Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. This estate owes its name to Connetable Talbot, the English general & governor of the province of Guyenne who was defeated at the famous Battle of Castillon in 1453. Deep Ruby color, with aromas of black fruits, herb, tobacco and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of plums and black currants with cacao and tobacco spice, on a well balanced frame. Fine tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy spice and cedar character. Nice! — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, highest point of Monte Rosso Vineyard, famous for rattlesnakes living among the vines, seeking sunshine by day and coiling around the vines at night. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, tangy herb, pepper and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with black pepper spice, vanilla and earthy sweet herbs. Soft chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy oak. Nice! — 2 years ago

Byron Fuller

9.2

Thrilling. Decanted 90 mins. Still dark brooding core, lightly brickish ruby toward the rim, clear edge. Classic Graves— hot stones, crunchy fruit nose true to the palate. No obvious wood notes. Great length & purity. Still middle-ages for this— long life ahead. Really beautiful. Dream with grouse. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

With New Years around the corner, grab something nice for 2022. Made with 100% Pinot Noir from 10 different "crus " (or villages), from the North & South areas of the Montagne de Reims, as well as the famous Cote de Bouzy. Deep salmon pink with full aromas of berry fruit and citrus mineral notes wrapped in a delicate fine mousse. On the palate flavors of raspberry and strawberry, bright acidity with spicy notes and orange zest. Long silky finish, ending with earthy yeasty mineral character. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

1991 inaugural vintage by famous Vega Sicilia estate. Tried the ‘13 again and it doesn’t disappoint. Deep Ruby with an array of aromas, dark fruits, spice, floral and some oak. The palate shows strawberry, blackberry & plum flavors with hints of espresso and licorice encased in gentle oak. Firm tannins great balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and mineral character. Just starting to open now, will benefit from more time! — 5 years ago

Gary Nishimura

9.3

Received from Jacksons xmas 2019. Had it with cheese Board with Finocchio and prosciutto. Delicious. One.of the better Chardonnays that I have had. Will definitely get again. Plus its famous. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Made from the other White Burgundy grape, Aligote. Made by probably the most famous name in Burgundy, Aubert de Villaine and his American born wife, Pamela. Aubert is the wine director and proprietor of the Domaine de la Romanee Conti. This is his own personal project. The wine itself:- Mid lemon in colour. Herbs, citrus and a touch of aniseed on the nose. The palate is very citric and mineral with a noticeable saline note. More palate weight than it had a few years ago. Medium minus Acid. Drinking well now and no need to cellar any further. Great winemaking at an affordable price. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

One of the wines that has made Allegrini famous, vineyard surrounds Villa della Torre. A blend of about 40% Corvina Veronese, 30% Corvinone, 25% Rondinella & 5% Sangiovese, deep Ruby color with aromas of dried berry fruit and pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with vanilla, figs and licorice notes, good balance, lively acid with fine chewy tannins. Medium finish ending with fruit, mineral and earthy spice. Nice value. — 8 months ago

Eldon Sproule

10

So for those who don’t know, this wine is a collaboration between one of the most famous California winemakers and one of the most famous Bordeaux wine makers (the grapes are from Napa).

The young expression when I first had it 10 years ago was big bold ripe fruit, probably the quintessential Napa cab.

The aged expression had more secondary and tertiary characteristics, terroir, and represented Baron Rothschild in respects of crafting a wine that could grow and develop and express the care that goes into winemaking as opposed to simply growing good fruit.

The young version of it perfectly expresses Mondavi and Napa. The aged version captures the elegance of Bordeaux winemaking and Rothschild’s fingerprints. You cannot fully experience this wine unless you’ve had it young and old. Unbelievable experience tonight. — 10 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.5

If Sassicia is 💯 points for 2016 you had to figure their other wine was good as well, give it another 5-10 years without any issues. 2016 was a great year over-there. This at $45 or 2016 Sassicaia at $400.00 if you didn’t buy at $175.00 early
Wine Advocate 94+ review as follows,

This wine is showing exceptionally well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Guidalberto (Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller percentage of Merlot) opens to a full and generous bouquet and a beautifully rich and velvety appearance. This edition of Tenuta San Guido's mid-level wine offers a bigger aromatic profile, more texture and more volume as well. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, leather and sweet fruit at the end. The mouthfeel is elegantly shaped, silky and nuanced. This may well be the best vintage of Guidalberto I have yet to taste—and you can get this wine at a great price too.
Just south of Livorno, Tuscany, lies the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, and the Tenuta San Guido estate, where Sassicia is produced. The estate was originally owned by Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, and has been managed since WWII by his son, Niccolo. A true pioneer in the Italian wine industry, his experimenting with the introduction of non-native varieties to Italy, resulted in the world-famous Sassicaia. In Italian, Sassicaia means "the place of many stones" and is used as the proprietary name for the estate's Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The vines of the Sassicaia vineyard were originally planted with cuttings from the prestigious Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. The wines of Sassicaia were so instrumental in creating the "Super-Tuscan" sensation that 1994, the Italian government granted Sassicaia its own DOC status in a sub-zone of the Bolgheri DOC. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and the wines are then aged in French oak barrique for 18 to 24 months prior to release. Sassicaia produces a second label called Guidalberto and recently released a third wine, Le Difese, that is virtually unavailable in the U.S.
— 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Firm tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! Tasting Sample. Has lots of room to bottle evolve. — 5 years ago

