Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Ruby color with aromas of dark red fruits, black tea and ample floral spice, from Pommard and Dijon top Parrett Mountain. On the palate flavors of black cherry, blackberry and plum with tobacco, cedar, black pepper, tea and vanilla spice. Pronounced soft fine tannins, long finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with fruit, herb, spice and flinty wet stone earthy character. Nice now! — 19 days ago

Jess

9.3

Deep brown color.
Aromas of demerera sugar, raisins, caramel.
Sweet. Flavors of raisins, baked demerera sugar, chocolate, caramel, butter tart filling.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5 — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️

The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.

Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 6 months ago

Ron R

9.5

My snowboarding bud just opened a pizza joint in Montclair, NJ. Making dough from scratch and serving it quick, and the quality!!!
SugarShack became the pizza’s perfect foil. Lovely butterscotch notes on the nose transitioned to citrus notes on the mid palate. Just enough acid to caress the Italian mozzarella. I love the moderate sweetness this wine possesses. Overall, another excellent example. — a month ago

with Anne-marie

Randy Fuller

9.5

This wine has a burnished look, deep brown. The nose is a treat all on its own. There are aromas of brown sugar, coffee and orange zest which combine for an amazing olfactory experience. The palate is just as joyful, with caramel, raisin and mocha notes. The acidity is fresh and exhilarating. Although the wine is described on the label as “cream,” it does not strike me as creamy. The viscosity is nice, though. It will pair well with dessert, or serve as one by itself. — 3 months ago

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Lovely nose. Dark fruit, ripe yet somewhat muted. Still a bit tight. Definite minerality, but also a clay earthiness. Powdered tannins. Nice mouthfeel. Well structured. Nice finish. First bottle of my 06s. Many many years left. — 7 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I tasted this at cork pull and it looked & tasted a bit brickish. Waited to decant but it still needed a hour in the decanter. 97 a great Napa vintage. Well stored bottle bought from auction.

The fruits are lush, velvety & ruby; blackberries, black plum, plum pudding, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, malt balls on the long decant, black licorice, there is a touch of v/a-bandaid but it’s not spoiling and dissipates some in time, dusty to slightly moist top soil, olive tapenade, herbaceous notes, soft, dark spice, half used, dry tobacco w/ ash, sandalwood, moist, grey volcanic clay, limestone, dry crushed rocks, notes of black pepper, candied, liquid, fresh & mostly withering, dark, red, purple flowers, very round acidity and a very well balanced, tensioned, nicely structured and a smartly polished, round finish that lasts two-minutes.

Second wine to pair with/ Allen Brothers Cover Ribs. — 13 days ago

Anthony Ludwig

10

Costco $15. Buy again! — 3 months ago

Gina Puente

9.3

Young but absolutely promising. Drinks well now and will evolve even more in years to come. Fruit heavy, nice residual sugar mouth feel. — 6 months ago

KA

9.1

Casa del Habano San Jose Costa Rica — 8 months ago