Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Well i think the 2010 vintage was a bust but this 2012 is stellar. A cellar find - i cleaned up - did bring it to a party were - i am sorry to say / the “clowns” (except the host) did not get what was in front of them so 1/3 of the bottle was left behind. Bottle 343 out of 450. Super earthy and big. Just 13% more a steak pinot - than a salmon one. Tea leaves, dark fruit, iodine, lime. Will put this under Argon and drink the rest tomorrow! — 4 months ago

Jay Eagan

9.1

Insignia is always a stellar wine — 4 years ago

with Kristine

Rick Baumgarten

9.2

Opened but not decanted about 40 minutes before pouring. Somewhat muted nose. Bright ruby color. Elegant, sophisticated and well structured. This showed its Pedegree but also admitted to being not from a stellar vintage.Not a lot of fruit but still a fine wine. — 6 years ago

Kendall Johnson

9.2

Lovely dry bubbles with grapefruit and a biscuity finish — 7 years ago

Eric

9.6

Stellar. Iron, blood, baking spice, rhubarb. Million dollar 👃. Jowzers. — 8 years ago

P A

9.2

While sharing chateaubriand with Mrs A at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise AB we asked the hotel owner to pick the pairing wine. He selected a 2014 Aalto Ribera del Tempranillo to our pleasant surprise. The following are my tasting and consuming notes. The intoxicating rainbow aromas of licorice, black fruits, coffee and leather reflect the alternating layers of lime stone, marl, chalk under the silt and clay topsoil of this stellar appellation. The weather extremes of hot days, cool nights only adds to its exceptional phenolic presentation. Aged for 18 months in oak it displays bright acidity, fine grained tannins finishing with an integration of spices, herbs, woody tones and traces of vanilla. Medium-bodied, balanced, complex layering and long legs this wine proved to be the perfect pairing. Kudos to George Schwarz for this selection. Cheers 🍷 — 8 years ago

Deborah M

9.2

I opened this 2012 Chateau Pontet-Canet last night and it was stellar. The Pontet-Canet is a 5th growth classification that hits way above that tier. The estate of Pontet-Canet is located in the northern end of the Pauillac commune, across the road from Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The grape variety is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. I describe this one as a restrained elegant beauty. @55Seventy — 3 years ago

Neil Wanee

9.0

Lots of fruit flavor. One of the best organic wines we’ve had. Not too much tannin. Prior ratings weren’t great but we thought the 2020 was very good. — 6 years ago

Bill Schallert

9.8

Stellar. Outstanding. Delicious. — 6 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Stellar nose. Smoke, leather, truffle, bbq, super mineral, mint, forest floor, cassis, mineral, so clean, loads of cedar and pine, palate is even a bit young. So juicy and complex. Mineral and fresh. Big tannic spine. Complex and long. Can still use some age. Gorgeous now. — 7 years ago

Martin Sher

9.5

Stored in ideal conditions - just stellar Paulliac aged to its potential. Compelling blackberry fruit and herbs. — 8 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.1

Was not familiar with Five Star Cellars’ work until yesterday, but after last nights successful Super Tuscan blend we decided to try the Boudreaux blend tonight. Really enjoyed this wine. Very bold red fruit, leather, smoked sea salt? and herbal notes on the nose. Lots of cedar wood, bergamot tea, 80%+ dark cocoa powder, baking spices particularly cardamom stood out to me. The right amount of spice on the palate. Velvety tannins. Really left you wanting more of this wine. Impressed with the quality of the wines they are producing around that $30-50 price retail. Apparently this 09 won gold medal at the 2015 Walla Walla Wine Competition. Looking forward to trying their Syrah next. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

This checks a lot of boxes when it comes to a stellar Tuesday night bottle... under $30... high quality producer... high alcohol... Napa Valley... and straightforward in its approach, but enough complexity to satisfy the curious. It’s sourced from two Napa vineyards, one with century old vines in Calistoga and another on the backside of Howell Mountain in the hills of Pope Valley. Ripe blueberry with a bramble edge that hints at jam without being over the top. While the fruit takes center stage, there are layers of coffee, vanilla, tea, and cedar, with a chewy grip on the palate. — 9 years ago

Delci Desiree

9.1

Yummy, got in Culver City at a co op market — 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2019 La Conseillante was stellar from the sample sent to "Martin Towers" in spring 2020, and the news is that there is no change in bottle. Allowed to open while gossiping away with winemaker Marielle Cazaux (you have to catch up when you are unable to see people regularly), the 2019 unveils an awesome, extraordinarily pure bouquet that seduces the senses, featuring dark cherries, blueberry, pressed violet and a touch of blood orange, all displaying wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive, with fine-grained tannins and a judicious touch of black pepper toward the finish, which fans out gloriously while maintaining a sense of class. The best La Conseillante since the 2010? No - better. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2022)
— 4 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.5

Stellar dark fruits and silky tannins — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Stellar. No formal notes. Young but not totally inaccessible. — 7 years ago

Josh Claxton

9.3

Way way better than the first bottle I had of Lapierre’s Morgon. Really really stellar juice, with plenty of depth of fruit, animal notes and spice for days, and terrific concentration all around. — 8 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.3

Velma had this 8 years ago

Lenard Henson

9.7

Lenard had this 8 years ago