Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 78% Grenache, 14% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault and Mourvèdre, medium Ruby red color with aromas of red fruits, floral and spice notes, aged for 12 months. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of black pepper, floral and spice. Firm tannins, long juicy savory finish, ending with fruit, cacao, spice and slight earthy notes. Need to wait a few years, will cellar! — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 90% Sangiovese with rest Canaiolo. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and open for 3.5 hours before tasting. Intense and spicy richness in the frontal palate/gums. Harmonious the rest of the journey. Very very close to opening the door to the hall of mirrors and entering the "zone" of optimal drinking. Still pretty youthful and no rush to crush. At least two decades of gorgeous enjoyment ahead. Even the greatest wines change themselves in the looking glass. 5.17.23. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

This Right Bank Bordeaux is bright Ruby red, from a blend of Merlot (80%), rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Fresh red fruit with cedar spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with some cacao and licorice notes, adding oak and mineral tones. Fine tannins, medium finish, good balance with fruit, ending with smoky oak character, drink now on the younger side, no real benefit from long-term aging. — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.8

Over the Easter weekend I opened for friends the 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley St. Helena, California a blend of 89%Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Other.

I let decant for at least an hour on the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, cedar, spice, roses, crushed gravel and earth.

On the palate there was black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, mint, sandalwood, crushed gravel and earth.

This wine was rated 100 by both Jeb Dunnick and Wine Advocate whom I respect highly and can totally understand their exuberance for this wine but I couldn't make it quite there. I found that this is full bodied with a freshness and smooth mouthfeel medium + to high acidity and medium + high grainy crunchy tannins that gives a beautiful long dark fruit gravelly earthy finish. An eceptional wine by any means and I am glad to have a few more at rest in my cellar for this wine has many years to continue to develop. Our Easter weekend was one of excitement and exuberance where we had a baby shower on Saturday for our daughter who is expecting the last week of May first week of June which will be our second grandchild. Easter day we spent with family and friends which the day was spectacular. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy with peace to all. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Roman Ochocki

9.2

I don't know why none mentioned a strong and sweet currant nose (blackcurrant or red currant - I won't argue). It striked me hard. The rest: a subtle leather, The palate is mild, I expected some pepper, but I found a chocolate. The finish is short. A nice beginning of the New Year's Eve. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.

Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.

The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.

This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.

Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 2 years ago

UWS

9.2

2022.11.15 Rest. Enoclub Alba w/Wakano
EUR 65.00
Excellent wine, full body, good structure, a bit rhubarb at the end. Fantastic!
2018 an excellent wine year! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of 81% Cab Sauv, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry & black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta (85% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! Tried several bottles! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and sweet peaches. One of the few barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc's which adds a wonderful toasty oak flavor setting this wine apart from the rest. Complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, lemons, grapefruit, peaches, Asian pears and baked apple with tea and spicy acidity. Slight herb notes with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle sweet character. A Fav! — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has lightly oxidized yellow apple peel, wet seashells, freshly cut pear, light creamy oak, fresh lemon pith and light honey.

Palate has light salinity, lemon skin, honey on oak slab and under-ripe peach.

Beautiful wine, great (medium) acidity, yet still young. Likely this will benefit with another 4-6 years of rest. Oliver Lamy is one of the best Saint-Aubin producers, and this bottle is proof, chaotic vintage and still shining.

Decanted ~3hr. Easter 2019. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta (85% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and black cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and earthy character. Nice! — 4 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.4

Over the weekend we had the pleasure of opening the 2020 Domaine De La Côte Bloom's Field Pinot Noir from Lompoc, California.

On the nose there is cherry, strawberry, raspberry, cinnamon, clove, baking spice and dry dusty earth.

On the palate there is cherry, strawberry, raspberry, spice, hibiscus, vanilla and forest floor.

This wine is medium bodied with a smooth fresh mouthfeel medium + mouthwatering acidity and medium fine tannins that lead to a long red fruit earthy finish. On this Wednesday heading over the hump towards the weekend let us all remember all the good things that we have and family and friends we dearly cherish. Have an exciting rest of your week in hopes the weekend will refresh our hearts. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.6

Wowza. Subtle greatness. Decanted for 3 hrs. Very ripe for the vintage. 75% Cab the rest Cab Franc and Merlot. Could drink this all night. — 5 years ago

Michelle Connely

9.0

Consumed 01/2020. Received in a shipment but not sure when. I am afraid I have cellared it for too long. The cork broke off and I made a mess getting the cork out so that I could strain it into a decanter. The wine stains are evident on the label.. They use for varietals to make this. At the time that it was released it was phenomenal. But now that I have kept it too long, I would say not as good. I need to drink the rest of it pretty quickly. 14.1% alc/vol.  — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.6

What happens when you place a well made cab to rest for five years - magic - I had this wine when the wine first came out / it was good but just need some time to mellow - mellow if did - wow this wine is drinking well and a pnp - maybe 5 more years but don’t sit on them for a long time - color out the bottle was deep rich purplish red and swirled in the glass and the smell was delightful- just elegant yet jammy fruits inviting your nose for another deep inhale - the taste was delicious and rich - black and refreshing currants with creamy textures - but the finish was exotic - loved ever 20-30 seconds of it - all smiles last night with my friend @R Bowers — 7 years ago

with R