Bob McDonald

9.5

Very dark Ruby - almost black - opaque at 19 years. Herbal and minty with cassis and tobacco leaf. On the palate still tasting young. An exceptional vintage for Moss Wood. I bought a dozen on release and have 5 left which I will drink over the next 10+ years. A brilliant cross between the black fruits of SA Cabernet and the Herbaceousness of Margaret River Cabernet. In the end the latter wins out in this exceptional Cabernet. See previous 4 Delectable notes on this vintage. — 4 months ago

Vanessa

9.2

Happy Labor Day holiday weekend in the USA!

We’re enjoying a night off from studying while sipping a lovely Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2011 paired with a grilled steak, baked potato, green beans, and mushroom / zucchini kabobs. Soon (and sadly) we’ll have to say “au revoir” to summer.

Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste is situated on the left bank of Bordeaux, i.e., west of the Gironde Estuary, in the commune of Pauillac. Soils here are gravel-based, and free-draining, ideal for ripening the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon grape, which dominates in this Bordeaux blend.

Pauillac is known for producing age-worthy, structured Cabernet Sauvignon wines due in part to the growing environment. No wonder it’s home to 3 out of 5 first growth wines in the 1855 classification, including, Château Latour, Château Lafite Rothschild, and Château Mouton Rothschild. This particular wine ranks highly, as well, as a fifth growth and understandably so.

Based on our research the 2011 vintage in Bordeaux seemed to fast-forward many typical growing processes and timelines; grapes were budding and ripening ahead of schedule with warmer temperatures early in the season followed by notably cooler temperatures in August, ahead of harvest.

It’s remarkable how variable seasonal conditions can affect a wine’s profile, especially in less consistent climates like Bordeaux where vintage variation is a serious thing… still, this wine is lovely.

It is deep ruby with a medium (+) intensity of developing aromas offering notes of ripe blackberry, cassis, black cherry, plum, black licorice, anise, violet, tobacco, leather, clove, nutmeg, cedar, pencil shavings.

On the palate, this wine is dry with medium (+) acidity, high tannins that are ripe and smooth, a medium (+) body, medium (+) intensity of flavors consistent with the notes. The finish is medium(+).

This is an excellent wine that is drinking well now and could age further.

Cheers to the beauty born in 2011 in Pauillac AOC with this Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste! — 9 months ago

with Deked1

William Douglas

9.8

3/6.75/9.75 = 19.5 out of 100 say 98
Eight year Kevin John - lovely with pear on the nose and pear with perfectly balanced acid on the palate. Sets a high benchmark for all premium Chardonnay. — 5 months ago

Shay A

9.4

This was given a short 30min decant before being consumed over the next two days.

My note is likely going to be reminiscent of my experience with the 2015 Panek I opened 3yrs ago. Out of the RM Cabernet lineup, Panek is the pleasure bomb. One of the signature traits I get from some of TRBs cabs is his ability to pull the entire fruit spectrum (entry of bright red fruits, mid palate of fresh and sweet blue fruits before a commanding and juicy black fruit finish). From the start, this was uber concentrated, but in an elegant way (not brawny). 2hrs later, this smoothed out and channeled a silky profile. This leans to a more floral, dark cherry, mocha fruit flavor profile up front before an inky, juicy, dark chocolate covered black cherry with mint and savory notes. Still on the upswing. Decant 2hrs or hold another 2-3yrs. However, it’s in a hedonistic stage now with minimal air. — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Aromatics of Talc, white flowers a little peach and grapefruit. On the palate citrus and peach with diminishing acid. Just a fabulous mature Riesling with just a hint of petro chemical developing in the form of paraffin. It stamps the Great Southern in Western Australia as one of the premium Riesling districts in Australia. One of the 1001 wines and deserves to be. James Halliday wrote “year in, year out, one of Australia’s best Rieslings”. — 3 years ago

E & K G

9.3

A gift is a gift.. super grateful! Always a beautiful wine and we can all debate about the current px etc but if you strip that away, I still think Opus One makes a great wine. Sure we all have preferences and there is always better out there. That said, this is in a great spot. Balanced acidity, fruit and ripe tannins that are don’t get in the way, but keep you engaged. Love! — 3 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.5

Kanonkop knows Pinotage and they are experts at creating a Pinotage that can age for 20-30 years. You wouldn’t necessarily expect that for a grape that is a a crossing between a Pinot Noir and a Hermitage (an old name for Cinsault). This one was 13 years old and we still had to tame it down when it came out of the bottle. After about an hour of decanting the oak flavors of rich cigar and leather had well integrated with the earthy dark red, almost jammy, fruit. A full bodied, complex wine with lingering finish was created that disappeared way too fast. Follow us on www.spokenwines.com with an upcoming story about a winery that uses the Pinotage grape to make very unique rose that is out of this world. — 5 months ago

with John and Tammy

Doug Powers

9.0

Apple and very subtle oak notes, balanced and not in any way over the top (oak or fruit), medium-long finish, lovely local (Margaret River) Chardonnay!! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Johnno Harris

9.5

Fantastic. Nothing out of place here. Open ripe cassis & blackberry fruit notes with a subtle lick of mint and dried herbs supported by some classy sweet mocha oak. Good to go now with a bright future ahead. — 3 years ago

Megan

9.5

Loving this! Picked this up in Oakland on my way to the California coast. The wine merchant told me this is one of the few producers who still ferments in oak. I was intrigued! Tasting it, I’m totally sold. Toasty brioche and caramel on the nose, full body, roasted pear and apple cider notes on the palate. Will definitely go out of my way to buy again! (D: 3/2018) — 4 years ago