David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Leoville Barton is one of my favorite St. Julien producers and still one of the best values upon release of Left Bank Bordeaux’s. If my memory is correct, I think this was WS’s wine of the year a few years ago.

I haven’t had this since the release at UGC. It was so fresh then. It has definitely put on weight and showing some nice evolution. But, Anthony made his wines for the ages. This will rise 2-3 points with 20 years bottle age.

It is round and lush. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, blueberries, some creamy raspberries & dark cherries. Anise, light graphite, tobacco ash, leather, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, limestone marl, dark spice, dry herbaceous notes, hints of black olive, black licorice, dry stems, mix of dry & candied dark flowers, very nice round acidity and a well; balanced, structured, tensioned and polished finish that last minutes.

Would open this in 2032 and beyond. — 2 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Jamie Kutch joined our tasting of 14 of his single-vinyard and Sonoma Coast Pinots - 2007-2013. My #2 — 2 years ago

Paul J

9.5

One of my favorites! Still very young and tight. Decanted 1hr+ and needs much more. Slowly started to come alive after 2+hrs. Dark red color. Nose has dark cherries and graphite. Insane velvety texture. Could swirl in my mouth all day long. Balance of Napa and Bordeaux. Medium plus finish. — 3 years ago

with Brooke

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.3

When we went to Paris a couple of years ago, my wife and daughter had fun shopping but by the end of the trip I had bought nothing for myself. So they (out of mild guilt, perhaps?) urged me to get myself something nice. So on our last day I wandered into @la_derniere_goutte and poked around until this bottle (and its astonishingly good price) caught my eye. So I brought it back and last night opened it with some of our very best wine-loving friends. Never having had a Selosse rosé (not even when I visited Anselme for a tasting) I didn’t know what to expect. What I got was dried orange peel and wet leaves, a touch of toasted brioche, a little salinity and a hint of caramel, all with a soft, slightly fading mousse. It didn’t blow my mind (as Selosse wines often do) so I have a nagging sense that my bottle might have been light struck or slightly oxidized, but as someone who appreciates oxidative winemaking, I enjoyed it a lot. Only one thing to do, and that’s try another bottle sometime. A blend of Chardonnay from Avize and 2 vintages of Pinot Noir from Ambonnay. Disgorged in 2017. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Flight #2 of our 1997 Retrospective and these were the thoroughbreds. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #1 had great color, was developing, and probably the earthiest of the group but still had a lovely fruit profile. A really nice balance of fruit and non-fruits. Robust structure. Notably, this was the only bottle in the flight that had Brettanomyces…and while I found it to quite charming, this is what ultimately got me hung up on whether I thought this was the Dominus or the Monte Bello. Ultimately I called the later. I really dig this and wish I could afford more Dominus in my life. Drink now and through 2035. — 3 months ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.8

(Disgorged 2/15)- Always and forever my number 1 Lieux-Dits and without question one of the very best Blanc de Blancs Champagnes on the planet, tonight it is extra special with its coveted 2008 base and 2015 disgorgement. Always with imposing power, drive and crazy depth to its layers, it unfurls in a Burgundy glass to reveal its complex core of rich orchard fruit, roasted nuts, gun smoke, toasty oak and candied white flowers, all with seamless integration and balance. The palate is generous and detailed, with ripping citrusy acids, waves of saline laced chalky Le Mesnil minerals and a finish that just keeps going. For me, a BdB benchmark. — a year ago

Nathan Renfro

9.7

Had this wine for my birthday dinner at Ruth’s Chris. Amazing wine!! Deep garnet colored, floral nose with blueberry and oak. Perfectly ripe blue/dark fruit, tannins smoothing out, perfectly balanced and structured. This wine drank great through a 2 hour meal. I need to pick up some these ‘16s as they are drinking great now and will certainly age for a long time. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.4

This was given a short 30min decant before being consumed over the next two days.

My note is likely going to be reminiscent of my experience with the 2015 Panek I opened 3yrs ago. Out of the RM Cabernet lineup, Panek is the pleasure bomb. One of the signature traits I get from some of TRBs cabs is his ability to pull the entire fruit spectrum (entry of bright red fruits, mid palate of fresh and sweet blue fruits before a commanding and juicy black fruit finish). From the start, this was uber concentrated, but in an elegant way (not brawny). 2hrs later, this smoothed out and channeled a silky profile. This leans to a more floral, dark cherry, mocha fruit flavor profile up front before an inky, juicy, dark chocolate covered black cherry with mint and savory notes. Still on the upswing. Decant 2hrs or hold another 2-3yrs. However, it’s in a hedonistic stage now with minimal air. — 4 months ago

Aravind A

9.4

Pop and pour. About 2 years since my last btl. Wow, stunning now.. Cola, soft nuits earth and game, dried raspberry and wild strawberry, perfume for days. On the palate: fantastic acidity, a touch thin, but somehow simultaneous denser on the finish, which shows loads of spice, strawberry. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon, although still very young.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, tobacco, peppercorn, chocolates, graphite and dark coffee.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Medium plus on the finish with grippy tannins and tangy cherries.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Not very big, but it's nice to see this moderate alcohol version of a Napa Cabernet.

Wine Spectator 95 points.

Already drinking beautifully, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Tasty and spicy. Delicious and engaging.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged for 32 months in (100% new) French oak barrels.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$150. — 2 years ago