Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2023 vintage. Medium-medium heavy body. Old-school RRV swill that eschews the sweetness that crept into the area during the Williams-Selyem heyday/culty scores of the mid-80's to mid-90's. Big tea, earth, light mud, restrained cherry and plum. Structure. Fruit. Balance. No sizzle, all steak. Blind tasting this, you'd be hella pressed to call this as being from RRV. Tastes like it's got 8-10 years of age on it already as a new release. You could sock this away for an easy 15-spot if you're that disciplined, unorganized or behind on opening other stuff. One of the best new domestic pinots tasted in the last few years. P.S...tasted the 2023 MacIntyre (the one that gets all the scores/pub) right after this. It was nice. A new school nice at 9.3. I'll take this any day that ends in "y" instead. You can have my MacIntyre allocation. 3.25.26. — 3 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

Our first visit today was to Champagne Larmandier-Bernier. ✨
@larmandier.bernier

This is a family-owned and managed winery, responsible for growing all of the grapes used to produce their champagne. 🍇

All of their vineyards are located in Premier Cru and Grand Cru villages within the Côte des Blancs. The Côtes des Blancs appellation is known especially for Chardonnay grapes, which tend to have a lighter, more delicate style of wine. Larmandier-Bernier’s blends are made predominantly from Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier playing supporting roles. 🌸🌸

We had a tour of the cellar and winemaking facilities. Most of Larmandier-Bernier’s wines are vinified in Austrian (delicately toasted) oak vessels of various sizes. 🪵

These vessels allow a little oxygen to interact with the wine, which can enhance richness, development of aromas/ flavors, and complexity. The wines also undergo malolactic fermentation for some of the same reasons, but also to soften the acidity, given Chardonnay is a neutral grape and can have higher acidity in a cool climate like Champagne. 👍👍

Our favorite wine of the tasting was the 2015, non-dosage, Terre de Vertus - it was so unique; a beautiful wine with a lot toasty, brioche, almond, marzipan, and round orchard fruit notes. 👏👏👏

We are grateful for our visit and hope to return soon. Santé 🥂🙏

P.S. If you’d like to see more pics documenting the tour and trip, check me out on Instagram @sips_ensemble !! — 5 years ago

with Deked1

Sarah O'Kelley

9.0

Perfect with oyster stew in honor of my fathers birthday... I remember him every year by making this dish and my own touch is enjoying it with some unpretentious white burgundy 🌟 p.s. I just found out this year that this is also the birthday of Jaco pastorius who my dog is named after...mind blown! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Transitioning in the Lounge. Night is a little better than day. Love the glow.

This 07 has been hanging out in my secondary storage (temp & humidity controlled but, not EuroCave) for 12 years. Time to drink up, right? Nope. The cork was super pliable with nearly no seepage. This wine has another 10-15 years of good drinking ahead with proper storage.

The nose reveals fruits that are steeped in style. Although, ripe, ruby and quite floral. Dark currants, blackberries, blackberries, black cherries, poached strawberries, black plum, touch of pomegranate, sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, malt in malt balls, haunting caramel, whiff of black pepper, mix of Asian & Indian dark spices, incense, limestone, volcanic minerals, dry crushed rocks, leather, dry brush, liqueur, liquid fruit chocolate truffles, oak shavings, leather, some graphite, anise to black licorice with dazzling; dark, blue, red, fresh & withering florals and violets for days.

The palate would fool a lot of wine lovers/professionals. There is an earthiness about it that might take you to a warm vintage Bordeaux or a Rhône blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah.

Ripe and lush, dark currants, blackberries, blackberries, black cherries, poached strawberries, black plum, touch of pomegranate, sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, malt in malt balls, warm caramel, some black pepper, mix of Asian & Indian dark spices, dry Provenance herbs, black offering palate heat, incense, thick layered baking spices; clove, cinnamon & nutmeg with a mini splash of vanilla, limestone, gripping volcanic minerals, dry top soil & clay, dry crushed rocks, dark, rich, turned black earth, leather, dry brush, dry river stone, liqueur, oak shavings, leather, some graphite, anise to black licorice with dazzling; dark, blue, red, fresh & withering florals and singing violets for days. The acidity is round and good but, short of the vintage. The structure, tension, length and balance are approaching their peak. The long, big finish is; ripe, lush, ruby, show the quality of the vintage, well balanced and persists until you put something else on the palate.

