Jay Kline

9.5

This was back when André Tchelistcheff was making wine for BV. In fact, it’s because of Tchelistcheff that the Georges de Latour Vineyard was bottled separately in the first place. Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1970 pours a garnet color with significant rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart, ripe and dried mostly red fruits: red currants, lingonberries, Bing cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dry gravelly earth, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. After enjoying the 1981 vintage a couple weeks ago, this is stunning leap in quality. The 1970 is evergreen and stole my heart. Drink now through 2040. — 9 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

From mag. soft raspberry fruit. Slightly tart. Very good purity. A little light compared to the wines alongside — 2 months ago

with BOT, Matt and 1 other

Stephen Osgood

8.9

VERY light, crisp, and fizzy delight. Love this wine. It's the furthest thing I'd expect from Nebbi but this is really fun. Love what Vajra is going here and apparently this was the way it was made in 17th & 18th century. — 4 months ago

Ted

9.3

Light bodied. Packed with a ton of flavor. I have loved everything from this producer. Mint and wet gravel to go along with beautiful red fruit. — 8 months ago

with Jeni

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

After reading the story of this producer, I inspired to try it. Especially, at $59.99 for a quality Napa Cabernet. These two brother’s are true pioneers of the Napa Valley. They do their own thing. Don’t follow trends and are not aggressive with their bottle price, nor do they really wish to. More rare than common in today’s Napa Cabernet market. I have a lot of respect for that and Napa Pioneers.

This also drinks pretty well for a young Napa Cabernet. I was expecting bigger/bolder based on write up. Not that this won’t benefit from cellaring.

The fruits are nicely ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & blueberry hues. I was expecting more teeth. Think it is showing the finesse & balance of most 21’s I’ve had. Dark spice, grilled meats, light black pepper, barrel dust, dry tobacco, leather, savory herbaceousnes, moist clays, dry crushed rocks, cola, flower bouquet of red, blue & purple fresh flowers, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that lasts just over a minute and lands crushed rocks and touch of spice.

It will be interesting to see if this shows more in 5 years.

Photos of; Smith Madrone vineyards and brothers Stuart and Charles Smith — 23 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Red fruits on the nose with light wood and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, tobacco leaf, earth, coffee and peppercorn.

Spicy on the long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a really young Rhone style red blend from Paso Robles. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel. Spicy and tangy.

Good right out of the bottle and better with after 90 minutes of airtime. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Well balanced and easy drinking. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 40% Mourvedre, 28% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 4% Vaccarese, 3% Counoise and 3% Cinsault.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$70. — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

This is a very tasty, albeit very young, Cabernet sauvignon blend from Chile. Created in collaboration with Robert Mondavi.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Showing cedar, blackberries, sweet cherries, chocolates, coffee, cola, vanilla, licorice, spices, earth, light vegetables, tobacco leaf and herbs.

Tannic finish after 90 minutes of airtime.

Needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

Already showing great complexity, and would pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

Wine Advocate 98 points.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Malbec, 17% Carmenere and 6% Petit Verdot.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$150. — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong and fruity nose with ripe black fruits and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing cooked cherries, plums, black currants, coffee, light cedar, earth, herbs, spices, tobacco and chocolates.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Soft, elegant, and very impressive.

Rich, complex and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

This 6 year old Merlot will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Drinking it with the wine maker in the winery's cellar is always a special experience.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and light forest floor.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a fabulous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Saint Julien. Rich and balanced. Elegant and fruit forward. Chocolaty and spicy.

This First wine from the 4th Growth is drinking beautifully now, and not showing that much age. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2005 vintage not too long ago and this 2007 vintage is drinking better now. Well balanced and complex.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with a big piece of steak too.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

93 points

$130. — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium light lemon yellow colour . Quite open and fruit driven , lemon peel , touch of seashell and ripe apple . On the palate a bit more of the citrus fruits with some brioche and ripe apple , mineral tinged finish . Very fresh and vivid . Long mineral tinged , citrus peel finish . Showing pretty young, really fresh and fruit orientated. This is still very nice now , but will obviously benefit from further aging especially in magnum . From now on, but better in 5-10 years and will last well a further 10-15 — 7 months ago