Donald Williams

9.4

Nice white blend. — 8 days ago

with Bonnie

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous note from 96 weeks ago where I said that I would drink the last one when my son Hugh was home from NY (born 1987) which came to pass last night. Overall not as impressive as the previous tasting but retains its silky tannin structure. Very dark in colour - opaque. Notes of cassis and pipe tobacco - overall dusty without the depth of fruit of the previous tasting. Just medium bodied. Tasting Book recommend a drinking window till 2035 which I would not agree with. Leads me to think I will be drinking my bottles of 86 Mouton sooner rather than later. — 2 years ago

Martin Bergo

8.9

A little disjointed compared to the -18 vintage, might come into place with a year or two of rest. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This was a real treat after the Gentaz-Dervieux since Rene Rostaing is Marius Gentaz’s son-in-law. While the vineyards that belonged to Marius are now famously part of the Rostaing domaine, that vineyard goes to Rene’s Côte Brune; this is his Côte Blonde and arguably his most famous bottling. This 2004 pours a cloudy ruby with brambles, purple flowers, blood, dust and leather. Slightly rustic which is what I want from Rostaing. I love the individuality and how it paired with the Iberico pork cheek, mushroom ragu with lavender and thyme. Plenty of life left. Drink through 2034+. — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland

9.4

Celebrating Mother’s Day and our son’s 18th b-day with a 2003 Cos. A beautiful crimson red with definite bricking. A very fragrant nose filling the senses with a perfume raspberry dark plumb, stewed meat , and cedar, pine-menthol and lingering notes of a vanilla forest floor. Creamy and rich in flavor; a juicy layered fresh feel on the palate. Flavors of dark raspberry-cherry mint spice, pencil lead tobacco with a smokey earthy chocolate-coffee long finish, yum, yum!! A great wine to celebrate today m honor of our son! — 3 years ago

with Karin and Jill

Norma Normington

9.8

A wonderful nose, well balanced already, deep hues of purple jammie. On the palate, very smooth and a little acidic, a touch of tannins- not offensive at all. It is a delicious flavorful full-bodied wine. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This blend is named in honor of the butcher shop that David’s father started in San Francisco. His butcher shop(s) launched them into a 1956 Pritchard Hill land spending spree with the thought of starting a cattle ranch. When they were done buying parcels, they had amassed 984 acres in Pritchard Hill. The third most expensive fruit today at $28,000 a ton. If you sold all of that land today, it would be worth over a billion dollars. I bet they didn’t pay anything close to that in 1956.

This was opened the day before we’d had it. While I enjoyed it, it had leaned out a bit more than I would want it. It was round with softer tannins but may have given a false sense of its ability to cellar.

The fruits are nice, ripe, lush & juicy; blackberries, raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, mid baking spices-nutmeg, cinnamon, light clove, vanillin, light spice, barrel shavings, crushed rocks, savory, grilled meats, dark, red, & purple florals with very nice acidity and a wire to wire finish that was leaner but, clean. The finish was well balanced, elegant, on the leaner side, nicely polished and persisted minutes. — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

A real vinous sparkling wine. Extra dry. Beautiful pale dress, fine but numerous bubbles. Very expressive nose of peach, pear, candied citrus, brioche, dried fruits, hazelnut, and a saline touch, which extends on a sharp final. With 5 years of aging 2017, offers unity and a beautiful relief. Ideal to accompany a meal. Relevant alternative to Champagnes, especially in terms of its price!

Un vrai pétillant vineux, extra sec. Belle robe pale, bulles fines mais nombreuses. Nez très expressif de pêches, poire, agrumes confits, notes briochées, fruits secs, noisette, et un toucher salin, qui se prolonge bien sur une finale tranchante. Avec 5 ans de garde 2017 offre une unité et un beau relief. Idéal pour accompagner un repas. Alternative pertinente aux champagnes, surtout au regard de son prix! — a year ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

CLB is always such a treat, with age or without, it is always distinctive and oh so beautiful as it floats on the palate with weightless intensity. 02 is a special vintage for Louis Michel, as it is the birth vintage of his son. — 3 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

Nature Gamay of very good quality, in the spirit of Marcel Lapierre (his nephew has told me). At the same time greedy, accessible, and with a very beautiful aromatic density which unfolds especially when one gives the wine time to air out. Superb for its price.

Gamay nature de très bonne facture, dans l’esprit de Marcel Lapierre (son neveux m’a t’on dit). À la fois gourmand, accessible, et avec une très belle densité aromatique qui se déploie d’autant plus qu’on laisse au vin le temps de s’aérer. Superbe pour son prix. — 3 years ago