5/5/2024 - KJD45$ wrote:

Needs a few hours air…
Have to say I think it’s time to drink up the vintage
Rose petal orange rind savory notes pomegranate
and a somewhat drying acidic finish…
I can’t see this getting any better but then again I haven’t had a 15-20yo barbaresco
I defer to the barbaresco experts..: please invite me for a lengthy vertical !!

3/4/2024 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine:

I think this is a great Beaujolais, and a bargain at that. Really nice dark red fruits, including blueberries and cherries. It is medium to full bodied and very ample, with a full mouthfeel and lively acidity.

3/10/2024 - CabPfeffer Fan Club wrote:

Consistently excellent. I tapped into this bottle four times since August ‘23. Lush cassis cabernet aromas on the nose and then the cherry berry flavors from the merlot on the palette. A nearly 50/50 blend Worth seeking out A fine value.

11/20/2022 - jrbates68@gmail.com Likes this wine:

A lovely fruit driven Rioja, with a spritzy mouthfeel and lovely soft tannins.

2/22/2024 - Vine wrote:

Mellow. Subtle. Brilliant. A nose of sweet honey, with a touch of leather. Fresh and lively. A fabulous wine. Drinking beautifully now.

The 2017’s: We have been through 6 bottles of Gloria; 6 of 12 bottles of Saint Pierre; and now our first bottle of Leoville Barton.

2017 may be very approachable in it’s youth in Saint Julien, but it is not a troubled vintage at all. Enjoy!

10/21/2023 - brady.lambert wrote:

The "Professional Reviews" are paid-for advertising for the winemakers. 'Robert Parker' and 'Wine Advocate' are owned by Michelin Group, out of Singapore. Robert Parker is name only. So, this vintage is rated a fantastic 95 in 'Wine Advocate Robert Parker', but the real tasters here generously rate it an 89. What did we learn? Michelin Group has a revenue model, and you have to take the risk and judge for yourself. I know, I purchased a $90 bottle of something that tastes like dish soap, that was also hyped. Gotta go to tastings.

7/1/2022 - Purple Tooth wrote:

One of the best Saint Emilion wines, this is the best Dominique I have had since I can recall. This is on a different level and there is no signs of oak at all. Just a voluptuous, tight potion of something very powerful, single pieced and dry. A peacock tail finish in line with Troplong Mondot. This is the QPR contender for 2019 Saint Emilion. Built to age! HOLD_

12/22/2022 - Bam_Man Likes this wine:

Way too soon, but given the great reviews and hype just had to try one of these from the 2019 vintage. That was the year that Kerry and I were married atop the Galatrona tower adjacent to the Petrolo estate, so we were particularly keen to get an idea of how good this is. And it is VERY, VERY good. Shows a gorgeous nose of crushed blackberries, lavender and earth. Full-bodied, yet elegant in weight and texture. Immediately saturates the palate with an explosion of tart, tangy plum, blackberry and pomegranate fruit - along with a piercing acidity. Displays amazing depth and focus on the mid-palate. Noticeably tight on the youthfully restrained finish, which features mouth-filling, crunchy tannins and lingering notes of earth, spice and mineral. Essentially a tannic monolith now, this has all the ingredients and the pedigree to be a world-beater in another 5 years or so, once it has unwound and softened. Already, this is easily the best Galatrona that I have ever tasted. Bravo ancora, Luca!
50+5+13+18+9=95

11/23/2023 - Montesquieu Likes this wine:

Terrific Chardonnay for the price. I'm in a happy Thanksgiving mood at Blackberry Farm, so rounding this up. Gorgeous flavors of toasted bread crust, white pepper, and aftertaste of candle flint. Complex and lengthy. Clear winner.

4/7/2023 - csimm wrote:

A few days in Napa with fellow CT'r Cristal2000: Salty and funky on the nose, with an instant cool climate aura that makes you wanna stick your face further into the glass and pretend you tripped and fell in a blackberry field off the coast of Patagonia (what with all the blackberry fields in Patagonia). Well, this is more like a St. Joseph lookalike, with smoke, black sea salt, brambly blackberry, pine needles, muddled plum, rainbow peppercorns, and bark flavors making for an old school profile that also presents as clean, pure, and fresh (a neat trick to be sure). There is a stemmy quality here without the bitterness (another neat trick), adding a savory-meets-old world classicism contour.

Give it a few years to develop some additional weight and complexity, but I’d say there’s merit in trying one of these early, too. It’s nice to find a cooler climate Syrah out of California that doesn’t instantly lead with booze and brawn on the front end. This 2021 La Pelle is a Syrah for those who own smoking jackets and Vizslas.

