Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I will say straight up, I am very disappointed that LVMH bought this historical Napa property. I imagine that Joseph isn’t happy about that. What was the family thinking? First guess, is they lacked their fathers passion & just wanted the money. Maybe, future climate played apart? 🤷‍♂️

I have had the 95 a couple-three times. Again, sounding like a broken record, these are good young, but not great until they are 13-28 yrs in bottle. I’ve had plenty of older JP’s to know.

Once again, I count bottle yrs, not from vintage creation. Human life doesn’t is not counted until birth. Wine for me is no different.

The nose shows slightly brambly fruits, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender.

The palate shows resolved, mushy, thick tannins, insanely fresh, ripe, juicy, brambly fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, hovering raspberries, mulberries, goose berries, red to mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, black tea, soft leather, dryish tobacco, dry twigs, dark, rounded spices, incense, softly layered baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanillin, understated, dry spice-sage/bay leaf lead, dark, rich, slightly sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, dry river pebbles, moist, grey volcanic clays, dark, fresh/withering, dark, red, flowers, red roses framed in lavender and liquid violets, insane, summer rainfall acidity, the balance, length are off the charts, soft spoken tension is still apart of this cuvée with lush, elegance for days that lands gently on fruit, clay and spice.

This 95 is not tired and, just, and, I mean, just the other side of its peak with a very drinkable decent over the next 5 yrs.

Glorious evolution & style! 94+ a bit. Cork near perfect and some sediment. — 5 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

63% Temp, 17% Petite Verdot, 10% Graciano, 9% Tannat. Dark color. Almost black in low light. Aromas of smoke, cherry cobbler and licorice root. Maybe slight petrichor. Flavors are nice. Dense and fruit driven. Cherry pits and licorice chews (the Dutch salty, fruit flavored kind). Hint of herbal backbone (sage and basil meet mint and marjoram). For its fairly low price (think this was $12.99) this is a great CA wine. Restrained but big. Fruity but balanced. Fun but elegant. And it’s from just up da road! Nice work neighbors. — 4 years ago

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9.6

The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva has gained significantly in richness and volume since the last time I tasted it. Sage, black cherries and camphor give way to crushed stone, mineral tones and dusty rose. This soothes the palate with silky, delicate textures, as ripe mineral-tinged red berries and savory spices cascade across a core of brisk acidity. It’s a well-muscled dancer of a wine, tapering off incredibly long and graceful with hints of violet and rose over a coating of fine tannin. The 2015 currently shows the textbook ethereal weightlessness of a classic young Poggio di Sotto Brunello, but it will require some time to reveal all of its charms. That said, a slight score upgrade is in order here. (Eric Guido, Vinous, December 2021)
— 5 years ago

Eric Guido

9.2

The 2009 Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino is showing significantly more depth, yet also freshness than the last time I tasted it, with balsamic tinged black cherry, giving way to Asian spice, wild herbs, hints of animal musk and brown sauce (think sauerbraten).  Velvety textures flood the palate, showing notable savoriness, as mineral-infused dark red fruits are energized by vibrant acidity with a hint of orange citrus that pops right toward the close. The finish is long, showing adolescent tannins, which provide just enough tension, as it tapers off to notes of roasted plum, hints of tobacco and sage.  It does show a bit more advanced than I’d expect, but this is a far superior bottle over the last one I tasted.  Bravo. #chianticlassic #chianti #tuscanwine #italy — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I bought this bottle about a year ago from K&L. The bottle was in pristine shape. Like the 1985 last weekend, the neck fill today was as high as the day they filled it.

I purchased two bottles. The first, I didn’t post. It had waned. Tonight’s bottle is giving me everything thing I expected when I purchased it.

The nose reveals a little barnyard (v/a) that blew off fairly quickly, slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice, peppery notes, tree bark/sap, mint, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets.

The body is just full, fresh & lush. There is still a decent, tarry, slightly chewy tannin structure even after a little over 22 years in bottle. For me, the length, tension and balance are perfect. This bottle has another 5 and perhaps 7 years of good drinking ahead. It’s really delicious tonight. Slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries that pop on the palate, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone/dry top soil, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, melted, salted caramel, dark baking chocolate & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice with perfect palate heat, tree bark/sap, mint, savory meats, peppercorns, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather, French oak barrel shavings, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets. The acidity is round, phat & perfect. The long finish is delicious, an elegant lady, well balanced settling into some of the nicest, dark spices I can remember in sometime.

In terms of pleasure, I would give this wine a 94 but, in technical terms, just misses it.

Once again, I really love the 13% ABV. I wish Napa Cabernets had never risen above that level.

