Jay Kline

9.2

First pour of this and I was like, “uh-oh”. It was clearly full of flaws (Brettanomyces, VA and maaaaybe some slight TCA) but would they be too much to appreciate the wine? Only time would tell so into the decanter it went. After a lot of air, it became clear this was Brett and VA. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) with notes of blackberries, umeboshi, animale, purple flowers, black pepper, red Flintstone vitamin, horse blanket, wood varnish, and sous bois. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. An elegant, complicated bottle. This is my second time with the 1997 vintage and due to the flaws, a different adventure than previous. That being said, this decidedly grumpy, Burgundian expression of Clape’s Cornas paired really well with the dry-aged steaks. Drink now, with a lot of patience, through 2037? — a month ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Medium dark robe, nose of steak tartare and cedar. Very complex and elegant in the mouth, great acidity and balance, licorice, dried flowers, a hint of dry port. Finishes on a beautiful acid note and is such a companion. Truly great bottle. You can barely tell the vintage. — 3 years ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.5

Settled and pretty. Tell tale Barolo notes of tar and wood. Roses and faded plum with done dried herbs and a hint of dried orange. Balanced and transparent. Long. Very good. — 4 years ago

with Matt and Paul

John Riddick

9.1

Beautiful southern Burgundy! You can tell the winemaker knows the secret to get the best wine from his terroir. — 5 years ago

with Lauren

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Felt it was a good ten year in bottle check on the 08 Pavie Macquin. I wasn’t expecting the wine to blow my hair back but, I expected a little something better.

The 2008 Bordeaux growing season was one of difficult weather through August. Then, grand weather in September & October saved the vintage. Well...with this one, it likely made a bad vintage into just a good one.

The nose reveals classic Merlot based nose, nice Claret. The fruits are ripe, slightly ruby & candied but, a little dull. Blackberries, black raspberries, baked, dark cherries, black raspberries & stewed strawberries. Dark fruit cola, vanilla, black licorice, dark, rich earth, stones, touch leather, cinnamon stick, some graphite, light herbal quality with candied dark, red, & a touch fresh of blue florals framed in violets.

The body is just full & very velvety. The tension & structure are a little soft. The balance is good as is the length. However as it continues on the palate is just never pops. In fact, leaner & somewhat hollow. It lacks depth & complexity. The fruits are ripe, slightly ruby & candied but, a little dull. Blackberries, black raspberries, baked, dark cherries, black raspberries & stewed strawberries. Dark fruit cola, vanilla, black licorice, dark, rich earth, stones, soft, velvety leather, cinnamon stick, some graphite, light herbal quality with candied dark, red, & a touch fresh of blue florals framed in violets. The acidity is really nice, fresh. The finish is, soft, elegant, the same wire to wire but, just never dazzles.

I am afraid this is not showing any signs of being in a dumb phase. Nor, is it showing any earmarks that it is going to improve, just evolve.

Photos of; Chateau Pavie Macquin, signage tell you are close, Winemaker - Nicolas Thienpont & their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

A great pomerol on a great vintage, Gazin is Merlot harvested at maturity but not over, great acidity and balance with the tell tale notes of Merlot now emerging. I would say better to wait another 3 to 5 years but this is a really excellent bottle. If you like distinct and not overdone Pomerols, go after this one ! — 8 years ago

with Adriana

David Valenti

9.1

Tobacco, dried plum, chocolate and saw dust. Full-bodied, dry tannins. The bottle is 9 years old so probably on the downward slope. Hard to tell, in fact. Still great. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2013 Insignia pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing but still quite youthful with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: dense brambles, purple flowers, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. At 11 years of age, this remains tightly coiled and needs more time to open up and tell more of its story. All that being said, this is very good now…but to my palate, better after 2027 and through 2043. — 2 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.0

First impression: You can tell it’s from a top producer. It’s very refined and deliberate. Not delicate, but doesn’t hammer you. Velvety, with smooth tannins playin wayyy in the background. Like the bass line in jazz. The nose is there, but it it’s not all THAT bold, with notes of blueberry, dark rose, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Color is a deep red with purple melded in the middle. Surprisingly medium/light body, with light tannins, more to the rim and background but the flavors are surprisingly restrained, like there’s a hole in it. Good, but not great. — 3 years ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.3

McCarthy & Schiering, $50

Bittersweet occasion and went way above my budget to celebrate my birthday and also mourn Grandma Julie's passing. She loved CdP so thought I'd splurge on one. I've only had a couple but have loved every one I tried. This was a bit different, I'm used to bright fruit forward but this was very muted cooked dark fruit with a lot of emphasis on the baking spice and earthy tobacco notes. Incredibly complex - licorice, coffee, clove, tobacco with an underlying subtle dried/cooked dark fruit. Crazy smooth, but I'm comparing it to sub $20 wines that I'm used to, and you can barely tell that it's 15% alc. Nice tannins but I think it would benefit from a touch more acidity. I'm being picky since I paid so much for it but in summary it's one of the best made wines I've ever had, but not among my favorites. But it's still a great experience and I don't regret the purchase — 4 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

9.6

Wanted to see if my friends who say they prefer new or old world could tell the difference. They actually could.... they loved both. Even though they were the same vintage, Brand was more full bodied and youthful, but did have a hint of age on it. If I didn’t know the two wines we were blind tasting, I would have thought both were old world. — 7 years ago

Mike R

9.4

Big bold beautiful wine - it is still the same - I am not sure it will get any better over time - decanted over 2 hours again - subtle hints of blueberries blackberry and cassis. Massive on the palate with extraordinary fruit extract, but no hard edges, and the vintage’s tell-tale velvety tannins, good acidity and terrific freshness and energy - drink em if you got em — 8 years ago

Lev Lavrichtchev

9.0

Tasted at the winery. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah. Nice aroma, can’t tell much about the taste - too tanic, either young or was opened at the winery a bit too far back. Must have good potential. Will try 2012 and see — 8 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

Reviews say I should wait untill at least 2028 to open it and I should have listened. The basics for a truly great wine are there but it’ still a bit of everywhere in terms of acidity and tannins. Time will tell… — 7 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

This delivered the goods ! Half as apéritif and another half two weeks later on a vacuvin closure. Excellent Sauternes on the more elegant side. Plenty of years ahead, you can barely tell the age. — 2 years ago

with Adriana and Jose

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2020 | Licorice in smell, cherries, blackberries, I thought it to be pinot noir because it has a certain frivoliy. Wine with a story. Good effort. — 3 years ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.2

90% Pinot noir and you can tell. Medium body but light on its feet. Exotic and luscious. — 4 years ago

Eric Naslund

9.1

No surprise to see a Herman Story review from me but this Grenache was real nice. It had a very rich mouthfeel and coated your entire mouth in a satisfying blanket of goodness. The flavors waited a minute and came rushing in. It was a bit of a strip tease frankly. This is a richer and more fulsome Grenache with complex stories to tell. Very much enjoyed this! — 6 years ago

Bryan

9.2

Could tell from the moment that my nose entered the glass that this was special. Rich and nuanced tones. Delicious. — 7 years ago

Severn G

9.4

100% Roussanne.

Nose...If I ever had a white that I could tell you was "oily" this is that wine. Caramelized honey, pear, guava and wet clay.

Palate is hazelnut butter, macerated pear, over-ripe apricot. F...this is an amazing bottle, I don't happen across Roussanne like this everyday, or like ever! — 8 years ago