Sagee Aran

9.4

Dark ruby and intense in color. Nose of cigar box and leather which developed and a matured cherry flavour boosted.
A multidimensional palate with good structure of tanins, long finish.
Remarkable. — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Outstanding w/ 10 years in bottle. Honeysuckle, lemon, lime, stone fruit, crème, powdery minerals, beautiful acidity, white & yellow flowers, amazing structure, balance and finish for days.

Best Chardonnay since I had the 96 Gaja Chardonnay at the property out of magnum in 2015. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.3

A visit to Cimarossa in early 2018 was a highlight of our annual Napa trip that year. Property, experience, people and wines were all top notch. I normally prefer Ponente, then Rian, then Levante in that order, and this bottle reinforced that opinion.

When compared to the 2014 Ponente and Rian, this 2014 Levante has less depth and mid-palate. This Levante is decidedly more red fruit driven compared to the darker fruit profile of the others. I also normally get a really distinct red clay note on these, but in its place was a more herbal note. The herbal and slightly less full-bodied nature made this a good pairing to thin crust pizza. Tannins and acidity are pretty elevated when compared to most 2014 Napa cabs, even after a few hours in the decanter. I think I’d hold if I had more, but I’m not sure how different it gets. — 2 years ago

David Walser

9.8

Second night of celebration of the closing of our commercial property. Enjoyed with rib eye cap. This is an amazing wine. One bottle left to enjoy some day. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

1996 vintage. Open but not decanted. Pretty serious sed. Tasted one hour after opening. A bit tight at that time, yet, the effort, quality and experience all up front and center. Still the best wine this property has ever made. Possibly 3-4 more years at this apex. A maggie would extend it to 5-8 years. Wow. Just wow. 8.2.24. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: certain vintages really embrace the brett on the property, this is on the milder side. Notes of red plum, nutty vanilla, pine, funky wet earth, old leather, some cherry. Taste: smooth, delicate, silky wine with savory notes of cigar box, currants, wet dirt, peppery, little dark plum, cedar, slightly meaty. YUM! A very good vintage for Cain, a little more intensity could have increased the score even more. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Paul T HB

9.4

Still plenty of life left, but use the Durand
K&L notes as follows, it is better than their 2000! We have been following the property for the last five years and we think it is on a great track with their new releases, but try this 20+ yr old beauty. It is elegant and has a long, lingering finish. Smokey, toasty aromas, tons of cassis fruit on the palate. In a blind tasting at K&L (January 2019), one of our top Bordeaux staff thought it was a first growth Pauillac from the 80s. A steal at this price.
Drink from 2019 to 2022 — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1971 vintage. Bottom shoulder fill initially had me worried. Decanted and tasted immediately and after two hours. Absolute ton of sed more appropriate for a vintage port. This was banging. Light-medium body. Chunky frontal palate. Plenty of charcoal in the mid-palate with some surprising freshness on a longer than expected finish. Not getting better but feel it can stay the current course for a spell (4-5 years). This was from a 750ml format but a larger format would undoubtedly be an upgrade. La Mission HB is a fave property and this reaffirmed those feelings. 10.13.23 — a year ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.

Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.

The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — 2 years ago

Paul T HB

9.0

Just too young obviously,an experiment since we had an 08 Bordeaux yesterday.
Spectator 92,
Other reviews,
Decanter Magazine Review
Rated 94
Another bargain alert! At this price level, perhaps the most subtle and elegant of all wines tasted. Not as expressive as Ormes de Pez, but top marks for delicate refinement and indeed a noticeably floral aromatic profile that accentuates the palate. As wine consultant Kevin Gagnon noted at a tasting: ‘Finesse and great length.' Do not hesitate. Drink now-2035.

Wine Enthusiast Review
Rated 93
One of the many estates on the Pez plateau in Saint-Estèphe, this property is at the top of its game. Owned by the same proprietors as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, the wine has structure, big tannins as well as dense black fruits. Drink from 2024.

Wine Tasting Notes
The vintage is dense in color, retaining a purplish-blue hint typical of wines that are slow to develop. The slightly toasty nose has plenty of red- and black- berry fruit and a hint of jamminess mingled with aromas of spice and tobacco. The nose is what you would expect of a wine made from very ripe grapes. It is already deliciously complex. The palate is entirely consistent with the nose. The attack is still firm at this stage but developing in a manner that instantly suggests an opulent wine. Good, well-rounded substance lingers elegantly on the palate, with silky tannins and not a trace of harshness. This is truly an exceptional wine: thoroughbred, elegant and rich. — 3 years ago