Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a garnet color with a transparent core and showing some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: lightly stewed Bing cherry, strawberry, some funky horse blanket, red flowers, leather, green herbs, dry rocky earth and old wood. There was also a little bit of VA. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and freaking delicious. The alcohol seems a little elevated.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Sangiovese, Grenache (or based blend), Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir from Italy, France, or Spain. Because there was some light staining, I eliminated Nebbiolo and because the structure was so stout, I also eliminated Pinot Noir. I just felt like this reminded me of a Chianti Classico Riserva with a lot of age…from a producer like Felsina. So, that’s where I’m at for my final: Sangiovese, from Italy, Toscano, Chianti Classico, Riserva with 25+ years of age; call it 1995 since I have some reference there. Daaaaaymn!!!! 2014 Cuvée Laurence?! This tastes more mature (not too old or anything) than a recent 2014 Cuvée Réservée but maybe that’s due to the extra year in foudre? I got caught in the “triangle of death” but should have clued into the elevated alcohol a little better. Regardless…this is delicious. The structure is incredible! Drink now with patience and through 2039. — 11 days ago

Ravinder Singh

8.9

Dinner at home 3/13/2025 — 2 months ago

Bob Yoon

9.4

Pairs well with potentially life/career altering decisions — 2 months ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.2

100 point disappointment...tastes like Bordeaux...clearly very well made but with the new oak was toned down a lot! — 18 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Crozes that ages — 19 days ago

Ed Chin

9.3

A super solid NRhone. All the telltale signs meaty/savory with dark fruit in an elegant package. My only issue was the intensity. Maybe asking too much. — 2 months ago

Nagib Nasr

9.3

Just what the doctor ordered — 2 months ago

David Peifer

9.2

As a nod to Karen (who some will remembered worked at Louis M. Martini decades ago—and is the nicest and best person to ever work in the wine industry) we opened this for my birthday. Paired it with a Tri Tip. It was a nice pairing. Good cab. It was better a couple years ago but still nice to drink for a special occasion. — 9 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Napa Pioneer Tasting! #respect
Happy Birthday to me.
All of these wines still improved with some air. — a month ago

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Great nose. Smooth throughout — 2 months ago