Shawn R

9.5

Another world famous Wine Nerd Herd Virtual Tasting this time on the docket was Spanish wines. This 100% Grarnacha showed in full force...caramel and violets on the nose-delicate in so many ways, not overly oaked, such fine balance and precision that speaks of a hybrid of old and new world. Drinks well now, yet has many many years ahead of it. @thewinenerdherd — 6 years ago

with Eric, Joe and 3 others

Stephen Mandy

9.5

fragrant nose with only the slightest hint of the famous eucalyptus. Rich fruit jam flavor with resolved soft tannins. Classic French styled cab! Bravo. — 6 years ago

Tom Barras

9.0

In addition to its unique bottle shape and colorful, eye catching label, the 2023 Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, is
also known for being produced at Europe’s highest vineyard: the Valle d’Aosta region in the upper northwest of Italy, on the borders of France and Switzerland, just a chip shot from the Summit of world-famous Mont Blanc.

The clear, light straw appearance is followed by persistent lemon/lime/floral aromatics and flavors. It is sourced from pre phylloxera rootstock of the indigenous Prié Blanc grape.

It is well balanced and structured with ample fruit and acidity; Light bodied, but somewhat fleshy, with a lingering touch of skin contact (oak?) at the long mouth coating finish. A most unique wine from a singular site. Worth a try if you can find it. — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pouilly and Fuissé are the names of two villages in the Mâconnais region, located at the foot of the famous Solutré and Vergisson rocks. The vineyards cover a total of 850 hectares which are divided between four communes. Medium lemon color with aromas of citrus, stone fruits and nutty floral notes. On the palate flavors of apple, melon and lemon citrus with notes of honey and nutty oak. Medium+ finish, vivid acidity and ends with minerality. Nice! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

History of Chapoutier family dates back to the early 19th century when current owner Michel Chapoutier’s great-, great-, great-grandfather Marius purchased estate & famous l’Hermitage vineyards. Medium Ruby with aromas of rich red/black fruits and spice, 16 months in 25% new French oak. On the palate raspberry, cherry & black currant flavors with notes of oak. Soft dusty tannins, well balanced ending with fruit, spice and cedar. Very nice! I wouldn’t age long, great now! — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The chosen white wine for the Downs Club Magnum dinner This was a cellar release from Jim Barry recently purchased by the Club. Noticeable Kerosene aromas. Lime and mineral on the palate developing toasty maturity. A long life ahead coming from magnum. The Florita vineyard was famous in the 70s and 80s for the brilliant long lived Riesling made by John Vickery for the Leo Buring label. This wine given 98 points by James Halliday. Had a 750ml bottle on 15th May 2025 with similar notes. Noticeable Kerosene (TDN) on the nose. Toasty aromatics. One of the best Riesling vineyards in Australia. Drinking at its peak. From 60 year old vines. — 5 years ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.3

Mature wine that is in great shape. All the typical aromas of Cabernet are there, and so are the tanins and the acidity. Well balanced, elegant, ready to drink. Textbook Saint-Julien on a vintage from my experience better than the more famous 1990. — 6 years ago

with Adriana

Stefan Dolhain

9.1

2015 vintage. A project started in 2011 by Olivier Bernard (of Domaine de Chevalier fame) in Sauternes from vineyards in 3 different terroirs (Sauternes, Barsac and Bommes). Contrary to classic white Bordeaux, Sémillon is king here, reflecting in this 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon blanc blend, aged in French oak. Lune d'Argent is the middle range of the estate and the heart of the production. It stands for amazing value. Drinking beautifully now, but I suspect this will age gracefully for at least another 5 years. Light brilliant yellow. Very attractive nose combining exotic fruit with minerality, flowers and brioche. Juicy fresh pineapple and grapefruit, balanced mouth-watering acidity and perfectly integrated oak. This shows the potential of great dry white wines in the Sauternes region, where the famous sweet wines are sadly suffering from low demand in lethal combination with high production costs. Grab this one by the case at only 17,90 euros. Abv. 13%. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Had this about 2 years ago. The estate once belonged to the famous Lynch family, of Irish origin, was acquired by Jean-Charles Cazes in 1934. His grandson, Jean-Michel Cazes restructured the estate in 1974. A blend of 73% Cab Sauv & 27% Merlot, deep Ruby (lost purple edges), pronounced berry fruit aromas with cacao and vanilla notes. On the palate blackberry and plum flavors with tobacco and espresso notes. Dusty fine tannins, long ending with an oaky mineral character. Developed well! Tasting Sample! — 6 years ago