Ron R

9.3

Going back to my roots…
I cut my wine tasting teeth (so to speak) on Bdx’s like this, and the good memories come flooding back.
This is a squeaky-clean example displays little signs of age on the nose or palate. Cherries and soft tobacco on the nose give way to ripe tannins and bright acidity on the mid palate. Blueberries and plums are the dominant fruit notes. Expands on the palate becoming ethereal. Peaking now but could sail on for at least another 5 years or so. Predominately Merlot in this excellent blend. — a year ago

Gary Zander

9.0

After sail with Diane & Rachel — 4 years ago

Ron R

9.5

A point of reference. Ethereal. So well balanced. Nose displays almonds, hay and mild citrus notes. Palate is silky smooth with roasted nuts, meyer lemon and a hint of nectarine. Not too much acidity to talk about. This will sail on for years and years.
A superb gift from Joe and Dianna. — 5 years ago

with Diana, David and 2 others

Hugh O'Riordan

9.0

Ok, I love Grenache. This wine was delicious even tho I drank it too warm on a sail boat in an Idaho desert reservoir. I was surprised. Great Grenache flavor , sweet tannins and long finish. My friends are beer drinkers so I hogged the wine. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.4

Home alone, and as a result, I can return to some French faves. Regretfully, wifey tastes vomit if it’s anything other than a Napa fruit-bomb. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but you get my point...
This is on another level. 2009 was in my opinion a breakout year for this winery. With the winery renovations complete in 09, and Michel Rolland consulting on the winemaking, it’s easy to see the future state. This is a Merlot blend with double digit cab franc, and a dollop of cab sauv. I poured this pretty much at cellar temp (unusual for a typical Bdx), and it’s simply wonderful at this point.
Nose displays kirsch, nutmeg and a hint of sweet tobacco. The palate explodes with fresh black fruits, brown sugar, bold tannins, and a touch of white pepper. Judicious oak treatment allows the components and winemaking to take center-stage. A very contemporary example, which will sail on for another 15 years, minimum.
@Deborah M, your gentle nudge moved me. While I didn’t decant, I did open it 2hrs prior to tasting 🙂 — 6 years ago

with Mo

Ron R

9.2

One of the Delectable peeps suggested I try this it was somebody’s who’s opinion I respect, cos I immediately went and scooped some up - and the verdict is that it’s excellent!
Very fruit-forward with white flowers and exotic fruits on the nose. The palate is lively and energetic. Tight acidity with good minerality. The fruits carry through and sail on. Very attractive SB. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.3

Flinty and crisp on the nose nose and palate. A nice and typically French personality with lemon rind and copious amounts of salinity. Nice weight and texture with more brine than sweetness. Drinking well right now, but will sail on for another 7-10 years, with ease. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Alexis M

9.5

Sail away wine. Perfect moscato - lights, bubbly, sweet. Good for hot day. — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Color density spectacularly singular, nose of dried blackberry, black currant, wet river pebbles, rosemary dusting on beef, lavender, violet and rose stitched together seamlessly, a minute persimmon, plum and cinnamon sail on in the wind of cumin.
Warm plumminess opens to baked currant and date, wedged into oak crevices. Bite of tobacco, eucalyptus, offset by black olive texture, bituminous sensibility and cinnamon-cedar parameters.


#hautbatailley #chateauhautbatailly #paulliac #grandcru #grandcruclassé #grandcruclasséen1855 #bordeaux #pauillac #gironde #domainesfrançoisxavierborie — 4 years ago

Ron R

9.2

Ok peeps, many people have asked for more deets regarding our little cellar...
1.8m x 0.6m x 2.25m. The floor is Portuguese black slate (1cm thick). Floor, walls and ceiling are insulated with high-density foam, which has a low thermal conductivity. Chiller is housed remotely. Ducting pulls clean air from outside, and dumps exhaust air outside. Basically, everything is custom - my design, and a great contractor realized our dream. @Mo Salem was instrumental with renovating our home, and the germ of the idea came from him.
This wine big and bold. Visually show its age. Cinnamon, cloves and pepper define the nose and palate. The oak monster is evident on the mid palate. Great tannins and complimentary acidity. This will sail on for another 5 years, but best consumed now. — 6 years ago

with James, Benny and 1 other

David Kline

9.3

Atop heady iodine, wet mossy and pine bio, green apple sliced thin, melon, lemon and lime peel, smoky glazed ham with pineapple, igneous grind, dried sunflower blossom, jasmine, fall maple leaves, roasted corn with sweet chillies, cinnamon, and the faintest matchstick sail memory scents. Instantly warm and welcoming ginger candy, caramel, leather, graphite, cinnamon oil, hazelnut, pine sap, mint, calvados, cherry stem, eucalyptus, tangerine oil, lime, and jalapeño. Intense and lingering, filling the mouth beyond its capacity to taste. Really lovely Talisker manifestation conjuring metal and stone textures like some dark tale of briny ghosts! #Talisker #scotch #scotchwhisky #scotchwhiskey #whiskey #whisky #TaliskerStorm #singlemalt #Isleofskye #Scotland #madebythesea #classicmaltsselection #Islay — 7 years ago

with Courtney

Charles Garrison

8.9

Has set sail and approaching the horizon... — 7 years ago

Terry Leavy

9.4

Silky and smooth .... had with chilli Thai lovely — 7 years ago

Rebekah Suzanne

9.0

Brian feeling career hope and optimism, 2020 vintage bought in Portland Wine Sail — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Maraschino cherries on the nose. Saddle leather and olives on the palate. This will sail on for many years.
@M. Christopher Roebuck influenced my score as I think he nailed it. HNY bud! — 3 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.4

The punishment beatings will continue until submission. Drew came with this bad boy from his cellar.
Cork disintegrated. Nose is peaty with mushroom and wood. Youthful on the palate with initial berry notes. Bright acidity has enabled this wine to sail on. Tertiary notes combine with resolved tannins. Lovely, mature wine. First growth in Napa for sure.
Drew’s rating.- 94 pts. — 5 years ago

with Cliff, Andrew and 1 other

Ron R

9.4

Not sure I’ve chosen the correct label.
Hommage Mitsuko’s Vineyard, Artist Series Reserve.
For a 2010, this is stunning for its grace and presence on the nose and palate. Nose reminds me of Aubert with caramel and honeycomb. Consistent palate, which is also oily and viscous. Perfect acidity suggests this will sail on for another 10 years. Gutted that we only have this example... shocked at how well this showed. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Eric Arnstein

9.0

Blackberry Gusher up front, with an arid wavy breeze to hang on as you wind sail off into the sunset. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.7

Subtle and sublime. Our favorite domestic Chardonnay. Montrachet-ish. Pine nuts and pineapple sail on. Salinity on the finish. Beautiful delineation. Text book example. Input on the notes from Shawn and David - DOMODOMO, NYC. A wonderful gift from @David L - thank you, sir. — 7 years ago

with David, Anne-marie and 1 other

Ron R

9.5

Prior notes apply.
Strong showing. Layered, textured and nuanced. This will sail on for years to come. Maraschino cherries combine with maple syrup and espresso notes to complete what is an excellent presentation. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie