David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s a night of first year consecutive decades, 90 & 80. Enjoyed in reverse order

From the same technical team as Leoville Las Cases.

Another great Clyde Beffa direct purchase from the Chateau or Negociant.

Still ripe older Bordeaux fruits with smoothed out lead pencil. Blackberries, black raspberries that lean into pudding, black plum, darkest, cooked cherries, raspberries edges, baked rhubarb and hues of poached strawberries. There is nothing that bites back. Dark chocolate, smooth mocha, caramel, soften baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, old tobacco w/ ash, used leather, dry top soil, limestone powder, black licorice to anise, dry river stone, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, amazing, rainfall acidity and a well; balance, structured, knitted and smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.

Steak slow cooked in the oven at graduating low heats and then seared at 1300 degrees, 30, 30, 30 & 30. .

“The Truth is Inside” is an expression about the very bottom of a bottle of wine. Tannin soaked & it never lies. Typically the best part of the bottle. 93 that lands 94 in truth. I always leave two-three inches of wine in bottle just because it is always slightly better than the rest of the bottle. It is more concentrated. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is still very young. Lots of lush, ruby fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries. Tons of barrel notes; wood shavings, charcoal, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, strong, dark spices, caramel, mocha. Meaty, tarry, velvety tannins, dusty soil, volcanic ash, some lead pencil, purple flowers- lavender, violets, nice round acidity. Long, well structured, still big tension but balanced finish. Needs another 6 years of evolution for me. But, nice bottle friends opened. $36 on Last Bottle…over delivers that price now and will even more in six years. — a year ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Simple, light, but full of charm. Clear purple dress, beautiful shine. Nose typical of the cabernets-francs de Loire. Raspberry, geranium, violet, blackwood, green pepper (but not too much). The mouth is fresh and tense, with a beautiful mineral weft reminiscent of rifle stone, slate or chalk. Served at 15 degrees, it’s a nice treat.

Saumur simple, léger, mais plein de charme. Robe pourpre limpide, bel éclat. Nez typique des cabernets-francs de Loire. Framboise, géranium, violette, bois de ronce, poivron vert (mais pas trop). La bouche est fraîche et tendue, avec une belle trame minérale évoquant la pierre à fusil, ardoise ou craie. Servi à 15 degrés c’est une belle gourmandise. — 3 years ago

with Peter

Gage Orion

9.4

Wife and I cracked this bottle in honor of two friends that we lost yesterday. Strawberry, blood orange, and even light notes of cinnamon. Very good Pinot noir. Never disappointed with Duckhorn. Rest in peace Zach and Chris, hope you’re drinking all the good stuff up in heaven. — 3 months ago

michael pandolfo

9.0

Very well done. Although a big wine, not overpowering. Sweet, smoky blueberries with a wild touch. Nice savory notes. Young now but has great potential. — 8 months ago

Raun Kupiec

8.9

Very nice, but fairly typical cold weather Pinot noir. Could easily be Oregon, could be Swiss. Really quite nice. — 2 years ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Loaded with Fruit….. — 3 months ago

with TwiLea

Don Taylor

8.9

Surprisingly smooth and mellow. It’s nice for a blend and would buy again. Plus I like bourbon. — 7 months ago

Willem Booij

9.1

Charming Cairanne, drinking smooth. — 2 years ago

Anja Ritchie

9.0

2017; Heavy oak after a light summer peachy vanilla flavor — 3 years ago