Robert Torretti

9.3

I had a couple of these bottles pre-Covid - fall 2019? It was my introduction to Stella di Campalto. They were fantastic young and you could see where they were headed. I bought six of the 750s and a couple of 1.5L. This is the first one I’ve opened. This Rosso would hold its own against almost any Brunello from the 2015 vintage, which makes sense, since they just take a barrel of the Brunello and declassify it and release it as a Rosso one year early. Delicious cherry, light on its feet, and very pretty florals on the nose. Give it time it open or a quick decant, which I did not this time. Great with steak, but also contemplative on its own. — a month ago

John Bratincevic

9.3

Forgot to save my thorough notes(!!!). From memory - the nose hits you with overt apricot, fresh figs, lots of nuts (including pistachio ice cream), and a bit of faint tangerine. It tastes like a pastry - almonds, sugar, coconut cream, apricot, cookies and cakes and dessert oh my. Finished with honeycomb. Very different than the Sauternes I am accustomed to, but very good. 93. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Aromatic notes of red fruits and red florals, dried herbs and whole bunch influences. Not as typically Otago as I was expecting - more restrained and less full bodied as you normally expect from this part of the world. I had written previously on Otago as being a “Shiraz drinkers Pinot” but this certainly wasn’t. The following day still those red cherry aromatics and a little pepper. Not overly complex, a little young, but very pleasant. Next in a year or so. — 4 years ago

Daryl Calhoun

9.2

Pre-turkey VHR cab sets the bar for the upcoming meal. Black Cherry, a little raspberry, mixed with leather and faint taste of toasted oak. @Bruce Phillips never disappoints. Happy Thanksgiving, all! We have many things to be thankful for— I am thankful for all of you. Enjoy the day! — 6 years ago

Sarah Petrosky

9.9

We are a huge fan of you and me and this was just as great. I may actually like it more. It was a bit peppery, which I love. Great nose. — 6 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

Somehow whenever I know that I am drinking a wine to young I see @David T scolding me! I do highly respect his insights and the plan was to wait three more years!
But the realization that I was going to need to sacrifice a bottle; that I can Hopefully replace came late this afternoon.
Most likely we are going to be saying goodbye to our hyperthyroidism kitty " Patience" tomorrow. It has been a long battle and she would have turned 15 July 31st. So some self medicating is warranted! 😓.
Although this wine is delicious even young! Ripe Bing Cherries...licorice...bubble gum..tea leaves and moist forest floor! Delicious wine! I will try to obtain another bottle and let it age longer! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Our favorite Spring day is when we get plant the yard. Especially, during Covid-19 lockdown. Never more enjoyable.

Flowers by Sofia. Garden is me.

A great weather day and worthwhile doing a cheers with of one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne’s.

With the lockdown, I am running dangerously low on Rosé Champange. I might have to Soda Stream some Rosé wine soon.

All my many, many notes still apply.

Cheers all and Happy Easter if you celebrate it. 🍾🥂🍷 🐣 🐰 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!

Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.

Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.

The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.

The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.

13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.

Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
— 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I have posted a number of older vintage Jones Family Cabernets. Many 20 yrs and older. Three to four 97’s…none better than this one. I give few wines a score above 96. This is different. It is so close to perfect. Some might give it a 100. I struggle to give a wine a perfect 100. I have only done it 4 times in an estimated 25k wines tasted or bottles I’ve enjoyed. One was a port made before 1886 and tasted in Oporto at Taylor Fladgate’s tasting room in 2015, it was their Scion. Only sold there and at the time 5k at bottle. You end up there purchase the Scion taste regardless of the current cost. They put on a tasting show for you. I am half tempted here to give out a 100 but will refrain.

I am not sure what to add to that but will attempt to do so.

The nose is a beautiful, perfectly evolved Napa Cabernet. Nothing overpowers any of its singular components. I think the word I am looking for is harmony. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best, mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a flutter note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue & framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets.

The palate wire to wire is even & stupidly, gloriously, grand. It mirrors the nose very closely. Lush, plush, ruby dark currants/cassis. The best mid, subtle/gentle/soft, dark spice box w/ some light palate heat, best I certainly can remember, lush blackberries, both plums, dark, kirsch not quite liqueur cherries, a mix of subtle purple fruits, poached to baked strawberries, some light hints of raspberries, dark sweet tarriness, melted dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, steep fruit tea leaning into black tea, beautifully layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, caramel, sweet/soft leather, moist tobacco w/ a hint is ash, sandalwood, dark, rich forest floor, dry, crushed rock powder, dry top soil, crushed limestone powder, sweet graphite, hints of dry twig, a fluttering note of eucalyptus, dry, withering & slightly candied florals that are; dark, red & blue framed in light lavender with more pronounced liquid violets, perfect, rainfall acidity, extremely well balanced, even & subtle tension-structure that stands up on the long set, refined elegance with a finish that goes on and on and eventually lands on spice & beautiful, refined earthiness.

What a bottle! 98 that leans into 99. I paid somewhere between $80-$90 on the secondary market for this bottle. — 10 months ago

Daniel M

9.1

There is tar, cedar, cigar, black currant, oak. This is a médoc nose quite evidently and it's clearly not showing any sign of age. The palate is made of a huge acid backbone, a good width with matter on the sides, there is a bit of weight on the sides too, a bit of thickness. Coffee notes and black currant are complementing the acid backbone quite well, conferring a noble character to the wine. Then comes intergrated yet present tannins. It creates a dusty, grainy layer which expands into the finish and keeps going for a very long while. Those same coffee notes and that black currant fruit go along for a very long time making way to a very nice bitter note in the end. This as noble as you could expect from a wine with this pedigree. I tasted the same bottle 5 years ago and it was back then too young and rough around the edges. It has just entered its prime it seems. 23 years of age and kicking! — 5 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Man. This wine is a petulant genius child. When it was young was amazing. Now on open it’s a child hiding in the corner.

