Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Alba de Domus – Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Upper Maipo Valley, Chile 🇨🇱

Overview
A bold and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon (95–100%, often with a tiny fraction of Cabernet Franc depending on the vintage) from the famed Domus Aurea estate in the Upper Maipo Valley. Known for its mountain terroir, this wine shows the classic strength and rustic elegance of Chile’s best Cabernets.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep, complex aromatics of blackberries, black cherries, cassis, and dried figs, laced with espresso, dark chocolate, cedar, and tobacco leaf. A subtle earthy and mineral undertone speaks to its Andean foothill origins.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and texturized, with high intensity and firm structure. Tannins are bold yet polished, while the 15.4% ABV provides warmth and weight without overwhelming balance. The finish is long, layered, and espresso-driven, lingering with dark fruits and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Unfiltered and aged in French oak, this Cabernet is designed for longevity. The 2019 vintage already shows power and depth, but its construction suggests it will evolve beautifully over the next 8–12 years.

Food Pairing
Ideal with robust dishes: grilled ribeye, lamb shank, venison, or earthy stews. Also pairs wonderfully with aged Manchego or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
Hot, intense, and layered — a true statement Cabernet from the Maipo Valley. Already climbing its prime, yet with enough structure to age gracefully. For lovers of powerhouse reds with espresso and dark chocolate complexity. — 10 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

We ordered multiple bottles of this tonight for a group of construction stiffs who usually drink Busch Light. They acted and drank like this was the greatest wine that is on earth. I was perfect with Filets & Jumbo Scallops. I recommend eating at Ziggie & Mad Dog’s in the Keys — 2 years ago

Scott Kahn

9.4

A stunning wine that was enjoyed at a construction site that completely replaced the confusion of the site with a beautiful structure of the wine. Nice floral notes with deep red fruit in support. Still worthy of additional time in the cellar. — 3 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

64% Cab 30% Merlot 3 % cab franc 3 % Petit Verdot 90 points across the board on release, time heals all wounds!
K&L notes as follows.
Another $45.00 Steal

I often imagine the vine as a family tree, stretching back centuries, in this case, to 1550 or so, when La Louvière acquired its name from the many hungry wolves (louves) that roamed the deep forests of the Graves, well before the construction of the elegant 18th century chateau that adorns the label of this flagship wine. This brief history lesson makes me appreciate even more the imposing qualities of the 2005 La Louvière, a wine with a lot of time on its hands. Firm and taut as a young wolf, with the strong heart to endure and improve for a decade or more, gracefully maturing into a benchmark Pessac-Léognan, stylish and fleshier, more supple and savoury as the willful tannins are further seduced by the dark and persuasive fruit. If you really can't wait, then bite the cork, figuratively, and decant for an hour before enjoying with gently-braised lamb shanks. — 5 years ago

Ron from VA

9.0

At 7 yrs old, I felt this was at its plateau (or a touch past?).... however the viscosity and acid balance was still very nice… Where this finds an average score is in the fruit profile – not the construction quality. Still enjoyable with elements like cheesecake or Keylime pie! — 7 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

I thought this was the weakest of the Nebb during the night. Having said that, it was pure and balanced. Just lacking the stuffing of the others around it. Would drink it anyday!

NB: This is a declassified Barbaresco Straderi because Olek was in trouble with cash flow while finishing the construction of the new cellar; he decided to release this gem one year earlier! Long maceration in cement, aged in a large slavonian botte. — 7 years ago

Ron R

8.9

I can’t remember the last time I tasted this brand, and while it’s very approachable, it’s a total construction site. Vanilla and over-sweet brown sugar with resolved tannins. Not my cup-of-tea, but will be enjoyed by others. — a year ago

with Andrew and Rick

Anthony James Marr

9.6

Beautiful amarone with silky smooth texture. The 2016 is open and drinking exceptionally well. Lovely dark and dried fruits - 16.5% alcohol but not apparent or perceptible - beautiful construction and value — 3 years ago