Photos of; the Estate of Flora Springs, long view of their beautiful barrel cellar, happy dog running through their vines and their very modern tasting room on Hwy 29. — 6 years ago

Ryan Guy

9.5

Celebration wine (paid off the Tundra).... This is layered and evolving, with a nose of tobacco smoke, tar, black plum, cherry kirsch, dried violet and rose, bay leaf, sage, anise, and blackcherry. Round, sweeter dark berry and cherry fruit on the palate. Structure builds in mouthcoating tannin balanced by rich acidity. Spice box, leather and tar on the mid-palate. Acidity is still fresh, almost tart, and lifts a finish that is balanced and lingers for 60+ seconds. Underripe cherry and gravel. A touch of warmth speaks to the vintage and comune. This over-delivers at the price point with outstanding complexity, depth and length. Hold for 3-5 more years, then enjoy over an evening. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.0

Not familiar with this producer. At first, there was some funk it needed to blow off...little bit of Brett, even a touch of VA. Finally some old plum, smoked fig and cherry tobacco leaves arrived. Fairly light bodied and bright on the palate...medium acidity, black cherry flesh, sage and herbal spice on the palate. Thanks @Bradley Davis — 7 years ago

with Weston and Dan

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Earlier I wrote about the 06 vintage, saying it was just good to very good depending on producer and terroir. Angelus is a producer that delivered in the very good range with their 2006.

The nose is subtle with just being poured from a freshly opened bottle. Yet, ripe & lush; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, black cherries, anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate tones, dark rich earth, some nicely layered, soft baking spices, hues of sage, dark, withering dark flowers.

The palate is lush with M powdery tannins. Ripe & lush; core of black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, black cherries with over tones of blueberries & strawberries. Anise to some light black licorice, dark chocolate baking bar, milk chocolate notes, understated caramel, some nicely layered, soft baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & vanillin, really soft dark spices, mocha powder, hues of sage, dark rich earth dark, dry top soil, just moist clay, sandalwood, fresh tobacco, used leather, light graphite, withering dark flowers & red roses, framed in violets & light lavender, excellent acidity, nice soft tension/struture, well balanced-knitted, perfect elegance and finishes over two-minutes falling on fruits and soft earthiness.

This is still ascending and has 15 plus yrs of good drinking ahead but it is in a good spot today.

It is a solid 94+. The plus with another 3-5 yrs.

Paired with Lamb Salounah Gulf-Style Braised Lamb with Vegetables, served with Butter Rice.

Blind this would fool a number of people off the Right Bank.

@Ek225 — 8 months ago

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9.0

The 2019 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Il Bugiardo wafts up with a darkly floral mix of crushed black cherries, sage and mocha. This is round and supple on the palate, lifted by cooling minerality as juicy acidity motivates its tart wild berry fruit. The 2019 tapers off with a bitter twang of balsamic spice yet leaves the mouth watering for more. Il Bugiardo is a Ripasso that readers could easily bring to the dinner table. (Eric Guido, Vinous, March 2023) — 3 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.3

Wine with roasted whole chicken part 2: I used to adore Ribera Sacra, & then moved away with the inevitable rise in price & trend towards more modern styles. Not this. A short decant (45-60) to take the wind out of the Brett sails, & we were off: dense, brambly black fruits on nose & palate, with a distant barn door left open on the nose. Medium plus acidity. It’s the length though that impressed me, along with a freshness (at 13%). Evolves in glass, as if the fruit still has layers. Like a really good chinon. At about 28$, a high end QPR. Eric Solomon imp, interestingly enough. — 4 years ago

with Owen

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍽

Not in love with the style. Glad it was only $55-$60. We’ll see if it pairs better.

For my palate, there is a lot of funk here. The extraction is much more than I prefer.

The fruits are ruby, ripe, tart, somewhat sour; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, black cherries, blueberries cranberries & pomegranate. Edgy, grey volcanics, moist forest floor, cinnamon to stick, nutmeg, pronounced clove, dark spice, tree sap with bark, dry crushed rocks, eucalyptus, mid herbaceous-sage leafing with fresh, withering & candied florals of; dark, red, purple, blue framed lavender. The acidity is ok. The finish just doesn’t seem right to me. The bottles not corked or off. Just not my style or a very off vintage for them. It also shows elevated alcohol burn.

Can’t say the turkey made it better...did get a little better with my homemade cranberry sauce.

This did come around a bit after nearly 5 hours in the decanter, 9.0 to 9.1. Who thought I should have started decanting it at noon. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have mentally thought about doing this post for quite awhile. Opening this 2003 Verdignan brought on the appropriate moment. I am a believer in paying respects and it’s the basis of this post.

We learn to drink certain wines from the regions we live near or from the people we learn & enjoy wine with as we walk the road to understanding what we really enjoy. I started as an exclusive CA Chardonnay drinker for many years before moving on to nearly every varietal and regions offer. Next was Napa Cabernets which, led me to my true love, red Bordeaux. It was a bit of curve getting there but, once I had them with proper aging, I was hooked for life.

