Will Stanley

9.1

This needs more time to knit together, but does show promise, even if I feel a shade less impressed than the first time trying a couple of years back. It’s initially very herbaceous, with tomato leaf and green pepper, eventually giving way to a svelte personality with plush oak and sweet fruit. Not perfect now, but should be great in four years’ time. — 8 months ago

Willie Carter

9.5

Everytime I taste this wine, I’m reminded of just how much I love Merlot. When done right.

A medium purple hue with pretty lavender edges. The nose is expressive and inviting and just plain marvelous. Blackberry jam with a dollop of chocolate mousse. Dried herbs with smoke and earth. Floral notes just for good measure.

We all know and mostly love Merlot but we’re all used to big clunky examples. This is not that. Suave, svelte, and sensational. That Coombsville fruit is shining. Rich without cumbersome heft, deep without unnecessary heat. Cherries and plums on the palate with a welcome touch of earthiness. The finish is long and lusty. My favorite Merlot. — 2 years ago

Andrew Liguori

9.2

Beautifully perfumed with bing cherry, plum, crushed red roses. Long finish with svelte tannins. Round and balanced with acid that cuts through Sarah’s homemade spaghetti pie. — 2 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

Great mineral red made by the pope of the whites in Burgundy. All the pinot stuff you might want with transparency and balance. Svelte and elegant and truly recommended. — 4 years ago

with Matt and Adriana

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9.6

The 2016 La Conseillante is a benchmark wine for the estate, perhaps the first where winemaker Marielle Cazaux really made her mark. It has a divine bouquet that halts you in your tracks with its purity. Almost Burgundian in style, black fruit intermixes with blue, just a background scent of incense - less vanillary than before. The palate is marked by svelte tannins, cashmere in texture with just a trace of white pepper. The finish has a welcome sense of edginess with hints of graphite on the aftertaste. It's just the opening chapter in what will be an awesome Pomerol. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the Icons of Bordeaux dinner at Legacy Records in New York. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2024)
— a year ago

Daniel Bloom

9.3

Bloody, iron rich Grenache nose, sous-bois, heading for the grave but there’s still life in the old* bottle. Perfect cork,
I wonder if they were ever redone. Came from a collector, no way to tell. (Well, I could contact the winery) I digress.
Coffee and bark around the edges, a bit of heat on the palate but not distracting.
The acidity is on point. There’s some of deep orange as well.
Svelte for a CdP. Terrific juice
Thanks@ Uncle Phil — 2 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

2nd time tried & consistent w previous notes: sweet barnyard, lots of cherry life saver notes & white pepper, pleasantly juicy mouthfeel w fine tannins. A svelte but not light body. Some grip with the tannins on the back end. Drank w a selection of Sausage, ham, Manchego, olives/anchovies etc. — 3 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Not as feral & gamey as the ‘16s in my memory, but still vibrant old school Chianti: nose of cracked leather, cassis, & ripe black cherries; loads of underbrush, kirsch, beets, black cherries on palate. Quite svelte in body, perhaps leaner than past vintages. One of my go to Chianti producers year in year out. — a year ago

with Owen

Peter Sultan

9.2

Decanted less than an hour but still strutted its stuff during a sloppy Knicks first playoff win: rose petals, ripe red cherries, autumnal leaves, all folded into an elegant fine tannin & medium bodied, svelte charmer. — 2 years ago

with Owen

Andrew Liguori

8.9

Young and too bold, needs another year or two. Dark inky purple with concentrated black fruits and black currant aromas. Hints of mocha and Applewood bacon. Medium acid, full body, svelte tannins. Blazing 15% soaked up by some oak infusion. — 3 years ago