Peter C

9.3

Someone pulls this out to celebrate the completion of a hotel; on the roof top bar on a construction site. Great drink, beautiful sunset overlooking the Capitol. Priceless! — 4 years ago

with Paul and Tom

Kyle Harvey

9.2

Nothing puzzling about this wine - delicious, a subtle cherry blow pop and road construction, everything in balance — 5 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.2

Lot No. 16 - don’t know exactly what the “lot #s” mean, and the website is under construction. Vintage? But it isn’t a vintage or LBV. Predominant year in the blend? Bottled in 2018. I found this really unusual, in a good way, for a ruby port. It has a dusky, dry tannic character. But silky smooth. Reminds me of tea and raisins, and maybe dried blueberries. Really like this. — 6 years ago

Michael Rulf

9.1

Had w: parents in Midland — 7 years ago

Seth Pelletier

9.2

Smells of red construction paper (in the best way). The palate is an amazing collision of red and black fruits. Definitely one to drink again. — 7 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Visited the winery approx. 4 years ago - our fave Italian producer.
While it requires further bottle development, its pedigree is shining. A more traditional presentation which displays olives, spice box and overripe plums. Moderate tannins are tucked in with soft acidity. You’re tasting the terroir and wine making skills here. No “construction” required. Excellent.
Bivio Pizzeria, Montclair. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Wulf Losee

9.2

2016 opened December 2023. Drying cement on the nose. Really! I bet you never heard that description before! Initially, I couldn’t put a finger on it. The bouquet reminded me of something from my past. It wasn’t tobacco; it wasn’t earthy; it wasn’t leather. Then realized it’s the smell you encounter at a construction site after they pour a cement slab. That brought back memories! Other than fresh lumber drying cement was my favorite smell. 

Cassis on the front. The tannins are sort of watery, but there’s a lot of low menthol notes and high red clay notes which kick in on the mid palate that keep this wine from being boring. It has a long tart mineral finish that makes up for the weak tannic structure on mid palate. The pleasure of its finish outweighs its mundane opening. I’ll give this wine a 9.2 rating. The finish is 9.5. The nose is unique and it kicks off old memories for me, so I’ll give the nose and 9.5. The fruit on the front is OK, and I’ll give that an 8.8. The tannins aren’t very complex, and I’ll give those an 8.8. That averages out to 9.15. I rounded it up to 9.2. — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.4

This is a construction, but we don’t care. A much maligned vintage, but no signs of that here. Kudos Mr Bevan! — 4 years ago

with Anne-marie

Abner Oakes

9.0

Very good. There's a fullness to it at the end. Watermelon. Grapefruit. — 5 years ago

Michael Seely

9.4

Dancing fruit, notes of melon, exquisite construction — 6 years ago

with Jeff and Joe

Silvia Rossi

9.0

PRIME!!
For tasting purpose only. Not for sales. Label under construction. (Only for few😜) — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose reveals; candied style blackberries, plum, boysenberries, stewed black plum, dark liqueur style cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, black licorice, sweet tarriness, crushed dry limestone, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha with caramel, pepper, used leather, light notes of grilled meats, bright, dark red, purple flowers with violets.

The body is the leaner side of full. The tannins are nicely resolved but, still have tarry baby teeth. The structure, tension, balance and length have hit a sweet spot and still have at least 6-8 years of good drinking ahead. The palate fruits are ruby candied. Blackberries, olallieberries, plum, boysenberries, stewed black plum, dark liqueur style cherries, black raspberries, blueberries, black licorice, sweet tarriness, crushed dry limestone, dry top soils, wet clay, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dark chocolate, mocha with heavier caramel than the nose, dark spice with just a little palate heat, pepper, touch of mint with fresh herbs, used leather, notes of smokey, grilled meats, bright, dark red, purple flowers with violets. The acidity is near perfect. The long finish is; elegant, ruby, rich, well balanced and deliciously persistent. Just missed 94

Photos of; our spring 2017 visit to Elderton. Their tasting bar, entry, road signage and the vineyard around the tasting room. They drove us to their much larger facility still in the construction phase which, I would think is now open.

@BobMcDonald Always rock solid! — 7 years ago