Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 4 months ago

Walter Klincewicz

9.1

Magnificent Cru Classe Margaux and great memories from family May’2018 dinner in Toulouse. — 5 years ago

John Malcolm

9.4

This is great (but I am adding a point for nostalgia). I first tasted Elu on my 20th anniversary (which was many years ago). My wife and I were in an elegant restaurant and, after telling the waiter the occasion - which astonished him since we were in Los Angeles at the time, where very few marriages last that long - he said, “Try the Elu, it’s INSANE!” Tasting cassis, blueberries, plums, chocolate, and a bit of coffee. Lovely wine and lovely memories! — 6 years ago

Timmer McCarthy

9.0

Good memories — 8 years ago

with Laura and Tim

Andrew S

9.8

Amazing depth. Dark fruits, hints of olive and bacon and meat. Just amazing. This drips of pleasure and memories of times gone by. Wonderful lift to the finish immediately invites another sip. If it's the last wine I drink, life has been good! — 9 years ago

Silvia Rossi

10

Memories of a wonderful trip in Basilicata. — 9 years ago

Chris Buggy

9.0

Dry January, meet wet February! I’ve got memories of Sevilla coursing through my veins in this frigid winter-warm me up! — 5 months ago

with Jennifer

Ariella Glazer

9.2

Sicily mt. Etna great memories delicious wine — 4 years ago

with Matt

Randall Hopkins

Winegrower Co-Winemaker and Owner Corvus Vineyard and Corvus Cellars

9.5

Fabulous in so many ways. I lost my notes but I remember with very fond memories and knew it was special from the moment I smelled it — 5 years ago

Douglas Renall

9.4

We’re having the last 2011 Leoville tonight. This is always a wine for celebrating with. A traditional Saint-Julien wine of the finest quality. This 2011 vintage has great purity, concentrated fruit and serious structure. Classic cassis, brambly dark fruit deliciousness and deft use of oak are masterfully woven together into a seamless #grandcruclassé I can’t wait to have a few more glasses while this rain sets in for the weekend 🍷 #saintjulien #leovillebarton #memories — 6 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

2012 Vintage. 14.8% Alcohol. Wish we had more. Yum. Memories of hummingbirds at their home. Great nectar! — 7 years ago

David Walser

9.2

39 year favorite winery and wine. Enjoyed with the wagyu beef bolognese pappardelle dish. Fond memories of when we stayed at the hotel under the Hilton banner. — 9 years ago

Tripp Owings

9.7

Decanted it for 5 hours this time. Still a bit past it's prime but brings back all the wonderful memories. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.1

A bottle that holds a lot of sentimental meaning, this was the first “nice” bottle of wine my wife and I bought together shortly after we got engaged in 2015. We went to Napa a few days later and attended the Flora Springs Trilogy release party (which we ended up doing 6 times in a row). While iced-in here in TX this week, we decided to open this bottle that we’ve had for almost 8yrs exactly to the day. One of the things I love about wine is the ability to attach memories to bottles!

Right off the bat, this is classical 2011 Napa. It has a distinct green streak down the middle of the palate. Flora Springs was able to get the fruit semi-ripe which balanced out the lean and mean acidity. I have no qualms with 2011 Napa (and have found some to be absolutely incredible). I can appreciate a wine that speaks to the vintage, like this one. At roughly 12yrs, this is integrated. Oak is in the background, with cherry pipe tobacco, cherry cordial and underripe blackberries. Smooth and light bodied on the palate. Not getting any better, I suggest enjoying now. — 3 years ago

Tom Hanlon

8.9

Tasty memories — 4 years ago

with Brooke, Geoff and 1 other

Daniel M

8.9

I like to drink a Kwak once in a while because it brings back good memories of times my friends and I were very much into Belgian beers 👌🏻 — 5 years ago

Miriam De Lyon

9.1

Nice way to start the weekend! Good memories of a visit to Napa. Balanced, not very tannic, fruit undertones — 7 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.0

Memories of Banff. So good. — 7 years ago

Michael Wilson

9.2

Memories of flying JAL !!! — 8 years ago

Stuart Robinson

9.1

Celllar Door purchase from earlier in the week. Trying to extend the memories of a great long weekend. — 9 years ago