9/14/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

re-tasted, the best and the 2021 is not far

1/23/2024 - KJD45$ wrote:

See my previous
What a great complex wine for the price !!
Bravo

9/23/2023 - Agunner23 Likes this wine:

I love this wine! It does not get the love it deserves as an '18. A massive wine with 14.5 ABV and it is hard to tell that. My local store used Corvain on bottle for me to try and I was hooked. I bought them out (4 bottles) and don't regret it. And now I want more and the are out of stock so I bought 12 more at auction for about $35 less a bottle than retail including buyer's premium l. If you find a bottle give it a try.

12/11/2023 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

G. Pouthier elected best winemaker in France!!! in front of Leroy, Romanée Conti, Petrus, Figeac.....
I'm very proud of him and of me too, since I've been advising people to jump on all their bottles since 2014 anyway! I'll put the link below. And advise you once again to buy, especially the 2022 and 2016, the winemaker's favorites and mine too
https://avis-vin.lefigaro.fr/tops-selections-vins-spiritueux/o157055-guillaume-pouthier-chateau-les-carmes-haut-brion-elu-meilleur-vigneron-de-france-par-le-figaro-vin-se-croire-arrive-c-est-le-debut-de-la-fin

5/25/2023 - watcheslover Does not like this wine:

To be reserved for oak suckers

12/5/2023 - Purple Tooth wrote:

**I bought 3 bottles of this because I cant help it. I am curious...Like a little monkey. It keeps my mind fed and my my eyes alive. And...the price was good too! So what the hell...or hey

This is where everyone should just relax and drink this wine instead of believing in Santa Claus. In its depth of deepest red, there is so much energy and pull, making the smallest sip, last the longest time. This is definitely a date night wine right now...A bottle you can enjoy with someone you want to get to know better or again, because it takes its time.
Lots of evolution during 5 hours. Twists and turns take you from one region to another though the language of a rainbowed wine with many tales. We go from a hot Napa summer day to a trip across the ocean to Rhone, where the dry and tannic ceylon tea like notes flare like a peacock in the finish, bringing much confusion. As we take a rest, the cocoa appears. Wrapped in cold graphite with notes of pen ink and then the wood influences come back in the form of decimated cozy little baking spices. A long, punctuated clean finish takes you back around to...California.

This wine can replace any 200+ dollah Napa with ease. But like most big voluptuous things, the weight will eventually shrink it down to less than what it is today. Drink, Drink and be merry! Happy Holidays and what a GREAT HOLIDAY WINE!

12/14/2021 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

98-100
Wonderful, by far the best ever. a wine with a strong character. On the nose, we find beautiful fruity and floral notes. Its great complexity on the palate, giving way to beautiful aromas of cherry, vanilla and spices and many more.

1/30/2023 - AlyssaRock12 wrote:

Wine ranked 10 of 12 for 2019 CdP tasting.

Beautiful nose. Spice, cheese, lots of flavor I couldn't quite place. Nose was very thought provoking. Not much on the palate, the acid was intense and too many tannins. Too young imo for right now.

84 pts

2/12/2023 - GrapeScott wrote:

Not the greatest vintage in Champagne, but I do like Lassalle wines and had never tried the Cuvee Angeline, so picked up a few at the deeply discounted price of ~$60. A bit austere, with lemon and chalk notes, with a creamy mouthfeel. Pleasant, but really not distinctive, and there are definitely much better bottles to be found in this price range.

8/11/2023 - Wine-ian Likes this wine:

Excellent, opened a bottle in anticipation of ordering the ‘21. Smooth and balanced, medium plus bodied, decanted for just over an hour, opened nicely, expect it to continue to improve over the next few years.

9/10/2023 - KJD45$ wrote:

Toasty lemony goodness..,
Well balanced
Great champagne but at a hefty price tag
For the money I would go vintage taittinger Comte Des champagne all day long

10/7/2022 - JJYoyo Likes this wine:

Still painfully young and very tight. That said, this pointed to greatness. A complex interplay of formidable granite-like minerality, intense citrus and green apple, some hay-like anise-like scent, and searing not yet tamed acidity. Shows signs of being able to last a long time but it says a lot that it is only now, after some reflection , that I can say that with confidence. Boudignon has some hype behind him and…. Yep, believe the hype. This was fantastic, highly personalized Savennieres that might be a miracle in another decade.
Had a .375 of Matrot 2017 Meursault/Blagny after this and it says a lot that the Matrot - which struck me as comparatively light and restrained on its own - came across now as massive, opulent, and rich. I shudder to think what I would have thought of a CA chard after this….
Score: 94+. Relative to expectations: ++ at least

12/9/2021 - WKC Likes this wine:

Good predominant nose of cherries and plum with scent of minerals. Well balanced on the palate. A good VR villages and worthwhile to buy for everyday drink.

