Jay Kline

9.4

Talk about an enormous wine. The 2005 is downright youthful and packed to the gills with fruit and character. Dark fruited with anise and black pepper. It was just so dense that everything seemed locked up right now…and we can thank Mourvedre for that. This was very tasty with cassoulet, Toulouse sausage and duck confit. If I were going to open another one of these, I would probably hold until 2030 and this will probably last for another 25 years beyond that. A massive wine with a long future yet ahead. — 8 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.5

We cant get enough of this wine. When out of towners visit and they want to experience a high quality Idaho wine, this is what we serve. Not too many winemakers can make Idaho grown Cab Sauv work, but the unique layout of this small vineyard makes an excellent wine. Vibrant dark cherry with well integrated but very present oak laced tannins that control the punchy juice into a charged balance that explodes in your mouth. Best Idaho Cab bar none! — 2 years ago

with Federico and Tammy

Aaron Tan

9.3

Less dense and minerally compared to the 09' d'Eugenie Clos Vougeot, but it was my preferred red Burg on the table. It just had more energy! Pure and pretty bouquet of red and black fruits (leaning on the latter), florals, savory spice, and earth. The same can be said of the palate, with quite a bit of power in the back-end. Finishes weighty with a drawn out fruit sweetness that's perfectly in tension with the saline, tangy elements. Dissipated quickly over dinner. Another win for the sisters and 2010!

NB: An episode on Wineking got me thinking about the way I rate wines. Totally "unprofessional". Haha. The hosts were talking about how wine professionals have to forgo preferences and put on their thinking hats to judge wines, which makes perfect sense (and is taught in WSET too) but I just rate wines here based on how "drinkable" it is to me (and in context of the occassion). Scores wise, I'm sure this was the "lesser" of the two red Burgs we had. Just had less "substance". But "drinkability" wise, clearly everyone thought this was better. — 3 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Yeah, what can I say. Nice wine for sure, but for some reason when I see the Silver Oak label my expectations rise. Realizing this is the Alexander Valley version. But 2011! Thirteen years old. Still rather single note, strong oak tannins still overshadowed what maybe underneath it. A bit disappointed I am afraid. We pulled it out with my first ever Tomahawk ribeye… so yeah. — 10 months ago

with Tammy

Daniel P. Drake

9.8

Over the Easter weekend I opened for friends the 2015 Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley St. Helena, California a blend of 89%Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Other.

I let decant for at least an hour on the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, cedar, spice, roses, crushed gravel and earth.

On the palate there was black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, licorice, mint, sandalwood, crushed gravel and earth.

This wine was rated 100 by both Jeb Dunnick and Wine Advocate whom I respect highly and can totally understand their exuberance for this wine but I couldn't make it quite there. I found that this is full bodied with a freshness and smooth mouthfeel medium + to high acidity and medium + high grainy crunchy tannins that gives a beautiful long dark fruit gravelly earthy finish. An eceptional wine by any means and I am glad to have a few more at rest in my cellar for this wine has many years to continue to develop. Our Easter weekend was one of excitement and exuberance where we had a baby shower on Saturday for our daughter who is expecting the last week of May first week of June which will be our second grandchild. Easter day we spent with family and friends which the day was spectacular. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and I wish everyone a wonderful week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy with peace to all. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 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! — 4 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Light garnet, medium body, accessible tannins even young, though we know this can age forever. High acid, Nebbiolo-like, feels cool climate. Pomegranate, cherry, bit of smoke, tar and dried herbs, perfect shareable size too — a year ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

Friday night I opened the 2019 Pride Mountain Vineyards 70% Napa County/30% Sonoma County Merlot. From St. Helena, California.

On the nose there is nlack cherry, plum, black raspberry, black currant, oak, chocolate, herbaceous notes and dark earth.

On the palate there is vlack cherry, black raspberry, plum sauce, black currant, spice, oak, chocolate, tobacco, tar black pepper and dark rich earth.

This ia a full bodied wine with medium + to high acidity and medium + mouthcoating crunchy tannins that leaves you with a long dark fruit woody finish. A new week is upon us and we can look ahead with hope and positivity. Let us all stay healthy and safe to a great week ahead. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 2 years ago

Dawn E.

9.2

I love this Bordeaux from Medoc! Per WE vintage chart the 2015 rates in at a 99, of course not ready to drink yet! I have a few more tucked away and wanted to give this a spin! Thank you @David T for the recommendation!
Finesse is all I can say. Every element is meshed exceedingly well! Smoke, chocolate, dark berries, espresso, earth, leather, pencil lead, and violets.
This wine does not have the wallop of a Napa cab..but think Old World on steroids! — 3 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

A big and bold version of Russian River pinot. We have worked our way through the better part of the the case by now. Dark black fruit aromatics with saddle leather on the back side. Tannins have finally softened and integrated into a single profile. The color shows a tinge of cloudiness as appropriate for its age. The wine is in a great place of integrated flavors, tannins, and a terrific finish lasting over a minute. Interestingly, as the finish continues the front palate flavors morph toward the red berry fruits- raspberry, cherry. A wonderful presentation of the terroir of the vineyard. Yes, I can call this a classic wine from the Bacigalupi vineyard! — 4 years ago

with Elizabeth