Fiona Morse

9.5

Lovely bottle at de vere Latimer estate for my 50th birthday — 2 months ago

with Tim

Alvaro Bustillos

9.8

Amazing mazon sbiatti This bottling is from the British wine merchant Avery's. who bought barrels of wine and brought them to England for bottling until the practice was banned. The wine would have been labeled Domaine René Engel in France, but it was under the stewardship of his son Pierre at the time of this bottling. The wines under his reign were quite notable through the 1969 vintage. Pierre fell ill in 1970, and the estate was neglected until Pierre's son Philippe took over after wine school. The vintage was very good in Burgundy, though it is often overlooked because it was such a disaster in Bordeaux, says K&L's Burgundy buyer Keith Wollenberg. In 1999, the critic Clive Coates of the Vine wrote of this wine: "Full, very vigorous colour. Hardly any sign of age. Full, ample and spicy. Fat and Plump. Very good grip. This has length and quality and richness...Yet it has the fat, succulence, intensity and vigour. Fine Plus." — a year ago

Danny Martinez

9.5

Happy Boxing Day 2022 from 🇭🇰! Ok. Bottle is done. Meal is complete. Honest review to follow. One — this wine. Serve this to anyone and they will be thrilled with its drink ability and balance coupled with depth and refinement. It’s Brunello de Montalcino’s finest (according to Sr and Sra Martinez). While service was a bit slow — where were we to go? Nowhere other than to people watch and enjoy the show. Technically it’s still alba truffle season; one tagliatelle order later (don’t ask the price); so happy. A dual of meat dishes: delightful (though don’t leave Danny alone w pomme purée) — but at the end of the day, it is the desserts that reign supreme. The sgroppino! The soufflé! Pannetone with mascarpone cream! The box of chocolates and truffles (and a side of limoncello). Visit at Christmas, we insist. This was a lovely visit at a staple favorite. 5 stars! — 4 years ago

Amy Rehagen

9.5

Such beautiful Oregon chard from a classic producer. Well integrated and subtle oak, perfect weight, and crisp acid to reign it in. 🤌🏼 — 4 years ago

Lauren

9.5

Very good! One of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs. Very light and refreshing. — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.4

From mag. I didn’t know Gamay could taste like this. Unfined and unfiltered this wine had an intense nose and persistent finish. All berry and cherry the producer let the grapes do all the talking. Funky and fresh.

Let chaos reign. — 6 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.1

Terroir and transparency reign supreme here. I would have not been able to tell this was 25 years old at all. Energy fully intact. Actually a great representation of Beaune 1er Cru that can at least be a great accompaniment at the table and stood up for a solid 48 hours opening more as time went on and never lost its gusto. No blockbuster but absolutely worthy. — 6 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2016 vintage. At the time under the reign of the Audoy family, and recently sold, together with their other estate Cos Labory, to neighbour Cos d'Estournel. A good, old-fashioned Saint-Estèphe with rather rustic tannins that offers decent value for the appellation at 15,50 euro, even if I believe that they could have done a better job with this terroir in a great vintage. — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2019 vintage. Another fine effort from Villemaurine. This was still made under the Justin Onclin reign, since 2021 Villemaurine is owned by the Lefevere family. — 2 years ago

David Kline

9.1

Dried raspberry, carnation, rose petal, and ripest plum, with palm leaf and cocoanut nose. Cherry and raspberry conspire on the palate to reign in the fruitiness with tart expressions. Very low tannic profile outside the fruit, with a violet side shuffle and pleasant touch of blackberry.


#kostabrowne #pinotnoir #russianrivervalley #sonomacounty #sonoma #2020 — 3 years ago

with Courtney

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2014 vintage. This estate is extremely reliable and while it has a long track record of excellence, it has been shining even more under the reign of Olivier Bernard. Definitely among the best wines of the vintage, it features a complex nose with black fruits (blackberries, black cherries, cassis), intertwined with spices, a subtle smokiness and some floral hints. While it may not be as profound as the incredible 2015 and 2016 Domaine de Chevalier, this is an excellent wine in its own right and seriously good value at this quality level. Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) dominates the blend, combined with 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Layers of dark fruit, fresh acidity, combined with classic Pessac-Léognan spiciness and a ripe tannic backbone. Terrific length too. Highly recommended. Abv. 13,5%. — 4 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

There is something special about La Lagune. In my younger days I read an interview with Émile Peynaud where he stated that in the whole of the Médoc there are only a handful of wines that can support 100% new oak: the first growths, Leoville-las-Cases, and maybe La Lagune as it is the most aromatic. The times have changed ever since, but there is some truth in the aromatic side of La Lagune. While I have good memories of some older vintages (1970 and 1982 come to mind), the wines have never been better than under the reign of Caroline Frey. This 2019 is absolutely gorgeous. After 10 minutes in the glass it displays black and red fruits, cedar wood and spices with a hint of lead pencil. In the mouth the 14,5 abv. goes unnoticed as elegance supremes over power. It combines Margaux-like silky finesse with Pessac-Léognan spiciness, the latter especially in the impressively long finish. Moreover it's amazing value. — 5 years ago

Ash Finlay

10

Tastes like the mood purple. — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2023 vintage. Plummy, substantial body. Decent nose. First two thirds of the experience good but not much of a finish to reign things in currently. Will the cavalry show up? Unsure. Didn't get much of a feel one way or the other. 05.14.25. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2020 vintage. Ripe and fleshy without enough of a tannic finish to reign the California tendencies in. 11.6.24 — 2 years ago

Heather Johnson

10

Love it. Has some bubbles which I didn’t expect. Great flavor and aroma. Citrus but not too much acid. Very smooth and light. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2016 vintage. The Jaboulet whites seem to have improved spectacularly under the Caroline Frey reign, as demonstrated by this amazing 2016. Light golden colour. Intense complex perfume of quince, pear, pineapple and lemon confit,intertwined with floral and mineral notes. In the mouth it is powerful and refined at the same time, with layers of fruit and spices, balanced by an attractive almondy bitterness. Impressively long mineral finish. Abv. 14%. — 4 years ago

Rob

8.9

Thought it was a cab, and at 14.9% it hit like one — 4 years ago

Jenks

9.1

Distributor closeout at the local Albertsons. $55 cut to $30, bought it on a whim. Calistoga, not even sure these vines are still standing. Big ripe Napa cab, just exploding with fruit, oak, vanilla, some grip to reign the fruit in a bit. Washed it down with smoked chuck roast, potatoes and a snow storm. — 6 years ago

Casey Carden

9.2

Excellent and sweet. Perfect for summer. — 6 years ago