Holly Gamblin

10

Enjoying at Stefano’s in Sheboygan WI; seriously worth the drive! This beautiful, delicate and sophisticated wine greets you with cherry and a lovely brick color, that quite honestly smacked me upside the head! Like wow! Don’t be deceived by its lush approachable appearance. This wine is yummy and I think it’s going to be my new go-to! It paired well with a 6meat stuffed pasta in a butter pecan sauce as well as a fresh Alaskan halibut topped with capers and artichoke. Thank Gawd Sheboygan isn’t on everyone’s radar! More for us!! YAY!!! — a month ago

Greg Koslosky

9.6

A great vintage for comtes kind of flies under the radar . 2004 is a great Chardonnay vintage for Champagne . Golden delicious apples , brioche , liquid minerals . Lovely depth and balance on the palate with some secondary nuances starting to develop. A gorgeous comtes to drink over the next decade or two. — a year ago

Alan Weinberg

9.1

under the radar producer w quality Bonnes Mares and Beze. This wine is still young, dark-fruited and balanced, nice depth and length — 3 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Still somehow totally under the radar — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.

The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.

The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.

Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 6 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Just makes 92.

The texture is oily, gorgeous & luscious. Cream, lemon, lime, green apple, white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, lanolin, river stone, flinty notes, grey volcanics, sea fossils, yellow lilies, seems to show a little more used oak, excellent acidity and smartly polished.

Still surprised how Lamy generally continues to fly under the radar for the most part. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The wines of Roger Sabon have been on my radar for about ten years now and I have always thought the “Prestige” designation was, pound-for-pound, one of the better values in all of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. However, for one reason or another, I never seem to drink them that often. This particular bottle of “Le Secret des Sabon” was a lone singleton resting in my cellar since release. My wife, after an unusually exhausting week of work, said she wanted to drink something “impressive”...which means to me that the juice better not suck. And while “Le Secret” has a reputation for being one of the great wines from the entire appellation, I was taking some risk when I selected this bottle since I had no personal experience with it. As soon as I pulled the cork, it was clear this was going to be a special experience. Glass staining garnet with a touch of color that looks almost brown-ish however, there are no signs of decomposition. There is, however, a fairly decent amount of fine sediment. The fruit...well...the fruit is simply sensational. We’re talking fistfuls of the purest raspberries and cherries with some star anise, slightly burned pie crust and black pepper. This is a wine of tremendous texture and balance. Medium acid and medium plus tannins, the latter of which are so fine and silky. The ABV is stated as 15% but it’s so well hidden you would hardly notice. My only wish was that “Le Secret des Sabon” wasn’t so expensive...but there is no doubt about its quality. Drinking so well now but could easily hold for longer if necessary. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The very definition of velvet wrapped in an iron fist. It is singing on my palate.

This Dry Creek is better than the Select Terraces I’ve opened lately. Deep, black, ripe, ruby, currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, blue hues, dark cherries, crazy, deep, Indian spices, dark berry cola, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, malt balls, fresh tobacco, used leather, tree bark w/ sap, steeped fruit tea, limestone, crushed risks, river stone, forest floor with dry leaves, dry herbaceous notes, endless rainbow of florals, beautiful acidity and well balanced, structure and tension that is tightly knit with finish for days.

Crazy, stupid, producer that continues to fly well below the radar. I am thankful it does.

This 2010 has 10 years plus of life left ahead. The best Ca Cabernet I’ve had in many years. Wine affects me differently than most but this wine is like a full body massage. Maybe, that is why I discovered my palate. — 10 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

1961 vintage. Delicious at 61 years old. This estate remains under the radar of many wine critics, but the wines are extremely reliable and ageworthy and they show an understated class that is totally in line with the personality of owner Xavier Jean. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Henriot often flies under the radar and I get it, there are so many options out there...but don’t sleep on this house. This, their most modest offering, delivers immense pleasure for the price. A near 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (I guess they use 5% Pinot Meunier) the Brut Souverain displays well ripened pears, lightly roasted nuts, slightly burned brioche and a kiss of citrus. The texture is rich and creamy. The finish is long and satisfying. No disgorgement data. While there is a code on the back, I was social and wasn’t going to give myself the brain damage to decode that mess. — 3 years ago