P.S. It just gets better & better as you slow sip it. Now, 9.3.

Photos of; kicking nighttime in the D&S Lounge. — 7 years ago

John B

9.4

Bright red fruit - strawberry, rhubarb and smoky plum. Cedar. Love this vineyard. P.S. What does smoky plum taste like? — 8 years ago

Nenad Kesin

9.0

It has justified my big expectations! Big wine! Dark fruits, pleasant tannins, long aftertaste. Worth every penny you pay for it!
P.S. It goes excellent with all kinds of cakes! — 9 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

Mariano’s Garcias crown jewel, he was the front man at Vega Sicilia for three decades. He then founded Aalto with the vision of creating the highest quality RdD which you didn’t have to wait fifteen years to enjoy. Many think he’s done it! I pretty much agree. — 6 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

We’re loving this deliciously approachable expression of Chenin Blanc from Savennières (located in Anjou, Loire Valley) produced by Damien Laureau!

It spent 12 months in French oak followed by another 4-6 months in tank before release, lending richness and softening edges.

Now for the tasting note (practice, practice)…

👁️ This wine is deep lemon 🍋

👃🏻 On the nose is a medium(+) intensity of aromas, including, ripe yellow apple, pear, fresh quince, lemon peel, orange pith, white peach, melon, white blossom, chamomile, chervil, wet stones, salinity, and cream.

👄 On the palate, this wine is dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium(+) body, medium alcohol, and medium(+) intensity of flavors, including, ripe yellow apple, green pear, fresh quince, lemon peel, orange pith, white peach, melon, white blossom, chamomile, chervil, wet stones, and cream. The finish is medium(+).

This is a very good wine. Its crisp, medium(+) acidity balances, and adds lift to, the ripe fruit (apple, pear, quince, melon) aromas and flavors, which leap from the glass with medium(+) intensity, good concentration, and definition. The aromas and flavors cross clusters from orchard, to stone, to tropical fruit layered with dimensions of floral and non-fruit notes, lending complexity. The mouthfeel has weight and texture. With a longer finish, this wine would be outstanding.

This wine has potential for further aging. Despite 7 years aging already, it remains fresh and primary-driven with room to develop further. The medium(+) acidity and medium(+) intensity of aromas and flavors give it runway to evolve gaining complexity with tertiary notes such as honey, beeswax, and dried fruit characteristics that will enhance its appeal.

And P.S. it was stellar with the crab cakes 🦀 😆 Cheers!! 🥂🥂

Damien Laureau, Savennières “Les Genêts” (2016). 100% Chenin Blanc. 13% ABV. — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Sam Friedland

8.9

This time around was a winner! Fruit and soft tannins. — 6 years ago

Norma Normington

9.0

I was expecting (hoping for) more body to this Zinfandel. So it’s a bit on the lighter side, but not a horrible wine by any means. The nose is bursting with enticing scents. More raspberry and vanilla on the tongue. I suspect it may have wanted more time in the bottle. However, I paid only $13.69 for the bottle so comparing the price, I’d say this is a winner! P.S. although I aerated it, I’d let it stand a few minutes longer, the taste is definitely coming out, and it’s better! — 6 years ago

Sarah O'Kelley

9.0

Last bday wine of the night appropriately blurry but delicious! So good we had a second bottle. P.S. no negative 2015 comments from me! — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

9:10 PST Friday and finally sitting down for my baby bottle 🍼 375ml Rosé Champagne. Another long day. Big 5 course dinner paired with wine at the house tomorrow. Just a short list of things left to do tomorrow. Whew!!! However, enjoying the hell out of this glass now. Cheers. Oh, P.S. my wife just flipped again to Ruinart over BSR. In two weeks, it will be BSR again! 🤷‍♂️ — 8 years ago

