David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Amazing w/ the Allen Brothers A-5 wagyu.

This is another Bordeaux producer that makes wines for the ages. I’ve waited & waited on 2000, this shows some readiness. Yet, will go another 20 plus years.

Tonight this is well balanced earth & candied fruit. In 10 years, this is candied fruit & florals.

Still medium plus tannins. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with ample skin, juicy dark cherries, poached strawberries, raspberries, dry limestone grains with powder, dark, forest floor with dry leaves, some dry herbaceousiness-bay leaf, mint, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon, hints of vanillin, mid berry cola, sandalwood to cedar shavings, used leather, pipe tobacco, anise, some mocha, sun tea, dark, red, purple flowers with a touch of blue, excellent acidity and a well knitted structure, balanced, nicely tensioned with a ripe, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes.

Photos of; Chateau Calon Segur, tasting room, barrel cellar and estate vineyard. — 12 days ago

Vino Joe

9.3

I am biased for Rioja but this is a very good demonstration of why. Great balance ripe reserved fruit in harmony with some slight puckering length. Better in 10 years. Totally fine now. — a month ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — a month ago

with Owen

Conrad Green

9.6

Remarkable. This is deep and intense and still rich. A little cloudy but vivacious. A rich nose with sweet notes. Dark plum, some rustiness, a hint of Madeira at the edges. Delicious with a tangy zip. Wow — 14 hours ago

with Tony and David

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

Medium deep ruby , garnet rim . Lighter cooler fruits , touch of spicy cassis , dry spices , touch of coffee . Lighter, redder fruits on the palate, cranberry and redcurrant with some cassis , quite light and small boned , grafite and tobacco notes . Good acidity , with lighter but still gritty tannins . Ok length . This is quite light but enjoyable now and over the next 5-8 years — 14 days ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Can’t tell if not in a great spot or maybe some slight heat damage—but leaning to the latter. Tasty, but not as good as it should have been — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Poured into a Boa decanter several hours prior to dinner. The 2022 Zinfandel pours a ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of bright brambles: blackberries and raspberries, cherry (some candied, think Cherry Blow Pop), pipe tobacco, black pepper, dry organic earth and gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with some notes of mocha added to the mix. The finish is long and delightful. Fun to try in its youth however I expect these will show even better after a few years in the cellar. Best after 2027 and through 2042. — a month ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

Usually not a huge fan of Italian wines, but yeah, have been buying some Sassicaia over the years. As I put away some wines I stumble across this 2012 that should be ready to drink, so I bring it upstairs to decant it. Great nose and typical flavor profiles emerge. Nice acidity and a some background menthol flavors that remind me of some great Chateau Musar vintages. This is a vibrant wine with tannins still strong, but integrated; better on day 2.
Not one of my favorite wines, no surprise, but a solid well-made enjoyable Bordeaux blend — 6 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days and showed very well throughout. The 2012 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some browning towards the rim; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with secondary characteristics just starting to show themselves. Also, the solar nature of 2012 is showing through with loads of truffles and overripe and desiccated red and black fruits: tartufo bianco d’Alba, dried cherry, bruised raspberries, red roses, leather, Fig Newtons, dried herbs, and some dusty and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, drying and savory. I’ve been a vocal fan of the 2012 vintage of Produttori since release and this might be the best showing yet. This is my last 750mL. My remaining bottles are magnums and I’ll look forward to enjoying those over the next 10-15 years. No rush, but this is a fun time to drink these as the truffle character is starting to peak through. — 16 days ago

brando cox

9.3

2001 Musar is a great way to start to an amazing week. A delicate blend of Cabernet Savignon, Cinsault and Carignan aged in oak for over a year. At its peak from my cellar - 23 years later it's showing notes of dried cherries, cassis, prunes, some leathery vanilla oakyness. The complexity is off the charts and I'm getting aromas of smokey Tennessee tobacco barn and cherry bramble which is a combo I never imagined I would want so bad. The structure is light and balanced. Silky smooth acidity and fine tannins which is a hallmark of this exquisite wine. — a month ago