While my curiosity got me to Bordeaux wines, there one person that helped shape my Bordeaux palate and I agreed with more than anyone else’s, including every well known wine critics at that time and even today after spending 10 weeks learning from several Master Sommeliers on my way to passing the Court of Master Sommeliers exam and becoming a Sommelier myself. This person is Clyde Beffa Jr., Owner of K&L Wine Merchants.

Clyde has been traveling to Bordeaux for over 40 years and sometimes multiple times in a year. His palate and experience are second to none. Especially, when it comes to Bordeaux.

I owe him a lot. He taught me the importance of letting good Bordeaux’s age 20 years plus. What were the jewel value producers. Brought in Bordeaux wines direct from the Chateaus that had 10 years of bottle age and older. Bordeaux’s that critics did not like young but, he knew something special had taken place over time as he was tasting them much later in their lives and often. I bought and drank a lot of these wines. They also kept temptation at bay in me reaching for my too young and more expensive wines.

He is very kind and kind enough to allow me to travel with him & key staffers to the 2014 En Premier to taste what was a very difficult 2013 Bordeaux vintage. You can go to En Premier and then there is going with Clyde. You have all the key appointments, Chateau accommodations/dinners and taste somewhere around 1500 plus wines in 6 days. He is loved by the Bordelais and for good reason.

So, I dedicate this post to him. He is the one who told me to buy this little known 2003 Verdignan at the same “Affordable Bordeaux Tasting” I mentioned in my Chateau de Candale post on Friday. As of Friday, that was the wine of the tasting. Well…until I coravined this slowly over the weekend. This 2003 was under $25 and it is one of the very best Bordeaux’s I had in some time. As well, perhaps the best QPR in my over 20 years collecting wine. Clyde knew that day just how good it would become. He said, forget about this for 20 years. So, I am a little early here.

Clyde has recommended more great Bordeaux’s to me that most people don’t hear about, let alone try. He told me to buy the poorly reviewed 91 Pichon Lalande when he brought more into the store seven years ago Chateau direct. It was a very difficult vintage with spring frost, hail storm and a difficult growing season. He described as “Heaven in a Bottle” and It most certainly the case. To this day, Pichon Lalande is my favorite steak wine and the 91 is still my favorite vintage. I purchased a 3L from him recently that he brought in direct from the Chateau for my 60th next year. Can’t wait to open that with our good friends and celebrate.

As for the Verignan, the nose reveals; dark brooding & slightly bake fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark spice, dry tobacco, graphite, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals.

The body is full, rich, lush, satiny with plenty of well rounded, soften tannins. The tension, structure, length and balance are excellent and will continue to improve. This will last another 15 years and beyond with proper storage. This is a very classic Bordeaux well balance in fruit and earth. It is sheer elegance on the palate. It’s why I love Bordeaux more than Napa and I love Napa Valley Cabernet. Dark brooding & slightly bake, ripe fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, boysenberries, some poached strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Black tea, dark chocolate bar, touch of mocha powder, light caramel notes, Expresso notes, forest floor with leaves, anise, limestone, moist clay, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, beautiful, mid intensity dark Asian & Indian spices with just right amount of palate heat, dry tobacco, graphite, dry twigs with a little sap, mixed dark berry cola, understated, well layered baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, dry herbs/sage, mint with candied; dark, red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is round and nearly perfect. The long finish is, classic, elegant, well balance fruit and earthy Bordeaux that persists softly on the palate for minutes with just the right amount of spice.
This is a heady wine that you really think about as you slowly sip and it affects your whole body. Can’t wait to have another in five years.

Photos of; Chateau Vergignan in Medoc near St. Estephe, their vineyard that reveals where Bordeaux gets its earthiness, Owner Jean Miaihle who acquired the property in 1972 and a wide shot of their vines. — 6 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

This extremely dark wine is indigo in color. The nose features black fruit aromas, like blackberry, fig and plum. There are a ton of spices at work here, too, but in a very subtle way. Cinnamon, allspice, thyme and sage notes appear. The palate has some very firm tannins at work, while the black fruit shows itself again. The dark flavors align with the smells on the nose. This wine is a perfect mate for a juicy rib eye steak, or a nice pork chop hot off the grill. — 3 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I get why people who generally always review this producer as just good consuming it young. This is ten years from birth, eight years in bottle and it is still not at its peak. it has ten years and perhaps more properly stored. Very good tonight but better things ahead. It takes this long and longer for WS Pinots to shine.