D J

9.1

For the price this is a great Cab Sav that will complement and food calling for the pairing. Tastes great from the first pour to the last right out of the bottle. Tasting notes; cherry, black pepper, spice, Fruit forward. Its not Dry which I prefer so its more drinkable. The Tannins are light but still present so no excess bitterness or harsh aftertaste. Each sip hangs out for a couple minutes but fades nicely into the sunset afterwards. Overall, a wonderful WA state Columbia Valley wine and would definitely buy it again.


P.S. I really wish wine rating or tasting had a different way to rate vs just a number because it seems like all wines are 7.5-9.2 until you get over $199. — 9 years ago

Julius Rifkin

9.5

This wine had a big and complex personality for one that was medium-bodied. It was very juicy and jammy, with flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry jam. I was taken by how much I enjoyed this one straight away after pulling the cork, so the rating may be a tad on the generous side, but it was still a great bottle! 100% Mourvèdre. 3/31/25. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.6

We pulled this from our cellar and brought it to V. Mertz for dinner. We enjoyed a couple of other wines as aperitifs and then ultimately did what anyone given the opportunity should do: pair it with lamb chops. We poured it into a decanter while we enjoyed the conversation and opening courses. Given the setting, there were no formal notes however, I can confidently report that the 2015 “Tintot” absolutely slaps. From the first sip to the last, it was all balance, power and class. It was also a spectacular showcase for Mourvèdre. It was hard to fully judge color because the lighting was so low but it appeared to be nearly opaque. A touch feral with a slightly gamey element to it but there’s a great big ol’ basket of black and blue fruits with red and purple flowers, garrigue, some black pepper and cedar chest. Structure is still quite firm but totally enjoyable. While this is an unusual assemblage for the region, it still comes across as a wine from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This was my first “Tintot” and it has left quite the impression. Drink now with an hour decant or over the next 7-10 years. P.S. it probably goes without saying, but the pairing with lamb chops was sublime. — 4 years ago

Nicole Ruiz Hudson

8.9

Warm black cherries and red plums with baking spices, oregano and terracotta.
Tart black cherries w some candied cherry notes, oregano, marjoram, pepper.

Had with lamb pizza w oregano and zahatar and wine really resonated w both of those flavors.

P.s. last bit leftover in the bottle held up surprisingly well stored in the fridge for over a week. — 5 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.3

This is really freaking good for what I paid. My 6th grade teacher would kill me if she saw me write this! Mrs.Banner RIP P.S.193 Whitestone Queens. — 6 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Fancy label. Very avant-garde. Hella dark. Red Inky. Smells intoxicating. Plenty of juicy aroma. Also ink well. And leather in the sun. Flavors are pretty classic petite. Tongue coating with blackberries and fancy fruit flavored licorice. Tannic. Dry as can be. Like a cat’s tongue up in here. It’s not softened much and it’s 10 years in. Lovely for petite lovers. Aka the P.S. I love you crowd. — 6 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.2

This is a great vintage, and highly recommend cellaring a few bottles for later. 9.1 for now, 9.2 with bottle age.

P.S.
Delectable, we need a score Range option.

Thanks in advance,

RB — 7 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.4

Pax Mahle makes majestic Syrah that is light and gentle as single vineyard cool climate Pinot. His wines encapsulate the best of the idiosyncratic grape in a more delicate than typical frame that is complex and lean, but neither thin nor meager.

His Wind Gap Majik single vineyard has funky expressive aromas of iodine, menthol, violet, olive, and black peppercorn. Flavors of herbs, unripe blackberry, and salty minerals. Tons of flavor and body at an astounding 11.5% ABV (2014 was 10.4%!).

P.S. considering buying his Pax Hillside which got 100 points from @Antonio Galloni last year. If anyone has tried 2017 please let me know how it was. — 8 years ago