5/20/2023 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine:

Pretty deep ruby color with some purple. High viscosity. Explosive but primary, with a potpourri of red currant, blueberries, also some dark cherries, cassis, orange zest, also some earthy notes and a touch of spices. It's medium-full bodied, with a really nice medium-high vein of acidity cutting through it. Also some minerality rounding up the pretty picture. Long finish. When you are getting more and more priced out of the Côtes de Nuits, Côte Chalonnaise is really on fire these days.

4/9/2023 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

Very much on the savory side vs fruit…
Earth…Forest floor, herbal dominate the fruit….it seems to be in the prime window right now….
While enjoyable I have had many many CDPs I much prefer to this ….

The Mon Aieul bottling is preferable to the imperiale in my opinion..

3/24/2023 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

So bright tart and refreshing..
See all the reviewers tasting notes as they are spot on for flavors,,,
It’s exciting and electric,,
At $97 it’s fully priced for the experience and maybe overpriced compared to the French maker thibadoux…spelling?

3/8/2023 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

Now I smell smoke taint. And a little bit of pleasure on the front of the palate

11/25/2022 - EXPLORER 825 Likes this wine:

A Merlot/Cab Franc Boudreaux blend (80%/20$). Richly dark ruby red color in the glass with lighter ruby color at the rim. Aromas of blackberries, plums, leather and tobacco are outstanding and irresistible!! On the palate, a full and lovely mouthfeel with wonderful texture and complexity. Finish is smooth, long and lingering. What a wine.

10/10/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

A pretty rough alcoholic ride. But open for three days.

12/25/2022 - KJD45$ wrote:

Fruit forward , hedonistic, lush new world blend..
Definite oak adds texture to the fruit….
Sort of wine that immediately impresses you but I think it’s also tiring after a while…
Crowd pleaser …. Great to enjoy occasionally but it’s too jammy and extracted for me to want very often …

8/21/2021 - Babik Does not like this wine:

Decanted 30 mins. Had the expected Rocks Syrah notes I was hoping for, but also a strong minty/pyrazine note I couldn’t ignore. With food it was highly elevated. Bad bottle? I don’t know but I bought a bunch of this stuff and hoping other bottles are better. Curious if others have tasted that note …

7/19/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

Fabulous Gigondas for his price, a future star

9/9/2022 - havana4 🍾🍇 Likes this wine:

Minimal decant , drank over ensuing 2 hours. Just a beautiful southern Rhône blend. Sweet and tart red cherries and strawberries, bit of pepper, super fine tannins, some cedar. High ETOH in this one but good balance .

12/3/2022 - cct wrote:

2007 Barolo and one Barbaresco in Tucson (Ciabot Tucker): Beautiful but closed nose at first. Chalk, toast, citrus, and some nuttiness. One the palate, it's chiseled and powerful yet with filigree fine detail and a sense of intensity coupled with grace. A vibrant, animated youthful wine that gives you chills thinking about its potential. Chevalier Montrachet with bubbles. Wonderful 97+

11/11/2022 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine:

Friendly get-together - Big CA Wines!: Embodied everything good in the 2008 vintage. I was looking forward to tasting this as I have several in my cellar. If you like your Champagne (or whites) with a sharp acidic edge to them, then this is drinking phenomenally well right now! I prefer more resolved acidity, so I will wait on mine, but only because I believe it will improve. Nose showed plenty of minerality, yeasty brioche, and apple and citrus notes. Palate showed tart apple, subtle pear and oyster shell all wrapped in a creamy mousse...the wine also showed very crisp acidity, which, with the fruit, should age well for quite some time. This is an 08 to hold, IMO. A 95 today, but lots of potential to improve a point or two down the road!

11/18/2022 - hiker_guy Likes this wine:

From 375

Nose is densely fruity with dark red and black tones

Palate is dense, dark and fruit focused. There’s some new oak in here but it’s not prominent .

Finishes long and smooth .

Has some cellar potential but hard to resist now .

Would buy again .

11/30/2022 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

While I must admit this Pinot is one that most people would love…
I think I am sort of done with Cali pinots…
Enjoyable fruit, bit over extracted, not enough minerality….
Cali Pinot….Over it…..

8/14/2021 - Eric Guido Likes this wine:

Hold!!!! While this may deliver tons of pleasure and an amazing harmony of ripe fruits, minerals and balanced structure... the best is yet to come.

