymus Classic along side their new sweeter style wines. The 94 Special Selection was one of their best. — 2 months ago

Will Stanley

9.4

The 2015 Viña Ardanza is only the third vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted, yet it has quickly become perhaps my favourite Rioja - for quality, value, style, and sheer pleasure. This is a match for the brilliant 2010, with an outrageously pure and beautiful nose of balsamic paste, bitter orange, black cherry, fig and vanilla. The palate is supple but firm, quite dark in character, with a gorgeous medley of black and red fruits, perhaps slightly fuller bodied than the 2010, and carrying through to a long, bitter orange, tar and tobacco-laced finish.

This is just such superb stuff, and to say it sells for around £20-30 a bottle, it’s a cellar must. — 5 months ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— a month ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Ripe and confected style. Still quite youthful and could go another 10-20. — 3 months ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2024/1 with Riojan potato and chorizo stew. Really lovely - strawberry and raspberry, custard tart, smoke, iron - if only there were more producers who still made this style — 5 months ago