Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1998 vintage. Top-notch fill (almost too good) and perfect cork with very little lower-level saturation. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Appropriate, chunky sediment. Last tasted 12.17.23 (9.2). Had some nice older leather, dry summer earth and ripe plum in the nose throughout with only a modicum of "funk" that blew off quickly. Medium body. Still vibrant color. Initially, the experience was front-loaded but, after 30 minutes or so, the fruit and structure began to fill in/slide back and balance out the mid-palate and finish. More consistent specimen than the one tasted almost 3 months ago. Don't feel it needs more time to knit/resolve affairs but can likely hold in this phase for 4-5 years without degradation. 3.10.24. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2007 vintage. Holy bleep! Mature, mysterious nose replete with leather, must, brett, barnyard and a modicum of whatnot. The usual, candied intro long gonzo. Light, silken body. Great color. Tasted one, two and three hours after decanting. Normally, a 15+ yo CA pinot would be long gone geek but this one seemingly at the top of the bell curve and with attitude. More than surprised. 4.2.23. — a year ago

David Leiman

9.7

Amazing ripe raspberry and heavy cedar notes. Great wine — 2 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Needs 30 minutes for the modicum of oak to blow off.

Nose: white flowers. Hint of elegant richness.

Palate: white nectarines. Light for a viognier. As it opens juicy. Almost a silkiness. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2017 vintage. @ Mister A’s Restaurant, San Diego-Les Caves de St. Charles CDP dinner. Initially, an absolute ballbuster. Massive tannins with a modicum of velveteen fruit at the end of a long tunnel. After two hours? Surprise! Change partners and the nearsome, fearsome tanninfest coalesced into the velveteen fruitfest. Remarkable concentration, tho, from start to finish over the course of the dinner. Best newer-vintage CDP, out of roughly 200, that I’ve had in the last two years. Just a remarkable chameleon. Supposedly 50/50 Grenache/Syrah. Worth the hunt. 11.16.23. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2021 vintage. Silken and ethereal with a strawberry/raspberry duo in the lead and a modicum of rhubarb tailing behind. Light medium body and unexpected, subtle concentration that seemingly lingers forever on the finish. Would love to slap this into a blind Grand Cru Burgundy tasting and see where it settles. Just might gain a few converts. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2014 vintage. This is the red. 65% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot, 5% PV. Nose opened up after 45 mins with some sea salt, allspice, currant and cherry notes. Medium to medium+ body. Fairly plushy and cushioned on the finish. Tannins are there if you want ‘em but that Petit Verdot really steals the show at the end. A modicum of mint + baking chocolate make an appearance as well. Still clinging to a small paunch of baby fat which should fall off in another two years. The tumblers are clicking but the combination isn’t totally there just yet. Give it another 3-4 years but pretty dayum delish right now. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted over the course of two hours. Good fill, great cork. Perfect picture show sed. Vibrant color and nose. A modicum of richness up front initially but not to return. Medium body dropped down to light medium body. Thinning out meant slightly more acidity. That wasn't exactly undesirable. Currently tasting like a Napa version of LLC St. Julien (non-mountain terroir lean and mean). As it stands, will hold fast in this presentation for another 5 years. Not improving and feel it's goin' south after that 5-spot. 12.10.23. — 5 months ago

John Willison

9.0

Mild lemon, brioche. Made by Schramsberg for Thomas Keller. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2005 vintage. Tasted approx 2 hours after decanting. Mucho menthol nose. The usual two-fer of dark cherry and plum coming hard at the onset with the grande finishing cedar and earth notes counter-balancing the experience. The slightest promise of youthful Larcis Ducasse fleshiness at the onset. A modicum of baking chocolate tossed into the end result. Lengthy, dusty finish. Integrated and very, very, very solid, yet just missing that upper tier. Yeah, know it was a unicorn vintage for the Right Bank and a personal fave St. Émilion producer...still don't see it improving. Filled with love and holding steady at this stage for at least another 7-8 years. 3.5.23. — a year ago