Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Something for my Wagyu Burger.

I do enjoy this producers style/craft. Also, enjoy the elegance of St. Julien. 2012 is a vintage Sofia & 1 worked harvest at Clerc Milon. So, the 2012 vintage will always be a special vintage for me, even if it was only one that was good to very good for the right terroirs and producers. Just wasn’t special like; 00, 05, 09, 10, 16 or 19 etc..

Having said all that, this Ducru is not the 2012 star of the region. It’s elegant but falls short on depth, character & umpf, which are things I have grown to expect and have experienced from this producer in many vintages.

The palate shows, soft, round & velvety M-M+ tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, some of both plums, slightly baked strawberries & circling raspberries. Slightly dry tobacco w/ ash, soft leather, sandalwood, mid, dark, rounded spice, nutmeg, clove, some cinnamon & vanillin, dark most earth with clay & dry leaves, herbaceous notes, very soft & elegant graphite, a touch of of mid berry cola/licorice, dark withering flowers, red roses, nice acidity with nicely balance, good tension/structured, elegant finish that last nearly two minutes and long sets on rounded dark spice.

@EmiratesLoungeDubai — 15 days ago

Russ Flynn

9.2

Yum yum gimme some. A perfectly crisp and slightly funky cider. You bet yer sweet tuchas I’d buy it again. — 5 years ago

Rachel Kraft

9.8

This is amazing. Unlike any sort of Rose I’ve seen. Not dry. Rich I color. — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

This bottle of 1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was cellared in a wine cave part of its life and a modern cellar the more recent part of its life. The fill for this bottle was mid-shoulder and the label had been tattered from back when it was in the cave. Using a Durand, I was able to pull the cork intact and it was saturated but seemed to have done its job. The color was good and the wine was sound; in fact, it was very much alive and full of character! Opened about four hours prior to service and decanted for sediment (of which there was plenty). No formal notes. At this stage in its life, the 1976 Lafite pours a garnet color with an orange rim. The nose is straight up old-money. Classy aromas of desiccated red cherries & red currants, dried tobacco leaf, graphite, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, leather and dried baking spices. On the palate, the structure was still quite palpable with tannins till present and acid doing its job with aplomb. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and graceful with some nice stoney minerals. Drink now but well cellared examples could hold longer if you wanted…but if you’re even thinking about it, just open it! — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous notes. They still apply. All the hallmarks of modern Australian Chardonnay. Nutty leesy aromas with rock melon notes - from the cool climate district near the city of Orange. A light to medium weight palate. Proving that the Orange/Tumbaramba district is a great area for cool climate Chardonnay with Penfolds sourcing fruit from here for their top Chardonnays like Yattarna. Also Phillip Shaw (former winemaker for Rosemount when they were famous) has set up a winery here under his own name. — 4 years ago

Paulo Saliby

9.1

Nice black cherry aromas. Concentrated. Medium persistance. A modern-style chianti classico riserva. — 5 years ago

Timothy Lynch

9.1

Drinking window now in play. Tight as a drum on opening....strongly suggest a two to three hour decant. Held firm twenty-four hours later. It’s the kind of modern Bordeaux that a Sonoma red fan could appreciate. — 4 years ago

Diane M. Napolitano

9.6

Pears and flowers, like roses and marigolds. Fun stuff! A real find at my local Wegmans ❤️🍶🍐 — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.0

Rioja isn’t normally my jam but this was really good, especially for such a modern style. — 5 years ago

Will Stanley

9.2

First time drinking Viña Ardanza. Chose this 2009 to try before the highly anticipated 2010 Reserva Especial. This is so youthful at the moment and will doutbless improve with age (and plenty of it). There’s a prominence of oak & tannin now that sets it up well for the long haul. Medium bodied with plenty of acidity and a lasting finish. Was brilliant with a fatty sirloin. A great example of modern Rioja that should age well - and a promising forerunner to the 2010. — 6 years ago