Tom Casagrande

9.1

Leans into its carbonic character, with a confectionary nose of bright cherry-plum bubble gum, loads of granite, and almost a subtle just-dug root vegetable note. In the mouth it has an initial belt of high/toned fruit, but then slims down and eases into a lean feel, with fine, chalky minerality being the last characteristic. Definitely on the lighter side but quite flavorful. Seems a little disjointed and would probably benefit from another year or so in the bottle to come together. — 2 years ago

Samira Farmer

9.0

Nice. 2005 wines are tonight’s theme. Works well with Eggplant Parm and lots of talking, which makes me thirsty. — 6 years ago

with Charlie

Hannah May Tatum

9.0

Cheaper but very smooth and affordable habit. Oak flavor shines, hunt of plum — 6 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.0

Fairly ripe and extracted vision of RRV PN. Fruit fwd but not overblown in the least. Made well but not really my jam at 14.5%. A lot of people like this style tho. Red fruits and root beer. Decant, smoke a big doob, and pair with a big ass pot roast and some taters for a good time — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

The fruits are ripe, ruby. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, raspberries & strawberries. Dark rich soils, dark spice, crushed dry rocks, black licorice, tobacco, soft leather, graphite, Great balance fruit and earth. The body is velvety and statin. The structure, length, tension and balance are just coming around. The texture is gorgeous. The acidity is round and excellent. The finish delicious and persists nicely.

Photos of; our dinner group, The K&L Bordeaux Buyer-Ralph Sands and Alfred talking about the wines, Clyde Beffa Jr. -Owner of K&L Wine Merchants and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

After decanting initial notes of honeycomb. A good combination of root vegetable notes and savoury red fruits. Great palate intensity without weight. An excellent example of a 10 year old Tasmanian Pinot. Freycinet is on the East Coast of Tasmania and their Pinot Noir is a regular purchase for me. Capable of ageing for 15 years plus. — 7 years ago

John Willison

9.2

Mushroom, licorice root, black tea, crushed black fruit. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

There's been a lot of shade thrown on these wines and particularly, towards the wine maker...most of it probably deserved. As for some of the more recent low scores, there must be some bottle variation because I’m not gonna lie, this was a really strong showing. Popped and poured; consumed over two hours. Bruised strawberries, tart brambles, rhubarb, forest floor, and sandalwood. Tannins are well integrated…but still there. Acid is pretty high but perfect for a nice meal of whole, roasted chicken and root vegetables. The wine is otherwise quite balanced and if my bottle is representative, this still has a long life ahead of it and should drink quite well through 2030. My last of the Maison Ilan “Les Chaffots”. — 5 years ago

Chris Stenseth

9.3

Floral notes, licorice root, cherry and bramble. — 6 years ago

K

9.2

島田屋で購入
チェリーやプラムのような峻烈な酸味と濃い目の甘味が調和。
これもカベルネソービニョンなのかとぶどうの奥深さを知るチリワイン。 — 6 years ago

John Willison

9.1

From half bottle...crushed cherries, licorice root, rose petal, slight cola notes. Smooth. — 7 years ago

J Ferrugia

8.9

Classic Chianti from Laura Bianchi... smokey with ripe fruit forward. A balanced, forward Wine. Drink it now as it is at its peak.
Enjoyed with grilled lamb, root vegetables (including fennel), & tomatoes and mozzarella — 7 years ago

Madeleine Ray

9.3

We’ve been talking about this producer for a while, so excited to have found the appellation level, even if the vineyard designated bottles are few and far between. Begins with all graphite and granite on the nose, sharp and clean. Opens into reserved fruit on the palate and earthy florals like tulip or orchid. More time in the glass allows for a bit of a saline and meaty character to appear. Whole cluster, but you wouldn’t know it right away, the structure is decidedly not oak tannin, angular, but not overwhelmingly so. Paired with an arrabiata sauce, which softens the white pepper, brings out the red fruit, and surprisingly doesn’t negatively showcase the alcohol content. It’s enticing! Keeps ya checking back for more. — 7 years ago

Z. R.G.

8.9

Good on its own — 4 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Huge - in its early stages of evolution decanted 2 hours and singing. Cigar and hickory root on the nose. Lovely wine … if only I had more in the cellar to see it evolve further. — 4 years ago

with David and LM

Bob McDonald

9.6

See many previous notes of this excellent Pinot Noir. My last 2010 Bass Phillip Estate sadly. Pale to mid Ruby in colour giving no hint of the intensity to come. A floral earthy perfume showing beetroot and red fruits - a hint of whole bunch in the ferment. On the palate the same earthy root vegetable flavours with savoury red fruits and that Bass Phillip palate intensity with great length and persistence. Low acidity. An excellent new world Pinot which has cellared well. — 6 years ago

John Willison

9.1

Rope red fruit, licorice root, a bit of menthol, sweet berry and smooth tannins. — 6 years ago

Richard Rosensweig

9.0

Red currant and stewed plum with a healthy dose of licorice root. Very well rounded with a full mouth feel. A little light on structure. Pays to try modest Bordeaux from the best years to see what they can do when everything goes right. — 7 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.3

Delicious. Like chewing on a root. — 7 years ago

Scott Wren

9.3

So we drank this on a root day and it was really good but not outrageous especially for the price. Drinking at 10 years was also probably not the smartest decision 😬. But it was one of those rare convivial evenings where a dessert wine was the perfect finish! — 7 years ago

with Brooks and Anthony