David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Drinking pretty well for such a young Chablis.

Mouthfeel is nicely round & creamy. Ripe, Meyer Lemon, green apple, pineapple, lime pulp with some skin, topical melons, guava, chalky power, saline, sea fossils, limestone, touch of caramel, hint of white spice on the long set, yellow & white spring flowers, cool, round acidity, nicely balanced and well polished finish that last nearly two-minutes landing squarely on white spice.

A conversation was shared with me from Ralph at K&L who has been there 40 plus years that he had with their Burgundy buyer who just returned from his market trip to Burgundy. Ralph asked him what vintage he would compare the 2022 Burgundy vintage to. His reply was, the only vintage I could compare 2022 to is 1959! That’s a huge statement. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

My note of 49 weeks ago tells the full story of this historic vineyard planted in 1885 and tended by 6th generation Ralph Schrapel. Part of the Peter Lehmann VSV (Very Special Vineyard) series. This wine is delicious old school Barossa with ripe plum, dark chocolate, cherry, liquorice and coffee grounds. A hint of prune on the nose. Great to be drinking these rich reds as the weather cools down. This vineyard is in the Ebenezer sub district of the Barossa. My last bottle sadly. — 4 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Nose has old tar, countless stems of red roses, dried cherry, library stacks and dried raspberry.

Palate has jammy and bright cherry preserves, fresh tart cherry, old leather, moist earthy notes (positive trait) and some neutral wood.

Mellow tannins after an extended decant, this bottle is really singing. I am lucky to have tasted older vintages to give an understanding of where this wine is going. Now, whether or not I have the patience to hold the remaining bottles another 20-years is a major question, very nice today.

Decanted ~3hrs, in a cool place. Not my kitchen today, which was quite warm as I preserved our first real harvest of 2019 tomatoes, converting them into pizza sauce. I beat our first processed batch from 2018 by an entire week...don't believe anyone telling you we're not living through climate change, or more appropriately 'climate disruption' to quote Ralph Nader. This is why the best Nebbiolo is now coming from northern Italy, and the best Pinot will transition to Germany. OK, enough politics, this is a forum for wine, mostly. Cat photo-bombs appreciated in your bottle pics (sorry none from me today). — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Flirts with 9.3. Had this five years ago, not ready. Tonight, beautiful & elegant. Classic Bordeaux. Ralph the Bordeaux buyer for K&L likes this producer quite a bit. Just for their craft and then for the value they bring to the table. I think this was around $25 upon release.

The palate is lush, rich elegance. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, very dark cherries, strawberries & an array of purple fruits. Lead pencil, dry tobacco with ash, nutmeg, cinnamon, dark spice-box, vanillin, anise, mid berry cola, limestone, dark, rich, soil, dry pebbles, steeped fruit tea, sandstone, sandalwood, dry herbs, floral bouquet, excellent acidity, well structured, balanced, knitted finish that wire to wire is polished and lasts 1-2 minutes. Excellent Ribcap fodder. Has another 8-10 years of good drinking properly stored. — a year ago

Devin Bray

9.5

Piney, lactic, fresh berries, you can taste the Drouhin barrels. Amazing. — 4 years ago

Shannon Saunders

9.0

#fabulousgirlswinesociety
October 2019!

Beautiful label ‘Adopt the pace of nature; Her secret is Patience’ ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mother Nature is intriguing and elusive, reigning with grace and beauty. There is no doubt that she is the one True Myth. We respect her for the enigma that she is and honour her with a beautiful Cab Sav - smooth wine loaded with blackberry & cherry, touch of caramel.

Enjoyable, love the label - intrigued me to try and so glad I did! — 5 years ago

Charles Duncan

9.3

With Ralph & Cathy Havard at River House, Damariscotta. A very fine Malbec with a distinctive qulsity — 2 years ago

Aaron Marsh

9.1

Had at 1914 house in niwot with Ralph and sam. Delicious, tannin forward, opened up nicely. Paired well with prime rib. — 3 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.3

Dynamite! Deep ruby red, shiny and bright. Cinnamon spice, vanilla, and red berry nose. Sour cherry with dark chocolate on the palate, more like 97% cacao, medium plus acidity with high tannins and a long finish. This a great example of just how juicy and decadent Aglianico can be-- particularly from Basilicata.

PS Another great wine from local favorite CuVino @Ralph DiBiasi !!!

93+ points — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are dark & muted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, plums with strawberries come on late. Lots of moist clay, dry soils, deep dark spice, crushed, rock powder, graphite, black, dry soils, hints of green bell pepper, dry herbs with blue, dark withering flowers. The acidity is round but could be better. The long finish is balanced but, for me, comes up short and a little flat.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 5 years ago