Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Not the champagne I had in mind for tonight, but sometimes circumstances play their part.

This is pleasant enough. It will go well with my almond tart later.

The mouthfeel shows nice mousse, somewhat lively acidity, bruised golden/red/green apple to apple sauce, bruised pear, white citrus blend-grapefruit w/ pith leading, quince, touch of brown sugar, some yeastiness, baguette crust, graham cracker, volcanic minerals w/ clay, white spice, caramel notes, vanillin, sea spray, grippy, grainy chalk, sea fossils-oysters, limestone marl, withering lilies, spring flowers, nice acidity and a well balanced, good length, elegant finish that lasts nearly 90 second and lands on mid intensity minerals and spice.

Photos of; the champagne house of Veuve Clicqoit and the widow herself. You see her under the metal gage and plated over the cork.

#DSLounge — 5 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

In my mind, there’s no better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than with loved ones, watching the sunset, while sharing a delicious meal and wine pairing. This evening hits the mark!

This wine is a 2nd growth Saint-Julien from the Médoc, left bank, region of Bordeaux, France. When I say 2nd growth, that means the Château from which this wine hails received the second highest quality designation as of part of the “1855 Classification” that took place during the Universal Expedition in Paris in 1855. This quality designation remains intact today despite the centuries that have passed.

This wine is clear with a deep ruby hue and garnet rim variation. On the nose this wine has medium intensity(+) of developing aromas with a large focus on blackberry, fig, cassis, prune, potpourri, incense, anise, cedar, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, earth, leather, and tobacco. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, high tannins, and medium intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. The finish is long.

Interestingly, the fermentation took place in various vessels, including those made from oak, steel, and concrete and then this wine aged in oak barriques (small oak vessels) until it was ready for bottling.

It was also cellared at the Château from harvest until shipping in 2015.

Château Léonville, Grand Vin de Léonville du Marquis de Las Cases, Saint-Julien, Médoc. Vintage 2005. ABV 13%.

This wine has complexity, balance, structure, and length. It’s outstanding. I’m not surprised to see a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator. Thank you @Deke for the amazing Birthday selection! — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Jeff Venier

9.1

Just tasted this blind in Somm class. I really enjoyed it and was somewhat surprised by that fact. Not as much of a fruit bomb as I would have expected. Selling Cali wines all day has jaded this East Coast kid. — 7 years ago

jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

10

This blew my mind too, witnessed it slip in my glass and totally fade away. Wouldn’t have happened to a 1982 — 8 years ago

Jan Roessner

9.3

Mind blowing experience. Thank you, Giuseppe, for introducing me to this wonderful Barbaresco. — 8 years ago

romo

9.1

Called Beaujolais. Fruit bomb. — 9 months ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.6

My last bottle of 1980 Yquem. Don’t mind the label (I broke another bottle in the case a few years back). Showing beautifully. Lovely golden color. Aromatically explosive. Typically Yquem. Buzzing with sweetness and minerality. Excellent bottle of wine!!! — 5 years ago

with Lee

Jonathan Wall

9.0

With burgers. Good structure under that fruit without being a bomb or overly tannic. — 7 years ago

Eric L.

9.2

Beautiful, clean wine. Not a brett bomb like I often fear with Dominus. Straight down the middle and quite lovely. — 7 years ago

with Jared, Craig and 1 other

Bill Bender

9.6

Another wine that shook me late on Saturday night along with the Shafer Sunspot and Schrader T6. With such a horn a plenty at the table certain bottles just had that extra gear. The depth and complexity here were astonishing. Woke up my mouth and mind immediately. Sandalwood, cherry pie, liquid leather and exotic spices. Best ‘Cos since ‘82 for me. — 7 years ago

Brent Morgan

9.2

Big central coast GSM & V. Blackberry alcohol/fruit bomb. Not a lot of tannins but delicious after a long drive to Santa Barbara wine country. — 8 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

Phenomenal way to not only watch the ‘Stros lay on the heat to the Yankees, but also to usher in a 9 day Vacation! The Four Seasons always delivers top tier wining & dining. I certainly wouldn’t mind staying here throughout all four seasons... — 9 years ago

with Krystal

Martijn

9.0

This wine gives new meaning to the Dutch expression “Dikke Sjaak”. Warm red fruit, cherry bomb, a hint of broth. — 2 years ago

Brandyn Pryce

9.2

Evening at Charlie’s with Brent and Sara. Fruit bomb. Beautiful evening! — 5 years ago

with Erin

Doug Craft

9.4

This is a California bomb! I don’t always want this but this example is superb — 6 years ago

Beachin Wino

9.1

This wine really wowed me. Enjoyed at my favorite wine restaurant Bella Monte. This is a beautiful fruit bomb that offers fruit, balance, structure, finish. This one should age beautifully and become more elegant with time. Plan to revisit very soon. Well crafted. — 7 years ago

with Fred

Delectable Wine

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9.5

Translucent red. A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes red fruit preserves, incense and potpourri, with smoky mineral and Asian spice accents building as the wine opens up. Juicy, appealingly sweet and concentrated yet lithe on the palate, offering intense raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake flavors and a hint of candied rose on the back half. Delivers solid punch but comes off graceful, showing absolutely no rough edges on its extremely long, vibrant, red fruit-driven finish. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 7 years ago

Willem Booij

9.4

Wine from another league, mind twisting from left to right. I’ll be back — 8 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

10

Mind boggling. Wine life changing stuff.... pomegranate and grapefruit skin on the nose with tar pepper and blackberries. The palate was super and the finish lasts forever. I can still taste it. Holy s**t — 8 years ago

Bret Barker

9.4

So sweet when it touches your lips. I was expecting a Cali fruit bomb but this is delicious, earthy, fruit and tannins not overwhelming — 9 years ago

with Jason