Nose at 2 hours just reluctantly gives you a glimpse. Reticent bastard. Just a peek of gorgeous flowers. But they are glorious.

Palate is gorgeous. Cherry flower more than cherry. I love you. Yes I do. So silky. So elegant. Yes you are holding back on me you annoying young genius bastard. But I am old and wise. And can enjoy your promise and can wait for it become apparent. Because I am old. And I have nothing left but patience. And you in the impetuousness of youth will be out lasted by me.

Bought from fass selections. — 6 years ago

Jeremy Autry

9.3

This is only my second bottle of Tannat ever. Hated the first. It was ugly and funky in the wrong way. This is, however, ugly and funky in the right way. If the light hits it right, it’s almost a neon purple. The kind of neon you would find in the sign of your favorite dive bar. That favorite dive bar is pungent and almost offensive on the inside, but you keep going back. Where else are you going to go? I am a convert. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.6

A few wines from last week’s 4th Friday event!

The sheer opulence of this is astounding. Obviously young, this was actually my first Realm BTK courtesy of @Keith Fisher . When thinking back to the last stunning 2016 BTK I had (MacDonald), where the MacDonald is more dusty, slightly more herbal and full of tightly coiled BTK power, this was an embarrassment of rich dark fruits, baking spices and sporting a creme de cassis like profile. Classic To Kalon power, with so much to unpack. Thank you, Keith! — 7 years ago

Spencer Dodd

9.5

Super beautiful and elegant, feminine and delicate yet great concentration. I am not sad about opening this yet it could age. Let it air a bit like 20 min at least and you start getting that concentration of red fruit with the beauty of Italian acidity. Highly recommended and I am happy I opened this for a good event. — 7 years ago

with Jen, John and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard. — a year ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Tonight I am enjoying the 2018 Maison L'Envoyé Two Messengers Pinot Noir. This wine is from Dundee, Oregon of the Willamette Valley.

On the nose there is cherry, cranberry, strawberry, vanilla, clove, herbs, spice and with a barnyard funk.

Onnthe palate there is cherry, strawberry, cranberry, clove, vanilla, spice and a nice earthy component.

This wine is medium bodied witha sooth mouthfeel medium acidity and medium fine tannins that leave you with a medium + to long red fruit woody earthy finish. Happy New Year to everyone and I wish each and every one ofe you a healthy, sFe and prosperous 2022. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.7

This will throw you off. First impression this is a young Rhône. First taste this a Rhône. The wine is all about power, full bodied, meaty. Not a lot of fruit nor any hard tannins. The wine is round and fills your mouth. Only on the back of your tongue you start experiencing some salinity and some of the typical barnyard Pinot. Not your regular clos de la roche, you either consider this as an anomaly or you can really like it. I decided to like it as a monumental effort but I am surprised it is a clos de l roche of one of the best producers. — 6 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

I am not a fan of this negotiant. But 15 is a great vintage and at a 50% discount for 45$ I gave it a shot. Especially since normal people are priced out of Burgundies with a name. Nose of subdued but mostly cherry . Quite tannic at first which resolves after 15 min and then really mellows out. Cherry 🍒 crushed marble let it breathe - then the overt cherry blows off - asian spices, orange peal, black tea. Nice for a very reasonable price. For the money this is really good! If you are in San Diego County the Meritage in Encinitas has may be a case left. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Some friends of ours brought this to our backyard dinner last night. This is not a producer I buy. So, it was nice to revisit and nice of them to share.

The first thing I would say, is this is a well made Pinot Noir. Having said that, I don’t buy it due to its pricing. If you are buying this from the winery, its price point is still too high for it’s quality and gets worse yet when you go to the secondary markets which, many do, due to its limited production & wait on their list.

I say this because I have had countless examples of Sonoma & CA Pinot Noirs that are as good for $75 or around that price point give or take a little. The Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is a similar style and for me, is better than this Marcassin. The Hendricks is $75 on futures buying.

Our friends that brought it, whom we share a mutual friendship with another Sommelier. He told them they had to drink this as it was getting old. I can tell you that is simply not the case. This wine has another 7-10 years of fine drinking ahead. These statements happen when your consuming wine regiment is based on a steady stream of always drinking wines young...It just happens.

The wine shows beautiful mid & dark candied, floral fruits, heavy baking spices and too much cinnamon stick for me. Beautiful, dark, red, blue and purple florals. It is well balanced, lush, elegant, polished with nice round acidity.

A very nice wine just overpriced IMHO. You can do just as well for less and you would only lose out on the fact you are feeling good about opening a cult name Pinot for yourself or to impress others. Not a dig, just the wine psychology that experience has led me to through the devotion of studying wine and consumers feedback. Not all, but enough to call it what it is. I myself have fallen prey to those emotions & I’m sure will again.

Photo of, Marciassin Winery, Helen Turley-Co Owner, Ryan O'Donnell-Winemaker and a Sonoma vineyard they source fruit. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.4

I think this one is drinking very well at this moment. However, I am sure that this crazy complex Mt Veeder fruit is capable of more. At first, this one seemed to have a backbone of sweet, blackberry and blueberry fruit with volcanic notes. Immediately after cork pop, you could have told me this was the Howell Mountain offering and I would have believed you. However, 3 hours later this one turned a little bit darker. Shale and gravel replaced the volcanic notes, and the blackberry doubled down. Ended with a fair amount of black pepper, resolving tannin. Very balanced. This one will definitely hold for a while. I think it is in a great spot, although I see it improving somewhat in the next 1 or 2 years. if you have a few of these as I do not, you might want to open up one now! — 7 years ago