10/8/2022 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

Easy drinker…
Better notes next time

9/5/2022 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

Previous reviewers said it all….good descriptive notes..

9/2/2022 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine:

Slammed again for the sheer joy and it continues as before. I believe, when they write that she's electric and I obey. Bliss on a Friday night with a wanky homemade burger, cooked over coals, cancer dialed up to 11, joy to 14.

7/19/2022 - watcheslover Likes this wine:

Fabulous Gigondas for his price, a future star

5/5/2022 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine:

Scored as 'Oh my God, I am going to dump the wife, never touch porn again, pay my taxes, take up religion and elope with a case of this' on the CT Scale. I could score it a point or two higher, but I am mean and nasty, as opposed to 'hot and nasty' (that's for all you Black Oak Arkansas fans). Under the quixotic cork to keep us guessing as it ages. Not decanted, note made the day after opening.

Colour is verging on inky and as you tilt the glass there is little fading to the rim. Powerful vintage, powerful colour and that looks to equal powerful wine; but will it be too much? That's always the worry with the 'big' years and with Grenache it is a fine line between getting ripe tannins and nice perfume, or an over-ripe, very alcoholic port substitute (but without the depth).

The wine evolves enormously over the course of 24 hours. Early on it is potent, Grenache dominant. Then the other components start to well up and I am much happier. Now we get Grenache perfume of raspberry and strawberry, some earth and iron filings, blueberry and something I want to call plum, but that doesn't quite feel right. Oh for a more articulate palate! Tannins are fine, ripe and hold it all together. There is just enough acid to keep it fresh. The finish is long indeed and the wine fills the mouth without coating it and without being flabby. So, this wine escapes the power trap. It is a potent wine but not over-ripe.

This is not a cheap wine, in Oz in pure dollar terms, but it is a cheap wine in terms of what you get. It is substantially cheaper than many of our more expensive 'totem' wines and whilst the comparison is tricky (given our totem reds are Shiraz or Cabernet), I think it is valid in terms of 'value'.

A side note would be that I have seen some comments that there is oak in this wine. I have to say that would (pardon the pun) be my thought as well - the texture suggests some tasteful oak providing some creaminess and there are hints of what I would call oak spiciness on the nose. However, what I read is that the maker is quite averse to oak. perhaps what we have is ripe fruit, concentration and creaminess from the fermentation and time on lees? Maybe it doesn't matter much if the effect is good?

I encourage you to buy this, but do it by forwarding funds (crypto only I think, don't you?) and your account details to me. I promise to not just buy the wine but hold it for you. Trust me, I'm a lawyer.

12/22/2021 - jmull Likes this wine:

Wanted to drink something good after getting some bad news. This did the trick. Decanted an hour. This checks every cool-climate Syrah box, with a peppery, meaty core and very pretty raspberry fruit. There’s a lightness to this despite real intensity and length. Some noticeable tannin on the back end. Really, really good.

9/20/2021 - melzar wrote:

Reminds me of a Jura white with it's intentional oxidative style. I've thrown out many a white Burgundy with this degree of oxidation. Clearly, this is not my style, but perhaps I need my consciousness raised. There is a lot to be liked here,, and Rosenthal would not have imported this had it not been a worthy wine. Drink now with cheese.

5/1/2022 - acyso wrote:

Vinetasters: 2019 Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Skokie, IL): Served double blind. A mix of red and black fruit, but slightly stewy and feeling dried out. Thin and empty on the palate, missing midpalate, but with structural elements all jutting out, especially the alcohol and tannin. Feels like a wine that has dried out. My 5th, group's 5th.

4/25/2022 - KJD45$ Likes this wine:

Somewhat drying still….while good not a blockbuster…..
Def only a food wine…

3/15/2019 - Cecil77 wrote:

Fruit and tannins are good. Sweet vanilla oak combined with RS overpowers this wine. I know some like this style, but I just don't. One of the first Mike Smith wines I've disliked.

6/6/2020 - jjhsom Likes this wine:

Outstanding. Black/blue fruits. Nice depth. I get the feeling this wine has a huge time window. One of the best Rhone wines I’ve ever had.

12/26/2021 - Joe Gabagool wrote:

This is pretty damn good from the famed bigot Martino Manetti. Neil Rosenthal has to be proud representing this esteemed winery.

Aromas were very reminiscent of left bank Bordeaux at first glance. Big oak! After about 30 minutes, it screams Sangiovese. Red fruit, olive, leather and a little cigar box. The wine is weightless. Really impressive wine.

This is easily my favorite bigoted winery hands down. Go Martino!!!!!