The palate is, juicy, ripe, rich, a bit lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, hues of blueberries, plum and ripe to dry strawberries with a pomegranate overlay. Then, dry earthiness, top soil, crushed rocks & powdery limestone & chalkiness, dark spices, some black pepper, dry brush, eucalyptus, tree sap, sun tea, black and red cola/licorice, drier tobacco, barrel dust to shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, touch of dry herbs-bay leaves & sage, bright red, pink, blue, purple florals framed in dark slightly withering florals, rain shower acidity, the finish is; well structured & balanced in fruit, earth & flowers, some more tension than I like but will soften & fade nicely in 3-5 years. But, wire to wire really even and stunning. Evolution & integration is good but needs 3-5 years to be its best. Coravin glass.

IMHO, one of the outstanding CA Pinot producers. Walter Hansel gives them a run for the money at their fantastic price point. — 3 years ago

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9.0

The 2017 Rosso Conero Villa Malacari smolders with a mix of black currants, smoky crushed stone and sage. It’s silky yet cool-toned, ushering in mineral-tinged red berry and violet inner florals. Grippy tannins linger as the Villa Malacari tapers off structured and almost salty in character. $16.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, September 2022) — 4 years ago

Shawn Thompson

9.2

If this Cabernet Franc were a person, he would be your salt-of-the-earth uncle who works all day in his barn and then comes over for dinner in a tweed jacket and rustic plaid bow tie. The wine pours a dark purple colour and lands heavy in the glass. We decanted for 2 hours and the nose opens slowly, first with a hint of violets and damp forest floor and then more expressively with bramble berries and the faint scent of eucalyptus. The palate is assertive with juicy black berry, and Saskatoon berry and as it finishes we experienced notes of raisin, cacao and pencil lead - we paired it with pan seared chops done in a garlic, sage and Masala glaze set a top a warm Braeburn apple and radicchio salad. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Picked this up at Nickel & Nickel’s Entrecôte en Baguette Futures Tasting. Seems similar to the movie “Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade,” from the 15-16 reds we tasted, we chose the Sori Bricco wisely. 😂

The nose is very brooding. Big, dark, black ripe ruby & liqueured fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, poached strawberries & creamed raspberries. Dark chocolate, non distinctive baking spices, steep tea, limestone, bay leaf, sage, dark berry fruit cola, dark, rich soils, dark spice, dry crushed rocks, anise, dry tobacco leaf, graphite, dry twig, slightly, moist clay, volcanic ash, saddle-wood with fresh, candied; dark, red, purple flowers framed in lavender with accents of violets.

For a 13, the palate is nicely round & full. Still showing big dark, chewy & somewhat tarry tannins. It’s fresh, juicy, concentrated & gorgeous. This wine is delicious tonight but, my next bottle won’t be for another 6-7 years. It has big teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are good but, it will be at least 6-7 more years before they show their best. There is a sexy flow over the palate. Big, dark, black ripe ruby & liqueured fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, mulberries, poached strawberries & creamed raspberries. Dark chocolate, mocha powder, caramel notes, understated; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, steep tea, limestone, bay leaf, sage, dark berry fruit cola, dark, rich soils, dark Indian & Asian spice with palate heat, dry crushed rocks, anise, dry tobacco leaf, graphite, dry twig, pronounced, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, volcanic ash, saddle-wood with fresh, candied; dark, red, purple flowers framed in lavender with accents of violets. The acidity is round & excellent. For me, It holds the slightly higher ABV in check. The finish is; big, lush, ruby, nicely knitted & balanced elegant and slides into dark, tarry, chewy, silty, dusty tannins that persist minutes and then tailing off into dark spice.

This is easily a 20-25 year wine & perhaps more, properly stored of course.

Photos of; buffet of decanted Nickel & Nickel red wines (pretty sure the decanter buffet will go away after Covid), the branded archway you drive under to get to the property, courtyard pond & guests of the event enjoying lunch made to pair with their wines. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

A 93 now with upside potential. Probably should have left this alone for 2-3 years even after a 30 minute decant. Dirty raspberry pie and black cherry marmelade. Rather sweet open. Herbal middle. Finishes a little off balance but still very full bodied and grippy. Mostly dirty red fruit dominated. Really good but I can imagine how complex this will be in about 5 years. HOLD these. — 6 years ago

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9.3

The 2004 Léoville–Las Cases has the tough job of following the 2005. It offers black fruit mixed with sous-bois, smoke and sage aromas, now moving into its secondary stage but without the intensity of great vintages like 2005 or 2010. The palate is well balanced, with off-dry tannin. Classic in style, fresh and poised, leading to a lovely, quite sensual finish that leaves you wishing for another sip. Very fine. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2019)
— 7 years ago

Michael B

9.3

Black currants, cassis, dark cherries, plums, dark chocolate followed by slight leather and earthiness, finishing off with red and white peppers, and spices. Absolutely delicious! — 7 years ago